Infinite: Start as a ghost

"Is that so?" Muzan said, "Then we won't wait for them. Hantengu, we'll explain things to them when they arrive."

Half-Heaven Dog: "Yes, my lord."

Muzan asked, "What are your thoughts on Akaza's death?"

Kokushibo said, "I think there's only one possibility."

Muzan asked, "Kuroshibo, tell me your thoughts."

Muzan showed great respect for Kokushibo, treating other demons as playthings, subordinates, and slaves.

He regarded Kokushibo as a partner.

Because his strength is comparable to mine, and possibly even stronger. The only thing I have over him is my even more abnormal regenerative ability.

Also, because Kokushibo is that man's brother.

Therefore, Muzan respected him greatly and valued his opinions.

Kokushibo said, "I think the Demon Slayer Corps deployed several Pillars to drag Akaza into a protracted battle and killed him using sunlight."

"Akaza is very strong, he is a strong person that I acknowledge. Without several Pillar-level figures, there is absolutely no way to deal with him."

"Putting aside his strength, just based on his terrifying regenerative ability, it's simply absurd for anyone else to think they could kill him."

Muzan thought for a moment and said, "I agree with you. I also think this is very likely. It seems that this generation of Pillars is quite strong."

"How does my lord intend to handle this matter?" Kokushibo asked. "Akaza's death has served as a wake-up call for us."

Muzan nodded: "First, the Lower Moons were wiped out, and then Akaza died."

"It seems we need to tone it down a bit recently."

"In a few decades, they will be replaced again."

"Time is the one thing we have in abundance, and it is also our greatest asset."

Doma smiled insincerely.

The jade pot remained motionless.

Kokushibo's eyes were lifeless, as if he had no interest in anything.

Half-day dog's eyes darted around, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Unfortunately, my investigation into the spider lily was forced to be interrupted."

Kokushibo: "My lord, leave this matter to me. I will help you find clues."

"You want to take on this?" Muzan was slightly surprised. "You're not interested in anything, so why are you taking the initiative to take on this this time?"

Kokushibo's eyes twitched slightly: "I want to confirm just how strong this year's Pillars are."

Muzan nodded slightly: "That's true. Given your personality, you enjoy fighting strong opponents the most."

"However, we should still be careful and not underestimate them."

Kokushibo's voice remained completely calm: "That depends on their performance."

Ubuyashiki Residence.

"You killed Upper Moon Three?" Kagaya was slightly surprised. "There was actually an Upper Moon over there?"

“Yes,” Jiang Jiu said, “The Upper Moon is extremely powerful. One Pillar-level being might not be enough to deal with it.”

Yaozai looked at Jiang Jiu: "Very good, thank you Earth Pillar for bringing us such valuable information."

Then he smiled mysteriously: "So, you can now at least take on two Pillars together?"

Jiang Jiu didn't answer the question, but instead changed the subject, asking, "Where are Tanjiro and the others?"

"You really care about Mizuko, don't you?" Kagaya laughed. "They just finished their mission and went to find Kyojuro."

"By the way, the relationship between Kyojuro and his son Makijuro has improved quite a bit. Makijuro has even let Kyojuro move back into the house. What did you do to Uncle Makijuro?"

Jiang Jiu rested her chin on her left hand, wondering whether she should tell him about how she had scolded Makijuro.

She had even threatened Senjuro's life with him.

"It's nothing." After thinking it over, he decided to brush it off lightly.

In the days that followed, he did not set off, wanting to grasp the insights he had gained from his battle with Akaza.

Another month has passed.

Yaozai found Jiang Jiu: "Do you know that the chances of ghosts appearing have decreased a lot recently? Even ghost wine can't lure out ghosts."

"is it?"

"Yes, it's probably because you killed Upper Moon Three that Muzan is having second thoughts."

“This is a good thing,” Jiang Jiu said. “This way, we can focus the Demon Slayer Corps’ main efforts on training and improve the overall strength of the Demon Slayer Corps.”

Yaozai thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, that makes sense."

"Hasn't Tamayo finished preparing the medicine yet?" Jiang Jiu asked curiously. A month has passed; with her and Shinobu's abilities, they should have been able to prepare it by now.

"Miss Insect Pillar said that this is the final debugging stage."

"Really? That's good." Jiang Jiu was immediately relieved.

"Is there any progress in your training?" Yaozai asked with concern.

Jiang Jiu thought for a moment: "It's still not quite there. I feel like something's missing."

"Why don't you talk to the Pillars?" Yaozai said with a smile. "It's always better to discuss things together than to work in isolation."

