"You've indeed gotten stronger again!"
This was the first thing Zenin Maki said after seeing Miyauchi Hikage.
The battle maniac immediately raised her naginata, planning to fight three hundred rounds with Miyauchi Hikage.
In response, Miyauchi Hikage used Sun Breathing.
The utilization rate of ordinary breathing styles for Hamon energy was about 70%, and could reach 80% after specialized adjustments.
Sun Breathing, however, could reach a 90% utilization rate. In some places, conventional Hamon breathing might not even keep up with the output of Sun Breathing swordsmanship, requiring some subtle adjustments.
Anyway, Miyauchi Hikage currently couldn't achieve Tsugikuni Yoriichi's feat of slashing 1,500 pieces of Muzan's flesh that self-destructed and fled with full force in a fraction of a second.
Even if one slash could hit dozens of pieces of flesh, Tsugikuni Yoriichi didn't actually swing his sword that many times.
But to slash so many pieces of flesh so accurately in such a short time was already an amazing skill.
In terms of pure physique, the current Miyauchi Hikage obviously hadn't reached the level of Tsugikuni Yoriichi yet.
However, he was facing Zenin Maki, whose physique was inferior to Rize Kamishiro's, although her combat intelligence was much higher than Rize's.
Miyauchi Hikage deliberately held back, not using the Thirteenth Form of Sun Breathing, nor using any flame-guiding techniques from the Kusanagi Style, and not using a Nichirin Blade. Under the condition that Sun Breathing swordsmanship could only form waves of heat sword qi, he fought with Zenin Maki for a full half an hour before stopping because the sword in his hand couldn't support the high temperature.
Kamado Tanjuro was right. When maintaining breathing and dancing the Hinokami Kagura, one wouldn't get tired even if they danced for a day and a night continuously.
But after stopping, the consumed life force and accumulated fatigue were enough to make an ordinary person lie in bed for three days and three nights.
In the Demon Slayer Corps, only Tsugikuni Yoriichi could toss himself around like that relying on his powerful body. Of course, now there was also Miyauchi Hikage, whose vitality was equally amazing.
"That's really amazing. You clearly went back and forth with those dozen or so moves, plus some interconnecting sword techniques, but it was almost watertight, and I couldn't find any breakthrough point."
After Miyauchi Hikage waved his hand to signal a truce, Zenin Maki, who was covered in sweat, let go of the naginata in her hand and sat on the grass without any ladylike image.
If one observed carefully, her arms were still trembling slightly.
That was the result of her efforts to crack the Sun Breathing swordsmanship in the past half hour.
Unfortunately, the flaws of Sun Breathing were not so easy to find. At least the Demon King Muzan and Tsugikuni Yoriichi's brother studied Sun Breathing for hundreds of years and failed to find them.
And when facing an enemy stronger than oneself, fusing the first twelve forms together to form the cyclical Thirteenth Form could also allow the user to fight with the enemy for a longer time.
Even after hundreds of years, when Muzan faced Sun Breathing in the decisive battle, he still didn't have a very good way to deal with it.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who was born with the Transparent World, had indeed deduced the Sun Breathing swordsmanship to the extreme he could reach.
Unless one had the ability of mental attacks, or possessed power that completely crushed the user, it was difficult to crack Sun Breathing swordsmanship by conventional means.
Even opening a Simple Domain probably wouldn't work.
But none of these were things the current Zenin Maki could do.
"Want to learn? I can teach you. With your physique, you should be able to master it."
Facing Miyauchi Hikage's teasing, Zenin Maki rolled her eyes directly: "My sword style has already taken shape. It would take more time to adjust it now."
"Besides, my physique is inferior to yours. Even if I master this set of sword techniques, I can't use it better than you. I don't know how you improved so fast. How do you usually train?"
She sighed with emotion.
Last time they met, she could feel obvious unfamiliarity in Miyauchi Hikage's use of these sword techniques.
But after only ten days of not seeing him, he used more exquisite sword techniques, and his proficiency was quite high. Even his combat experience skyrocketed.
