Chapter 69: Arrogance is the Most Terrifying Thing!
On the training ground, dust flew, and the air was thick with the scent of sweat mixed with vegetation, along with bursts of uncontrollable, rhythmic wails.
"Faster! Even faster! Have you lot not eaten? Or do you want me to personally feed you my Iron Fist of Love?!"
Ryuji stood by the field with his arms crossed. His voice wasn't loud, yet it was like a demon's whisper, clearly reaching the ears of every member running with heavy weights.
Upon hearing the words "Iron Fist of Love," every member—regardless of gender—shuddered violently. Their pace instantly quickened as they sprinted as if their lives depended on it.
"Waaaah!! The Pillar of Fist is a literal devil..."
"My bones... I feel like my bones are falling apart... I want my Mother..."
"Hold on! Think about how the Pillar of Fist blew up that Upper Rank! We can do it too!"
A month of high-intensity hellish training had made these swordsmen, who weren't particularly gifted, suffer miserably. However, the results were visible to the naked eye; their survival rate would certainly be higher.
Looking at this group of howling youngsters who nonetheless refused to fall behind,
Ryuji nodded in satisfaction.
Just then, a Kakushi Member hurried to his side and bowed respectfully. "Pillar of Fist, Master Ubuyashiki requests your presence."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow. The Master is looking for me?
He turned and shouted to the crowd on the training ground, "Make sure to complete your training well... If I find out anyone was slacking before I get back, hehe."
That meaningful, cold chuckle caused the faces of all the members to instantly collapse in despair.
Following the Shinobi, Ryuji walked toward the Oyakata Residence, still calculating how to draw out one hundred percent of these swordsmen's potential.
"Mr. Ryuji!"
A voice full of vitality came from ahead.
Ryuji looked up to see Rengoku Kyojuro, his long gold-and-red hair dancing like flames, walking quickly toward him with a bright and sincere smile on his face.
"Mr. Ryuji! I finally found you!"
Rengoku Kyojuro reached him and bowed deeply without hesitation, his attitude respectful to the extreme. "I wish to take you as my Master and become your Tsuguko!"
Ryuji was stunned. The future Flame Hashira wants to be my Tsuguko?
Talk about gaining some serious prestige!
Almost without thinking, he laughed and patted Kyojuro on the shoulder. "Sure, I accept."
Teaching one is teaching, teaching a group is also teaching; one more won't make a difference.
"That's wonderful! Thank you very much, Master!"
Rengoku Kyojuro spoke excitedly and loudly, giving another ninety-degree bow.
Straightening up, the expression on his face became somewhat earnest and hopeful. "Master, I actually have a second request for you."
He took a deep breath and said solemnly:
"My mother is gravely ill and bedridden. I heard that you are on good terms with Mr. Kocho Jiro of the Butterfly Mansion. His medical skills are superb—he can even neutralize the poison of an Upper Rank."
"So, I would like to implore you: could you please invite Mr. Kochō to examine and treat my mother?"
He paused, a sliver of hope in his voice. "Perhaps... perhaps if Mother recovers, Father might be able to pull himself together again."
Ryuji stroked his chin and nodded. This might actually help Rengoku Shinjuro recover. But if that happened, wouldn't the Flame Hashira... No, wait. The Demon Slayer Corps' rule is Nine Pillars, but rules are made by people!
Ryuji's eyes lit up. Having dual Flame Hashira wouldn't be impossible!
After all, brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to war as one!
"No problem, leave it to me. Once this meeting is over, I'll go speak with Mr. Kochō."
"Thank you, Master!"
The two chatted as they walked, and soon arrived at the courtyard of the Oyakata Residence.
The Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu and the Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen had already arrived and were standing quietly under the veranda.
"Sorry, we're late."
Ryuji and Kyojuro bowed together.
"It's alright, please rise."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled gently.
Ryuji looked left and right, then asked, "Has Big Brother Himejima not arrived yet?"
"Gyomei is still capturing demons for next summer's Final Selection, so he won't be attending this time. As for the Flame Hashira..."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze fell upon Rengoku Kyojuro, his voice remaining gentle. "For now, Kyojuro will attend in his father's stead."
