"Don't understand?" Yuko tilted her head slightly and pointed to her cheek again.
"This mark appears naturally once the body reaches its limit. It forcibly enhances physical ability."
Because centuries had passed, Marked swordsmen had often died young, and with Muzan and Kokushibo's purge back then, records from the Sengoku era within the Demon Slayer Corps were severely lacking.
Even the Ubuyashiki family only knew of the existence of the Mark.
Yuko patiently explained,
"The Red Blade is a technique that uses grip strength to turn the blade red. Once the blade turns red, a Nichirin sword significantly suppresses a demon's regeneration."
"As for the Transparent World, it represents reaching the pinnacle of martial mastery. It places extremely strict demands on breathing techniques and swordsmanship."
"After successfully mastering the Transparent World, the most direct change is the ability to visually perceive another person's physical structure—such as blood flow and bone movement."
After rattling off such a long explanation in one breath, Yuko slowly exhaled and scanned the room.
"That's basically it. Did everyone understand?"
"..."
"Ha… haha…"
Kanroji Mitsuri laughed awkwardly, sweat beading at her temple. She glanced around nervously, only to see everyone else wearing calm expressions.
Oh no—so I'm the only one who didn't understand!
Tomioka Giyu: As expected of the Hashira. Not like me.
Himejima Gyomei: Namu Amida Butsu.
Rengoku Kyōjurō: Sounds really impressive!
Tokito Muichiro: What was she talking about again?
Kocho Kanae: I didn't understand at all…
Uzui Tengen: Sounds ridiculous.
Iguro Obanai: Hard to believe, but let's see what Sanemi says.
After remaining silent for quite some time, Shinazugawa Sanemi's body began to tremble violently, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"What kind of joke is this?!"
"Stop spouting nonsense!"
"What Mark? What Red Blade?!"
He angrily pointed at Yuko's cheek.
"That's just a normal tattoo!"
Then at her sword.
"A normal Nichirin blade!"
"And that so-called Transparent World—how could a human possibly see through someone's body structure?!"
Yuko nodded lightly, as if accepting criticism. After letting him finish yelling, she suddenly reached out and grabbed both of Sanemi's wrists.
"..."
The two froze for a moment.
Sanemi instantly lost it, as if he'd been contaminated by something filthy.
"What the hell are you doing, woman?!"
Yuko quickly pulled his sleeves down to cover his hands.
"Want to try something?"
"Huh?" Sanemi's veins throbbed.
Yuko smiled faintly.
"Rock–paper–scissors. Let's see if I can guess what you throw."
With dead fish eyes, Sanemi gritted his teeth.
"Fine! Try it!"
He lowered his arms, hiding his hands in his sleeves, and stared at Yuko disdainfully.
"Guess."
"Rock."
Sanemi's eyelid twitched.
"Scissors."
"..."
"Paper."
"..."
"Oh—you're cheating. Right hand has the thumb and pinky extended, left hand is flipping the middle finger."
"..."
Sanemi's eye twitched violently.
Iguro Obanai's pupils contracted slightly.
She really saw it.
If it were just a three-choice guess, that could be coincidence—but cheating like that? How could she possibly know unless she really saw it?
Yuko smiled lightly.
"Believe me now?"
Sanemi's face twitched as he looked stubbornly unconvinced.
Yuko sighed and gave him a complicated look.
Sanemi bristled.
"What kind of look is that?!"
Yuko shook her head helplessly.
"I've explained it to you this patiently, and yet—"
"I tell you and you don't listen. You listen and you don't understand. You understand and you don't try. You try and you do it wrong. You do it wrong and you won't admit it…"
"How exactly am I supposed to explain this to you?"
She realized his hostility toward her was far greater than anyone else's.
With Ubuyashiki Kagaya's mediation, the others had mostly lowered their guard—but not him. Not even a little.
"..."
The atmosphere stiffened.
"Pfft."
Kanroji Mitsuri let out an unguarded laugh, immediately clamping her hands over her mouth and ducking behind Kocho Kanae. After confirming no one noticed, she cautiously peeked back out.
Sanemi opened his mouth, his face flushing red.
Yuko suddenly added,
"Do you want to cry?"
"Who wants to cry?!"
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Sanemi exploded.
"Sanemi-san."
A gentle female voice suddenly spoke.
He turned impatiently toward the source, his expression softening slightly.
"…W-what?"
Hm?
Yuko tilted her head.
Kanae spoke gently,
"Four years ago, I nearly died in a battle against Upper Rank Two. It was Miss Yuko who saved me."
Because the event was so extraordinary, she had only told the Master.
Everyone looked at Yuko in shock.
Sanemi's lips moved slightly. He said nothing and sat back down.
Oh?
Interesting.
Yuko's gaze turned subtle.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya spoke at just the right moment.
"Regarding the Mark, the Demon Slayer Corps does indeed have records."
"It is an ability that borrows time from heaven—burning one's lifespan to enhance physical ability."
As absurd as it sounded, since the Master himself said it, it must be true.
"As for the Mark, I can also provide proof."
A cool yet gentle voice sounded from outside. The door slid open, and Shinobu entered with a smile, taking a seat at the end.
Everyone looked at her in confusion.
"Proof?"
Shinobu nodded slightly and raised a pale finger to her cheek.
"Like this."
As she focused her mind, butterfly-shaped markings gradually appeared.
"!"
"Before everyone returned, I successfully awakened the Mark under Yuko's guidance," Shinobu said calmly.
"In this state, both my strength and speed have increased significantly."
Iguro Obanai froze briefly.
No wonder he felt that Shinobu had gotten stronger.
So it was real.
Even Sanemi's expression calmed slightly.
"Then… how do you activate this thing?"
Yuko looked at him calmly.
"It's simple. Get beaten up a few more times."
"Huh?"
Sanemi's eye twitched. He had plenty of evidence that this woman was holding a grudge.
Seeing through his single-celled thinking, Yuko said flatly,
"I already told you—it's something that only manifests when the body reaches its limit."
"In other words, it applies to everyone."
Of course, there was one thing she hadn't said.
The Mark also had resonance and transmissibility. Simply reaching one's physical limit wasn't enough—it required a catalyst, a source of infection.
And that took time.
Shinobu, after all, had spent a long time around her.
---
Currently at chapter 474 for advance chapters
https:// ko-fi.com/rabi08