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70.69% With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter / Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Upper Moon Six (Part 2)

Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Upper Moon Six (Part 2)

For the Hand Demon, the person he hated most in his life was undoubtedly Sakonji Urokodaki. Just as he had become a demon and was ready to wield his newfound power, he encountered Urokodaki, who captured him and brought him to Fujikasane Mountain, turning him into a target for the Demon Slayer Corps' trials.

This deep-seated hatred drove the Hand Demon to relentlessly hunt Urokodaki's disciples after gaining power. It would have been difficult to identify Urokodaki's disciples, but Urokodaki had the habit of giving them masks. The same mask he wore when capturing the Hand Demon. Unable to defeat the old master, the Hand Demon vented his anger on the younger disciples, targeting those with the distinctive masks.

After learning of this from Tanjiro, Urokodaki deeply regretted his actions. What he had intended as a protective charm for his disciples had turned into a death sentence.

Over the years, every generation of his disciples died during the Corps' trials, leading Urokodaki to doubt his own capabilities as a mentor. He began to think he wasn't a good trainer, questioning why his disciples always perished.

This guilt led Urokodaki to become increasingly strict with his trainees. He believed that if his disciples couldn't pass the trials, it was because they were too weak. Thus, the final test of cutting a rock grew larger each year, culminating in the massive boulder Tanjiro faced, which was even bigger than the one Sabito had cut.

Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki hadn't realized that a powerful demon lurked within Fujikasane Mountain, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary trial participants.

The Hand Demon was exceptionally cunning. He ensured that everyone who saw him was killed, but always left enough survivors to avoid drawing attention from the Corps' leadership.

"Boy, who gave you that mask?" the Hand Demon asked, stopping about three meters away from Daniel.

"Sakonji Urokodaki," Daniel replied calmly.

"So, it was him. Are you his disciple? I didn't expect to meet another one this year. Hahaha," the Hand Demon laughed maniacally.

At the same time, the ground beneath Daniel's feet began to swell, and a massive blue fist shot up from below, aiming at him.

The Hand Demon's Blood Demon Art allowed him to grow extra hands, and he aimed to disable Daniel before slowly torturing him to vent his long-standing grudge against Urokodaki.

Swish.

A cold light flashed as Daniel's Nichirin Blade unsheathed, instantly severing the fist. In the next moment, the Hand Demon's other arms launched a flurry of attacks, akin to a barrage from a rubber machine gun.

While Tanjiro would have had to dodge such an attack, Daniel effortlessly cut through the incoming arms with a few swift movements.

"This can't be happening," the Hand Demon muttered, stepping back involuntarily as his severed arms regenerated. He had never encountered anyone who could cut off all his arms so quickly. Not even the formidable Sabito had managed more than four severed limbs.

The Hand Demon knew how tough his arms were. Most trial participants' Nichirin Blades couldn't even pierce his skin.

Despite his limbs regrowing, the Hand Demon hesitated, stunned by Daniel's prowess.

"Over the years, haven't you killed enough people wearing this mask? Why are you afraid now?" Daniel taunted, stepping forward as the Hand Demon retreated.

"You..."

Fury surged within the Hand Demon, but the stark disparity in strength kept him from voicing his retort.

"Room, Slaughterhouse." Daniel activated his spatial technique, slicing the Hand Demon into several segments.

"This guy is quite clever, isn't he?" Daniel mused as he dragged the dismembered demon into the cave where he had been hiding. The spacious cave, likely dug out by the Hand Demon himself, provided a secluded place away from other demons.

Daniel began analyzing the demon's genetic material. "The DNA and ATP are vastly different from humans. Why is Nezuko so unique?" Even demons needed energy, which they got from consuming humans, but Nezuko didn't. Was it a matter of willpower?

"Never mind, if I dig too deep, the questions just multiply," Daniel thought, tossing the Hand Demon into a transmutation array for a Philosopher's Stone.

Many aspects of demons could be studied, such as why sunlight was deadly to them, why Nichirin Blades could kill them by severing their necks, and why wisteria poison was so effective. But pursuing all these questions would require too much time. Daniel wasn't a dedicated scientist like Tony Stark; his priority was personal training.

Demons' regenerative abilities didn't hold many secrets for Daniel, as they were related to the number of souls they consumed, similar to the homunculi in Fullmetal Alchemist.

Creating weapons infused with wisteria poison was easy for Daniel, even mass-producing them. Such weapons would drastically increase the Demon Slayer Corps' efficiency. However, the current era's technology lagged far behind the Marvel universe's.

Without the Philosopher's Stone transmutation array, Daniel might have resorted to making those weapons. But now, he had a more efficient method.

