Chapter 77: Assemble, Yoshiwara Flower District!
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Training Ground No. 1.
The sun scorched the earth, and the air was thick with the burning scent of dust and sweat.
"Hah!"
With a low growl, Kamado Tanjiro's Face flushed red, the veins on his arms bulging like coiling dragons as he exerted all his strength.
He swung the two massive dumbbells in his hands upward with a sudden burst!
No, they couldn't exactly be called dumbbells.
They were essentially two giant blocks of iron; after all, what normal person uses dumbbells for Suburi?
Moreover, they were square iron blocks that were taller and wider than Himejima Gyomei.
"Hah!"
Accompanied by a loud shout and the whistling of the wind, Tanjiro completed a single Suburi.
Sweat rolled down from his temples, hitting the scorching ground and evaporating instantly.
Even so, the ground beneath Tanjiro's feet had already sunken in, and before him lay a shallow trench.
That was carved out by the wind from his Suburi.
What was even more terrifying was that despite this, the figure behind him remained unsatisfied:
"Too slow! Have you forgotten your goal?"
A familiar voice rang in Tanjiro's ear, carrying a hint of laziness and disdain.
"You're already slowing down after only two thousand swings? My minimum is ten thousand. If you can't do it, then get lost and go home."
"You're not even as hardworking as your younger sister. If you have no talent, then just keep repeating it."
"If you can't do it, go home and cry secretly in your mother's arms. It's not shameful!"
"I'll tell your younger siblings that the brother they are so proud of is a coward!"
Tanjiro's wine-red pupils dilated, instantly becoming bloodshot, and he clenched his teeth.
The flame mark on his forehead seemed as if it were about to ignite.
Veins bulged on his arms, and his fingers gripped the dumbbells as if he wanted to snap the solid steel rods.
He didn't speak; he only completed the next Suburi at an even faster speed.
Again and again.
Ryuji stood beside Tanjiro, nodding slightly, then asked loudly:
"Who are you?"
"I am... Kamado Tanjiro!"
Tanjiro replied through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse from extreme exhaustion.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to take revenge!"
Tanjiro completed a Suburi with all his might, the resulting wind blowing dust off the ground.
Ryuji waved his hand casually, and a small hurricane dispersed the dust:
"How are you going to take revenge?"
"By smashing Muzan's head to pieces!"
Tanjiro practically roared these words.
However, he was met with Ryuji's even colder and harsher reprimand.
"Then why are you still swinging so slowly! With only this much power, you still want revenge?"
"Go home! Go back and hide in your mother's embrace!"
"Go back and look at the disappointed eyes of your sister, Nezuko!"
"Go back and kneel before your unconscious father!"
On the sidelines, the three youngsters who were watching and learning swallowed hard in unison.
"Teacher... isn't this a bit too much?"
Rengoku Kyojuro watched the small figure struggling under the heavy equipment, a flash of pity appearing in his golden-red eyes.
"This isn't just being strict... this is practically murder."
Iguro Obanai crossed his arms tightly, and Kaburamaru on his neck seemed to feel the suffocating pressure as well.
It flicked its tongue uneasily.
Even though Tanjiro was a demon, and even though he still felt Tanjiro should be killed... right now, he also felt this training was excessive.
Tokito Muichiro nodded slightly:
"Yeah, it feels like he's not treating Tanjiro as a human... er, although he isn't human."
This was the first time the three youngsters were so unified in their view of the training.
Previously, they all had their own opinions on the training, especially how Ryuji trained them and those swordsmen.
They had always felt that Ryuji's training for them was stricter than for ordinary swordsmen, even bordering on hellish.
But looking at it now, they seemed to be living in paradise.
Damn, the teacher is practically a devil!
No, even a devil would have to kneel before the teacher!
"He won't die."
Ryuji chuckled, glancing at the stubborn figure in the field, his voice flat:
"If muscles tear, they will grow back. If bones crack, they can heal quickly."
He stretched his stiff neck; watching Tanjiro train made him feel a bit itchy to join in.
Should he do a few sets of Suburi training next to Tanjiro in a bit?
Thinking this, he glanced at the three youngsters who had pitying expressions:
"This is the strength of a demon, and the price that must be paid to become stronger."
He paused, then added, "Moreover, Tanjiro hasn't complained once about it being hard or tiring, has he?"
As he spoke, he pointedly glanced at Iguro Obanai among the three.
Iguro's mouth twitched, feeling like he was being targeted.
Endurance training was what he was worst at. Even the Stone Hashira had admitted he couldn't endure those torture-like training projects for long!
So what if he complained a bit about it being hard or tiring?
Was he wrong?
He was a technical swordsman!
Just as he was about to argue, Iguro Obanai caught a glimpse of a pink-haired figure not far away, looking at him with admiring eyes.