Jiang Jiu laughed and said, "I think they need time. Right now, apart from Miss Ren and Kyojuro, everyone else is out looking for traces of ghosts, right?"

Yaozai smiled and said, "There's no problem with that. You'll have your chance after I arrange their training program."

Chapter 78 Tanjiro's Progress

Jiang Jiu arrived at Makijuro's doorstep.

The main characters are training here, and he's here to see how well Tanjiro has mastered Sun Breathing.

I knocked on the door, and it was Senjuro who opened it again.

"Mr. Earth Pillar, you've arrived." Senjuro didn't mind being held hostage by him last time and greeted him warmly.

"Long time no see, Senjuro," Jiang Jiu replied with a smile.

"Hmph." Makijuro's face immediately darkened when he saw that it was Jiang Jiu, but he did not stop Jiang Jiu from entering.

"It's been a long time, Mr. Makijuro." Jiang Jiu greeted him indifferently, only to be met with another cold snort.

"Yes, Earth Pillar, you've arrived." Flame Pillar stared wide-eyed at Tanjiro, speaking without turning his head.

"Hey, Kyojuro, who are you talking to?" Jiang Jiu asked.

"I'm talking to you, Earth Pillar," the Flame Pillar said, still staring at Tanjiro.

“Okay…” Jiang Jiu was speechless.

"Mr. Oni." Tanjiro ran up to him enthusiastically, and Inosuke and Zenitsu also stopped their training and looked at Jiang Jiu.

This time, Pighead didn't rush over recklessly; he knew he was no match for Jiang Jiu.

"How is your cultivation progressing?" Jiang Jiu asked.

Tanjiro excitedly replied, "I've discovered that I can figure out the other moves of Hinokami Kagura on my own."

"Oh? You figured it out on your own?" Jiang Jiu asked. "Didn't Mr. Makijuro give you his family's historical records?"

"Mr. Makijuro is a very nice person. He showed me his family's historical records, but I didn't find any information related to my Hinokami Kagura."

"However, I saw rumors about the Breath of the Sun in the clan's historical records. I remember you mentioned it to everyone before, Mr. Oni. Do you know any detailed information about it?"

"Hehe." Jiang Jiu shook his head and said, "Sun Breathing is a unique technique used by the founder of the breathing method. Only he knows how to use this breathing method, and that's all I know."

"I see. Didn't the founder leave behind a successor?" Tanjiro asked. "Since it's the founder's unique technique, it's such a pity that it was lost like this."

“The inheritors you mentioned, we are all his inheritors,” Jiang Jiu said. “It is because only the founder could cultivate that so many different breathing styles have evolved.”

"If you're talking about the inheritors of the Breath of the Sun, who knows? Maybe there are some."

Jiang Jiu patted his head: "Instead of wasting your time studying these things, you should work on your Hinokami Kagura and turn it into your own unique skill."

"Yes, I know." Tanjiro laughed heartily.

"But I have another problem. Neither Master Makijuro nor Lord Flame Pillar have a good solution. I wonder if you, Mr. Oni, have any ideas?"

Jiang Jiu said, "What's the problem? Tell me about it."

Tanjiro voiced his difficulties: "When I use Hinokami Kagura, I have difficulty breathing, and my body can hardly withstand breathing for long periods of time. Is there a solution?"

Jiang Jiu smiled and said, "Did Mr. Makijuro and Mr. Kyojuro both advise you to strengthen your physical training and increase the strength of your lungs?"

Tanjiro nodded and said, "Yes, that's right."

"Isn't this the solution?" Jiang Jiu laughed. "Since when have you learned to think of taking shortcuts?"

Tanjiro's mood was slightly down: "I want to become stronger as soon as possible so that Mizuko can turn back into a human as soon as possible."

"It's alright," Jiang Jiu said. "You're still young, and you have a long time to start your cultivation. There's no need to rush."

“Your sister has much more time than you do, and she can afford to wait.”

"Besides, you have us companions who have always been with you."

"So keep going, young man."

These words stirred a feeling of emotion within Tanjiro.

"I understand, I will try my best, Mr. Ghost."

"How many techniques can you use with your Hinokami Kagura now?" Jiang Jiu asked.

Tanjiro said somewhat shyly, "The...second move."

Jiang Jiu patted his shoulder with a smile: "Look, isn't this proof that we're making progress?"

"As long as you are willing to work hard, mastering the third, fourth, and fifth moves will only be a matter of time."

"Mm," Tanjiro responded softly.