"Too bad the breathing techniques' sword skills are just special effects. In reality, they're pure swordsmanship without elemental attributes like water, fire, or lightning," Daniel noted.

With the Hand Demon dead, Urokodaki could finally find some peace, and future trials at Fujikasane Mountain would be safer. "In a few years, once Muzan is dead, this place will probably be abandoned," Daniel thought, sealing the cave entrance with wisteria flowers to prevent other demons from entering.

He sent two letters: one to Shinobu to be forwarded to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and the other to Urokodaki, delivered by the Demon Slayer Corps.

At the Ubuyashiki residence, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's condition had improved slightly, although the curse markings on his face had spread. After reading the letter from Shinobu, he sighed deeply. "I didn't realize such a thing was happening at Fujikasane Mountain. It's my failure. Those poor children."

He handed the letter to Shinobu, who read it with a puzzled expression.

"A powerful demon at Fujikasane Mountain?" Shinobu's face turned pale.

"I underestimated the demons. Luckily, he discovered it this time. Who knows how many more would have died otherwise," Kagaya said. Daniel had provided a plausible explanation in his letter, stating that he had captured a newly turned demon intended for the trials and discovered the Hand Demon by accident. The details from the Hand Demon's confession made the story airtight.

"We need to change the trial procedures at Fujikasane Mountain. There could be more hidden threats," Kagaya said. A simple solution would be to have a Pillar inspect the mountain before each trial.

"Sabito, Makomo, it was my fault," Urokodaki wept after reading his letter. Thirteen disciples, all lost due to a demon he had inadvertently captured years ago. His guilt weighed heavily, but the truth brought some relief.

"Giyu and Sabito were in the same class. Sabito died saving Giyu. Did Giyu not see the Hand Demon back then?" Daniel wondered as he continued hunting demons. His prowess quickly made him a renowned figure within the Demon Slayer Corps, drawing both admiration and jealousy. His feats were known to all the Pillars.

Ordinarily, a Demon Slayer couldn't constantly hunt demons due to the risk of injury. Only the Pillars could consistently battle demons without rest, thanks to their exceptional abilities.

Injuries required healing, and humans didn't recover as quickly as demons. Thus, an average Demon Slayer might kill one or two demons every few months, making Daniel's relentless hunt noteworthy. Many admired him, but some, like Zenitsu Agatsuma's senior, resented his success. This senior joined the Corps not for justice but for power and later became a demon, causing his teacher to commit seppuku in shame.

In the history of the Demon Slayer Corps, few had turned into demons, the most notable being Yoriichi Tsugikuni's brother.

"Has my Nichirin Blade been forged? It's time to return to the Butterfly Mansion for a rest," Daniel decided after receiving a message from his sparrow.

"This is my specialized Nichirin Blade," Daniel said, admiring the blade forged with advanced techniques, making it more durable and sharp than standard blades. Love Pillar Mitsuri's blade was the most unique, resembling a whip rather than a traditional sword, a feat even Daniel couldn't replicate with alchemy.

While Daniel could create Nichirin Blades using alchemical techniques, he preferred those crafted by skilled blacksmiths, valuing the craftsmanship.

"It's like the difference between handmade and mass-produced items," he mused. "Standard Nichirin Blades aren't needed in the modern world, but the Corps' uniforms are great."

The uniforms were made of special fibers, breathable, lightweight, moisture-resistant, and fireproof, with some defensive capabilities. While these features offered minimal protection against demons, they would be a major selling point in the modern world.

Taking a deep breath, Daniel blew into a large gourd, which exploded with a loud bang, delighting the three young children watching.

As support staff of the Demon Slayer Corps, the children practiced the Flower Breathing technique, derived from Water Breathing. Although their progress was slow due to their age, it was enough for their current duties.

Daniel had formed a bond with the children during his stay at the Butterfly Mansion, often treating them with homemade pastries and candies.

"Fire, Water, Thunder, Flame, Wind—five basic breathing techniques," Daniel noted. During his time at the Butterfly Mansion, he occasionally helped as a doctor and studied the breathing techniques.

The Demon

 Slayer Corps wasn't secretive about the basics of these techniques. Anyone could apply to study them, though only the foundational forms were available. For instance, only the basic forms of Fire and Water Breathing were accessible at headquarters; advanced forms were family secrets.

Rengoku's family guarded the advanced forms of Fire Breathing, each generation enhancing its power.

"Thunder Breathing is impressive. Maybe I can find a way to learn Sun Breathing from Tanjiro. Given his personality, he probably wouldn't mind sharing," Daniel thought.

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Chapter 194: Chapter 193: Upper Moon Six (Part 3)

"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash." With the activation of Thunder Breathing, Daniel's figure instantly appeared several meters away.