He immediately swallowed his words and quietly poked Ryuji, signaling him to save him some Face.
"That's right! My training is still far from enough!"
Rengoku Kyojuro seemed to have his fighting spirit ignited, shouting with full enthusiasm. He turned to Tokito Muichiro:
"Muichiro! Let's spar!"
"Boring."
Tokito Muichiro just shook his head gently, tilting it to look into the distance:
"I'm going to find Mr. Kocho Jiro to study human muscle structure and pharmacological reactions."
Ever since witnessing Teacher Ryuji's incredible recovery power.
His interest in medicine seemed even stronger than in swordsmanship.
Of course, it was mainly because swordsmanship posed no difficulty for him, making it far less challenging than medicine.
Moreover, the teacher said that once Muzan dies, demons will disappear, and with the development of society, studying medicine would be helpful for life.
"Is that so? Well then, let's talk about it next time."
Rengoku Kyojuro didn't get discouraged by the rejection; he just turned his gaze toward Iguro Obanai.
"I have things to do."
Iguro immediately shook his head. He didn't want to spar with Rengoku Kyojuro. A quick victory was impossible unless he used some desperate techniques.
Otherwise, he would just be stuck in a stalemate with Rengoku.
But most of the time, he would end up losing... well, occasionally Rengoku would be defeated by his techniques, and then he would pester him for another match.
It was a never-ending cycle, annoying to death.
Iguro Obanai looked into Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes and pointed at Kanroji Mitsuri not far away:
"I'm going to train my Tsuguko."
Hearing Iguro's words, Kanroji Mitsuri immediately responded with high energy:
"Yes! Lord Serpent Hashira! I will work hard!"
A cute blush appeared on her cheeks, but her heart was already screaming.
Ahhh!
Teacher Ryuji looks so handsome when he's being strict!
Mr. Rengoku's enthusiastic posture is also so handsome!
Tokito-kun's cool indifference is also so handsome!
And my teacher, Mr. Iguro, that aura of a coiled venomous snake is really so cool!
"Well, in that case, let's wait until next time."
Rengoku Kyojuro continued with full enthusiasm:
"Since you're busy, so be it. I'll look for someone else. If all else fails, I can just find the teacher!"
"Okay, I'm leaving first!"
Hearing this, Iguro Obanai immediately led Kanroji Mitsuri away.
Ryuji shook his head at Iguro's words, watching the two walk side-by-side with a knowing smile.
Not bad, not bad. This can be considered a happy ending for the lovers.
Very good.
Rengoku Kyojuro didn't mind Iguro Obanai's words. He looked around and saw that the swordsmen nearby had all taken a few steps back.
Except for a very few who still had Battle Intent, they all looked like they didn't want to be picked.
"Rengoku, I'll spar with you!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi glared, looking at Ryuji: "Lord Instructor, once I've become a bit stronger, I'll come to get a beating."
Ryuji nodded and said calmly:
"Sure. Just as well, there are many empty rooms at the Butterfly Mansion lately. I'll reserve one for you."
Shinazugawa Sanemi laughed and said to Rengoku Kyojuro: "Let's go!"
The two prepared to leave to find a quiet place to train.
Ryuji was very happy as he watched them.
The hot pepper had been trained well enough, but... the little honeybee still lacked a bit of refinement.
Thinking this, he glanced at the calm Tomioka Giyu not far away.
And Shinobu Kocho, who was following Giyu with a hint of resentment on her Face.
Ryuji couldn't help but roll his eyes, muttering in his heart:
Who told you, girl, to always stick to me before? If I don't give you something to do, I'll never have any peace and quiet.
Speaking of which, the plot really has been changed beyond recognition by me.
Tanjiro joined the Demon Slayer Corps early and became my Disciple.
That kid Agatsuma Zenitsu was also sent to the headquarters early by Old Man Kuwajima because of my letter.
Now he's in the second tier, crying and screaming that he wants to go back.
And Hashibira Inosuke, wearing that wild boar head mask, was also found near Mount Fujikasane by the Kakushi Unit.
He was also thrown into the training camp.
The original protagonist group was forcibly brought together by me like this.
He looked at Tanjiro again, who was still dripping with sweat, and his mouth couldn't help but twitch again.
In just seven days, Tanjiro had already been able to completely suppress his instinct to eat humans.
What was even more ridiculous was that in the original story, Nezuko recovered her strength by sleeping, and Tamayo by drinking blood.
But our Demon King, Mr. Tanjiro, was different.
He didn't rely on those two things.
Damn, this guy relies on absorbing sunlight to recover his strength!
If Muzan heard this, he'd probably have a Prime Minister moment.
