Chapter 47: Arashi
The first impression Igarashi Uzen gave off was that of an extremely gentle soul.
He had soft, fluffy brown hair, a slender frame, and wore a pair of scholarly, gold-rimmed glasses. According to Natsuya's "Cheap Master," Igarashi had spent his student years studying abroad in the West. He was a true academic.
Because of this, many of his viewpoints differed from the older generation of Slayers.
But Kazami had emphasized it repeatedly: Igarashi was still a man you could trust with your life.
Upon meeting Natsuya, the man didn't question him like Urokodaki or try to beat him senseless like Nikaido. Instead, he took Natsuya to a quiet, high-end café in Yokohama.
They sat and chatted about mundane things. The conversation focused on Master Kazami's health or Natsuya's daily life. Sometimes, Igarashi would smirk when he heard about their master's stubborn streaks. Other times, he would probe with curiosity about Natsuya's encounters with demons.
His tone was humble, his eyes warm. Looking at him, you'd never guess he was a swordsman who fought life-and-death battles against monsters—let alone one standing at the very pinnacle of the Corps.
As they drank hot coffee and watched the world outside, the afternoon sun streamed through the glass, casting warm amber patterns on the dark wooden table. The smell of freshly ground beans and the faint sound of a piano in the background made Natsuya feel like he was back in the modern era, just vacationing in a foreign city.
But the status bar floating above the man's head was a constant reminder.
This wasn't reality. And this man was not a "weak" civilian.
[Igarashi Uzen]
[Power Level: 354 (Body: 161, Tech: 122, Mind: 71)]
[Storm Breathing LV.6] [Wind Breathing LV.5]
His Body stat alone is almost equal to my total power level.
Natsuya realized that while NPCs didn't gain stats by "allocating points" like he did, they grew through decades of grueling manual training. Their skill levels reflected a physical tempering that was almost terrifying.
This was Natsuya's first time coming face-to-face with the true "Endgame Tier" of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Kokonoe, you're spacing out again."
"In a fight, that habit would be fatal."
Igarashi adjusted his glasses, his voice gentle but clear.
"Sorry, Aizen-senpai," Natsuya replied. (Note: Natsuya keeps calling him Aizen as a Bleach reference).
The young man sighed, rubbing his temples. He wasn't sure if his "Junior Brother" was doing it on purpose or if he truly couldn't remember names. He set his white porcelain cup back on the saucer with a melodic clink.
"Kokonoe, what do you think 'True Strength' is?"
Broken mechanics? A top-tier skill module? Or just raw, unga-bunga super stats?
Natsuya tested the waters: "A strong body, rich experience, and high-level technique?"
Igarashi shook his head slowly.
"Partially correct, but incomplete."
"Many people possess all three and still fail to defeat the power-houses of the world. Most people chalk up that gap to 'Combat Instinct' or 'Monstrous Talent'."
His gaze moved behind his lenses, resting warmly on Natsuya. "I believe those are just 'phenomena'—vague terms ordinary people use to summarize things they don't understand."
"Then what do you think it is, Senior?"
"I believe it is... Awareness and Logic."
"Logic?" Natsuya blinked.
"Exactly."
Igarashi dipped a finger in a drop of water on the table and drew a flowing line. "Refined sword skills, heavy strikes, perfect redirection, a tempered body—these are just like the wind blowing through a valley."
"But what drives them? What determines where they flow?"
"It is the shape of the valley. The temperature of the air. The pressure systems."
"That is the Underlying Logic of power."
He looked at Natsuya, his eyes seeming to pierce through the boy's gamer persona. "Others don't understand why you're studying multiple styles. They think you're just an arrogant kid with more ambition than sense."
"They think you're spreading your talent too thin across different Breathing Styles."
"That it would be better to focus on one and master it to the peak."
Standard community consensus, Natsuya thought.
"I know that isn't the case for you," Igarashi continued. "You're trying to map the valley in reverse."
"You want to use the Five Basic Styles to understand their essence, using them as stepping stones to reach a higher tier."
Natsuya's breath hitched. Wait, did this 'Cheap Senior' just read my mind?
Igarashi's explanation went even deeper.
"The wildness of Wind, the fluidity of Water, the solidity of Stone, the speed of Thunder... they look different on the surface. But fundamentally, they are just different 'Logics' applied to the generation, conduction, and explosion of force."
"When you have enough 'Data,' you can reverse-engineer a universal formula for human kinetic output."
His finger continued to move across the table, sketching a simple human silhouette and several mathematical formulas that looked suspiciously familiar to Natsuya.
"Once your knowledge is vast enough, you can derive the core equation. At that point, the Breathing Style you create will no longer be a 'Degraded Copy' that mimics nature. It will be the Origin itself."
"A path that is purely your own."
He paused, a hint of longing in his voice. "I didn't take the path of 'Mastering All Styles,' but I am still using my own way to study the Source Code... all to find a perfect balance between my consciousness and my strength."
He flashed Natsuya a warm smile. "Our methods differ, but I understand you. Your path is not wrong."
Natsuya: "..."
I mean, yeah, a little bit of that. But mostly I just thought collecting all five would unlock a hidden Achievement or a Legendary set-bonus...
"Look at the people in this café," Igarashi said, suddenly changing the subject.
"Kokonoe, what do you see?"
Natsuya followed his gaze. There was a waiter grinding beans, an old man reading a newspaper, and a lady enjoying a slice of cake. He saw their floating labels: Power Levels and Skills.
"I see ordinary people and their specific job skills. That middle-aged man over there... he probably used to be in a gang. His Power Level is 15, and he has [Firearms LV.1] and [Intimidation LV.1]. His aim is probably decent."
The Arashibashira nodded, impressed. "Being able to see that means you've already stepped through the door."
Natsuya: Damn right. System and I go way back.
Igarashi then looked at the barista behind the counter.
"What I see is this:"
"That gentleman's right shoulder is drooping slightly. He has thin calluses on his thumb-web. His breathing is steady, and he favors his right hand for leverage."
"He has likely been in this trade for three years. His center of gravity is slightly back-heavy, and he is highly sensitive to external changes. He is a cautious man by nature."
"If danger broke out right now, his first instinct would be to retreat. His right hand would instinctively grab the heavy coffee pot rather than the small knife beside it."
Natsuya smirked. So my Senior is basically a Meiji-era Sherlock Holmes?
But Igarashi wasn't done.
He continued, like a prophet: "Now, he is about to finish that pour-over."
"The water temperature is perfect. He will start grinding the beans. He will stop after approximately 23 rotations. Now he reaches for the filter cups. Ah, the stack is slightly crooked. When he takes the top one..."
"He will use his right hand."
Before Igarashi finished the sentence, a soft clink came from the counter. As the barista lifted the top cup, the one below it wobbled. He immediately shot his right hand out to steady it.
The movements matched Igarashi's description down to the second.
Natsuya's eyes went wide.
What the hell? Does this guy have Future Sight?!
Igarashi took a sip of his coffee and explained calmly.
"Just a small result of understanding the 'Logic'."
"I call it..."
"Sen-no-Sen (The Initiative of the Initiative)."
☆☆☆
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