It made her suspect that he had gone to various kendo dojos in Tokyo to challenge them these days; otherwise, it wouldn't be so easy to improve actual combat experience under normal circumstances.
After hesitating for a moment, Zenin Maki coughed lightly: "However, it's okay to exchange pointers. I remember Nanami-senpai taught you some insights on taijutsu before. We can discuss kendo first, and then I'll guide you on taijutsu issues."
But facing Zenin Maki's somewhat tsundere response, Miyauchi Hikage's reply made her defense break a little.
"I just got a very interesting taijutsu set these days. Before I figure it out myself, I probably don't need too much guidance."
Zenin Maki stood up from the grass immediately.
"Come on, we've rested enough. Since the sword sparring is over, now let me see what's going on with that taijutsu of yours."
At this time, Shinomiya Kaguya and Yotsuya Miko, who had been watching the battle from the side and secretly filming with the diary, hurried up to intervene.
To be honest, although Shinomiya Kaguya knew before this that Miyauchi Hikage had fully mastered Sun Breathing swordsmanship, and had long known from the Ubuyashiki family that Sun Breathing swordsmanship was the origin technique surpassing other breathing styles.
But she didn't expect that this set of sword techniques passed down for hundreds of years could shine so brilliantly in Miyauchi Hikage's hands.
That set of smooth sword techniques would become the only designated Sun Breathing swordsmanship training guide in the group for a long time in the future.
And he hadn't used the Nichirin Blade or the Thirteenth Form yet.
She really didn't know what it would look like when Miyauchi Hikage used the Nichirin Blade to perform Sun Breathing yesterday.
She could only lament her lack of talent; she hadn't touched the threshold of Sun Breathing practice yet.
If she could master Sun Breathing swordsmanship, she would probably reach at least Grade 2 strength.
And seeing Miyauchi Hikage mention taijutsu, Shinomiya Kaguya immediately thought of the "Women's Self-Defense Art" open-sourced and shared by the mysterious person.
She had used more than ten reading value points to get started with that so-called self-defense art.
Given Shiina Mashiro's attitude towards Miyauchi Hikage, it was normal for her to teach this taijutsu to Miyauchi Hikage without reservation, and then study it together.
She just didn't know how Miyauchi Hikage's talent in this area was.
If he also showed amazing talent in taijutsu, then there would probably be another set of instructional videos in the chat group.
But that was obviously not now.
Having just fought intensely, they had to rest for a while anyway.
She could see Zenin Maki's slightly trembling arms. Even if recorded as a teaching video in this state, it wouldn't be perfect.
In comparison, Yotsuya Miko saw more.
Like last time, the special effects of flying flames also appeared in her eyes.
And it was precisely because of these special effects that she clearly felt Miyauchi Hikage's restraint.
He could clearly exert more power, but he had been suppressing these powers.
Why could he reach this level just half a month after awakening, while she had awakened for more than a month and was still stuck at the level of being able to see?
Even if her eyesight became better than before, it would be good.
The only thing that comforted her was that she was qualified to perform those simplest investigation missions, and possessed certain self-protection power when facing those ordinary vengeful spirits.
And the little thought in her heart now was that other classmates in the school had their own things to do, and it was even more impossible to ask a special-grade like Gojo Satoru for help.
However, Miyauchi Hikage had a good personality. When she had questions about sword techniques and Hamon breathing in the past ten days and went to chat with him privately, he would explain patiently.
More importantly, after she unlocked the commission module half a month later than the other girls, she unlocked a task to execute a commission with Miyauchi Hikage within a month (rewards are automatically settled once for each completed task, and additional rewards are obtained based on the number of tasks performed after the task period ends). It was just that out of embarrassment, she hadn't said this out loud.
And this commission was limited to Miyauchi Hikage, so she didn't have to worry about others snatching this commission for the time being.
Of course, she saw the mysterious person's evaluation of Miyauchi Hikage in the diary.
