Chapter 328 Surrounding the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters!
Chapter 328 Surrounding the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters!
The intertwined branches of the Trees, lushly extending their trembling leaves, wove together into an uneven archway and a mass of emerald green clouds, floating beneath the exceptionally clear azure sky after a recent rain shower.
A natural fragrance, a mix of Loess and Herbaceous Plants, permeated every corner of the Air.
Suddenly.
Two Afterimages swiftly swept past a puddle on the ground, leaping onto the thick trunk of a large tree in the blink of an eye. Only then could their appearance be clearly seen.
These were two sturdy men, both with a Height of around 1.8 meters, each wearing the same type of Kimono, but in different colors, red and black.
Their indifferent Gaze and Agility made them exude an extremely capable Elite Aura.
"Headquarters, this is Bellock. We have reached the target location."
That's right, he was one of the CP7 members who had previously accompanied Charlotte Linlin on a tour of the Kabaneri World, and also an Ability User of the Animal-Type Bird-Bird Fruit, Swallow Form.
His partner beside him was Pulan, also from CP7, an Ability User of the Animal-Type Bug-Bug Fruit, Dragonfly Fruit.
It was precisely because both possessed the Ability to fly that they were estimated to arrive here in three days.
"Infiltrate, wait for the other three Teams, and await the Order from CP9 Captain Raschi!"
The hidden Earphones in their right ears simultaneously sounded with emotionless Instruction, but thankfully, they were already used to it.
"Yes!"
On the other side, inside the Ubuyashiki Estate.
"May the next Hashira please step forward."
Lucci's meaningful Gaze retracted from Tengen Uzui, then looked towards the remaining Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
After several days of Sparring, coupled with the Aura Perception from Observation Haki, he had gained a relatively clear understanding of the Strength of these Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Interestingly, among the Hashira he had fought, he felt that the World's Strongest was actually the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had a terrible Attitude, while the weakest was the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho.
Below the Wind Hashira, the Serpent Hashira and Water Hashira were similar, except the former's Sword Technique was more aggressive, while the latter's Sword Technique had stronger Defense, especially the move "Eleventh Form: Dead Calm".
But no matter how he switched between the Sword Techniques of various Breathing Styles, he simply couldn't break through that Defense which was like a Domain.
Finally.
Through a relatively long period of observation and Experience, he once again relied on "Life Return" and "Observation Haki" to perform a "copy".
Relying on his stronger overall Strength and being at extremely close Distance to the opponent, he used a stronger "Eleventh Form: Dead Calm" to break through the opponent's "Eleventh Form: Dead Calm".
There was no other way.
These Breathing Styles could be considered a basic version of "Life Return".
Let's look at the Function of Breathing Style.
First, by concentrating the Spirit and controlling the Breathing Rhythm, it strengthens the Heart and lung Function, thereby allowing the Blood to absorb a large amount of Oxygen, instantly causing Physical Ability to greatly increase.
And what these Hashira have mastered, the so-called "Total Concentration: Constant", is to make this amplified state permanent, allowing the Pace of the Breathing Style to completely become their instinct.
Second, by concentrating Consciousness to Control injured Blood Vessels and tie them off to stop bleeding.
The Effect of "Life Return", on the other hand, is to infuse Consciousness into the Body, allowing complete Control over any part of the Body, including Hair, Muscle, Blood Vessels, Blood, and even the internal organs.
In addition, there are various other Functions related to Life Force, such as quickly digesting Food nutrients, accelerating Wound healing, and speeding up Stamina recovery.
Getting back to the main topic.
Below the Serpent Hashira and Water Hashira are the Love Hashira and Mist Hashira. These two are typical examples of having Talent but not fully converting it into Combat Power.
The former might be due to personality issues, while the latter is probably still too young, being only fourteen years old after all.
A Genius is a Genius, but only a Genius.
Meanwhile, as Lucci's thoughts raced, the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, and the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, exchanged a Gaze, both seeing a Flame-like Fighting Intent in the other's Gaze.
