A Sweet Conversation

The battle dragged on for hours, and though Ryou appeared on the brink of collapse, Kokushibo couldn't land a single blow. Forget about grazing Ryou's skin, not even his clothes were damaged, despite fighting for so long.

Kokushibo grew increasingly suspicious of Ryou's true strength.

But he couldn't care about that anymore as a greater threat loomed: the rising sun. Kokushibo wondered. 'Is he trying to stall for time until sunrise? I can't waste any more time here.'

An unknown fear surged in his mind—what if Ryou unleashed a surge of strength and held him at the last minute before sunlight? What if the other three Demon Slayers sacrificed themselves to buy time? He couldn't take that risk.

'How nostalgic... After so many years, I once again feel the pressure of death,' Kokushibo mused and with a hint of acknowledgment he looked at Ryou.

"You are strong, Hashira of Nature Breathing! This is not the end—we will meet again!"

Without a second thought, Kokushibo retreated. Seeing this, Ryou didn't stop him.

--

Tatsuya and Haruka let out a sigh of relief, seeing the Upper Moon One disappear into the shadows. Haruka collapsed to the ground, her legs giving away, while Tatsuya wiped the sweat from his brow. The oppressive pressure of the Kokushibo's presence was terrifying.

What would happen if they had to face such a demon in battle?

Seeing their state, Ryou shook his head. "You guys need to practice more, you could barely withstand his intimidating aura."

His tone softened a little, "But don't be discouraged. You both did well for newbies. The Upper Moon One has been alive for centuries while you have only been training for less than two years!"

At that moment, "Why didn't you kill him?" Kanae asked sharply, striding toward Ryou. Unlike Tatsuya and Haruka, she knew Ryou hadn't used his full strength.

Seeing the anger on her face, Ryou swiftly caught her hand and yanked her towards him, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

He tightened his hold, feeling the softness of her waist beneath his grip. His breath deepened as he inhaled her natural fragrance, a scent that stirred something deep within him.

Kanae put up a half-hearted struggle, "Let me go..."

Tatsuya sighed heavily, watching the two of them. "Ah... they're at it again. Why did we even come on this mission? We should have chosen a different one."

"Let's give them some space," Haruka suggested, rolling her eyes playfully. She then grabbed Tatsuya's arm and dragged him away, leaving Ryou and Kanae alone.

Ryou distracted her by speaking in a soft voice, "Don't be angry, Kanae. Demons like him can be created by Muzan at will with just a few drops of his blood. Remember, our real goal is Muzan.

Only by killing him can we rid this world of demons once and for all."

"That doesn't mean you should have let him go. He's an Upper Moon One. We won't get such an opportunity again," Kanae fake struggled to get out of his embrace, but his hold on her was too strong to break free.

"Don't you trust me?" Ryou asked as he looked deeply into her eyes.

Kanae glanced up, her breath hot. Ryou's face was so close, their noses brushed against each other, their breaths mingling in the tiny space between them.

A faint blush painted Kanae's cheeks, and with a sudden push of her elbow, she broke free from his embrace. "You know I trust you blindly," she replied in a voice only Ryou can hear.

With a soft smile forming on his lips, Ryou asked, "Do you know how the breathing methods came into existence?"

He continued, answering his own question, "Around five hundred years ago, there was a man named Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He was the strongest Demon Slayer in history, born with the Demon Slayer Mark and possessing the rare abilities of the Transparent World and the Selfless State. His physique was honed to perfection, and his swordsmanship was unparalleled.

Yoriichi's arrival ushered in the Golden Age of the Demon Slayers.

He is the progenitor of the Breathing Styles, creating the Sun Breathing—also known as the original Breathing Style—from which all subsequent styles were derived, tailoring to the strengths of each individual. 

He alone cornered Muzan Kibutsuji, overpowering him in an instant and bringing him to the brink of death before Muzan barely managed to escape.

After that encounter, Muzan vanished without a trace and didn't show his face again until Yoriichi's death. Yoriichi did nothing wrong, but because he couldn't finish him off, people have continued to suffer and die for the past five hundred years."

Kanae's eyes widened in surprise as she heard Ryou's words. "There was such a man in the Demon Slayer Corps? Why did none of us know his history?"

"Because his twin brother betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps and willingly turned into a demon. To prove his loyalty to Muzan, he even assassinated the then-acting leader of the Corps.

Yoriichi took responsibility for his brother's betrayal and was consequently banished from the Demon Slayer Corps.

That brother is Upper Moon One, Kokushibo. When he was human, he went by the name Michikatsu Tsugikuni. It was only after his betrayal that Kakushi were formed and greater efforts were made to conceal the Leader's residence."

"Are you telling the truth?" Kanae asked in disbelief, as she tried to process the staggering information Ryou had just shared.

Ryou shrugged.

"Does Oyakata-sama know about all this?" Kanae asked.

"He should," Ryou replied.

After a pause, Kanae asked, "You mentioned something about the Demon Slayer Mark, the Transparent World, and the Selfless State. Are these some kind of abilities?"

"Yes," Ryou replied and explained each one in detail.

After learning the marks could greatly enhance one's strength, Kanae asked eagerly, "Can I manifest the mark?"

"I don't know, it's random!" Ryou answered, "But, personally, I wouldn't want you to awaken it. Most people aren't strong enough to withstand the power of the mark. In exchange for greater power, it reduces your lifespan. That's why those who manifest it don't live past the age of 25."

"I don't mind it. If it gives me the power to kill Muzan and protect my sister, I hope I awaken it." Kanae said firmly.

Ryou once again pulled Kanae into a tight embrace, his voice filled with emotion. "I mind! I can't bear the thought of losing you."

He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, his gaze serious. "But I promise you this: I will kill Muzan and put an end to the demons roaming this world."

Looking at his intense gaze, Kanae's heart pounded in her chest for the first time. Overwhelmed by a tender emotion she couldn't quite name, she took the initiative and hugged him back tightly.

"Just like you think, I don't want anything to happen to you either."

'Silly girl!' A sense of sweetness filled his heart as he enjoyed the warmth of her embrace.

--

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