Chapter 20: One Strike, One Collapse! Revealing the Mystery of Transparency!
Inside the spacious courtyard of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, several Pillars stood in the shade, their gazes fixed on the tense standoff at the center.
Kanroji Mitsuri covered her mouth with both hands, her beautiful face filled with conflict.
"How… how did it come to this?"
Kocho Shinobu smiled bitterly and shook her head: "Anyone would get angry facing such provocation; this situation is truly helpless."
Kyojuro Rengoku sighed repeatedly: "Ah… if only someone could step in to stop it."
Gyomei Himejima heard the unspoken meaning in his words, clasped his hands together, his expression calm and unperturbed.
"Namu Amida Butsu, Mr. Arthur's actions must have a deeper meaning."
Is that truly the case?
Aside from the inscrutable and silent Tomioka Giyu and Tokito Muichiro, the Love Pillar, Insect Pillar, and Flame Pillar were all filled with doubts.
Looking back at the open space in the center of the courtyard.
Arthur's gaze swept over Uzui Tengen, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Iguro Obanai one by one.
Then he slightly raised his hand, his tone flat yet extremely oppressive.
"What are you waiting for? Attack."
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a spark falling into boiling oil, instantly igniting the fighting spirit of the three Pillars, and a fierce battle was on the verge of breaking out!
Sound Breathing: Fifth Form: String Performance.
Uzui Tengen roared as he drew the twin blades from his back, a ninja secret technique infused with gunpowder, the rotating blades creating a deafening roar as he charged at Arthur first!
Serpent Breathing: Second Form: Narrow Head Poison Fang!
Iguro Obanai's movements were elusive, suddenly accelerating to circle behind Arthur.
The uniquely shaped Nichirin Blade in his hand shot out like a venomous snake from its hole, aiming directly for the neck, ruthless and decisive, just as he always slayed demons!
Wind Breathing: Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon!
Sanemi Shinazugawa soared into the sky, forcibly twisting his body mid-air, dozens of wild sword auras tearing through the air, covering Arthur from above!
Explosive fiery impacts, unpredictable surprise attacks, and overwhelming, sharp slashes.
The three had not exchanged a single word beforehand, yet their cooperation was seamless, unleashing a terrifying offensive capable of rivaling an Upper Rank Demon!
In contrast, Arthur, caught in the encirclement, remained composed, with only faint, flickering electric arcs gradually appearing on his body, making crackling sounds.
Thunder Style: Light Fang: Triple Bite!
In an instant, a dazzling light burst forth, its momentum like a dragon, instantly scattering the sky-filling fire mist and roars.
Uzui Tengen only felt a terrifying, powerful recoil, his arms instantly numb, and his Nichirin Blade slipped from his grasp and flew out!
Before the Wind and Serpent Pillars could react, the straight-charging lightning bolt strangely turned midway, shooting straight into the sky, its sharp edge pointing directly at Sanemi Shinazugawa!
Iguro Obanai swung his blade through empty air, his heart tightening.
Suddenly, he heard a suppressed grunt from above and quickly looked up.
What met his eyes was a ferocious dragon head condensed from lightning, fangs bared, biting down from the sky!
The thunder and lightning suddenly receded, and Arthur's figure reappeared in his original spot.
He casually flicked his sword, shaking off a few lingering electric arcs, his tone still flat.
"Now do you understand why I said you couldn't help?"
Inside the courtyard, only deathly silence remained.
The Pillars watching were all utterly stunned and deeply shaken.
In their eyes, everything had happened in a flash, and three battle-hardened Pillar-level swordsmen were…
Uzui Tengen's arms were still trembling slightly as he watched his Nichirin Blade spiral into the small stream beside the courtyard, then he lowered his head dejectedly, silent.
Sanemi Shinazugawa lay on his back on the ground, his chest heaving violently, his face contorted with pain.
He clutched his chest, opening his mouth several times as if to scream, but no sound came out.
Arthur's previous strike with the flat of his blade had been so powerful that it had dislocated his internal organs, leaving him unable to catch his breath for a while.
Iguro Obanai lightly touched the shallow cut on his Demon Slayer Corps uniform, the trace of a sword's pass.
He silently sheathed his blade and walked back to join his observing companions without a word.
Though the fight was brief, it had made him deeply realize the despair-inducing chasm in their strength.
…
Arthur scanned the group and nodded slightly.
"Very well, then today's spar ends here. I have some personal matters, so I'll take my leave."