Ryuji understood. It seemed the retirement of the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, was already a done deal.
Kyojuro would directly inherit the position of Flame Hashira.
It was a pity the scene of dual Flame Hashira was gone... but they could still carry out missions together. That was still possible. Hmm, I'll have to have a good talk with Mr. Kocho Jiro.
"Now then, everyone is here. Let the meeting begin."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya clapped his hands. "Let Shinazugawa Sanemi come in."
Soon, the white-haired Shinazugawa, face covered in scars and eyes fierce, walked in. He knelt on one knee, and though his voice still carried a hint of defiance, it was incredibly respectful.
"Shinazugawa Sanemi greets the Master."
Because his close friend Kumeno Masachika had not died, the current Shinazugawa Sanemi was far from being as violent and unruly as he was when he first met the Master in the original story.
Watching this peaceful scene, Ryuji felt it was a bit of a shame. He hadn't been able to witness the famous scene of Ubuyashiki Kagaya perfectly controlling the temperature and easily handling the 'hot chili pepper.' It was a great regret.
As he was complaining internally, he saw Shinazugawa Sanemi turn his gaze toward him.
"Lord Pillar of Fist!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi stood up, pointed at him, and roared with high Battle Intent, "I want to challenge you!"
Ryuji: "..."
Well, well. The hot chili pepper didn't burn Ubuyashiki Kagaya, so it decided to burn me, huh?
"It is inappropriate for you to challenge him now."
A single sentence caused the temperature in the courtyard to drop several degrees.
Ryuji's mouth twitched as he looked at Tomioka Giyu, who had stepped forward at some point. This guy probably meant to tell Shinazugawa Sanemi that it was inappropriate to challenge a veteran Hashira just after being promoted to Hashira himself.
But... sigh, never mind.
He stole a glance at Shinazugawa Sanemi.
Shinazugawa Sanemi's face instantly turned the color of pig liver, and the veins on his temples throbbed wildly like earthworms.
"What did you say?!"
Inappropriate?
He meant to say I don't have the qualifications to challenge him at all! Damn it... "Fine! Very well!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi laughed out of pure rage. He turned to Tomioka Giyu through gritted teeth, the murderous light in his eyes almost turning physical. "Before challenging His Excellency Pillar of Fist, taking a knife to an arrogant prick like you is also a fine choice!"
Tomioka Giyu: "?"
He tilted his head slightly, his face a picture of confusion.
Why? I clearly gave him a kind reminder. Why is he so hostile toward me?
However, since the other party had said so, then they would fight.
He nodded calmly. "Fine."
"Aaaaaah!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi was completely enraged. Looking at Tomioka Giyu, he felt like his lungs were about to explode from anger caused by this poker-faced guy.
Ryuji, watching from the side, almost burst out laughing.
These two goofballs together were like heavenly thunder hitting earthly fire. He cleared his throat, stepped forward, and suggested to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, "Everyone seems very spirited. Since it's almost the New Year, why don't we just hold a Martial Arts Tournament?"
"It can be a way to ring out the old and ring in the new, letting everyone spar and improve together. What do you think, Lord?"
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Uzui Tengen's grin immediately reached his ears. "If you want to beat them up, just say so. Why bother finding such a flashy excuse?"
Despite the teasing, the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his inner anticipation.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled and thought for a moment, then nodded. "Ryuji's suggestion makes a lot of sense. The New Year is coming; it would be good for everyone to have some fun together."
The last collective sparring session had brought forth many excellent children.
They could hold such activities more often in the future; it would also improve the cohesion of the Demon Slayer Corps.
He looked at Ryuji with total trust in his eyes. "Then, Ryuji, you shall be in full charge of this matter. I will assist you..."
"Yes!"
Now that it was decided, it was time to get to work.
Ryuji immediately had the Kakushi Members set up a massive arena in the center of the training ground and notified all swordsmen without active missions to come and observe.
Perhaps due to the experience from last time, the arena was set up much faster this time.
