33. To Get Stronger

The gathering was about to come to an end when Leo spoke up.

"Can all of you spare me some of your time, I have something to say."

The Hashiras came to a halt and listened. Kagaya nodded and told Leo to continue.

"I have found a way to get stronger, for all of us Slayers."

Hmm?

Everyone present was confused.

"Let me clarify. I have obtained a method to get even stronger after my fight with Upper Moon Six, currently I am benefitting from it."

Kanae had a pondering expression on her face and asked.

"Is that how you healed so fast?"

Leo nodded. Rengoku asked with slight expectation.

"Stronger? By how much?"

"It depends, at the bare minimum, immediate effect would be a boost in healing by twenty percent, strength and speed by fifteen percent."

All of them was shocked. Kagaya lost his composure for a moment, his greatest wish was to not have any of the slayers die. His heart was already heavy seeing the increasing number of graves everyday.

"Leo...

"Rest assured Oyakata-sama, this will work."

Leo turned towards Kanae and asked.

"Lady Kanae, you should be aware of my peculiar ability."

Kanae nodded and explained for the others.

"Leo has an ability similar to Urokodaki-san's heightened sense of smell. He can feel the presence of other spirits."

Spirits?

"Indeed, a peculiar ability."

"But what does it have to do with this method of yours?"

Leo didn't rush them and explained slowly, "Before my fight with Upper Moon Six I was only able to sense other spirits and my range was quite limited. However my spirit got stronger after my battle with Upper Moon Six."

"I suppose my realm of mind broke through during my battle. Because of that I can perceive my surroundings more clearly."

The Stone Hashira, Gyomei nodded and said, "Realm of mind corresponds to insight into martial arts. I myself have achieved such a high state of mind that I can see through my opponents weakness."

Leo nodded and continued, "After my mind realm broke through my ability to sense spirits was upgraded. Before I could only sense other presence but now I can see everything crystal clear within several hundred meters."

That's...

Everyone was tied for words.

Leo continued, "But that's just the side benefit, after all my spirit sense is just auxillary. Through my stronger spirit and my ability I was able to see inside my body."

Hm?

Leo excitedly explained, "My inner vision showed me a body filled with pathways connecting to every corner our body. At it's center was a sphere housing a mass of energy."

"When I saw it I was shocked, such a huge mass of energy was just laying there, and we were oblivious to it."

"I tried reaching out for it with with spiritual energy. And just as soon as my spiritual energy touched it, that mass of energy it rumbled and started to swirl, forming a vortex. The energy passed through the pathways connecting stretched throughout my body before returning to the sphere."

Everyone went silent, all of this was too overwhelming for them to understand. Leo stayed silent for them to organise their thoughts and ask their doubts. Only Kanae showed an enlightened look on her face.

"So that's it."

A bright smile appeared on her face. She immediately asked a Kakushu to bring a white sheet and some ink.

"Leo, tell me the exact picture of what you saw."

She drew on the paper while according to what Leo said.

Kanae excitedly hung the large piece of paper. A simple outline of a human body was painted on it. It was filled with lines and arrows winding like a river. And just below the naval was a sphere, all these lines started from it.

She rubbed her hand and explained to everyone else how it worked. Her words were clear and on to the point.

When everyone understood how it basically works Iguro asked something.

"For us to obtain inner vision we have to first reach a certain realm of mind. Only then would we be able to sense our spirit and obtain inner vision, so aren't we still nowhere?"

Leo pondered for a second and said, "I have a theory I want to test it out. Since some of you have reached a high realm of mind I could try to use my spirit to resonate with yours. That should make it possible for you to sense your spirit."

Sss...

Everyone held their breaths when they heard him, words couldn't describe their emotions right now. The Wind Hashira who looked cold and unfriendly suddenly smiled, however that smile seemed rather frightening.

"If this works, the playing field will be levelled."

"Haha...

Everyone laughed out heartily. Who doesn't wish to live, who doesn't wish to have a splendid life, if something could give them a better chance at survival then they would gladly reach for it.

All present at this moment were people who have lost something before, they understood the cruelty of demons, they have seen how families were left in pieces because of them.

For their hatred, for the people, Slayers stood forth, to lay down their life for a righteous cause. How many young souls had to die before a Hashira was born, a Hashira stands with thousands of souls behind him. They represent the hope of defeating Muzan and the Twelve Moons.

If one of them were to die? That's a loss no one can shoulder.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya felt his blood boil, he could finally see hope. If this works, he would no longer be pained to see another Slayer die, he could finally be rid of the curse plaguing his family for centuries. Calming his heart he asked everyone.

"Apart from Gyomei who among you have achieved that realm?"

"Me."

"I have."

Rengoku and Iguro raised their voice. Kagaya looked at Leo.

"Do you want to do it now?"

"Time waits for no man, let's get on with it!"

Rengoku declared in a loud voice.

Leo nodded and asked all three of them to sit down comfortably.

"This is all just theory, I don't know what resonance could bring."

Leo's words didn't pressure them, for people like them who has gone through life and death battles challenges were just another part of their lives. All three of them sat down comfortably and did their respective Breathing Techniques.

A ripple spread out of Leo, it enveloped the three of them and pierced right in between their eyebrows. The others couldn't feel it however all three of them felt as if thunder was was reverberating within their minds.

"Focus!"

Leo bellowed bringing them out of their thoughts.

As his spiritual energy entered their mind a faint connection was formed. From a feeble link it started to grow strong. Like a wild fire it spread out in an instant.

All three of them grunted. They felt as if their head was swelling up.

Leo's eyes lit up, 'It's working!'

He controlled his spiritual energy and maintained the resonance. However Gyomei, Rengoku and Iguro started to sweat. Five seconds later they spat out blood.

Leo immediately withdrew his spiritual energy.

The three of them were gulping down air in big mouthfuls. Blood seeped out from the corner of their mouths and they fell down.

The others helped them up.

Leo asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

To his question the three didn't answer but looked at each other and laughed.

Their mind felt as if it a mountain weighted on it but they ignored the pain and laughed.

"It worked!"

Right now they could sense a feeble energy within their body. It was weak but they could feel it.

The resonance worked!

The others were shocked for second before breaking out into a smile.