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
But such a ridiculous and absurd thing happened.
Absurd!
It's like absurdity's mother opening the door for absurdity—it's absurd to the extreme!
Incompetent Muzan!
Thinking of this, Ryuji thought of another ridiculous character.
Tanjiro's younger sister, Kamado Nezuko.
She was also a through-and-through little monster.
He sent her to Urokodaki Sakonji to learn Water Breathing. As a result, she entered the door in one day, reached Total Concentration in three days, and Total Concentration: Constant in seven days.
Old Man Urokodaki was so scared that he wrote a letter overnight, telling him to take this little ancestor away quickly; he couldn't teach her anymore.
Calculating the time, Nezuko should be on her way back to the headquarters now.
"Ryuji-kun, everyone is here. That's quite rare."
A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
Kocho Kanae had approached him at some point, with a gentle smile on her Face:
"Lately, the demons seem to have vanished. It's rare to have some leisure time. Why not come to the Butterfly Mansion for some tea and relax?"
"Now is not the time for tea."
Ryuji refused decisively.
If Kocho Kanae hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have noticed. Yes, lately the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen haven't had much to do.
There are fewer demons!
This isn't a good thing.
That guy Muzan most likely has Tsugikuni Yoriichi PTSD and wants to hide!
How can I pull this trash boss out of the Infinity Castle... what a headache.
Ryuji was deep in thought and didn't notice that although Kocho Kanae still had a smile on her Face.
The aura around her had become as cold as the dead of winter.
Seeing this, the swordsmen nearby slapped their foreheads and sighed in unison:
The Pillar of Fist is hopeless.
Then, they all found excuses and quickly slipped away.
To avoid being splashed with blood in a bit.
At that moment, a flashy and urgent shout came from afar: "Ryuji! Quick! Grab your gear and help! This lord has a big problem!"
Uzui Tengen landed beside Ryuji with a few leaps, saying very anxiously: "Quick, come with me."
Ryuji held Uzui Tengen back and asked with a frown: "What's the matter? Why so urgent?"
"My wives are gone!"
Uzui Tengen no longer had his usual flashiness and composure, only anxiety and solemnity remained.
He held up three fingers: "Three! All of them are missing!"
"I've been investigating the Hie Ninjas lately and encountered a demon suspected to be an Upper Rank! My three wives were helping me investigate, and they've all gone missing!"
Ryuji's expression instantly became serious.
Damn!
Good brother's three wives are missing; this is a serious situation!
And this plot... it's too damn familiar!
Isn't this the Entertainment District Arc from the original story!
He understood in his heart. Although the timeline and character relationships were all a mess, what was meant to come still came.
Isn't it just Upper Rank Six? Perfect, it's about time these little guys saw some blood.
He made up his mind and turned to issue a mobilization order to the training ground!
"Emergency assembly!"
His voice wasn't loud, yet it spread throughout the training ground.
Soon, figures rushed over from all directions.
"Hmm, let me count. Rengoku, Tokito, Iguro, you three stay at headquarters to guard against sneak attacks."
Although the three youngsters were a bit unhappy, they still nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Teacher."
When the others heard that the three youngsters weren't going, they realized the Chief Instructor was giving them a chance!
They had to seize it.
Ryuji looked at the swordsmen filled with Battle Intent and smiled.
When doing things, credit should be shared equally; one shouldn't just favor those close to them.
"Giyu, Shinazugawa, Kanroji, Kanae, Shinobu, you five, and..."
Ryuji glanced at Tanjiro, who had stopped his training, and said loudly: "Tanjiro!"
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Chief Instructor!"
Tanjiro's wine-red pupils radiated intense Battle Intent; he was going to send all these evil demons to Hell!
Ryuji nodded. Six Hashira, plus Demon King Tanjiro, plus himself.
This lineup was more than enough.
Forget about mere Upper Rank Six; even if Muzan himself showed up, he'd have to kneel and sing 'Conquer'!
Otherwise, I'll beat you until you sing 'Conquer'!
The only thing to worry about was Nakime's hard-to-defend Blood Demon Art.
Would she just teleport Daki and the others away, leaving one behind in the Infinity Castle... Thinking this, Ryuji continued to the other swordsmen: "The rest of you, continue with your training and defense work according to the drills!"
"Yes!"
After assigning the roles, he immediately headed to the Master's mansion. After all, taking so many people out required informing the Master.
However, rather than asking for permission, it was more like a notification.
After all, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's health was deteriorating day by day, and the affairs of the Demon Slayer Corps, large and small, were already being handled by him, the 'Chief Instructor.'
After receiving the Master's consent, Ryuji took a deep breath, a blazing Battle Intent igniting in his eyes.
"Target: Yoshiwara Flower District!"
"Move out!"
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