"And me!"
Beast Breathing, Third Fang: Devour!
Inosuke used the cover of a tree trunk to leap down from mid-air, his dual swords aiming straight for Yamada's neck.
Yamada didn't even lift his head. He pushed his wooden sword upward, catching it on the intersection of Inosuke's crossed blades.
"Go back and practice your core strength."
Inosuke was sent flying backward by this immense force, hanging on a tree branch once again.
In the field, only Kyojuro remained. He was panting, his forehead covered in sweat, but the fire in his eyes burned brighter and brighter.
"Too strong. No wasted movements, purely crushing technique."
Kyojuro took a deep breath, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest, blood boiling in his veins.
"But I, Rengoku Kyojuro, will never fall here!"
He gripped the sword hilt tightly, pouring all his strength, all his breathing, and even his will into this one strike.
Flame Breathing, Ninth Form: Rengoku!
Boom!
A huge illusion of flames exploded in the courtyard.
Kyojuro transformed into a roaring fire dragon, carrying a forward-moving momentum, and charged toward Yamada again.
This strike, in speed and power, even exceeded his usual limits.
Yamada looked at the "fire dragon" rushing toward him, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.
This was the spirit a Hashira should have.
He didn't dodge but held his wooden sword horizontally in front of him, assuming a defensive posture.
Bang!
The two wooden swords collided without any frills.
A wave of air spread out from the two of them, blowing the fallen leaves in the courtyard into the sky.
Snap!
Accompanied by a crisp sound, the wooden swords in both their hands broke into two pieces because they could not withstand this terrifying impact force.
Yamada's footsteps... still hadn't moved a single bit.
But looking at Kyojuro, who was panting heavily and nearly exhausted in front of him, the smile on his lips grew more obvious.
Because, on the left side of Kyojuro's forehead and cheek, a bright red mark, like burning flames, was faintly emerging.
Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, and then faded due to physical exhaustion, that was the proof of exceeding one's limits.
"Congratulations, Rengoku."
Yamada threw away the broken wooden sword handle in his hand.
"You have touched the threshold of that door."
Clang!
The two halves of the broken wooden sword fell onto the sandy ground with a dull thud.
Kyojuro knelt on one knee, his chest heaving violently, like a fully extended bellows frantically gasping for air.
The scorching, flame-like crimson mark on the left side of his forehead and cheek was fading bit by bit as his stamina was exhausted, eventually disappearing completely beneath his skin.
Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, the speed and power that erupted in that instant had transcended the common logic of human physical limitations.
"Rengoku-san!" Tanjiro was the first to react, rushing forward to support the swaying Kyojuro.
"Are you alright? What was that red pattern just now?"
Zenitsu and Inosuke also gathered around, their faces filled with astonishment. They hadn't even been able to see Kyojuro's final sword strike clearly.
"Umu... I am fine, young Kamado." Kyojuro stood up with the help of Tanjiro, casually wiping the hot sweat from his forehead.
He looked down at his slightly trembling hands, his eyes burning with an unprecedentedly bright light.
"Is this the feeling of breaking through one's limits? Yamada-san, thank you for your guidance!" Kyojuro turned around and laughed heartily at Yamada.
Yamada brushed the dust off his hands, his expression calm. "Don't be too happy yet. The threshold you just touched is known in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps as the 'Demon Slayer Mark'. The conditions to activate it are a body temperature exceeding thirty-nine degrees and a heart rate exceeding two hundred. But while you gain this powerful strength capable of contending with the Twelve Kizuki, the price is equally heavy."
Yamada's gaze swept across those present as he dropped that cruel truth.
"The Demon Slayer Mark is essentially overdrafting one's vitality. Every swordsman who activates the Demon Slayer Mark, with the exception of that monster from several hundred years ago who was born with it, will, without exception, not live past the age of twenty-five."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the courtyard instantly dropped to freezing.
Tanjiro's pupils contracted sharply.
Not live past twenty-five?
Rengoku-san is already twenty years old this year. If he uses this power frequently, doesn't that mean his life has already entered a countdown?
"So that's how it is. Is it exchanging lifespan for the power to slay demons?"
Unexpectedly, Kyojuro did not show the slightest fear or hesitation. Instead, he straightened his back, the smile on his face still as dazzling as the rising sun.
"As long as I can slay Muzan and protect those innocent lives, a mere lifespan is something I can offer up with both hands at any time."
This open-minded resolve filled Tanjiro and the others with reverence.
Yamada, however, shook his head noncommittally. "If you're dead, what will you use to enjoy the fruits of victory? This is a terrible trade. You all rest first, I have something to do."
Ignoring the complicated thoughts of the group, Yamada turned and walked through the corridor, heading straight back to his guest room, and closed the sliding door behind him.
Sitting cross-legged on the tatami, Yamada closed his eyes and summoned the system panel in his mind.
[Dimension Points: 23,990]
His current template is Sasuke from the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan period.
The power of the Sharingan originates from Indra, the eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths, and its essence is taking "Yin Release" to the extreme.
Yin Release represents spiritual energy and can create form from nothingness. For example, the black flames of Amaterasu and the defense of Susanoo are all manifestations of Yin Release.
However, this power system emphasizes offense while neglecting recovery. If he were to suffer a fatal injury, or if he wanted to intervene in someone else's passing of life, relying solely on Yin Release and ordinary medical Ninjutsu would not be enough.
To truly achieve flawlessness, or even possess the ability to alter lifespans and bring the dead back to life, he had to complete the other half of the puzzle.
'System, check how many points are needed to exchange for Yang Release.'
[Ding! Searching for target ability...]
[Yang Release: One of the secret techniques originating from the Sage of Six Paths. It represents physical energy and can infuse life into forms. Those who master Yang Release have endless vitality and possess rule-level healing capabilities, such as regrowing severed limbs and saving the dying.]
[Exchange requirement: 20,000 Dimension Points]
'Twenty thousand points. Just within the budget.'
Yamada did not hesitate and decisively issued the command. 'Confirm exchange.'
[Deducting 20,000 Dimension Points, Yang Release power integration beginning!]