Chapter 55 : Ignored Skill.

Seeing Haruto instructing Giyu to learn from Sakonji and smoothly conversing with Tsutako and Kai, Kanae looked at him with increasing interest.

"Even after knowing he's a demon, they still treat him the same, huh?" she couldn't help but ponder. She never imagined she would witness someone conversing naturally with a demon. Her own kindness towards demons stemmed from a desire to release them from their cursed existence. Nevertheless, she understood it was only possible because of Haruto. He wasn't like other demons; perhaps he was even better than some people in the world who behaved more like demons.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Kanae patted her sister's head, much to Shinobu's chagrin, and gracefully flashed away with light steps, akin to a butterfly taking flight.

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Although nervous, Giyu still approached Sakonji to request apprenticeship, and Kai and Tsutako followed to thank Sakonji and seek further instructions regarding housing.

Left behind were Shinobu, Kanao, and Haruto. Shinobu stayed by Haruto's side at her sister's request, but it was clear she was still upset with him, frequently shooting him 'fierce' glares.

Haruto touched his nose, knowing Shinobu held a grudge over him tricking her earlier. Yet he couldn't resist; teasing her had been too enjoyable. Unlike her future counterpart who concealed her anger with a smile, the current Shinobu wore her heart on her sleeve, making her reactions irresistible to him. It was fun to see her break out of character that's why Haruto was even more determined to prevent the tragedy of Kocho sisters.

In truth, he wished to prevent all the tragedies, but he doesn't have the ability to predict when or where they might occur. Unlike in the modern era where he can find clues from the internet here he doesn't have the luxury. And some events had already happened beyond his reach.

But now he doesn't have the luxury to worry about that any further. Facing Sakonji had reminded him that proclaiming to save everyone meant nothing without strength, heck he can't even save himself with his current strength. First he needs to train his current skills until they became second nature before fighting any other demons. So far, Haruto was extremely lucky to face only Elementary demons who were just learning their Blood Arts. If they were a little more experienced Haruto would have been the one to die.

In the demon world, might was right. Glancing at Shinobu, Haruto involuntarily smiled beneath his bamboo hat. Though she couldn't see his face clearly, she shivered, sensing he was up to something devious.

"Heh, if you're upset with me, why not settle it with a fight now? Or are you afraid without Kanae here to back you up?" Haruto taunted, unable to resist teasing Shinobu further.

Shinobu almost turned into hulk with her rising anger. 'This bastard not only tricked me before but continues to taunt me even now.'

Haruto really had an uncanny ability to get under Shinobu's skin with just a couple of words. She had a sinking feeling this demon was born solely to irritate her. No one had managed to provoke Shinobu as much as Haruto had managed to do in just a few days.

"Do I look scared to you. Say that again and I'll really beat your ass."

Shinobu gritted her teeth and threatened Haruto angrily. Shinobu really wants to beat him up but she was just instructed by her sister to maintain the situation, so she was trying her best to hold her anger.

"Okay if you say so" Although Haruto said that his face was clearly making the 'I am right' look, making Shinobu's anger reach another level. Haruto gently pulled Kanao behind him and asked her to to watch from a distance, which she did obediently.

"Bastard! I don't care anymore. I will just smash your face than think about maintaining the situation"

Shinobu finally couldn't hold back her anger any longer. But before she could attack, Haruto bent his body.

*Boom!*

His feet slammed onto the ground, and his whole body shot toward Shinobu like a cannonball. Startled by the sudden attack, Shinobu instinctively moved sideways.

"I wasn't ready!"

Before she could finish her words, a fist flew through the space where she had just been standing. The punch carried a strong gust of wind and it was quite clear that if she was hit by this punch, she really would have gotten injured. Shinobu was seething with anger. The moment her sister left, this jerk began to bully her. If her sister were here, he wouldn't dare lay a finger on her. But right now, she had no choice but to fight back.

