If it were just one or two people who saw things incorrectly, it could be excused given the circumstances at the time. But in fact, dozens of people in an entire train car unanimously claimed to have seen Kurozawa wreathed in dark flames.
Having flames wrapped around one's body is certainly not an ability belonging to a human swordsman; it's a manifestation of a Blood Demon Art.
Swordsmen can unleash various supernatural powers through Breathing Techniques, but as a Water Breathing swordsman, Kurozawa cannot generate fire characteristics. Even Flame Breathing swordsmen can only produce normal orange-yellow flames after using their Breathing Technique.
A human swordsman using dark flames? At least in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps, it's unheard of.
"And the most important point is that people felt a deep sense of fear from Kurozawa Danryu."
Towards a fellow human swordsman, onlookers might feel afraid because of their extraordinary strength, but the degree of fear wouldn't be very deep, as they are, after all, the same species.
When facing a Demon, due to the difference in life forms, especially since the opponent is a predator of humans, there is an innate suppressive aura that makes people feel abnormally terrified involuntarily. Kurozawa again fit this characteristic of a Demon.
During the investigation, the Demon Slayer Corps intelligence personnel were unwilling to believe that their key potential candidate showed signs of being a Demon. But the reality was such that, with this evidence, they had to believe it.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed almost imperceptibly, feeling inexplicably troubled.
He knew that Kurozawa had been adopted by Sakonji Urokodaki since he was a child and raised bit by bit. Kagaya Ubuyashiki's father had told him back then that Sakonji Urokodaki held Kurozawa in high regard and even when undertaking Demon Slaying Missions, he didn't feel comfortable leaving him with others, always taking him along personally.
Due to his age and seniority, Sakonji Urokodaki is a highly respected senior within the Demon Slayer Corps. Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki grew up under his watchful eye.
"We still need to confirm, to confirm the healing speed of Kurozawa Danryu's body after injury. That's the most direct indicator."
"If he is truly a Demon, this identity cannot be hidden. If he is not, we cannot wrong him, as he is a relative of the former Water Pillar and is trustworthy."
On this matter, Kagaya Ubuyashiki decided to continue observing for a while and not jump to conclusions too quickly.
But the intelligence personnel clearly had more to say. He lowered his head and continued to report, "Master, there is one more thing, still related to Kurozawa Danryu."
At this moment, beams of light outside the room filtered through cracks in the wall, forming light spots of various sizes on the ground. Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat under several beams of light and sighed softly, "Go on."
He hadn't expected that so many things would happen to this Kurozawa Danryu in just a few months.
"The incident regarding the destruction of Mount Fujikasane and the death of the Flame Pillar is likely related to Kurozawa Danryu."
Bang. Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood up abruptly. The tea on the table in front of him was knocked over unconsciously, splashing everywhere.
His pure white, sightless eyes were now fixed in the direction of the intelligence personnel, his voice serious. "He was involved in this matter?"
Shinjuro Rengoku was not just the Flame Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps; he was also an elder and friend whom Kagaya Ubuyashiki respected.
There was a tradition within the Demon Slayer Corps that the safety of the Demon Slayer Corps Leader had always been the responsibility of the Rengoku Family's Pillar. For a long time, Shinjuro Rengoku had guarded Kagaya Ubuyashiki's side. It was only after the Stone Pillar appeared that Shinjuro Rengoku handed over all guarding duties to the Stone Pillar and focused his attention on hunting demons.
In Kagaya Ubuyashiki's growth journey, Shinjuro Rengoku was something of a life mentor and close friend to him. Upon hearing the news of his death, sadness once filled Kagaya Ubuyashiki's heart.
"There was a survivor from Mount Fujikasane who had a conversation with the Red-Clothed Female Demon who attacked Mount Fujikasane."
"That Red-Clothed Female Demon said she was Kurozawa Danryu's wife, and that the two were closely related."
"It was because of this that we focused our investigation on Kurozawa Danryu, and unexpectedly learned about the incident on the train."
What happened on the train heading to Hachijo Island was a minor matter, generally not attracting attention or investigation. However, because Hongyue had spared a Mount Fujikasane guard at the time, it drew suspicion towards Kurozawa, leading the intelligence personnel to investigate what happened on the train.
"So, there must be a connection between Kurozawa Danryu and Demons."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly sat down, calming his mind while contemplating.
Is that Red-Clothed Female Demon truly our ultimate enemy in the Demon Slayer Corps? A Demon who could easily kill a Flame Pillar is at least an Upper Moon existence. And some swordsmen who survived near the battlefield because Hongyue ignored them recalled that the Flame Pillar believed that Red-Clothed Female Demon was the Demon King.
Since Shinjuro Rengoku made such a judgment, there must be a reason for it. Kagaya Ubuyashiki was not skilled at determining the identity and rank of Demons, but the experienced Flame Pillar's judgment was likely correct.
Until there was new information, they would temporarily assume the Red-Clothed Female Demon was the Demon King. As the Demon King, she claimed to be Kurozawa Danryu's wife... Kagaya Ubuyashiki felt an inexplicable headache.
After a long while, he gave an order, "Go to Mount Sagiri, and ask the former Water Pillar, Sakonji Urokodaki, to come to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters for questioning."
The intelligence personnel responded in a low voice, "Yes." After speaking, he quietly withdrew from the Ubuyashiki residence.
In the house, which had become somewhat silent, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice suddenly rang out, "Gyomei, what do you think? If you were at Mount Fujikasane."
Beside the entrance, a firm, steady voice with a distinctive tone said, "I am slightly stronger than the Flame Pillar, but to kill him in battle, he would have to be determined to die and have no thought of escaping."
"If I were at Mount Fujikasane, I might be able to last until dawn, then die from severe injuries."
The Stone Pillar's physique was incomparable to the Flame Pillar's, but he had not mastered the final ultimate Sword Form. With one gain and one loss, the difference was not very significant.
On the other side, Kagaya Ubuyashiki said somewhat heavily, "You are the strongest fighting force in the Demon Slayer Corps right now, and even you couldn't... To eliminate her, we need external help."
He thought of someone in Asakusa, no, a Demon. She had been researching for so long, perhaps she had a good method.
At this moment, the Stone Pillar spoke again, "Not necessarily. For some reason, in my recent training, the bottleneck I encountered has been constantly loosening. Regarding the highest realm of Fighting Spirit, the previously unresolved doubts are all being easily resolved."
"Not only that, through Stone Breathing, I have vaguely touched upon the origin of Breathing Techniques, some of the profound principles of Sun Breathing, and also gained insights into Sword Forms, research on Demon Slayer Marks, and so on. I am improving every day."
"If this state continues for a while longer, perhaps I can reach the highest peak in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki showed a surprised expression. "Really? Wasn't your strength difficult to improve even a year ago?"
As the strongest fighting force in the Demon Slayer Corps, excluding the Sun Breathing swordsman Yoriichi Tsugikuni who appeared in history, the Stone Pillar could be said to be the ceiling for all swordsmen, having reached the limit of what humans could achieve. His strength had been stagnant for a long time, and now he could continue to get stronger?
The Stone Pillar also showed a puzzled expression. "I am also very confused about this. My recent training has been too smooth, unbelievably smooth, as if the whole world is helping me, as if with divine assistance."
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