Demon Slayer: Can I add points to my Breathing Technique?

"This possibility cannot be ruled out. According to Yin's speculation, either the demon's blood demon technique is special, or it is a lower-level demon."

Xia Xi immediately raised her hand excitedly: "Senior Brother You Ran! Please take me with you!"

This child is already able to call people by their names correctly at this age.

Then Lanzhu pondered for a moment.

Although Xia Xi is only at the [E] level.

But in reality, the opponent's current strength is already greater than most swordsmen, and even cultivators.

Even when encountering a Lower Moon demon, they possess the ability to protect themselves...

No, perhaps the one who should be worried is the other side.

Moreover, this child also has excellent medical skills.

"Jiu Che, you will come with me. This will serve as a practical training exercise for [Chang Zhong]."

"At that time, self-preservation will be the top priority, and in addition..."

He turned his gaze to Shinobu beside him and said gently, "Please take good care of Miss Butterfly and make sure she is not harmed by the ghost."

At the same time, Xia Xi and Xiao Ren spoke up.

"No way, Senior Brother, is this little one going along too?"

"Lord Lanzhu, I don't need his protection!"

They spoke almost simultaneously, then glared at each other.

Xia Xi questioned, while Ren Ze pouted in anger.

Lan Zhu was slightly taken aback: "You two know each other?"

Xia Xi: "So you're... a friend's sister?"

Ren: "Who knows him?! And what does 'consider' even mean?! You womanizing bastard!"

It seems they know each other.

Seeing the lively atmosphere between the two, Igarashi smiled slightly and then began to explain.

“Nine Carts, Butterfly, although she is young, is not weak.”

"Don't underestimate her."

Xia Xi glanced at the girl who wasn't even as tall as his shoulder.

A power level of 40 is quite good for her age. But this mission involves facing a demon who has even caused [B]-rank swordsmen to lose contact.

We can deduce this from the levels of Kazuma Dojima (Ding) and Mei Nikaido (A).

Even without Blood Demon Arts, this ghost would need at least 180 in attributes to make a Class B suffer.

If it really is the Twelve Ghost Months...

Xia Xi felt that even a casual aftershock from the other party might be enough to send this little guy packing on the spot.

She noticed Xia Xi's suspicious gaze.

Xiao Ren frowned and stared back at him.

"This child has a high talent for pharmacology. This mission may involve poisoned and infected civilians and swordsmen."

"She is indispensable."

Xia Xi was taken aback.

So you're a support specialist, my apologies.

Shinobu gave a soft "humph," then tilted her chin up and smiled.

Chapter 68 Departure, Gunma Prefecture

After introducing Shinobu Kocho, the Storm Pillar then introduced her to Natsumi.

“Miss Butterfly, although I don’t know what misunderstanding you have with Jiu Che.”

His voice was gentle and steady.

"But his strength is beyond doubt."

"If I make a mistake in the battle that is beyond my power, he can protect you for me."

"If Jiu Che was impolite in any way... I will give him a good talking-to after the mission."

Shinobu's lips parted slightly, but she swallowed the words that were about to come out.

What could she say?

It's said that Kanae clearly cares about him a lot, yet he hasn't even replied to a single letter?

Or did you say that you had just gotten off the train when you bumped into him embracing another woman goodbye?

Or perhaps it was his blunt "Who are you?"

When the Storm Pillar saw that Shinobu was speechless for a moment, he gently squatted down.

Once their eyes were level, he revealed a friendly smile: "Jiu Che is indeed a blockhead. He's either spacing out all day or speaking rudely like a commoner. No matter how kind others are to him, he's often too dull to understand."

"If he were among my old friends, I'm afraid they would all dislike him."

Hearing this made him feel somewhat uneasy.

Although the other person was a bit impolite, I really didn't like him...

But wasn't Lanzhu's statement a bit too harsh?

Xia Xi, standing to the side: (°_°)?

Senior brother, I was right next to you, I heard everything.

Igarashi completely ignored Natsumi's expression and gently patted Shinobu's head.

Although the purple hair looked soft, it was surprisingly dry and stiff.

But Igarashi didn't take it to heart.

After the little girl looked away somewhat shyly.

"However, even with such a skill, Jiu Che is still an excellent swordsman."

"Resolute, decisive, and never backing down even when facing evil spirits."

"Even his determination to slay demons far surpasses that of most swordsmen I know."

"Just like now."

Now?

Shinobu Kocho was somewhat puzzled.

“That’s right, just like now.” He looked at Xia Xi, “He clearly heard the name of the Twelve Demon Moons, but he wasn’t afraid at all.”

"On the contrary, I'd rather be involved in this operation."

"So, Miss Butterfly, could you temporarily set aside your personal prejudices against him... and accept his heart as a Demon Slayer swordsman for the time being?"

Xia Xi: My senior brother really knows how to coax children.

As expected, Shinobu hesitated for a moment.

His gaze secretly fell on Xia Xi.

His face was handsome, and his body was very strong... He certainly looked like a formidable swordsman.

He then said somewhat reluctantly, "Since Lord Lanzhu has said so, then I will temporarily entrust my back to you, Lord Jiuche Xiaxi."

After saying that, she shrank back and nimbly slipped away from Lan Zhu's palm.

She said somewhat awkwardly, "Also, Lord Lanzhu, I'm not a child anymore."

Honestly, whether it's Mr. Igarashi or Mr. Gyomei.

Why do you always treat yourself like a child?

He was already a swordsman capable of standing on his own.

Xia Xi looked at Igarashi.

"Senior brother, are you sure everything's okay...?"

After all, the other person looked to be at most twelve years old.

Igarashi gently shook his head.

His smile remained gentle, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Jiu Che, your senior brother here is [Jiu Zhu]."

Nine pillars.

It is the highest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps, far above Class A.

It is both the apex and the pillar.

It represents the hundreds of years of Breathing Techniques passed down within the Demon Slayer Corps, and it represents the right and responsibility to command and assign all swordsmen.

However, we must not forget its original meaning.

That is the [strongest].

Throughout history, the positions of the Pillars have often been vacant or accompanied by constant sacrifices.

But the vacancy represents a threshold, a strength threshold that ordinary swordsmen find difficult to overcome.

Sacrifice means that they are carrying out dangerous missions far more perilous than those of ordinary swordsmen.

But it cannot be denied.

The pillars are powerful.

Whether it's the older Rengoku Makijuro and Fuuchoin Takizuki, or the younger Himejima Gyomei and the already sacrificed Fudo Hino.

Even someone who can still be considered young.

They all possess strength surpassing that of all other swordsmen.