"What...is this?" Obanai Iguro's eyes widened; his Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent, was forcefully frozen in mid-air.
Mr. Allen spread his five fingers and gently pushed, and the nine Pillars simultaneously felt an irresistible force assault them. Their bodies flew backward uncontrollably, crashing heavily into the courtyard wall.
"Bang!" Nine muffled thuds sounded almost simultaneously, and the Pillar-ranked swordsmen fell to the ground in disarray, their nichirin blades flying from their hands.
The courtyard was silent, save for heavy breathing. The nine Pillar-ranked swordsmen struggled to their feet, their gazes at Mr. Allen completely changed.
The courtyard was silent, save for heavy breathing. The nine Pillar-ranked swordsmen struggled to their feet, their gazes at Mr. Allen completely changed.
Sanemi Shinazugawa's lips bled. He stared intently at Mr. Allen, his sword-holding hand trembling slightly: "What...what kind of power is this, exactly?"
Shinobu Kocho barely managed to stand, her sweet smile long gone: "It's like facing an insurmountable mountain."
Giyu Tomioka silently picked up his dropped nichirin blade, looking at Mr. Allen with a complicated expression.
Although he had witnessed Mr. Allen's strength before, the abilities he displayed now still exceeded his imagination.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly stood up and, supported by his daughter, walked to the center of the courtyard.
His voice remained gentle, yet it carried an undisguised shock: "Mr. Allen, your strength truly far surpasses our imagination."
Mr. Allen retracted his hand and calmly surveyed the crowd: "Now, can we begin discussing the plan to hunt down Muzan?"
The nine Pillar-ranked swordsmen exchanged glances, eventually nodding silently. Although Sanemi Shinazugawa looked unwilling, he could not deny the overwhelming strength Mr. Allen had displayed.
"Please follow me," Kagaya Ubuyashiki gestured for everyone to follow him.
"We'll discuss this in detail indoors."
Mr. Allen followed Kagaya Ubuyashiki into a spacious Japanese-style room, and the nine Pillar-ranked swordsmen also entered one after another, finding places to sit.
Unlike the previous tense atmosphere, the mood now became solemn and grave.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki knelt at the head of the table and, after two light coughs, began: "Mr. Allen, regarding your blue spider lily plan, we have made preliminary arrangements."
He gestured for his daughter beside him to unfurl a map: "We've spread false information in several key locations, claiming to have found blue spider lilies that can cure sun sensitivity."
Shinobu Kocho added: "But Muzan is inherently suspicious; he likely won't show himself easily."
Mr. Allen gazed at the map, his finger gently tapping the table: "He doesn't need to show himself. Sending out his Upper Rank Demons will be enough."
"Upper Rank Demons?" Kyojuro Rengoku frowned.
"Each of those guys possesses strength far beyond that of ordinary demons."
"Precisely," Mr. Allen nodded.
"Through them, we can follow the trail and find Muzan's hiding place."
Sanemi Shinazugawa snorted: "Easier said than done. Upper Rank Demons aren't that easy to deal with."
Mr. Allen looked at him, a slight smile on his lips: "For me, it makes no difference."
This statement silenced the Pillar-ranked swordsmen present once again. Having witnessed Mr. Allen's strength, they truly couldn't refute him.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki broke the silence: "So, how exactly should we proceed?"
Mr. Allen's finger traced across the map: "First, we need to create a sufficiently enticing trap."
Over the next few hours, Mr. Allen elaborated on his plan.
The Pillar-ranked swordsmen gradually transitioned from initial skepticism to attentive listening, even offering constructive suggestions from time to time.
As the discussion neared its end, Uzui Tengen suddenly asked: "Mr. Allen, why are you helping us fight Muzan?"
This question quieted the room again, and everyone looked at Mr. Allen, awaiting his answer.
Mr. Allen's gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Kagaya Ubuyashiki: "As I said, Muzan has something I need."
"What is it that is worth so much effort from you?" Shinobu Kocho pressed.
Mr. Allen smiled slightly: "Well, you'll find out once we capture Muzan."
Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Kagaya Ubuyashiki deftly changed the subject: "Then the plan is set. Starting tomorrow, everyone will act according to Mr. Allen's arrangements."
After the meeting, the Pillar-ranked swordsmen left one by one.
Giyu Tomioka was the last to leave. After a moment of hesitation, he turned and said to Mr. Allen: "Tanjiro...how has he been lately?"
"He's making rapid progress."
Mr. Allen replied: "Before long, he'll be a qualified swordsman."
Giyu Tomioka nodded, seemingly wanting to say more, but in the end, he just left in silence.
Late at night, Mr. Allen stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki approached, supported by his daughter.
"Mr. Allen, there's one more thing," Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was somewhat weak.
"Regarding your desire to learn all the Breathing Styles."
Mr. Allen turned to him: "Is there a problem?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head: "No, quite the opposite. I have already instructed the nine Pillars to take turns teaching you their respective Breathing Styles starting tomorrow."
Mr. Allen raised an eyebrow: "Oh? They agreed?"
"After witnessing your strength, no one would object," Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled.
"It's just that learning Breathing Styles takes time, and will our plan fall behind schedule?"
"Don't worry," Mr. Allen interrupted him.
"Learning Breathing Styles won't affect the plan's execution. You just need to focus on teaching; whether I learn it or not is my business."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded thoughtfully: "Then, I wish you goodnight."
After Kagaya Ubuyashiki left, Mr. Allen continued to gaze at the starry sky. He could feel that the decisive battle with Muzan was not far off.
"Soon," he murmured softly.
"Once I obtain Muzan's abilities, my strength will reach a new level."
The next morning, Mr. Allen arrived at the training grounds early. To his surprise, Sanemi Shinazugawa was already waiting there.
"You're early, Shinazugawa," Mr. Allen greeted him.
Sanemi Shinazugawa snorted: "Less talk. Since the Master ordered me to teach you Wind Breathing, let's not waste time."
Mr. Allen didn't mind his attitude: "Then let's begin."
Sanemi Shinazugawa stood in the center of the training grounds with his arms crossed, his white haori flapping in the morning breeze.
The scars on his face appeared particularly fierce in the morning light, and his eyes still held distrust towards Mr. Allen.
"Wind Breathing is different from other Breathing Styles," Sanemi Shinazugawa said coldly.
"It pursues extreme speed and destructive power. If you can't keep up, give up early."
Mr. Allen smiled slightly: "Begin."
Seeing Mr. Allen's nonchalant expression, Sanemi Shinazugawa secretly chuckled to himself, 'Just wait until you can't learn Wind Breathing; then I'll laugh at you, hmph hmph.'
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