"I'll go first."
"I can't wait any longer!"
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, was the first to step forward. This was a straightforward man with Flame-like orange-red Hair and Pupils, and a face full of cheerful Smiles.
He was seen wearing the Demon Slayer Corps' Black Uniform underneath, with a white Haori draped over it. The Flame pattern drawn on the end of the Haori represented that only the Flame Hashira could possess it.
A Nichirin Blade with a Flame-shaped crimson Tsuba, a White Hilt, and a gray sheath was slung at his Waist, making his entire person look full of Aura, as if a roaring Flame lion was appearing behind him, howling at the sky.
However, his Speaking voice was much louder than that of an average person, which seemed to be a habit of his.
"Please do, Amitabha."
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, had no Opinion. He clasped his hands together and replied in a deep voice. However, in his blind, lifeless White Eyes, there was a hint of tears, looking as if he was about to cry at any moment, which appeared very strange.
"Then, Mr. Hayato Mitsui, please give me Guidance!"
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, stepped forward to a Distance of about six or seven meters away from Lucci, then respectfully bowed to him.
He was treating the latter as a senior master who would provide him Guidance in Swordsmanship.
"Okay."
Lucci nodded calmly.
In the Court, there was a moment of silence. The instant a tree leaf drifted down to the ground with the Wind under everyone's Gaze.
Kyojuro Rengoku drew his Nichirin Blade with completely invisible hand Speed, and his entire person, bathed in a mass of fiercely burning Flame, charged out.
"First Form: Shiranui!"
This was an assault-type Sword Technique that could be seen in the Accompanying Sword Techniques of almost all Breathing Styles.
It focused on thrusting in a straight line towards the opponent at the fastest Speed. Anyone, human or Demon, who couldn't react would have their Neck severed or be decapitated by a single Blade in an instant.
However, this Flame Hashira didn't expect such a simple move to have much Effect.
After all, even the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho's, arguably fastest thrust was easily blocked by this "Mr. Mitsui", so he was merely using this First Form to quickly close the Distance between them.
When he appeared before Lucci, having traversed the space of six or seven meters in the blink of an eye, the Nichirin Blade in his hand, glowing with streaks of crimson patterns, once again unleashed more Flame, launching a continuous and fierce offensive.
"Third Form: Blazing Universe!"
"Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!"
This was a combination Sword Technique consisting of a downward slash followed by an upward slash. Of course, the visual Effect presented was fiercely burning Flame attacking from both above and below.
Lucci could even hear the Roar of the Flame bursting and exploding in the Wind, which was incredibly lifelike.
"Third Form: Clear Storm Wind Tree"
Lucci, centered on himself, instantly swung out three circular green Hotei, easily blocking all the intense Flame outside.
As expected, he still felt that the Sword Techniques of Wind Breathing were the most comfortable and convenient to use, but he always felt like something was missing in his Heart, thinking how great it would be if there was a Breathing Style that was faster and more agile.
Just as a mass of intense Flame and a mass of Gale inside the Manor became increasingly entangled, almost forming a fire tornado when the Combat intensified, two Black Shadows silently appeared on two large Trees outside the Manor wall.
"So this is the Elements Special Effect produced by Breathing Style? Just looking at it with the naked eye, it's no different from the real thing..."
"Tsk tsk tsk, this Lord Captain of CP9 seems to be having a great time~"
The newcomers were naturally Bellock and Pulan from CP7, who had arrived first. The two of them watched the Combat scene not far away with great interest, chatting in hushed voices from time to time.
"However, these people called Hashira indeed have good Strength, enough to rival our average Members."
Bellock chuckled slightly with some Excitement, "Especially that big guy, his Aura is clearly a notch stronger than the others. If we need to take action later, leave him to me!"
"Suit yourself~"
At this moment, from other directions, more Cipher Pol Squads were rushing over at full Speed.
(End of this chapter)