章 114: Chapter 114: The Last Attempt
Chapter 114: The Last Attempt
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Mount Kumotorii.
Tanjiro stepped out of the room, greeted by a blast of cold air.
"Ha! It's getting colder" he said, rubbing his palms together and blowing warm air into them. He picked up an axe, preparing to chop some firewood.
"Starting work so early?"
A familiar voice suddenly interrupted him. Tanjiro turned his head, eyes lighting up as he trotted over.
"Mr. Aomura, it's been a while!"
Aoki nodded, "I've been busy these past few days."
Tanjiro sniffed the air and looked puzzled. "Mr. Aomura, your scent seems a little different."
"You have a sharp nose" Aoki smiled.
This was his first visit to Tanjiro's home since he had overcome the sun.
Tanjiro detected a hint of happiness in Mr. Aomura's scent and grinned. "Are we going to practice the Dance of the Fire God now?"
Aoki glanced at the axe in Tanjiro's hand.
Tanjiro quickly put it back against the wall. "It's fine, I'll ask Takeo to chop the wood later. Besides, the money you gave us is enough for us to live on for a long time. We don't need to burn charcoal for a while."
Creak.
At that moment, the door to the house opened again.
Nezuko stepped out, saw Aoki, and ran over with a bright smile on her face. "Mr. Aomura"
"Miss Nezuko"
Aoki noticed the jade pendant still around her neck.
The rest of the Kamado family gradually woke up and came out to greet Aoki. After exchanging pleasantries with Kamado Kie, Aoki took Tanjiro away for training.
This time, he chose an open space instead of the shade of a tree. He thought that perhaps the sun could assist in learning the Breath of the Sun technique.
The bright sunlight bathed the two of them, though by November, the midday sun was only slightly warm.
As Tanjiro taught and Aoki learned, time passed quickly.
Though Tanjiro wasn't a skilled teacher, he didn't need to be. He simply followed the method his father had used to teach him.
Before long, after completing the day's lesson, Aoki fell into deep thought.
He didn't feel any improvement, nor had he gained any new abilities.
If becoming a "Breath user" was similar to becoming a "martial artist," it might require guidance from a true master of the craft. Tanjiro's understanding of the Dance of the Fire God wasn't advanced enough to serve as that guide.
However, as his trust with the Demon Slayer Corps deepened, Aoki had also sought advice from the pillars, particularly from Kocho Kanae, about the breathing techniques.
The pillars were all masters of breathing, but even then, Aoki hadn't managed to learn the technique or gain any new abilities.
"Is it that I'm incapable of mastering the breathing technique?" Aoki wondered.
This wouldn't be surprising.
The breathing technique originated from Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was practically born to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.
If you look at it broadly, the breathing technique was created specifically to combat demons.
But what if a demon could master the breathing technique?
From a physiological standpoint, it made sense that demons couldn't use it.
Breathing techniques involve intense inhalation, speeding up blood flow and heart rate, raising body temperature, and thereby increasing strength.
Even the "Mark" enhancement associated with the breathing techniques, which allowed swordsmen to break through physical limits, required a body temperature of over 39 degrees Celsius and a heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute.
But as a demon, even with increased oxygen intake, Aoki's body temperature wouldn't rise.
"Is it impossible for demons to master breathing? Is it my lack of talent? Or something else?" Aoki couldn't be sure.
He couldn't help but feel a bit of regret.
The potential of breathing techniques was immense, perhaps even greater than that of demons.
Considering Yoriichi Tsugikuni's exceptional abilities, the combat power of a fully realized breath user could surpass that of a demon.
It could even be a two-star profession.
Tanjiro wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a sip of water. For him, performing the Dance of the Fire God was physically taxing.
He couldn't understand how his father, who had been weak at the time, had managed to dance it all night.
"Mr. Aomura seems a little regretful and troubled," Tanjiro thought, glancing at Aoki. He could faintly sense these emotions but wasn't entirely sure.
Aoki snapped out of his thoughts. "Thank you for your hard work, Tanjiro. Let's stop here for today."
Tanjiro smiled warmly. "It's no trouble, Mr. Aomura. You're learning very quickly. At this rate, you'll master everything in no time. It took me several years initially."
"Walking fast doesn't necessarily mean walking far, and walking slowly doesn't necessarily mean you'll fall behind," Aoki replied calmly.
Tanjiro was a perfect example of this.
At first glance, Tanjiro didn't seem like a genius.
It had taken him two full years to learn the breathing technique from scratch.
Tokito Muichiro, on the other hand, had become a pillar within two months of beginning his breathing training.
Kanroji Mitsuri took a bit longer, but still less than a year.
Compared to these prodigies, Tanjiro's initial progress was unremarkable.
Yet Tanjiro was one of the few who mastered the red blade, transparency, and the Mark simultaneously.
In the original story, by the time of the final battle, Tanjiro, who had learned the 13th form of the Breath of the Sun, was truly the strongest among the Demon Slayer Corps.
Aoki returned Tanjiro to his home.
"Mr. Aomura, brother!" Nezuko greeted them eagerly. "You're back!"
Kamado Kie came out of the charcoal-burning house, wiping her hands on her apron. "Mr. Aomura, will you stay for dinner?"
"No, I have other matters to attend to," Aoki replied, glancing around.
Thick smoke was billowing out of the house, indicating that the charcoal was burning.
Although Tanjiro and Nezuko's siblings didn't approach, they looked at him curiously.
Compared to their first meeting, the Kamado family seemed healthier, their faces more rosy, and their living conditions had visibly improved.
After taking in the scene, Aoki's gaze returned to Tanjiro. "Tanjiro, I probably won't be coming here again for a while."
This was his final attempt.
If he could have learned the breathing technique or gained another extraordinary ability, his strength would have grown further.
But he had failed.
There was no more time to waste.
From now on, he needed to focus all his time and energy on Muzan Kibutsuji.
After defeating Muzan, he would have plenty of time to see if he could master the breathing technique.
"I understand," Tanjiro said with a bright smile, bowing. "I wish you all the best, Mr. Aomura!"
"Take care," Aoki waved before disappearing.
Tanjiro walked toward the charcoal-burning house.
"Mom, I'll help."
"Alright" Kamado Kie smiled.
"Mr. Aomura won't be visiting for a while?" Nezuko asked, touching the jade pendant on her neck—the first real gift she had ever received.
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