Shinobu Kocho stood frozen in place, the smile on her face completely rigid. She slowly turned, looking at Mr. Allen in disbelief: "Then… then can you replicate the poison?"
Mr. Allen withdrew his hand, and the purple light on his fingertips dissipated: "No, I'm not interested in poison. I just wanted to simulate your attack method."
Sanemi Shinazugawa couldn't help but interject: "This guy is a monster! It took us so many years to master our Breathing Techniques, and he learned it just by watching once!"
Mitsuri Kanroji cupped her face with both hands, her eyes sparkling: "Mr. Allen is too amazing! He can even learn Shinobu's Insect Breathing!"
Uzui Tengen stroked his chin: "A flamboyant performance! But Mr. Allen, do you really not need poison to unleash the power of Insect Breathing?"
Mr. Allen didn't answer. Instead, he suddenly raised his hand. His fingertips vibrated at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, and the surrounding air emitted a faint hum. The next second, a wooden stake at the edge of the training ground silently split in half, the cut as smooth as a mirror.
"Breathing Techniques are not my primary means of attack. I'm just very interested in the unique nature of your Breathing Techniques."
Giyu Tomioka stood silently to the side, a complex light flickering in his eyes. As one of the first to witness Mr. Allen's strength, he understood the terrifying nature of this man better than the other Pillars.
Shinobu Kocho looked at the mirror-smooth cut. She walked closer to the wooden stake out of curiosity, her slender fingers gently tracing the cut. The touch was cold and even.
"Such a smooth and even cut. What a sharp attack."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki walked slowly, supported by his daughter, a relieved smile on his face: "Mr. Allen, you have mastered the Breathing Techniques of the Nine Pillars. This is truly an astonishing achievement."
Mr. Allen withdrew his hand and looked calmly at everyone: "Breathing Techniques are indeed very interesting, but for me, they are just the icing on the cake."
Sanemi Shinazugawa couldn't help but ask: "Then how strong is your true power?"
Mr. Allen smiled slightly: "When you meet Muzan, you will naturally know."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded gently, his gaze sweeping over the nine Pillar-level swordsmen present: "Everyone, you should now understand why I have so much confidence in Mr. Allen's plan."
Sanemi Shinazugawa clenched his fists, the scars on his face slightly reddening with excitement: "As long as Mr. Allen is here, that guy Muzan definitely won't escape!"
Shinobu Kocho put away her nichirin blade, and her sweet smile returned to her face: "Oh my, it seems our Demon Slayer Corps has finally found a turning point~"
Mitsuri Kanroji jumped up excitedly: "That's great! We can finally completely eliminate Muzan!"
Uzui Tengen stroked his chin, his flamboyant headpiece sparkling in the sunlight: "So, what should we do next? Continue to spread rumors about the blue spider lily?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki gently raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet: "According to Mr. Allen's plan, we have already spread the news of the blue spider lily. What we need to do next is to wait for Muzan to take the bait."
He turned to Mr. Allen, his voice gentle but firm: "Mr. Allen, do you think Muzan will appear in person?"
Mr. Allen crossed his arms, his gaze deep: "Given Muzan's personality, he will definitely send Upper Rank Demons to confirm first. However…" He slightly curved his lips, "as long as an Upper Rank appears, I can follow the trail to find his hiding place."
A hint of excitement flashed in Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes: "Then won't we be able to fight an Upper Rank soon?"
"Don't get too excited," Shinobu Kocho reminded with a light laugh, "Upper Rank Demons are not so easy to deal with."
"With Mr. Allen here, what's there to be afraid of!" Mitsuri Kanroji clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Mr. Allen shook his head: "I will not directly engage the Upper Rank Demons."
This statement stunned the Pillars present.
"Why?" Uzui Tengen asked in confusion, "With your strength, wouldn't it be easy to deal with an Upper Rank?"
Mr. Allen calmly explained: "If I expose my strength too early, Muzan might hide even deeper. We need him to lower his guard, believing this is just a normal operation by the Demon Slayer Corps."
Giyu Tomioka nodded thoughtfully: "Indeed, Muzan is inherently suspicious."
Mr. Allen looked around at everyone: "So the Upper Rank Demons will be left to you to deal with. I will observe from the shadows to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded in agreement: "Mr. Allen has considered everything thoroughly. Everyone, please be prepared to respond to an Upper Rank Demon's attack at any time."
In the following days, the Demon Slayer Corps entered a state of high alert.
The atmosphere on the training ground became solemn. Mr. Allen stood in the center, with the Nine Pillars surrounding him, everyone awaiting further instructions.
"The specific action plan is as follows," Mr. Allen's voice was calm and clear.
"The Demon Slayer Corps will continue to discreetly spread information about the blue spider lily, but ensure the news only circulates in specific areas."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded slightly: "It has been arranged. We have spread false information in several towns in the northwest direction."
"Very good," Mr. Allen nodded.
"Next, several Pillars need to disguise themselves as ordinary swordsmen and patrol the target areas. Remember, you must act as if you accidentally discovered clues, not as if you deliberately set a trap."
Sanemi Shinazugawa frowned: "Why go to all this trouble? Can't we just go straight in and kill them?"
Shinobu Kocho gently fanned herself: "Sanemi Shinazugawa, Mr. Allen is fishing. Being too impatient will scare the fish away, you know~"
Mr. Allen ignored their conversation and continued: "I will be hidden in the shadows. Once an Upper Rank Demon appears, you will be responsible for containing them, and I will track their whereabouts."
After the meeting, everyone dispersed to prepare. Mr. Allen stood alone in the courtyard, watching the sun gradually set in the west.
"Mr. Allen," Kagaya Ubuyashiki approached, supported by his daughter, "there's something I've always wanted to ask."
"Please do."
"You said you needed something from Muzan," Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was very soft.
"What exactly is it?"
Mr. Allen turned around, his black eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the twilight: "His blood."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was slightly startled: "Blood?"
"To be precise, it's the special ability contained within his blood," Mr. Allen explained.
"Muzan can bestow power upon others through his blood. This characteristic is worth studying."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki mused: "I see. Then, what do you plan to do with Muzan himself?"
"If you wish to personally end this thousand-year grudge, once I'm done, I can leave him for you to deal with," Mr. Allen said faintly.
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