"Not accepting."
Kastro is a decent opponent. A year ago they crossed paths—he lost to Roy and became the EXP pack behind Roy's 81-win streak at Heavens Arena.
Now, a year later, Kastro is still Kastro; Roy, however, is no longer the same. Strictly speaking, from the day he opened his aura nodes, they stopped living in the same world.
"It's not just Kastro," Gotoh said, leafing through the latest intel. "There's also Wing.
"After losing to you he disappeared for nearly a year—word is he's developed Nen and reached the 200th floor.
"A few days ago he even texted you to say hello."
Disappeared? More like got scooped up by a certain veteran and forcibly roped into a master–disciple contract. If he's out now, it's because Biscuit has finished shaping him to her liking.
Roy bore him no ill will. Face placid as a pond, he asked, "What did he say?"
"He said he wants to meet you 'in the sky.'"
"In the sky?" Roy smiled noncommittally. "Even if he beats a Floor Master, that doesn't mean he can stand 'in the sky.'
"Besides…"
He narrowed his eyes. "From what I know of him, he'd never say something like that.
"Eighty percent chance he was made to say it…"
Heh—Shingen-ryu versus Zoldyck?
Neither side bows easily…
"Should I reply to him?" Gotoh took out the phone; all the contacts Roy handed out were routed through him.
"Those doctors I asked you to contact—any results?" Roy didn't answer directly.
"Two confirmed, one pending. Another is far—but close to Heavens Arena, actually."
"Then we'll stop by on the way to see the doctors."
"Understood."
Gotoh trotted to keep up—master and valet, one before and one behind, then split down different corridors.
Shff— Roy flicked Yubashiri to the young butler to oil.
Back in his room, he showered quickly, and before dinner pulled up his panel for a careful look.
[Name: Roy Zoldyck]
[Physique: 11.75 (avg. human = 1)]
[Nen: "Door of Cognition"]
[Nen Morphology: Novice (10/100)]
[Nen Property: Pending activation]
[Breathing: "Sun Breathing" — Novice (30/100)]
[Combat Exp: Lv.2 (35/100)]
[Swordsmanship: Lv.1 (10/100)]
[Applied tech — Silent Gait: Proficient (99/100); Rhythm Echo: Proficient (84/100); The Snake Awakens: Novice (98/100)
(Note: Applied techniques rank: Novice, Proficient, Mastery, Perfect)]
[Title: Fresh Nen newcomer; a green plant in need of staking]
From "sprout" to "green plant"—is that a big step?
Roy wasn't sure. He only knew the next phase still had two tracks:
1. Nen; 2) Breathing…
Nen is foundation; Breathing is stats. Both hands firm. In terms of technique that means…
"My Silent Gait and The Snake Awakens will break through—if not tomorrow, then tonight."
With Zetsu he could scent aura and read the whip's arc—but dodging still comes down to speed and reflex.
Since Father means to test him with three lashes, Roy has no intention of accepting it meekly.
That night, after dinner, he closed his eyes and entered Demon Slayer's world.
The snow kept falling, never letting up.
With Tanjiro gone, a lively spot on the warm platform was forever missing—replaced by a few curled-up ghosts.
Urokodaki had risen early and set congee to boil. Age makes a full night's sleep rare; catnaps are the norm.
Roy woke to the smell and opened his eyes to a pair of beautiful irises staring wide at him—wondering why he didn't blow snot bubbles when he slept.
"Makomo, don't." Sabito leaned on the doorframe, arms folded.
He gave her a helpless look. She waved a hand before Roy's face; when he didn't react—just dressed as usual—she drifted over to Sabito, bored.
"He really can't see us," Makomo said.
"It's not your first day knowing that."
"Right~"
She pouted, abandoned Sabito, and followed Roy to the kitchen.
Ears up…
Roy mirrored Sabito, leaning on the frame and silently watching Urokodaki a while, then said, "Master, today I want to train with the sword."
Swordcraft, aside from Breathing itself, is the other key to Breathing practice.
Roy felt it was time to follow the original Tanjiro—begin his "ten-thousand practice swings," i.e., a fixed daily thousand cuts.
"Forgot what I told you the other day?" Urokodaki asked with his back turned, peeling potatoes.
It's Taishō era now—after Meiji, before Shōwa. In winter, fresh greens are as rare as a gold bar on the road.
Steamed potatoes with rice gruel—today's breakfast.
"Didn't forget." Roy smoothly opened the cupboard, took out two place settings, and laid the table.
"You said no blade until I grasp Breathing.
"But I've learned it."
He smiled and fired Zetsu—
a snap, and all aura leaking off his skin was sealed inside; nodes shut tight—he all but vanished from the room. If Sabito and Makomo hadn't been staring at him, they really wouldn't have known Roy was in this childhood cabin of theirs at all.
"Merged with nature?"
"Whoa—Fukuda, look what I found!"
"Quiet! Ghosts need sleep too!"
Shinsuke, bored on a beam, shoved Fukuda. Poor Fukuda nearly somersaulted off, ready to choke him—then remembered he floats. He followed Shinsuke's finger, and his little bead eyes went round.
"It's only been ten days—how has he learned Breathing already?!" Fukuda yelped, dove off the beam, and circled Roy's head.
Fwoosh— A chill wind swept through…
Shocked spirits ringed Roy like he was some new curiosity.
Sabito and Makomo traded a look—both catching the same glint in the other's eyes.
Makomo poked him, wickedly: "Hey—ten days, hmm~"
Sabito shook his head with a wry smile. He knew Rōichirō was fast—but this fast? A thought flashed:
If Giyu heard someone grasped the secret of Breathing in just ten days…
His face would be priceless…
Perhaps like Master's now—the hand peeling potatoes had gone still.