"Tomioka Giyu! Get up here!"
As soon as the arena was built, Shinazugawa Sanemi was the first to leap onto it, pointing at Tomioka Giyu below.
Subsequently, he turned his gaze to Ryuji and said arrogantly, "Wait until I beat this arrogant guy down first, then I'll challenge you!"
Ryuji shook his head, thinking to himself:
Right now, it won't be easy for you to defeat Tomioka Giyu, who has been strengthened through scientific training.
"Do we have to fight right now?"
Tomioka Giyu slowly walked onto the stage.
At the very least, they should wait until all the surrounding swordsmen have arrived before starting, so it can better serve as a demonstration and guidance.
"In a setting with so few spectators, it's a bit inappropriate."
Hearing this, Ryuji couldn't help but facepalm.
Giyu, please, stop talking, okay?
"Aaaaaah! Tomioka Giyu! I'm going to kill you!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi's eyes turned completely bloodshot. He drew his wooden sword and rushed toward Tomioka Giyu with an Aura capable of slaying demons.
Tomioka Giyu looked innocent. What happened?
He had good intentions... This person is really strange. Ryuji is better; he never gets angry.
The two of them were instantly locked in battle.
The violent strikes of Wind Breathing and the continuous flow of Water Breathing collided fiercely on the stage.
Ryuji watched their fight. Aside from their solid foundations and power and speed far exceeding ordinary people, he couldn't see much of the more subtle sword techniques.
After all, he hadn't relied on technique throughout his journey.
"They're both geniuses! What a flashy duel!"
Uzui Tengen watched with great interest from the side, constantly praising them.
"Yeah, that's true."
Ryuji nodded. They were indeed both geniuses.
"Hey, Ryuji..."
Uzui Tengen leaned in: "Let's spar in a bit too. I seem to have gained some new understanding of that movement technique of yours."
"Sure."
Ryuji looked at the two fighting on the stage, then at Uzui Tengen beside him, who was brimming with Battle Intent, and his lips curled up.
He suddenly thought of Kocho Sisters at Mount Sagiri, and a surge of warmth filled his heart.
It's really nice.
Although the plot had been changed beyond recognition by him, those past tragedies were being rewritten by him one by one.
Next is the tragedy of the Tokito Siblings.
Ryuji remembered that the mother of the Tokito Siblings fell seriously ill during a snowy winter, and their father fell to his death while trying to gather herbs.
If he could change this plot and let both Tokito brothers join the Demon Slayer Corps safely... a natural sword-fighting prodigy, a brother who was also exceptionally talented, plus his own scientific training.
Hiss, that would be a beautiful sight.
If Rengoku Shinjuro doesn't retire... the strength of the Demon Slayer Corps will be unprecedentedly powerful!
That guy Muzan is really going to suffer.
Suddenly, a thought struck Ryuji like lightning.
Could Muzan... run?
Or rather, would he hide?
This thought sent a chill down his spine. Damn, with that trash boss personality of Muzan's, it's very likely!
After all, back then when he saw Tsugikuni Yoriichi and was slashed once, he didn't hesitate to split himself into 1,800 pieces of minced meat and flee, hiding for several hundred years.
Saying he's as cowardly as a mouse is an insult to mice!
He had just killed upper rank five not long ago and even shouted Tsugikuni Yoriichi's name at Gyokko's head... Hiss, Ryuji gasped. He shouldn't have provoked Muzan like that if he had known!
If he really finds a place to hide for decades or centuries, what will I do with all this power if I can't find my target?
Things seem a bit troublesome... Ryuji fell silent. He needed to think of a way to break the deadlock.
What Muzan wants most is the blue spider lily. Perhaps I can contact Lady Tamayo.
Have her find a way to spread some fake news about the blue spider lily to lure Muzan out?
While Ryuji was lost in thought, Uzui Tengen poked him with his elbow:
"Hey, what are you spacing out for? Who do you think will win between those two on the stage?"
Ryuji looked up and said calmly, "Tomioka Giyu will win, one hundred percent."
