"Raise the temperature of a Nichirin Blade by dozens of degrees with just grip strength? Are you sure this isn't a joke?"
After hearing the condition for activating a Crimson Blade, a dumbfounded Sabito said to Giyuu beside him.
"I haven't tried, but I feel it would be incredibly difficult. After all, aside from Himejima,-san I can't think of anyone with that much strength." Yuichiro glanced at Himejima Gyomei's thick arms, then at his own slender ones.
The other Hashira also voiced their opinions to varying degrees, but most agreed that the condition for activating a Crimson Blade seemed somewhat difficult.
The only two who didn't offer an opinion were likely the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, and the Forest Hashira, Shinichi Moriki.
For Shinobu, her fighting style didn't rely heavily on the Nichirin Blade itself, so activating a Crimson Blade wouldn't significantly impact her combat effectiveness.
As for Shinichi, he was currently pondering another matter.
After watching the Hashira discuss for a while, Kiriya Ubuyashiki, seated at the head of the table, gently gestured and spoke
"Actually, we haven't found many records regarding the Bright Red Nichirin Sword. The activation method was found in the notes left by an ancient swordsman. That senior swordsman also stated that grip strength is not the only way to activate it. As for what the other methods are, we have yet to find them."
His small figure spoke with such experience and composure, not at all like an eight-year-old child.
The aura he exuded was also convincing. One could only say, as expected of the Ubuyashiki clan.
"Kiriya-sama, there is one more thing. Whether it was the battle in the Yoshiwara Entertainment District or the later kidnapping of Chinatsu-san, all evidence points to a connection between the demons and high-ranking government officials. If that's the case, then we may have to face more than just demons. It's highly likely the government will also interfere with our actions."
With his hands pressed together, Himejima Gyomei spoke in a low, serious voice.
As the oldest Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei had always considered matters more thoroughly and comprehensively than the others.
"Regarding this point, actually, Himejima-san, you need not worry too much. The high-ranking government officials probably won't interfere with our actions anymore. On one hand, it's because of Ryukawa-sama comprehensive assistance. On the other hand, it's also because..." Kiriya Ubuyashiki didn't continue, instead giving Shinichi a very meaningful look.
The others might not have understood their lord's meaning, but the quick-witted Sabito immediately realized something and couldn't help but glance at Shinichi as well.
"The reason the government won't interfere... could it be that all the officials who might have colluded with demons were taken care of by Shinichi..."
At this thought, Sabito shook his head.
Although Shinichi had seemed quite brutal at the time, Sabito didn't think he had done anything wrong.
The souls of humans who colluded with demons were even uglier than the demons themselves.
Slaying them was no different from slaying demons, was it?
"Shinichi? Shinichi?"
A light, nimble voice beside him broke Shinichi's train of thought.
He turned his head, somewhat dazed, to meet Shinobu's curious violet eyes.
"You've barely said a word since the meeting started, just spacing out. What are you thinking about?" Shinobu propped her chin on one hand, tilting her head as she stared at Shinichi.
Shinichi shrugged helplessly and explained.
"As much as I'd like to say something, I can't offer any effective methods to help everyone improve their strength right now. If I could, I'd want to teach everyone the Breath of Life, but I'm afraid there isn't enough time, and besides..."
Before Shinichi could finish, everyone was drawn to the new name he had mentioned.
"Master, what did you say? Breath of Life? Is that a new breathing style you've mastered? Holy crap, can I learn it first?"
As Shinichi's only disciple, Tokito Yuichiro was the first to raise his hand, looking at Shinichi with eyes full of anticipation.
As one of only two swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps who had mastered the Breath of the Forest, Tokito Yuichiro had even derived the Breath of Maple from it.
So while the others might not have time to learn Shinichi's Breath of Life, it was genuinely possible for Yuichiro.
"Breath of Life. It sounds like a very uplifting and righteous breathing style. Namu Amida Butsu," Himejima Gyomei said with a nod of approval.
"To dare name it after life itself, it seems you must have had a new epiphany even more flamboyant than the Breath of the Forest," Uzui Tengen said in a relaxed tone, his arms crossed behind his head.
"Tch, I hope this helps with your recovery," Sanemi said.
Although he clicked his tongue, his words weren't ill-intentioned.
Beside him, Kanae smiled gently and said, "Sanemi, are you worried about Shinichi?"
"What? Worried? Nonsense! He's a grown man, what does he need to be worried about?!"
"Ara, ara, you're blushing, Sanemi. It's normal to care about your comrades. Don't be shy~"
"Why do you say there isn't enough time?" Shinobu suddenly asked.
Shinichi looked at her, and under everyone's gaze, he reached out and gently brushed a few strands of her bangs from the center of her forehead to the side.
Then he said softly, "Because I've been thinking about when Shokyu will show himself or just come straight for us. I estimate that right now, Shokyu is probably very eager to see me, and then... kill me at all costs."
Shhh!
Shinichi's serene tone instantly silenced the entire meeting room.
It even felt as if the temperature had dropped a couple of degrees, becoming somewhat chilly.
Huh?!
No!
'The temperature in this room! Something's wrong!'
In an instant, Shinichi, Gyomei, Sanemi, Giyuu, and Sabito—the five with the quickest reactions—immediately realized something was amiss in the meeting room and locked onto the large wooden conference table!
The other Hashira were not slow to react either.
In a moment, they all detected the faint demonic presence in the air.
A demon had managed to infiltrate right under their noses? Wasn't this like lighting a lamp in a latrine—courting death?
BOOM!!!
Despite not having his Nichirin flail and axe, the aura that erupted from Himejima Gyomei was as heavy as a mountain.
He raised his hand and brought it down in a fierce chop!
CRACK!! The large wooden table instantly exploded into two halves!
Splinters flew everywhere!
The others reacted swiftly in unison!
"Breath of Wind!"
"Breath of the Forest, Third Form!"
"Breath of Water, Seventh Form: Piercing Rain Drop!" x2
Several powerful slashes of sword energy shot out from their Nichirin Blades, heading straight for the center of the room!
The speed and power that Uzui Tengen unleashed were astonishing.
He instantly flashed in front of Kiriya Ubuyashiki, Kanata Ubuyashiki, and Kuina Ubuyashiki.
His chained Nichirin blades swung in an impenetrable curtain of steel, guarding against any possible attack that could harm his lord.
BANG! BOOM!!!
A terrifying shockwave instantly pulverized more than half the room!
All the Hashira, except for Himejima Gyomei, had drawn their Nichirin Blades.
Under the oppressive aura of the assembled Hashira, even an Upper Rank demon should be trembling in fear!
From within the ruined debris, a familiar, cold voice suddenly rang out, clear and resonant, drilling precisely into everyone's ears.
"Hand over Shinichi Moriki, or the Demon Slayer Corps will be utterly buried."
"In your dreams!"
Vwoom!
A purple Nichirin Blade shot out from her hand.
Veins bulged on Shinobu's forehead as she gritted her teeth and glared ahead, looking utterly furious.
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