Ryosuke raised an eyebrow: "Then why are you still so gloomy?"
Shota took a deep breath, lowering his voice.
"The demon we encountered wasn't that strong, but it was exceptionally cunning... It used its Blood Demon Art to create clones and sounds to lure me away."
"By the time I realized it was a diversion and rushed back as fast as I could... the battle was already over."
Shota paused, a flicker of trepidation in his eyes.
"I saw Rika standing at the street corner, with the demon's still-dissipating head under her foot... She was actually intently listening to the demon's dying soliloquy."
Clearly, this was the usual deathbed flashback.
But late at night, was Rika looking for a bedtime story?
How interesting!
Ryosuke couldn't help but laugh: "And then?"
"That demon seemed to have had a pretty miserable life."
Shota's voice was dry: "According to its own mumbling, it was abandoned by its family because of its strange appearance, bullied by the villagers, and finally, after becoming a demon, it burned down the entire village..."
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow, roughly guessing what followed.
Shota pursed his lips.
"Then Rika grinned, an expression I couldn't quite place on her face—a bit disgusted, yet a bit... excited? After listening, she said: 'Boring.'"
"Afterward, she kicked the demon's head up, and with a few 'swish-swish' moves of her nichirin blade, she sliced the head into pieces in mid-air! Seriously! The kind that you couldn't even put back together!"
After Shota finished speaking, he chugged a mouthful of water.
He grabbed Ryosuke's arm, extremely perplexed: "Ryosuke! Tell me! Tell me if my sister isn't possessed?!"
"She wasn't like this before! She couldn't even watch a chicken being killed! So gentle and soft."
"Now how could she... become so... so..."
He couldn't find the right words to describe the incongruity and shock.
Ryosuke's lips twitched.
Possessed?
No, Shota!
You just don't understand your lovely sister well enough.
Don't let Rika's usual soft, innocent demeanor fool you.
In truth, there's a certain... darkness in her heart.
Well, to put it simply, she's a bit of a pervert.
Ryosuke recalled when he first transmigrated here; his body was frail, plagued by chronic illness, and he often couldn't keep up with training. Jigoro often gave him extra lessons at night.
However, as his grandfather aged, his energy sometimes faltered, and the task of delivering medicine late at night was handed over to Rika in the latter half of the year.
It was said that the girl had even volunteered for it.
At the time, Ryosuke had believed it to be the little girl's sympathy and kindness.
It was only later that he vaguely sensed a strange interest hidden deep within her eyes.
Ryosuke even thought Rika would disembowel him to see what was different inside.
But later on... Rika seemed to have awakened something extraordinary.
Her attitude towards him became like that of a madwoman.
Tsk... it's just so weird!
If he had to say, perhaps Rika was too intelligent, seeing through the cruelty and harshness of the world too early.
Her usual disguise was too meticulous, and the emotions accumulating within her needed an outlet.
The harshness of the Demon Slayer Corps, and the twisted, tragic pasts of the demons, happened to tear open that wound, allowing her true self to emerge.
But this was also normal.
Even in peaceful times, many people have psychological issues, let alone in this era overrun by demons.
It would be embarrassing not to have some quirks, right!
"Alright, stop scaring yourself."
Ryosuke patted his shoulder, comforting him with a smile.
"It's normal for a first independent demon kill to be a bit intense. Don't overthink it, Rika is still your sister."
Shota looked at Ryosuke with a mix of belief and doubt: "Really?"
"What else?"
Ryosuke countered: "Do you really believe she's possessed by something?"
Shota was silent for a moment, then nodded.
After much persuasion, he finally coaxed the restless Shota to rest.
Ryosuke hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath when Uzui Tengen grabbed him.
"Rested enough, Ryosuke! Training! Training!"
"Are you crazy?"
Ryosuke looked at him glumly.
"Rest is a waste of life! Ryosuke! Inspiration is fleeting!"
Uzui Tengen said, and without waiting for Ryosuke's agreement, he directly threw a wooden sword over.
Ryosuke resignedly rubbed his forehead and took a stance.
Not only did he have to slay demons, but he also had to be a sparring partner, and even moonlight as a counselor for jaded adults and problem children... Damn it! This family would fall apart without me sooner or later!
No sooner had his grumbling ended than Uzui Tengen lunged forward.
The sound of ringing, the roar of thunder... a month passed quietly.
Aside from going out on missions, Ryosuke's time was completely monopolized by Uzui Tengen, to the point where even Rika grew displeased, sharpening her blade.
Under such frantic training, both made rapid progress.
Boom!
A 爆鳴 sounded, and two figures successively retreated from the dust.
Uzui Tengen brandished his dual blades, unleashing layers of sound waves.
Sound Breathing, Second Form: Rolling Thunder!
His figure instantly surged forward, and as his dual blades swung, the blade edges overlapped in layers, like countless strings being plucked simultaneously!
Chii chii chii chii!
An infinite number of slashes enveloped Ryosuke like a fierce storm!
The range was vast and wide, practically sealing off all escape routes!
Ryosuke's pupils contracted, and Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rolling Thunder, was immediately unleashed!
Thunderbolts flashed all around, unceasingly!
Boom! Bang!
The two collided fiercely, and Ryosuke was actually pushed back several steps by the continuous force.
Uzui Tengen's momentum grew even stronger, his dual blades suddenly crossing in front of him!
Sound Breathing, Third Form: Trembling Pendulum!
Chii!
The fierce storm of slashes was even more rapid than before! A deafening roar suddenly erupted!
Dust rolled and rocks shattered wherever it passed!
Ryosuke dared not be negligent, pouring all his fighting spirit into it, and Thunder Breathing, Fifth Form: Heat Lightning, met it head-on with ferocity!
The scorching lightning flash collided fiercely with the solidified blade!
Rumble!!!
The trembling sound of explosion echoed through Peach Mountain.
Both retreated, their chests heaving.
Uzui Tengen's face was beaming with excitement and ecstasy!
"It's done! Hahaha! It's a success! These are my flamboyant Second Form and Third Form!"
Uzui Tengen stood with his blades sheathed, silver hair flying, unable to contain his excitement.
"Area annihilation and roar! Perfect! Absolutely perfect!"
"Amazing! It combines both range and explosive power."
Ryosuke praised him sincerely.
Although he was exhausted, witnessing and participating in the birth of a new Breathing Technique felt truly good.
Ryosuke walked to the side of the field to wipe sweat with a towel, just about to tease Uzui Tengen a bit, when a sharp shriek suddenly came from the sky.
A 幽藍 Hummingbird swooped down like an arrow.
"Caw! Yasui Ryosuke! Kinoto Rank order! Urgent!"
Ryosuke held out his hand for the Hummingbird to land, frowning slightly: "Urgent order? What mission?"
"A request from Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei! There are suspected demons in Takinogawa Village, with multiple disappearances! You are ordered to investigate immediately! Caw!"
Ryosuke paused, looking puzzled.
"I'm Kinoto Rank, right?"