"Mr. Arthur, please wait!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's slightly urgent voice rang out.
His eyes were completely blind, and everything that had just happened had been quietly relayed by his wife and daughters beside him; only now did he learn of the breathtaking outcome.
Unlike the Pillars who were deep in self-doubt, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had long anticipated Arthur's power.
Therefore, he was the calmest among them.
He fumbled to adjust his body's orientation, and after confirming he was facing Arthur, he performed the most solemn dogeza, bowing deeply.
"Master!?"
"What are you doing? Please get up quickly!"
"As our Lord, how can you perform such a grand Rei for another!?"
The Pillars were greatly alarmed, rushing forward to help him up, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki stopped them with a calm yet firm voice.
He remained prostrate on the ground and began to state his request.
"Most of the children who join the Demon Slayer Corps carry deep-seated grudges, having lost loved ones or bid farewell to their dearest."
His voice trembled slightly, yet every word was clear.
"They risk their lives, journeying on the path of demon slaying, only so that there might be fewer tragedies like theirs in the world, and for this, they train diligently at all costs."
"Even… even if it's just a glimmer of hope, a little comfort, I implore you, fulfill their long-cherished wish!"
Arthur remained silent, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued to bow deeply, not rising.
The Pillars beside them lowered their heads, feeling a burning shame on their faces, utterly mortified and wishing they could disappear.
The air seemed to solidify, and after an unknown period, Arthur finally spoke.
His voice was calm, yet carried a detached and distant indifference, as if removed from the mundane world.
"Isn't… living well?"
Arthur looked at the Pillars, and the resolute and stubborn determination burning in their eyes was a silent answer.
He couldn't fully comprehend this obsession, but he also couldn't dissuade them any further.
Arthur felt a throbbing pain in his temples and raised a hand to rub them.
"Do as you wish. Since you possess such resolve, then train with all your might!"
"Refine your Breathing Technique to its utmost, and you will have a chance to reach a certain state, similar to a 'mind's eye,' which Tanjiro's father called the 'Transparent World.' "
"Once the Transparent World is activated, it not only significantly enhances your perception, allowing you to anticipate moves and predict attacks, but also enables perfect control over every ounce of your strength, enough to give you the means to contend with Upper Rank Demons."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the Pillars' expressions changed dramatically, and a clamor arose.
"Transparent World?"
"Such a state exists!?"
"We've been practicing Breathing Technique for years, yet we've never heard of it…"
Gyomei Himejima softly chanted a Buddhist prayer: "A mind's eye, indeed… Namu Amida Butsu…"
Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he eagerly pressed on.
"Could it be that Mr. Arthur was able to easily defeat Upper Rank Three precisely because of the Transparent World?"
Arthur shook his head: "My situation is special and cannot be used as a reference, but one thing is certain—"
"Once you successfully activate the Transparent World, your strength will undergo a qualitative change. At that time, even against an Upper Rank Demon, you will have the power to fight, and even to corner and kill them!"
Upon hearing these words, Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had been silent since his defeat, had a fierce flame rekindle in his eyes, and a savage smile spread across his lips.
"Ha! Since it's been said to this extent, isn't it clear what needs to be done next?"
He suddenly leaped up from the ground, his entire body radiating fighting spirit.
"Train! Train with my life! One month! Within one month, I will definitely open that Transparent World!"
"I will absolutely not be absent from the final battle with Muzan Kibutsuji!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's declaration was simple and crude, but it also roared out the unspoken thoughts of all the Pillars present.
That unwillingness, that longing, that determination to become stronger at all costs!
…
Afterward, Kagaya Ubuyashiki officially issued new orders to all the Pillars.
Effective immediately, all Demon Slayer Corps members of Kinoe rank and above were to be assembled for a month-long, hellish intensive training camp!
Each Pillar would be responsible for specific training subjects based on their expertise.
After assigning their respective training tasks, Kagaya Ubuyashiki announced a decision that would shake the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
The establishment of the position of "Demon Slayer Corps Commander"!
This position would have status and authority equal to that of the Master!
Furthermore, in critical moments when the Master could not issue commands, the Commander would have supreme command over all members!
The Pillars' hearts were clear; who else but Arthur could fill this supreme position?
If it had been before today, perhaps some might have harbored doubts.
But after personally experiencing or witnessing that unfathomable power, no one had any further objections.
The motion passed unanimously!
The fate of demons and demon slayers seemed to subtly shift at this moment.
However, could a month-long hellish training truly allow the Pillars to touch the legendary Transparent World?