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The soft moonlight bathed the clearing as a boy in a bamboo hat and a girl clad in the standard uniform of the Demon Slayer corps  moved through their dance of combat.

During this period of time, Haruto used every one of his skill except for the <Splitting >. He could really feel his fighting skills improve rapidly during the battle due to the effects of his skills <Danger warning> and <Sword talent>, slowly forcing Shinobu into a disadvantageous position, a stark contrast to their first fight.

"You damned bastard!" Shinobu cursed, evading Haruto's relentless attacks.

*Boom*

Another punch whipped past, its force almost knocking Shinobu off balance. Trees swayed behind her due of the powerful gusts of wind.

"Damn it..." Shinobu gritted her teeth, her agile steps barely evading Haruto's strikes. It was clear that without her signature Insect Breathing technique, Shinobu struggled to keep pace. At first, she managed to evade his attacks, but as her stamina depleted, dodging became impossible.

A swinging fist stopped inches from Shinobu's face, the wind ruffling her short black hair. Her purple eyes shut against the anticipated impact, only to open when pain failed to follow. Haruto seemed to shake his head with disappointment.

"It looks like... the gap between us is widening," he murmured softly. From a stalemate during their first encounter, Haruto had gone ahead, leaving Shinobu trailing despite her potential, which she hadn't fully tapped into yet.

"You won't survive with your current strength. Seems like someone's been slacking in her training," he grinned, withdrawing his fists.

"Argh..."

Shinobu's small fists clenched, her chest heaving with each breath.

"Don't underestimate me," she muttered through gritted teeth, turning away in frustration.

Watching Shinobu storm off, Haruto shook his head. In the battle against demons, Shinobu's strength wasn't sufficient. There was no room for relaxation.

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As he watched Shinobu storm off angrily, the smile fell from his face. The words he had just spoken weren't just for Shinobu; they were a reminder to himself as well.

'Don't get complacent just because you're a demon now, stronger than humans by nature,' he silently reminded himself. 'Until you've mastered everything, any lapse could cost you your life. Becoming a demon, even a strong one, doesn't guarantee survival.'

The thought of facing Sakonji again made him pause involuntarily. Would he truly be ready if the former Hashira decided to kill him now?

His attention turned to the girl sitting nearby, her beautiful purple eyes empty yet stirring a sense of concern within him. Concern meant vulnerability, and he couldn't afford any weakness. His duty was not only to protect himself but also Kanao.

With resolve, he took a deep breath and approached Kanao, intending to take her with him to a secluded place for training. For him, the fastest path to strength lay in killing demons. Each kill guaranteed a new ability, accelerating his growth.

'But never underestimate any demon' he reminded himself. 'No demon will easily yield their life.'

In the fight just now, he realised that he was ignoring the skill <Sword talent> till now in favour of other flashy skills. It was his innate skill as a demon, meaning the most suitable skill for him. Although he was scolding himself for ignoring it, he was quite happy to. Since he can feel that this skill will allow him to fulfill every demon slayer transmigrator's dream- learning Breathing techniques. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, where he felt a profound connection and joy.

"Swords aren't just lifeless tools," he mused. "They possess their own spirit. Discovering that connection is what defines my skill."

Reflecting on his potential, he couldn't help but think of Akaza, the third upper moon of the Twelve Kizuki, renowned for his relentless pursuit of power through combat techniques.

"And me," he thought, gripping his sword's hilt. "I have only realised my innate skill now."

His affinity with the sword was undeniable; holding it filled him with joy, as if the weapon understood his thoughts. He lifted his gaze to find himself in an empty space where he hadn't expected anyone.

His eyes narrowed as he sensed movement. Two teenagers, fully focused in their training, stopped to look at him as he approached. Haruto gently set Kanao down, patting her head before moving towards them.

The two teenagers were none other than Sakonji's current disciples, Makomo and Sabito.

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Shoutout to my patreons CHEONMA,Tony Brittain, Watcher32 Expert00 and Narber4lgamma. Thank you so much for your support.