The two deals were tentatively settled.
Uchiha Hikari thought for a moment. "By the way, Ubuyashiki-san, besides the nine Hashira here today, I'd like you to summon one more person… Agatsuma Zenitsu's master, Kuwajima Jigoro."
This man, the former Roaring Hashira, was the only living person who had mastered all six forms of Thunder Breathing. To learn the complete Thunder Breathing, he needed to be called in.
Since the topic came up, Hikari casually added, "Kuwajima Jigoro's other disciple, Kaigaku, once lured a demon into a temple as a boy, causing the death of a child and leading to Himejima Gyomei being falsely accused of murder. Keeping someone like that in the Demon Slayer Corps will only cause trouble. I suggest a thorough investigation."
"Kaigaku… You mean that black-haired boy?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked surprised. "I'll send someone to investigate immediately. Regardless of the outcome, thank you for the heads-up."
…
Starting the next day…
Bulma, accompanied by Ubuyashiki's wife, Amane, with her long snow-white hair, toured the city for sightseeing. In her spare time, she analyzed the minerals and Nichirin Blade samples sent by Ubuyashiki, working on upgrading her laser sword.
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke followed Shinobu Kocho to the Butterfly Mansion for special training under Kanao Tsuyuri and others.
—And maybe a bit of matchmaking. After all, Tanjiro and Inosuke's future wives were both found at the Butterfly Mansion.
Hikari, meanwhile, began studying Breathing Techniques.
After checking in with Ubuyashiki Kagaya, Hikari left her real body in her room, using captured demons to practice the brainwashing ability of "Yatayume." She then created five shadow clones, each training under four or five Hashira to learn their Breathing Techniques.
Rock, Flame, Wind, Water, Love, Serpent, Mist, Insect, Sound…
Plus the former Roaring Hashira, summoned by Ubuyashiki's letter.
Ten Breathing Techniques in total.
With her Sharingan cheat code, there wasn't a single Breathing Technique Hikari couldn't master after watching it once. If there was, she'd watch it twice.
Over the next few days, she gradually mastered the "Total Concentration: Constant" state for all ten Breathing Techniques.
"Constant" referred to maintaining total focus on breathing at all times, even during sleep.
Upon reaching this state…
Hikari quickly noticed something intriguing—
"Constant" seemed to boost the speed of chakra refinement and subtly enhance jutsu of the corresponding element.
For example, while maintaining "Flame Breathing: Constant," casting Fire Release ninjutsu felt easier, and the jutsu's power increased noticeably!
This was an unexpected bonus!
"The amplification effect of 'Constant' on ninjutsu ranges from 5% to 10%. The more familiar and proficient I am with a jutsu, the stronger the boost… With more practice, this number could grow even higher."
"Unfortunately, I haven't cracked the 'Transparent World' yet, and the Hashira don't know much about it either."
"Also, I can't mix different Breathing Techniques yet. If I could combine them with *Naruto*'s taijutsu…"
—That was Hikari's next big idea.
She'd already studied the *Scroll of Seals* and learned about the training method for the *Eight Gates*.
In her opinion, this taijutsu wasn't quite suited for her.
The first four gates were manageable.
But starting from the fifth, the *Eight Gates* demanded an almost absurd level of physical strength. Without the taijutsu talent of Gai or Lee, plus relentless day-and-night training, opening the sixth gate or beyond was likely impossible in a lifetime.
However, the *Naruto* world had another taijutsu called the *Seven-Day Breathing Method*, developed by Sunagakure. It enhanced physical abilities through breathing adjustments, much like the Demon Slayer Corps' Breathing Techniques. Its entry requirements were lower, yet its boosts rivaled the first six gates of the *Eight Gates*.
So, Hikari was pondering whether she could develop a *Ten-Day Breathing Method*.
Theoretically, it seemed feasible.
After all, Tanjiro had once combined Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura, leveraging the strengths of both, though he couldn't sustain it for long.
Once she refined the "Constant" state of these Breathing Techniques to a higher level, she could give it a try.
Speaking of which…
Hikari suddenly realized something—
In the original story, Tanjiro awakened his ancestral memories, etched in his DNA, during his life-or-death battle with Rui at Natagumo Mountain. That's when he used *Hinokami Kagura: Blue Heaven*, a partial version of Sun Breathing. Nezuko also awakened her Blood Demon Art, *Exploding Blood*, which burned demons with her blood, in that same fight.
But now…
Because of Hikari's interference, Tanjiro and Nezuko never faced Rui, missing that critical growth opportunity.
That was a bit of a problem.
Though she'd cosplayed as Tsugikuni Yoriichi, she wasn't actually his reincarnation and couldn't stay in the *Demon Slayer* world forever.
For the current Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro was the only one who'd inherited Sun Breathing and the key to defeating Muzan. If he couldn't awaken those memories soon… it could lead to some serious complications down the line.
"…Once things wrap up here, I'll see about guiding those kids a bit."
Hikari mused.
…
Though the Master had warned the Hashira about Hikari's "talent"…
Her learning speed over these days still left them dumbfounded.
Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka were starting to question their qualifications as Hashira.
Sanemi Shinazugawa and Kyojuro Rengoku, after their initial shock, grew excited. They sparred with Hikari's shadow clones daily under the guise of "exchanging pointers," clearly enjoying themselves.
Then there was Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, a natural people-person. She'd often show up with plates of sakura mochi to share, chatting with Hikari for hours with starry-eyed admiration, leaving Hikari a bit overwhelmed.
It's worth noting that the Demon Slayer Corps' swordsmanship was generally impressive.
Without much supernatural power to rely on, these swordsmen had honed their skills over generations to fight demons, resulting in some truly noteworthy sword techniques. The Flame, Wind, and Thunder styles, in particular, could briefly outmatch Hikari in short bursts when using equal strength and speed.
But…
While their sword techniques were great, they became Hikari's the next moment.
Thanks to her Sharingan, she'd copied plenty of sword moves over these days.
One other person worth mentioning—
Uzui Tengen.
The former ninja and Sound Hashira quietly approached Hikari in private, asking if she could teach him a few "flashy" ninjutsu.
(Chapter End)