This is more than just the potential to become a Hashira!
Morioka Nen had been with the Demon Slayer Corps for nearly sixty years. Although he retired due to injury many years ago, he had never seen anything like this in all that time.
However, he had heard about someone recently who was quite extraordinary.
And this person in front of him seemed to be not far behind.
"I heard recently that the new Mist Hashira went from being an ordinary person who had never even held a sword to becoming a Hashira who slayed a Lower Rank Demon in just two months. At the time, I didn't quite believe it, but now that I see you, I know it wasn't an exaggeration. There truly are such geniuses in this world."
The old monk spoke with a sigh of emotion.
"Master Morioka, you flatter me."
Qingshui shook his head.
Compared to his main body and his Avatar in the DC Universe, he was no genius at all.
So, Qingshui picked up the bamboo sword again and tried once more.
With the memories of his DC Universe Avatar as a foundation, his performance this time was even better than the last.
Morioka Nen sighed with emotion once more.
Such obvious improvement—what else could it be but genius?
...
...
It only took Qingshui three days to learn all the forms of Wind Breathing.
In one month, with the help of his Avatars from the two worlds, he had cultivated Total Concentration Breathing of Wind Breathing to a remarkable level.
When using Chakra in conjunction with the breathing technique, Qingshui could exchange three blows with Morioka Nen without a clear winner—because the latter could only unleash three blows when using his full power.
According to Morioka Nen, those three blows had about 70% of his peak power.
Qingshui was quite satisfied with his current strength.
This body had only been cultivating Chakra for a relatively short time, and with the newly learned breathing technique, he already possessed about 70% of the strength of a Class-A Swordsman. Within the Demon Slayer Corps, this was already a high-level combat capability, second only to the Hashira.
Next, he only needed to continue cultivating Chakra, and then have the Qingshuis from the other two worlds take time to deeply study Wind Breathing and share their experiences.
Simply absorbing the experience from his main body and DC Avatar wasn't enough; he needed sufficient training to digest these experiences and build muscle memory, to truly embed this knowledge.
At most, this would only allow him to reach a level close to his main body or DC Avatar. Surpassing them wasn't impossible, but while he might take a long time of arduous training to make further progress, his other two bodies, relying on their innate abilities, might achieve that step much faster.
The Qingshui of the Demon Slayer World now needed to thoroughly master the forms of Wind Breathing, improve his swordplay, and simultaneously strengthen his physical constitution to complement his Wind Breathing training.
This would continue until he could maintain Total Concentration Breathing at all times, whether sitting, standing, walking, or even sleeping—a continuous breathing technique for twenty-four hours a day.
This state is called Total Concentration: Constant, and it places high demands on one's overall physical capabilities, such as cardiopulmonary function.
For ordinary swordsmen who desire strength approaching that of a Hashira, mastering Total Concentration: Constant is the best method.
Essentially, all Class-A Swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps have mastered the technique of Total Concentration: Constant.
Aside from Total Concentration: Constant, Morioka Nen had nothing else to teach Qingshui.
It was time to say goodbye.
"Master Morioka, thank you for your diligent guidance during this time."
In front of the gates of Tateyama Temple, Qingshui, with his travel bag on his back, performed a Buddhist bow to Morioka Nen.
"Amitabha, Qingshui-kun possesses extraordinary talent. This old monk is merely an old man whose days are numbered; I haven't had much to teach you. I only hope that Qingshui-kun will achieve great success in the Mount Fujikasane selection a month from now, and then slay Demons and protect the people."
The old monk pressed his palms together, reciting a Buddhist chant to Qingshui.
"Oh, and this is a small offering for the temple. Please, Master, do not refuse it."
Qingshui took a Cheque from his pocket.
This was essentially a check from the Meiji and Taisho eras.
"This... it's too much."
Morioka Nen saw the number on the Cheque and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Oh, it's fine. As you know, I'm quite well-off. This is just my allowance for a month. I've noticed that the buildings of Tateyama Temple are quite old and are due for repairs. You need this money more than I do."
Qingshui quickly put the Cheque into Morioka Nen's hand and patted his own chest.
His branch of the Uesugi Family had considerable influence in the Koga Region. Calling them "half of Koga City" wouldn't be an exaggeration; they were very wealthy.
Before Morioka Nen could reply, Qingshui continued to ask:
"By the way, I wanted to ask you about the area typically covered by the Water Hashira."
"The Water Hashira?"
Morioka Nen was a little curious but still gave a general area.
"Didn't Qingshui-kun say he was going to learn Thunder Breathing? Why are you looking for the Water Hashira? If you want to learn Water Breathing, this old monk suggests going to Mount Sagiri and visiting the former Water Hashira, Mr. Urokodaki Sakonji."
"Does Mr. Urokodaki still take disciples?"
Morioka Nen didn't know why Qingshui asked this, but he still replied:
"Among Urokodaki-sensei's disciples, besides the current Water Hashira Tomioka Giyuu, none have survived. Since his last disciple died during the Mount Fujikasane selection several years ago, he hasn't taken on any new students for six years now."
"I understand. Thank you, Master Morioka. I'll take my leave now."
Qingshui bowed again to Morioka Nen in a Buddhist礼 and turned to depart.
Urokodaki Sakonji not currently teaching disciples indicated that Kamado Tanjiro's family had not yet met their unfortunate end, nor had Tanjiro been rescued by Tomioka Giyuu and sent to Mount Sagiri to train.
"Sun Breathing... Hinokami Kagura..."
Qingshui took out a map he'd brought from home, spread it open, and muttered to himself.
With the abilities of his true body and his DC Universe Avatar, he could easily learn Wind Breathing, and Thunder Breathing probably wouldn't be difficult either. However, he might not have an affinity for Sun Breathing, and he certainly wasn't a so-called Child of Bright Red.
Neither this world's Qingshui nor his true body had engaged in any fire-related professions for three generations back, nor did they have red hair or red eyes.
But regardless, Sun Breathing was ultimately the strongest originating breathing technique. Qingshui wouldn't be content without at least trying it.
The Kamado family's exact location was uncertain. Qingshui could only search for suitable places based on the area the Water Hashira usually patrolled—a remote, uninhabited mountain, at the base of which there seemed to be a small town where Tanjiro often went to sell charcoal.
"It would be best to leverage my family's influence."
Qingshui oriented himself and headed towards the Koga City region.
Before coming here, he had asked his third uncle, Uesugi Yuu, to acquire a batch of materials.
These were for making Puppets.
Even though industrialization in this world was still relatively backward, and unlike the Naruto World, there weren't many materials compatible with Chakra, the Puppets he made probably wouldn't be very powerful. Still, they could somewhat enhance his combat abilities.
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