Thunder Breathing, one of the five basic Breathing techniques, focuses solely on speed. Due to its specialization, it only has one fundamental form, which is then extended into various other forms. Unlike other Breathing techniques, which have multiple basic forms, Thunder Breathing's singular focus on speed epitomizes the saying "the best defense is a good offense." If one's speed is fast enough, there's no need for complex forms—one strike can decapitate a demon.

Because of its high demands, few Demon Slayer members choose Thunder Breathing. Those who do often switch to other Breathing techniques after finding the requirements too stringent. The explosive power required, both in terms of Breathing technique and physical fitness, is immense. If one can't meet these demands, using Thunder Breathing could result in self-injury rather than effective demon slaying.

In the Demon Slayer Corps, only the successors of the Thunder Pillar lineage persist with Thunder Breathing. Consequently, the Corps hasn't had a Thunder Pillar in several generations. Unlike the Twelve Kizuki, the titles of the nine Pillars are not fixed but are named after their respective Breathing techniques. If no one uses Thunder Breathing, there is no Thunder Pillar.

Given the high mortality rate among the Pillars, most die without passing on their techniques. Successors often have to rediscover and refine the forms on their own.

The most accomplished user of Thunder Breathing currently in the Corps is Zenitsu Agatsuma's senior, who is also one of the most prolific demon slayers. However, his arrogance and disdain for the basic form have made him unpopular. He dismisses the importance of mastering the first form, focusing instead on higher forms, despite his teacher's advice to hone his fundamental skills.

Zenitsu's senior believes that higher forms, with their greater power, are essential for decapitating demons, whose bodies are incredibly tough. Yet, he fails to recognize that Thunder Breathing's true strength lies in perfecting its initial form.

Giyu Tomioka's effortless defeat of Lower Moon Five, Rui, seemed simple but was achieved using the eleventh form of Water Breathing.

Had Zenitsu's senior trained in another Breathing technique, his approach might have been effective. However, his ignorance of Thunder Breathing's unique nature led to his eventual defeat by Zenitsu, despite his enhanced strength as a demon.

"It's a remarkable Breathing technique. Combined with Shave, it can further enhance my speed," Daniel mused, appreciating Thunder Breathing's explosive power. At its peak, it could unleash godlike speed.

Among the Breathing techniques housed at the Demon Slayer headquarters, Thunder Breathing is the most comprehensively documented. Daniel had trained in Thunder Breathing and collected the methods for the other techniques without practicing them.

"This means I might not need to ask Tanjiro for Sun Breathing after all," Daniel realized. Mastery of a Breathing technique's power depends not on the technique itself but on the user.

Like Devil Fruit abilities, a Breathing technique's potential is limited by the practitioner's skill and dedication.

Sun Breathing, the progenitor of all Breathing techniques, is formidable but notoriously difficult to master. Even Kokushibo, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's brother, only managed to master a derivative form, Moon Breathing, highlighting the immense challenge of mastering Sun Breathing.

Someone like Yoriichi, born with the ability to see the Transparent World, could fully utilize Sun Breathing's power. In many ways, the Transparent World is akin to a simplified version of Observation Haki.

In terms of raw power, Daniel could easily defeat Yoriichi, but in terms of innate talent, he couldn't compare to Yoriichi, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, or Kanao.

"There are no traces of Upper Rank demons. Muzan must be waiting for Tanjiro to make his move," Daniel noted, reviewing the Corps' intelligence. Lower Rank demons were occasionally sighted, but Upper Rank demons had been unseen since Shinobu's sister's sacrifice.

"Muzan probably noticed Tanjiro's hanafuda earrings, triggering his trauma. That's why he's staying hidden. Maybe I should get a pair of those earrings, though it wouldn't help much since I can't track Muzan by scent."

Daniel had no way of locating Muzan without Tanjiro's unique olfactory ability, making the earrings pointless.

"Thank you for your help these past few days," Shinobu said, appearing on the roof as Daniel lay down to stargaze.

"As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, it's my duty to assist," Daniel replied. During his time at the Butterfly Mansion, he witnessed the sacrifices of many Corps members, young and old, missing limbs or worse.

The power gap between humans and demons was stark, even with the aid of Breathing techniques. Injured members often couldn't continue as Demon Slayers but were supported by the Ubuyashiki family's numerous enterprises, which provided for them, collected demon-related intelligence, and funded the Corps' operations.

"By the way, what will you do if Muzan is killed?" Daniel suddenly asked.

"If I'm still alive then, I'll probably find a quiet place to live," Shinobu replied, though she kept her true wish—to be with her sister—unspoken.

In her heart, Shinobu didn't expect to survive until Muzan's defeat. Her goal was to kill an Upper Rank demon, especially the one who killed her sister, even if it meant sacrificing herself. Her body was already poisoned to the core with wisteria toxins.

