Chapter 74 is next up with...
Tomioka Giyu dared not be negligent in the face of this attack, reversing his grip on the nichirin blade and thrusting it down fiercely.
Clang!
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust"
As the fastest starting form of Water Breathing, its speed was naturally on par with Mist Breathing's Fourth Form.
When the tip of Tomioka Giyu's nichirin blade struck Tokito Muichiro's nichirin blade, which was already on the verge of breaking, there was no surprise.
Tokito Muichiro's nichirin blade snapped instantly!
Due to this sudden change, coupled with Tomioka Giyu's heavy thrust, he stumbled.
Just as he was about to fall, Tomioka Giyu, with quick reflexes, wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Uh, my apologies, I broke your nichirin blade..."
Tomioka Giyu had intended to say that their training session should end here, but Tokito Muichiro clearly wasn't finished. He turned his head to Tanjiro and said,
"Hey, lend me your nichirin blade."
Before Tanjiro could speak, chuntaro, perched on his shoulder, urged,
"Did you hear that? Hurry and lend your nichirin blade to Muichiro!"
Tomioka Giyu sighed, realizing Tokito Muichiro was still eager to continue.
"Please, Tanjiro, let him use it."
"Oh? No problem!" Tanjiro quickly took two steps and readily handed his nichirin blade to Tokito Muichiro.
In fact, even without Tomioka Giyu's request, the kind-hearted Tanjiro would usually agree to any reasonable request.
"Again!"
No sooner had he spoken than Tokito Muichiro gripped the nichirin blade with both hands and attacked at top speed!
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
Tomioka Giyu didn't hold back either, meeting Tokito Muichiro's attacks head-on, not falling behind in the slightest, and even appearing quite at ease.
He could clearly feel that Tokito Muichiro's precision and strength in his swings were even worse than before.
However, Tomioka Giyu also knew that it wasn't an issue with Tokito Muichiro himself, but rather that the nichirin blade in his hand was not suited for him.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
Bang!
"Alright, Muichiro, your nichirin blade isn't suitable. Let's spar again when you have the chance."
Before he finished speaking, Tomioka Giyu stopped holding back, unleashing his full power. In an instant, his nichirin blade stopped directly at Tokito Muichiro's neck.
"Mist Breathing..."
Tokito Muichiro's words abruptly stopped. Tomioka Giyu's speed was too fast; he couldn't even use his sword techniques.
"Okay, good. When my new nichirin blade is forged, we'll spar again!"
Tomioka Giyu smiled and nodded, then suggested,
"Let's go, Muichiro. I'll take you to my swordsmith. He has a few spare nichirin blades."
"You can use one until your new nichirin blade is forged."
Tokito Muichiro looked at Tomioka Giyu for a few more moments, seemingly not understanding why this person was so enthusiastic about helping him.
However, he genuinely needed a nichirin blade now, so he obediently followed behind Tomioka Giyu, walking down the mountain.
Along the way, chuntaro, on Tokito Muichiro's shoulder, said to Tomioka Giyu,
"Thank you, sir, for the spare nichirin blade for Muichiro~"
"You're welcome, chuntaro."
This was how Tokito Muichiro's Kasugai Crow was; whoever treated Muichiro well, it approved of, and conversely, whoever treated Muichiro poorly would suffer greatly.
Upon arriving at Mori Tekko's house, Tokito Muichiro spent a long time choosing before finally selecting a nichirin blade he was mostly satisfied with.
Seeing Tokito Muichiro turn to leave, Tomioka Giyu curiously asked, "Where are you going, Muichiro? Would you like to stay for a drink?"
Tokito Muichiro didn't even turn his head, softly saying, "To the hot springs..."
After Tokito Muichiro had completely left, Mori Tekko tactfully spoke up,
"This child seems a bit dull..."
Tomioka Giyu glanced out the window and chuckled, "Ha, you better not let chuntaro hear that."
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That evening, after finishing his drinks, Tomioka Giyu carried the intoxicated Mori Tekko back to his own residence.
After setting him down, Tomioka Giyu didn't go to eat but instead climbed onto the rooftop, waiting for the monsters created by Gyokko to appear.
After some more time, a loud crash came from a distant house.
Bang!
Hearing the sound, Tomioka Giyu turned his head and looked in that direction.
"Enm... Muichiro is flying, it seems the battle has begun."
"In that case, Gyokko's 'artworks' should be arriving soon."
Thinking this, Tomioka Giyu entered the main street of the village, quietly waiting.
----------
Not long after, the village bells rang out.
"Enemy attack!!"
"There are demons!!"
"Enemy attack!!"
"Protect the family heads, bring out the Hashira's nichirin blades, and assist the village chief in escaping!"
Tomioka Giyu's speed was very fast. Before the swordsmith even cried out, he had already discovered the "artworks" created by Gyokko.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
In just a few moments, all the "artworks" attempting to kill the swordsmiths on the street were completely cut down by Tomioka Giyu!
And it was at this moment that, guided by her Kasugai Crow, Kanroji Mitsuri arrived to provide support.
"Tomioka-san!! I'm here to help you!"
Looking at the "artworks" charging again, Tomioka Giyu refused, "No need, leave this to me. You go to the village chief!"
"And don't come back for me. We'll meet in the forest. Tanjiro's situation isn't looking good either."
"Eh?! Understood, Tomioka-san!" Kanroji Mitsuri braked abruptly, then pushed off with her legs, rushing directly towards the village chief's mansion.
Immediately after, Tomioka Giyu waved his hand, signaling the swordsmiths holding nichirin blades, who wanted to help, to quickly retreat.
"Your safe departure is the greatest help you can give me!"
Then, Tomioka Giyu placed a hand on his neck, stretched it a bit, and murmured,
"They're really ugly, these fish..."
As he spoke, Tomioka Giyu adjusted his breathing, and at the same time, a Water Dragon roared forth!
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
There was no ostentation, and no surprise.
The Water Dragon swept across, and all the attacking "artworks," without exception, turned to dust and vanished.
But with this attack, Tomioka Giyu hadn't even used half of his strength.
"So weak. By the way, Muichiro should be finishing up over there soon..."
While pondering, Tomioka Giyu leisurely walked towards the forest.
At this point, Zohakuten should be appearing soon.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Tokito Muichiro finally achieved Awakening.
"I know... Muichiro's 'Mu'"
"Is the 'Mu' of 'Mugen' (infinite)!"
Understanding all of this, Tokito Muichiro's face developed red, cloud-like patterns, and his demon slayer mark activated.
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And on the other side, Zohakuten had already appeared. The two sides, which had barely been evenly matched, suddenly saw Zohakuten gain an overwhelming advantage.
However, there was no time to worry about Tanjiro and the others being beaten. Next to take the stage were:
Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu!
Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri!