I was practicing with Su Chen all night, Shinobu thought, and my Mark still didn't appear. Maybe the Mark is just very selective about who it chooses?
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice held a hint of melancholy. "The other children haven't awakened their Marks either. It seems I'll have to ask Su Chen more about it."
Lately, Kagaya had been very concerned about the status of the Mark among his Demon Slayer Corps members. The result was disappointing. Besides Su Chen, not a single Corps member had awakened a Mark. This was especially true for Shinazugawa. Kagaya heard he had been putting himself through hellish training every day, but he still hadn't awakened his Mark.
This made Kagaya realize that awakening the Mark wasn't as simple as Su Chen had made it sound. It was probably much more difficult.
"It seems," Kagaya said, pausing in thought, "that for now, only Su Chen can do it."
At that moment, Shinobu spoke up. "Master, I have something else to report."
Kagaya looked up and smiled. "What is it?"
"I've discovered that Su Chen is incredibly talented. He can basically learn a Breathing Technique just by watching it once."
"Is that so?" Kagaya looked surprised. "What Breathing Techniques has he learned?"
Shinobu nodded. "He learned my Insect Breathing and my sister's Flower Breathing."
"What about Water Breathing?" Kagaya asked.
"He hasn't been exposed to it, so he doesn't know it," Shinobu replied.
"I see." Kagaya's surprise only deepened.
The five major Breathing Techniques are usually simpler to learn because they are very versatile. Derivative styles, like Insect Breathing and Flower Breathing, are much more personalized. To put it simply, the Kochou sisters weren't suited for Water Breathing , so they adapted it into Flower Breathing and Insect Breathing to fit them. It was amazing that Su Chen had learned these specialized styles first, completely skipping the base style.
"This child's talent might even rival Tokito's," Kagaya praised warmly. "Shinobu, in a few days, I want you to take Su Chen to the Hashira Training Grounds."
Shinobu looked up. "Master, you want him to join the training?"
"Yes. Kyoujurou is also returning from his mission soon. Take Su Chen there. I want to see just how far this child can go."
The Flame Pillar will be there too? Shinobu was surprised. It seemed the Master truly thought highly of Su Chen to have him train with the Hashira.
"I understand, Master. I will go and arrange it now."
Shinobu's figure flashed, and she was gone.
...
On the other side of the mountains, under the scorching sun, a bamboo forest was being destroyed. Loud whooshing sounds echoed. The ground trembled, shaking leaves from the bamboo stalks.
"Why isn't it working!" a voice roared.
In a clearing, Shinazugawa swung his wooden sword, frantically using his Breathing Technique. Sweat poured down his face. His clothes were soaked through from the heat and effort. Leaves flew everywhere as the bamboo forest swayed under his assault.
A young man in a black and white striped shirt suddenly appeared. He had bandages wrapped around the lower half of his face and two different colored eyes, one yellow and one green. A smooth white snake rested on his neck.
"Shinazugawa," the young man asked, "have you still not activated your Mark?"
Shinazugawa stopped, glancing impatiently in his direction. "No! Did you, Iguro?"
Iguro Obanai shook his head. "No. The conditions to activate the Mark are more difficult than I imagined."
The two Hashira exchanged glances. Both were clearly confused. How exactly did that kid, Su Chen, do it? Neither of them asked the question out loud. It would be too embarrassing.
"Iguro, come and spar with me!" Shinazugawa ripped off his shirt, baring his muscular upper body, and drew his Nichirin Sword. One could practically see the explosive power he held.
But Iguro Obanai shook his head. "No, I have a mission later."
"Then why did you come?" Shinazugawa snapped.
"I came to tell you that Su Chen has already learned Breathing Techniques."
"Oh?" Shinazugawa narrowed his eyes. "What Breathing Techniques?"
"Insect Breathing, and Flower Breathing."
"Kochou's styles?" Shinazugawa looked genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected those two.
Iguro continued, "His progress is very fast. Even faster than Tokito's. He might really be able to defeat you in fifteen days."
"Thanks for the concern, but I care more about activating my Mark than defeating him." Shinazugawa rubbed his nose. He wasn't taking the 15-day challenge seriously. He was more focused on getting stronger so he could kill more demons.
"No, Shinazugawa," Iguro insisted. "You must teach that kid a lesson."
Shinazugawa looked at him in surprise. "Did that kid provoke you, too?"
Iguro was silent. How could I admit I'm just jealous? he thought. Lately, Mitsuri had been talking about Su Chen every single day. His ears were tired of hearing his name.
"Forget it," Iguro said, pulling out his own sword and slowly walking toward Shinazugawa. "What would a brute like you understand?"
Shinazugawa watched him get ready to fight. "Hey, aren't you supposed to go on a mission?"
"It can wait!" Iguro snapped. "I think you've gotten lazy. I'll spar with you."
Shinazugawa just chuckled. "You weirdo."
...
Kochou Shinobu returned to the Butterfly Mansion. She noticed the house was quiet; the girls weren't inside.
Shinobu took off her shoes, her feet making small creaking sounds on the wooden floor as she walked toward the courtyard. As she turned the corner, she saw a strange sight.
Su Chen was sitting under the shade of a tree. Her stepdaughter, Kanao, was kneeling next to him, gently wiping sweat from his face. Xiao Qing, Xiao Cheng, and Xiao Caihui were standing in front of him, each holding a plate of pastries.
The scene made Shinobu stop. Is Su Chen really this popular already? It was one thing for the three little helpers to like him, but why was Kanao acting this way? In all of Shinobu's memories, Kanao had never been so enthusiastic or caring toward a stranger.
This is strange. This is really, really strange!
Curious, Kochou Shinobu walked toward the group. Everyone greeted her.
"Lady Shinobu, konnichiwa!"
"Konnichiwa, girls." Shinobu smiled gently and pointed at Su Chen. "What's wrong with him?"
Before the three little girls could answer, Kanao, who was still kneeling by his side, spoke up.
"He's thinking."
Thinking?
Kochou Shinobu's beautiful eyes widened in realization. Is he having another epiphany?!