But she still believed in Miyauchi Hikage's character, and didn't think she was beautiful enough for Miyauchi Hikage to take a fancy to her.
Perhaps among ordinary people, she was indeed quite good-looking.
But Shiina Mashiro, Shiina Mahiru, Tohru, Kasumigaoka Utaha, and Shinomiya Kaguya...
Yotsuya Miko felt that when standing with these overly beautiful girls, she wasn't much different from an ordinary girl.
And she had nothing special, so it was even more impossible for Miyauchi Hikage to have any ideas about her. As long as she called Shinomiya Kaguya to be with Miyauchi Hikage, there was no need to worry about these things.
So now she naturally had to brush up Miyauchi Hikage's favorability so that he would be embarrassed to refuse her when the time came.
Her request wasn't high; she just needed to occupy Miyauchi Hikage's time once so she could get the guaranteed reward.
Otherwise, if she hadn't completed the task by the time the task deadline arrived, she would become the second person in the chat group to be publicly shamed after Shinomiya Kaguya.
After the two girls came over to comfort her, Zenin Maki didn't insist anymore, but planned to rest first and wait until her condition recovered in the afternoon.
And she happened to be able to ask Shinomiya Kaguya about the origin of the taijutsu mastered by Miyauchi Hikage first.
She knew that Miyauchi Hikage didn't have many connections in the inner world. Except for a childhood friend in Chichibu who seemed to be involved in Shinto, the rest were people from the Jujutsu world.
The taijutsu mastered by Nanami Kento was from the Jujutsu High lineage, so perhaps the taijutsu mastered by Miyauchi Hikage was some antique that Shinomiya Kaguya, the rich woman, found from somewhere unknown?
But having been educated by the Sun Breathing swordsmanship once, knowing that these antiques could also exert extraordinary power on the right person, she felt it necessary to be mentally prepared first.
So the three girls gathered together and began to discuss the Kusanagi Style Ancient Martial Arts.
And Miyauchi Hikage finally met the principal of Jujutsu High, Yaga Masamichi.
Although this principal of Jujutsu High was nominally only a Grade 1 sorcerer, he had actually reached the special-grade level long ago. It was just that he kept himself well hidden. Even if the Jujutsu higher-ups had always suspected him, they still let him rely on his ability to become the principal of Jujutsu High.
While serving as principal, he was able to gradually improve the school style of Jujutsu High without direct opposition from the Jujutsu higher-ups, and then cultivated a group of excellent jujutsu sorcerers including Gojo Satoru.
Regarding the status of jujutsu sorcerers in the Tokyo inner world today, it could be said that this middle-aged man contributed about one-third of the credit. The remaining two-thirds relied on Gojo Satoru, while the Jujutsu higher-ups were completely dragging them back; at least they made room for one-third more positions for other jujutsu sorcerers.
At the same time, Yaga Masamichi was one of the few people in this world who could make Gojo Satoru listen, and also perfectly acted as a lubricant between Gojo Satoru and the Jujutsu higher-ups, allowing these two parties that seemed impossible to coexist to maintain peace on the surface.
No matter from which aspect, this man was a remarkable person, but unfortunately still a bit naive.
He wanted to use gentle means to let his disciples take over the discourse power of the Jujutsu world as smoothly as possible.
But the Jujutsu higher-ups were just dogs in the manger, occupying the latrine without pooping. They would rather use taboo methods to maintain their lives than step down from their seats.
After all, those Jujutsu higher-ups had been completely corrupted by Kenjaku hundreds of years ago.
Even without the appearance of Ryomen Sukuna, in a few years, Gojo Satoru would probably not be able to bear it and would still take the step in the original work to clean up these old pests. The appearance of Ryomen Sukuna just advanced this process.
It could be said that the most correct decision made by those conservative old pests was intending to kill Itadori Yuji at the beginning.
Although they didn't know the subtle blood relationship between Itadori Yuji and Ryomen Sukuna, and this wasn't the first time they made a similar decision; when Okkotsu Yuta went berserk before, these old pests did the same thing.
