If the intelligence was correct, the gap in power between the Upper Ranks and Lower Ranks of the Twelve Demon Moons was a chasm so vast it was practically a severance in logic.
Even his cheap teacher was confident he could defeat certain Lower Ranks. Therefore, the "Hashira," who were even stronger than him, would naturally handle such foes with ease.
As for the Upper Ranks...
Forget victory; for many Hashira, simply surviving an encounter with one was an immense challenge.
The hierarchy of power was clear: Upper Rank >> Hashira > Lower Rank ≈ Kazami Sarayoshi > himself.
He estimated that the late-game bosses would almost certainly be these entities.
However… if the enemy forces were so formidable, why was the Demon Slayer Corps still using such a high-casualty, bloody selection process to recruit members?
Shouldn't they be lowering the barrier to entry to cultivate more gifted swordsmen?
A single Hashira might be unable to defeat an Upper Rank even with their full strength, but what if two Hashira teamed up? What if three or four fought in coordination?
As long as the base population of Demon Slayers was large enough, the probability of producing a Hashira would naturally increase. If the number of Hashira grew and they moved in squads, wouldn't their survival rate skyrocket?
When facing demons that devoured human reason, was there really a need to adhere to some chivalrous code of one-on-one combat? They should just swarm them. After all, there were only six Upper Rank demons in total.
If it weren't for Kazami's repeated assurances that the Master, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, was a truly benevolent man, Nishi would have almost viewed him as a deeply hidden conspirator—the kind of grey figure lurking in the shadows, coldly manipulating the board.
Perhaps finding the topic too heavy, Kazami Sarayoshi moved to end the conversation.
"Natsunishi, you should rest well for these few days. Once your uniform and Nichirin Sword arrive, it will be time to fulfill your duties as a Demon Slayer."
"Mhm... if your custom weapon takes too long, you might have to make do with a standard Nichirin Sword first."
"Don't push yourself too hard these next two days. We will spar a bit to practice, and then get you ready for your missions."
With that, he began clearing the dishes in front of him, preparing to leave.
But Natsunishi stopped him: "There is one more thing, Mr. Kazami."
He then proceeded to ask Kazami about the problems he encountered while practicing his Breathing Style, framing the question differently.
Wind Breathing did not have a very high compatibility with him—only 65%. This meant that for every three Achievement Points he invested, one was essentially wasted.
Extending from this issue, Natsunishi even suspected that the speed at which he practiced the Breathing Style, and even the sword forms he executed, were similarly limited by this compatibility rate.
If he practiced a Breathing Style with higher compatibility... even with the same attributes and skill levels, would his strength reach a new level? If his compatibility was higher, say 100%, it could potentially bring about a massive, comprehensive improvement of over 50%, even if no other stats changed.
Facing Natsunishi's inquiry, Kazami Sarayoshi did not scold him for being overly ambitious. Instead, he explained quite seriously.
While there were many sects like Wind, Thunder, Flame, Stone, and Water, they were essentially the same technique: maximizing physical functions through specific breathing rhythms and patterns. It wasn't a special energy, nor was it a demon's Blood Demon Art.
Precisely because it was a technique, it naturally produced subtle differences and adaptations based on the practitioner's physical condition and structural characteristics. These effects could be positive or negative.
For instance, someone tall with a sturdy frame might find the steady, heavy Stone Breathing or the fierce, direct Flame Breathing more suitable than the explosive-type Thunder Breathing.
Some people might be gifted but lack lung capacity. For them, Wind or Water Breathing—which are relatively gentler on the body compared to more demanding styles—might be a wiser choice.
To get even more specific, even reaction speed and personality could subtly influence one's affinity for a Breathing Style. Those with slow neural reflexes would feel a distinct sluggishness when practicing the forms of Thunder Breathing. Someone who was boisterous and straightforward would find it difficult to manifest the shifting, fluid nature of Water Breathing.
Of course, these differences usually didn't create an insurmountable gap, because these were all fundamental styles derived from the ancient Breathing Style. The differences were merely that some emphasized cardiopulmonary bursts, some focused on stamina and power delivery, and others on joints and specific body parts.
Water Breathing was slightly unique. It was the style with the most lenient physical requirements and was the easiest to learn; consequently, Water Breathing swordsmen were the most numerous in the Corps. If one found even the highly adaptable Water Breathing difficult to master, they would likely find it nearly impossible to even begin training in the other four more demanding styles.
"Oh? The thresholds for the five main styles are different?" Natsunishi asked Kazami with a studious spirit. "Water Breathing is actually the easiest to start with?"
The old man gave an answer based on his own experience. Simply put, one could deduce the answer from the number of practitioners of each style within the Corps.
Stone Breathing was in the most difficult tier, requiring the highest physical standards. Thunder Breathing was also very difficult, though it tested the practitioner's neural reaction speed and leg muscles more than raw physique. Wind and Flame Breathing were roughly the same, though the former emphasized lung capacity and balance, while the latter tested limb explosiveness and strength.
As for Water Breathing, while its entry barrier was the lowest, its core lay in neural reaction and coordination. The vast majority of Demon Slayers practiced within these five basic sects.
Compared to choosing the "perfect" Breathing Style—a problem only relevant once one reached a certain level—most slayers focused more on how to make their bodies stronger and how to survive an encounter with a demon.
Hearing this, Natsunishi nodded in agreement. Most players prioritized reaching max level first; only "whales" or high-level pros bothered building their skill sets and decks perfectly from the start.
He then posed a tricky question.
"So, what if none of the five Breathing Styles are suitable?"
If the five basic sects targeted the five most common types of swordsman physiques, there must be some gifted but physically unique swordsmen who had low compatibility with all five.
Kazami did not deny this. The reason the five styles were called "Basic Breathing Styles" was because over the centuries, the Corps had seen more than one individual who used a "Derivative Style."
Whether through innate genius or unique physical traits, they would take the core of a basic style and adjust or modify it to create a derivative breathing technique different from the original. It wasn't necessarily stronger, but it was certainly more suitable for that specific individual. Those who could create their own style and leave a legacy were, at the very least, high-ranking swordsmen, if not close to the level of a Hashira.
Then again, the five basic styles themselves were likely derivatives developed from an even more physically demanding ancient breathing technique.
So... Natsunishi reached a conclusion.
[Weapon], [Physical Stats], [Technique], [Sword Forms], [Breathing Style Type], [Breathing Style Level], [Breathing Style Compatibility].
Each of these was an independent multiplier affecting the final damage dealt to a demon. To beat the game, one didn't need to be peak-tier in every single category, but they certainly couldn't have any glaring weaknesses.
Natsunishi, who had actually paid attention to the lore this time, thought to himself: "Sir, how does one develop their own Breathing Style?"
Kazami replied, "How should I know? I don't practice a derivative style."
Natsunishi: "???"
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