Chapter 28

After concluding his meeting, Ginryu leisurely strolled back to the garden where he had left the playful tiger cubs and the adorable bear cub.

The two tiger cubs were always full of energy, constantly engaging in playful antics and exploring their surroundings. On the other hand, the bear cub was more laid-back and enjoyed lounging around lazily.

As Ginryu entered the garden, the cubs spotted him and immediately charged towards him, their tiny paws padding eagerly across the ground.

Ginryu smiled warmly, crouching down to meet them halfway, and cradled each cub gently in his arms. Being around the cubs always brought a sense of joy and peace to his heart.

Although Ginryu was in high spirits after the successful meeting and his newfound connection with the demon slayer corps, there was still one nagging thought that bothered him.

The decision to make an offer to Yasuo, someone he barely knew, weighed on his mind. Strangely, Ginryu couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity that he had with Yasuo.

'Is it because of Hana?' Ginryu wondered quietly to himself as he headed towards the guest room, his steps measured and thoughtful.

He needed to distract himself from these thoughts, and what better way than to feed the cubs the meat he had stored in his inventory.

Upon reaching his room, Ginryu placed the cubs gently on the ground and retrieved the meat from his inventory.

As he watched the cubs eagerly devour their meal, his mind began to wander again. He quickly pushed aside his concerns, reminding himself that now was the time to focus on his main goals: hunting demons to increase his power and wealth.

.............

171 years had flown by in the blink of an eye, and Ginryu found himself reflecting on his time in the demon slayer corps.

It was now the year 1540, and the world had undergone numerous changes and events during that extended period.

Dedicating himself to the pursuit of hunting demons, Ginryu had tirelessly honed his skills and expanded his wealth with the assistance of the Ubuyashiki clan.

However, as time passed, he felt a distinct detachment from the newer generations of the Ubuyashiki family.

Consequently, his interactions with them were kept to a minimum, only occasionally visiting the main family for important matters.

One significant event that had transpired within those 171 years was the Ōnin war, which erupted in 1467.

This conflict marked the collapse of the feudal system under the Ashikaga shogunate. The war initially stemmed from a dispute over the succession of Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the reigning shogun.

In 1464, with no direct heirs, Yoshimasa convinced his brother Yoshimi to abandon his monastic life and named him his successor.

Little did they anticipate that Yoshimasa would father a son the following year, leading to uncertainty and conflicting claims to the throne.

This succession crisis divided the shogunate's vassals, resulting in two factions vying for control and support. As tensions heightened, war engulfed the city of Kyoto.

The ensuing chaos and power vacuum created an opportune environment for influential clans, both large and small, to assert their ambitions.

Samurais from all corners of the land aspired to seize control, intensifying the already brutal conflict.

War had a profound impact on both the people and the demons that roamed the land. The cruelty of human nature became starkly evident as death and chaos reigned.

Demons, too, thrived amidst the turmoil, taking advantage of the abundant suffering.

With death becoming a common occurrence, the disappearance of a few individuals hardly concerned the warlords and lords preoccupied with their own battles.

This tumultuous era proved to be a busy one too for the demon slayers, as they sought to recruit as many warriors and samurai families to their cause as possible.

Ginryu, recognizing the opportunity, capitalized on the war by amassing wealth. He stockpiled grain and weapons, which he traded for riches.

Although gold remained scarce, Ginryu managed to accumulate a considerable amount through shrewd transactions.

Presently, Ginryu found himself en route to the Tsugikuni clan, spurred by news from a trade associate that they were interested in purchasing weapons.

However, it was the mention of the clan name that caught his attention, for it belonged to Yoriichi, a figure of great significance in the demon slayer series.

Yoriichi was the future progenitor of the breathing styles, a vital component of the demon slayers' arsenal.

The prospect of meeting Yoriichi and possibly learning from him intrigued Ginryu.

Yet, Ginryu had no intentions of majorly disrupting the natural course of events or altering the plot set in motion.

Instead, he devised a plan to ensure Yoriichi's wife and child were spared from harm in the future.

By employing a flesh puppet, Ginryu aimed to deceive Yoriichi into believing his loved ones had perished to a demon, allowing the plot to progress as intended.

In doing so, he hoped to preserve Yoriichi's role and potential as a crucial ally to the demon slayers.

Also this may provide him with a chance to recruit him, no Ginryu just wanted to see him for himself.

It was different reading about a person and meeting the person, he wanted to confirm if Yoriichi was the kind of person that he was written about.

The future of the demon slayers relied heavily on Yoriichi and the breathing style he created, and he was determined to navigate this complex web of fate, ensuring the ultimate triumph of the corps against Muzan's demons.

As Ginryu rode his horse towards his destination, his mind was consumed by the tragic tale of Yoriichi that he has read about. The only problem now, was how far Yoriichi's story had progressed.

The young boy, born into the Tsugikuni clan during the tumultuous Sengoku period, had a life marked by hardship and sorrow.

Yoriichi and his twin brother, Michikatsu, were deemed as an ill omen, as twins were considered to bring bad luck.

Yoriichi, in particular, possessed a peculiar birthmark on his forehead, which filled his father's heart with such dread that he vowed to kill him.

But their mother, Akeno, intervened, her love overpowering the darkness within their father's heart.

It was decided that when Yoriichi turned ten, he would be sent to a temple to become a monk.

Despite his father's belief that the birthmark was a curse, it bestowed upon Yoriichi extraordinary physical abilities and the gift of seeing the inner workings of living beings.

But his life was far from privileged. Yoriichi was given meager food and education, confined to a cramped room away from his family.

He remained silent, believed to be deaf, and clung to his mother's side for solace. His brother, Michikatsu, saw him as nothing more than a pitiful creature.

However, in secret, Michikatsu would visit Yoriichi, offering him comfort.

One fateful day, when Yoriichi was only seven years old, he astonished Michikatsu by speaking for the first time.

Inspired by his brother's sword practice, Yoriichi expressed his desire to become a samurai. But Michikatsu, knowing that Yoriichi's fate was already sealed, dismissed his aspirations.

Still, a kind soul among their father's men decided to indulge Yoriichi's dreams. He taught the young boy a simple sword stance, and to everyone's astonishment, Yoriichi unleashed a flurry of blows, far surpassing his brother's abilities.

Yet, the act of violence left Yoriichi unsettled, and he renounced his dream of becoming a samurai.

Instead, he cherished the joyful moments with his brother, playing board games and flying kites. Michikatsu questioned him, hoping to understand his brother's extraordinary skills but Yoriichi couldn't give explanation that his brother would understand.

Yoriichi had no interest in pursuing the path of the sword; he found solace in simpler pleasures and the love he shared with his brother.