The setting sun stretched Tanjiro's departing figure long, and Allen stood on the cliff's edge, feeling the surging power within him.
This world was indeed too fragile for him, but precisely because of that, it allowed him to calmly study the essence of the breathing techniques.
"Mr. Allen!" Sakonji's voice came from behind him.
"Kagaya Ubuyashiki has sent a Kasugai Crow, hoping you can come to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters for a discussion."
Allen turned around and saw a pitch-black crow perched on Sakonji's hand. He nodded slightly: "Perfect, I also wanted to meet this head of the Ubuyashiki family."
The next morning, Allen bid farewell to Tanjiro, who was still training, and followed the Kasugai Crow's guidance to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. The scenery along the way flew past beneath his feet, and the Kasugai Crow rested on his shoulder. At his speed, he arrived at the mansion hidden deep in the mountains in less than half a day.
Allen arrived at the mansion's entrance and lifted the bronze knocker, knocking three times.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
A moment later, a flurry of light footsteps sounded.
"Creak—"
The mansion's main gate was slowly pulled open.
"Welcome, Esteemed Allen." Behind the gate were two girls with neat white hair and almost identical appearances. They wore kimonos embroidered with intricate patterns and skulls, and on their short hair, they each had a red and a yellow flower tassel ornament, one on the left and one on the right.
"Please come in."
An ethereal and mysterious aura emanated from the two, and their faces were as delicate as porcelain dolls.
Allen followed the two girls through a deep, secluded corridor, the wooden floor creaking softly underfoot.
"Kagaya Ubuyashiki is waiting for you in the courtyard," the girl on the left said softly, her voice as clear as a wind chime.
Soon, led by the two maidens, Allen arrived at a courtyard. As he stepped in, ten gazes simultaneously shot towards Allen.
"Mr. Allen, you've arrived."
Allen stood at the courtyard entrance, his gaze calmly sweeping over the nine Hashira-level swordsmen present, as well as the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
The nine Hashira stood or sat in various postures, but without exception, all exuded a powerful aura.
He noticed that each person's breathing rhythm had its own characteristics, clearly indicating they had mastered different breathing techniques.
"Mr. Allen, I have long heard of your reputation." A gentle voice came from the center of the courtyard. Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat on the veranda with a sickly pale face, yet wore a gentle smile. Although he appeared frail, he exuded a reassuring aura.
"I am the head of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki."
Allen stood in the center of the courtyard, and the Kasugai Crow flew from his shoulder to land on a nearby cherry blossom tree.
Allen nodded: "Hm, I suppose Sakonji has already reported my intentions to you."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki coughed softly twice, and the girl beside him immediately offered a handkerchief. He wiped his mouth, his voice still gentle: "Yes, regarding the plan to hunt Muzan, I have already gathered all the Hashira to discuss it."
"You're going to hunt Muzan? You look quite ordinary, though." The speaker had a head of white hair that looked like it had been electrocuted, four scars on his face, and his clothes were not properly worn, revealing crisscrossing scars on his abdomen. He wore a white haori with a black 'Kill' character on the back.
It was Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, who spoke first, his tone carrying clear doubt and deep disdain.
Allen did not answer immediately, but instead looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki: "Has the news of the blue spider lily been spread discreetly?"
"It has been arranged according to your suggestion," Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded.
"However, Muzan is inherently suspicious and likely won't fall for it easily."
Sanemi Shinazugawa was somewhat annoyed that Allen hadn't responded to him, but since Kagaya Ubuyashiki was speaking, he had to suppress his displeasure.
Allen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the nine Hashira-level swordsmen in the courtyard. He could feel the fighting spirit and suspicion emanating from them, except for Giyu Tomioka, especially from the white-haired Wind Hashira, whose hostility in his eyes was almost palpable.
"Since everything is arranged, we just need to wait for Muzan to take the bait."
Allen said calmly: "During this time, I want to learn all the breathing techniques."
These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, immediately stirring up a commotion.
"Huh?" Sanemi Shinazugawa suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with anger: "Are you looking down on us, you bastard? What do you think breathing techniques are? Even if we teach you, can you learn them in such a short time?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki gently raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down.
"Mr. Allen, you are welcome to learn any breathing technique, but could you please demonstrate your strength?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked gently.
"This way, our Hashira can better cooperate with your plan."
Although Sakonji had already written a letter telling Kagaya Ubuyashiki that Allen was very strong and potentially the hope to defeat Muzan and end this nightmare that had lasted for about a thousand years, for safety's sake, he still decided to assess the other party's strength first.
Allen nodded: "I understand. So, what kind of demonstration do you want?"
The courtyard fell silent for a moment. The nine Hashira exchanged glances, and finally, a woman wearing a butterfly hair ornament spoke.
"I am Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira." Her voice was sweet yet sharp.
"How about this: if you can defeat any one of us Hashira in a one-on-one match, we will acknowledge your strength."
After hearing Shinobu Kocho's suggestion, Allen's lips curved slightly upwards, and his gaze calmly swept over the nine Hashira-level swordsmen present.
"One-on-one? I refuse." He shook his head gently.
Allen's words instantly solidified the atmosphere in the courtyard. The expressions of the nine Hashira-level swordsmen varied, but without exception, they all showed surprise.
"Refuse?" Shinobu Kocho narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of danger in her sweet smile.
"Mr. Allen, do you think we are not worthy to face you?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately exploded, veins throbbing on his forehead: "You bastard! Are you looking down on us?!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki gently raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down, and asked gently: "Mr. Allen, why do you refuse?"
Allen looked around at everyone and said calmly: "Because one-on-one is too much of a waste of time."
His gaze swept over each Hashira-level swordsman, "How about this: all nine of you come at me at once."
These words were like a bomb exploding in the courtyard. The expressions of the nine Hashira-level swordsmen instantly froze, and even the usually composed Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, widened his blind eyes.
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