"What about you?" Shinobu asked after a moment of silence.

"Me? The world is vast; I'll probably travel around," Daniel said. If not for the demons, he would have left this world long ago.

"That's a nice thought," Shinobu said, seemingly intrigued.

"By the way, I've noticed you've been researching certain areas. Planning to go there?" Shinobu asked, her eyes glinting with a hint of curiosity.

"That place? You've misunderstood," Daniel replied, recognizing her subtle accusation.

"Misunderstood?" Shinobu asked, her tone ambiguous.

"Yes, I was investigating whether demons might be hiding there. If demons were smart, they would hide in such places where they are hard to find," Daniel explained earnestly.

He didn't want Shinobu to think he was the type to frequent such places. The place in question was the red-light district, which was legal and thriving in this world.

Throughout history, vices like gambling, drugs, and prostitution persisted despite efforts to eradicate them. In this world, the red-light districts were legal and bustling, attracting many, including some Demon Slayers like Zenitsu's senior, who were regular patrons.

Daniel's interest in the red-light district was purely strategic, aiming to find the sibling duo who held the title of Upper Rank Six. The sister, Daki, was a courtesan in the district, having hidden there for over a century.

However, the chaotic nature of the district, where disappearances and deaths were commonplace, made it difficult to ascertain demonic activity.

"The master has considered that and sent people to investigate, but they found nothing conclusive," Shinobu said. The Ubuyashiki family was highly intelligent, and Daniel's suspicion had already been considered.

The Demon Slayer Corps focused solely on slaying demons, leaving societal issues and human conflicts to others.

"I know. But I hypothesized that if I were a demon, I would hide in such a place. Demons aren't stupid, especially the Upper Rank ones."

"Upper Rank demons are not to be trifled with," Shinobu said, her expression darkening. Her sister's death at the hands of an Upper Rank demon was a traumatic memory, and she considered herself lucky to have survived that encounter.

The semi-annual Pillar meetings were not just for discussing Corps matters but also to confirm the survival of the Pillars. Demons actively hunted the Demon Slayers, especially the Upper Rank ones.

"Don't worry. Even if Muzan himself appeared, I'd kill him for you," Daniel said, standing up. "I should rest now. I have a long journey tomorrow."

Daniel had no romantic intentions toward Shinobu; he merely didn't want her to die tragically as in the original story.

"Be careful," Shinobu cautioned the next morning as Daniel departed. He waved nonchalantly, confident in his invincibility in this world, even against Muzan and all the Upper Rank demons.

"I remember Tanjiro fighting Upper Rank Six in a red-light district. It must be this place, Yoshiwara," Daniel thought, arriving at the bustling district.

Due to its legality, many red-light districts thrived, each with varying degrees of prosperity. Even within the entertainment industry, there were hierarchies, from top courtesans to the lowest geishas.

Based on his recollection and investigation, Daniel had found the right place.

"No wonder men love coming here. It's quite captivating," Daniel observed. He had never visited such places in his previous or current life, despite having opportunities in various worlds.

"Sound Pillar Tengen Uzui has three wives. Impressive and enviable," Daniel thought, recalling his findings about the current state of the Corps. Except for Uzui, all the Pillars were single.

Uzui was Zenitsu's most envied figure.

"The top courtesans are in Tokito House, Ogimoto House, and Kyogoku House," Daniel noted, quickly gathering information on Yoshiwara. The courtesans were named Orie, Koinatsu, and Warabihime.

"It must be Warabihime of Kyogoku House," Daniel deduced, matching the intelligence with his memories.

His guess was confirmed when he discreetly investigated Kyogoku

 House, sparing him the need to use Observation Haki.

"Orie's lucky to be leaving tomorrow," several geishas at Kyogoku House gossiped enviously about Orie's imminent departure.

For these women, becoming a top courtesan and being bought out was the best outcome. Though not always becoming a proper wife, it was a better fate than staying in the district.

Suddenly, a slap echoed through the room as Warabihime struck a maidservant. Despite her terrible temper, Warabihime's status as a top courtesan meant even the house mistress didn't dare to reprimand her.

"Men paying for a female demon's services. Wonder what they'd think if they knew. Maybe they wouldn't have the chance," Daniel mused.

That night, as the crowd thinned, Warabihime returned to her room, shed her clothes, and transformed into a ribbon-like form, darting through the rooftops.

"A Blood Demon Art. Fast. Heading towards Tokito House," Daniel noted, following her out of curiosity rather than intervening immediately.

"Orie, rest well. Tomorrow is your big day," several geishas at Tokito House said, leaving Orie alone.

"Big day, huh. Hmph."

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