In short, as long as someone threatened the stability of the Jujutsu world, they would kill them.
Gojo Satoru was someone they wanted to kill, but he had special-grade power before entering Jujutsu High. Later, after realizing the Reverse Cursed Technique and Domain Expansion on the verge of death, he became unstoppable and completely beyond their control.
In the face of power, they could only hold their noses and acquiesce to the maverick behavior of Tokyo Jujutsu High over the years.
If it weren't for Nanami Kento's reminder last night, the flames mastered by Miyauchi Hikage would probably have made those old pests harbor some improper covetousness towards him.
It was just that Miyauchi Hikage was a little surprised that Yaga Masamichi looked at him with slightly strange eyes when meeting him today.
"Principal Yaga, is there something wrong with me?"
Miyauchi Hikage took the initiative to ask.
The other party's gaze seems to be confirming my identity?
Is there something wrong with my identity?
Or did he notice Tohru's abnormality through me?
Is eating a pot of rice for a meal too excessive?
Miyauchi Hikage pondered in his heart.
He planned to go out and use playing cards for divination later.
Only then did Yaga Masamichi shake his head and withdraw his gaze.
"No, I'm just curious about you. After all, you are someone valued by both Gojo Satoru and Nanami Kento, and your videos have indeed allowed us to find many newly formed vengeful spirits in advance through the comments section, avoiding many casualties."
He wouldn't tell Miyauchi Hikage the truth.
When he woke up this morning, he received a message from those Jujutsu higher-ups.
At first, he thought it was some accusation or inhumane instruction, but who would have thought it was extremely rare concern from the Jujutsu higher-ups.
And the target of the concern was not only the students of the entire Jujutsu High, but also specifically included Miyauchi Hikage, a boy who was currently just an external member of Jujutsu High.
Such a specific explanation made him realize almost instantly that the Jujutsu higher-ups were coming for Miyauchi Hikage, a talented boy.
But he studied that message carefully more than ten times, and failed to find any flavor of conspiracy from these words.
Instead, it seemed that they really hoped that Miyauchi Hikage, an external member, could enjoy more detailed care in Jujutsu High than ordinary students.
They also stated that he might become a pillar of the Jujutsu world in the future. For the needs of this boy, as long as they were not too excessive, they could try their best to satisfy them, letting him feel the warmth of the Jujutsu world.
Even though Yaga Masamichi studied it for a long time, he only saw that the purpose of the Jujutsu higher-ups should be to give him better benefits and deepen his affection for Jujutsu High. If he wanted to execute commissions, it would be best to arrange commissions with less trouble and generous rewards for him, so as not to put him in danger.
So is Miyauchi Hikage an illegitimate child of some Jujutsu higher-up?
But his identity information is quite comprehensive, and he has a twin sister who looks quite similar. He doesn't look like the illegitimate child of any big shot no matter how you look at it.
If anything, Miyauchi Hikage looks more like the ancestor of those old guys.
Yaga Masamichi naturally wouldn't know that these were all Kenjaku's arrangements, aimed at using the illusion of comfort to slow down the growth speed of Miyauchi Hikage, the Destined One.
In a sense, that was indeed a task assigned to the Jujutsu higher-ups by their ancestor. With various handles in Kenjaku's hands, they would naturally handle things more seriously.
Anyway, he was just a junior favored by the ancestor, as long as he wasn't a thorn in the side like Gojo Satoru.
At least for now, Miyauchi Hikage seemed to be a guy with no ambition.
It had been half a month since his supernatural awakening. Although his talent was good, he had been busy with things in the outer world and had only been to Jujutsu High once.
Such a person with no ambition couldn't affect their positions anyway.
And although Yaga Masamichi couldn't figure out who was backing Miyauchi Hikage, as long as Miyauchi Hikage didn't cause trouble in Jujutsu High, he wouldn't care too much about his actions.
It's just raising one person for free. Jujutsu High's funds are quite sufficient now. This can be considered using the resources Miyauchi Hikage exchanged for them to cultivate Miyauchi Hikage.