Uzui Tengen nodded: "Yeah, Shinazugawa's current strength is indeed at the Hashira level, but his foundation is too thin, not as solid as Tomioka Giyu's."
Hearing this, Rengoku Kyojuro immediately carved the words "practice foundations well" deep into his heart.
Soon, the battle turned out just as Ryuji had predicted.
After a fierce attack, Shinazugawa Sanemi experienced a brief moment of exhaustion. Tomioka Giyu seized the opening and defeated him cleanly with Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide.
"You... are very good."
Tomioka Giyu looked at the fallen Shinazugawa Sanemi and wanted to offer a few words of comfort.
For instance, something like "Your attacks are very sharp, you just lack in stamina distribution."
But when he spoke, it turned back into this minimalist evaluation.
"Damn it!"
To Shinazugawa Sanemi, this sounded like blatant provocation and showing off.
Without looking back, he jumped off the stage and disappeared into the crowd.
Tomioka Giyu looked at Ryuji in confusion.
Ryuji gave him a thumbs up and nodded: "You did very well."
But in his heart, he added: You're just not very good at speaking.
He said to Uzui Tengen, "We'll spar tomorrow when all the swordsmen have arrived."
"Alright!"
Uzui Tengen agreed and excitedly went off to train as well.
Ryuji then turned to Rengoku Kyojuro, who had been following him, and said:
"Since you've taken me as your Master, you can't go without training."
"Let's go. First, go to the Second Squad I'm leading for basic physical training."
A few days later, almost all the swordsmen without missions had arrived, and the training grounds were packed with people.
Ryuji and Uzui Tengen stood on the stage, the center of everyone's attention.
"Ryuji, after you finish guiding my movement technique in a bit, please use your full strength."
Uzui Tengen held two wooden swords, saying with some excitement:
"Let's have a hearty battle! Let me see the power you used to kill an Upper Rank!"
Ryuji's mouth twitched. If he really didn't hold back, this headquarters would be torn down.
The battle was about to begin.
Uzui Tengen was the first to attack fiercely. He perfectly combined the explosiveness of Soru with the rhythm of Sound Breathing. His figure flickered, and his sword light wove into a flashy and lethal movement.
Ryuji just stood in place, his arms turning into afterimages as he easily parried all the attacks, nodding inwardly.
As expected of the Flashy Brother, his talent is indeed amazing.
The swordsmen below were dazzled. From their perspective, the Sound Hashira's offensive was like a tide, while the Pillar of Fist seemed only able to defend passively, falling into a disadvantage.
But some true geniuses, like Rengoku Kyojuro, could intuitively feel Ryuji's mountain-like stability and unfathomable strength.
Beside him, a young boy with a white snake wrapped around his neck, Iguro Obanai, felt a fear coming from the depths of his Soul.
Clearly, not long ago, Ryuji was still fighting on par with him, and was even inferior in sword technique.
But now, the other party was already standing at a height where he couldn't even see his back!
He had originally thought about sparring again, but now it seemed he had already lost before even starting.
Losing wasn't scary.
Iguro Obanai clenched his fists; he wasn't someone who couldn't afford to lose.
Arrogance was the scariest thing!
Since Ryuji could become this strong, there must be a way to get stronger!
He wanted to become a disciple!
On the stage, Uzui Tengen and Ryuji suddenly pulled apart. He laughed heartily:
"That's enough! Thanks for the guidance. My understanding of this movement technique has deepened! Come on, next, let's get serious..."
Ryuji nodded, his arms wrapped in Armament Haki slowly rising, and he said softly:
"Watch out."
Uzui Tengen instantly raised his vigilance to the maximum.
But it was useless.
Ryuji's figure vanished.
Uzui Tengen's pupils shrank. He predicted Ryuji's fist and raised his wooden swords!
In the next second, a pitch-black fist appeared silently in front of Uzui Tengen.
Crack!
The two wooden nichirin blades in his hands shattered at the sound.
That fist finally stopped in front of his forehead, only an inch away.
The sharp wind from the punch made his flashy silver hair dance wildly, even making it difficult for him to keep his eyes open.
The entire place was deathly silent.
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