Chapter 41: Chapter 41: First Changes
"Only the [Demon Slayer Mark] is left, but it will have to wait; there's no need to rush."
Maple could sense the improvement the perfected breathing method brought him and was pleased. Although it wasn't a fundamental change and, thus, not reflected on the panel, by his calculations, his battle power should be on par with an upper-ranked demon like Kokushibo. He seemed to be on the verge of reaching sequence 6.
Furthermore, Maple's soul breathing offered an advantage even the sun breathing didn't possess: it tapped into the soul realm. To some extent, if Maple executed all seven forms of sword arts, it would almost always result in an instant kill. Even Muzan wouldn't be an exception.
However, Maple also understood that, given Muzan's incredibly cowardly nature, if not for the dual stimulation from Tanjiro and Nezuko, Muzan would have remained hidden for the next millennia, without acting so impulsively that his "intelligence was lowered".
This was also why Maple was hesitant to directly interfere with the "plot"…
In the real world, there are myriad variables. Who could guarantee that after Maple's interference, Tanjiro would still confront Muzan? Would Nezuko still develop immunity to sunlight and then be discovered by Muzan?
Given the risks, biding time was the best strategy.
However, Shinobu's sudden gasp pulled Maple from his thoughts, and he followed her gaze.
"Flower breath 2nd form – whirling peach"
Four sharp slashes were released by Kanao, the magnificent knife slashes were like a blooming plum blossom, as though she was defending against "Mr. Feng's" attack.
"Eh…this, alas! Sure enough, the real world is truly unpredictable. Trouble, trouble."
Seeing Kanao use the "Flower Breathing" she secretly learned inside the hallucination, Maple glanced at the worried-looking Kocho Shinobu at the side, and could only sigh in his heart.
In the "original work", Kanao did not let Shinobu know that she had secretly learned the flower breathing, and when Shinobu found out, Kanao had already passed the Fujikasane mountain selection and it was already a done deal.
But now, because of the hallucination, Kocho Shinobu found out about this situation, and the trajectory had changed again.
However, Maple knew this was no one's fault as at the moment, from Kanao's perspective, Shinobu' existence was temporarily ignored, and within the hallucination there was no one around that she needed to hide the techniques from. It could only be said to be a coincidence.
But having said that, Maple also knew, he now needed to personally take action, not to allow the "plot" trajectory to change too much.
His mind spinning, Maple thought for a moment and had a rough idea.
"Kocho, is something amiss?"
Maple's face showed a slight confusion and took the initiative to ask Shinobu a question.
"Miss Tsuyuri wielded the flower breathing technique impeccably, with hardly any faults."
"Ah, Mr. Feng, you are right, it's just, I am a little worried…"
Seeing the growing confusion on Maple's face, Shinobu gently bit her lips, seemingly considering whether to clearly explain Kanao's "problem" to Mr. Feng.
"When Kanao was younger, she experienced trauma. I've always worried about her. I was unaware she had learned the flower breathing technique… it's a bit troubling."
"Did you not want her to join the demon-slayer corps?"
"There was a slight mistake in what Mr. Feng said."
Listening to Maple's "conclusion", Shinobu just smiled while shaking her head, staring at the girl blooming in the field, her voice was unconsciously in a trance.
"My concern is, why does Kanao want to slay demons?"
Listening to Shinobu's worry, Maple nodded his head slightly, and turned his sight towards Kanao, and consciously or unconsciously said, "I can't answer that for you, Kocho. But, from what I see, Miss Tsuyuri wields her sword with conviction
"Yes, Mr. Feng, you're right… wielding the sword with such determination is enough."
Maple's "hint" stunned Shinobu slightly and seemed to have realized something, and then smiled at Maple, as though having been relieved of some kind of burden.
"Apology, Mr. Feng, for letting you see an immature part of me."
"It's okay, Kocho, this is human nature, being frank once in a while can help one relax."
"Frank?"
Shinobu's eyes could not help but froze, seeing Maple's calm look, thinking that it was just "Mr. Feng's" "unintentional remark", so she did not take it too seriously, and instead just laughed softly while replying.
"Hey, Mr. Feng, has anyone ever said that you are actually quite gentle?"
"Gentle? Maybe…"
Maple chuckled while shaking his head, and did not comment on what Shinobu said, merely added a sentence in his heart.
"How can an empty soul be gentle? Is it merely to avoid witnessing others' despair? Perhaps that's mere self-delusion?"
"Mr. Feng."
"Hm…, What's wrong, Kocho?"
"The Fujikasane mountain selection will start this week, are you going to participate?"
Seeing Maple nodding, a pure smile bloomed on Shinobu's face. The beauty of that moment was enough to move and shock anyone.
"Work hard, Mr. Feng, we will be comrades in arms soon!"
However, Maple, who was extremely sensitive spiritually, was able to capture the extremely complex emotional fluctuations…
Happy? Yes, the kind of happiness was like the joy of having an extra companion.
Worry? Seemed to be there as well, the kind where one had when watching the back of a soldier when he went to fight.
But more than anything was a kind of extremely bitter determination. As a "pillar", Shinobu had seen too many partings, battle, another battle, until death suddenly arrived and ended the short and brilliant life, which seemed to be the end of every demon slayer.
But, so what? Every "pillar" has an unsaid but similar oath…
Whether it was atonement, loyalty, or hatred, would bet this fragile flesh and blood and swore to slay demons!
Did Maple understand this sentiment?
Frankly speaking, he did know, it was just that he could not feel it, but this did not prevent him from following his weak emotion to change certain "death" and "despair".
~~~
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