Chapter 66: Tokyo Trip
A deathly silence fell over the courtyard.
Ryuji could only hear the heavy breaths rising and falling around him, feeling the weight of the various gazes focused on him.
upper rank five... was subjugated by Ryuji?
Tomioka Giyu's sea-blue pupils suddenly constricted.
Shocked, an indescribable surge of excitement and thrill then erupted from the depths of his heart, nearly shattering his usual composure.
An Upper Rank, an Upper Rank demon that the Demon Slayer Corps hadn't subjugated in a hundred years, had actually been defeated!
So strong... So this is the height that the back he has been chasing can reach?
He had only just slain a Lower Rank, while Ryuji was already able to cut down an Upper Rank. The gap between them had grown so wide.
But I will work hard, working hard to follow your lead!
I want to stand by your side and never see anyone die again!
Tomioka Giyu's heart was in turmoil, a thousand words wanting to be said, but when they reached his lips, they turned into a single, minimalist sentence:
"Impressive. Worthy of being followed!"
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable firmness.
Hearing Tomioka Giyu's words, Ryuji's mouth twitched. Wasn't saying that here just asking for trouble?
So if I hadn't killed an Upper Rank, I wouldn't be worth following?
He shook his head, and just as he was about to say something, he heard a passionate voice:
"Truly magnificent!!"
Beside him, Rengoku Kyojuro's golden-red eyes instantly ignited with a blazing fire. He made no effort to hide his shock and admiration, his voice booming like a bell.
"Ryuji-san has actually reached such a Realm! It truly makes one's blood boil! I must not slack off either; I will train even harder to become a Hashira!"
He recalled that not long ago, Ryuji was just a rookie swordsman who needed guidance from his father, the Stone Hashira, and the Sound Hashira.
He even had some friction with his father.
To his surprise, after such a short time, the other man was already standing at the peak of the Demon Slayer Corps.
He had even achieved something that generations of the Demon Slayer Corps had failed to do!
He glanced again at Tomioka Giyu, who had spoken those arrogant words; he was also strong and capable of becoming a Hashira now, so he indeed had the right to be proud.
He had heard that Giyu had also been guided by Ryuji.
It seemed he should also find an opportunity to ask for advice from this Fist Hashira.
Compared to the excitement of the two young men, Himejima Gyomei and Uzui Tengen appeared much calmer.
The reason was simple: they were just numb to it.
"namu amida butsu..."
Himejima Gyomei pressed his hands together, tears silently falling. "This child is indeed extraordinary."
"Yeah, it's so flashy it's almost numbing!"
Uzui Tengen crossed his arms, his mouth curling into an exaggerated grin. Rather than shock, it was more of an "as expected" realization.
After all, he had seen those monstrous physical capabilities and combat skills with his own eyes.
If he could go toe-to-toe with Upper Rank Three, wouldn't killing an upper rank five be a piece of cake?
It was a foregone conclusion.
Not surprising at all.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled as he watched everyone's reactions, fixing his gaze on Ryuji. In truth, when he first received the report from the crows, he had been stunned for a long time.
He had been so happy that he jumped for joy while hugging his wife.
Ever since Ryuji joined the Demon Slayer Corps, everything seemed to have started going incredibly smoothly!
First, they got intel on Upper Rank Two, then on Upper Rank Three, and now the subjugation report for upper rank five.
It was as if they had divine help!
Ryuji looked at the excited crowd, speechless. Although he could understand, well... wasn't this what he wanted to see from the start?
"Alright."
He raised his hand to signal, and the excited crowd calmed down, looking at Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Several crows flew off from behind him into the distance, spreading this heartening news throughout the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
He looked at everyone and said softly:
"This is undoubtedly the biggest shot in the arm for all our members in a hundred years."
Turning to Ryuji, his voice grew even gentler. "As a reward, Ryuji, is there anything you want?"
Ryuji scratched his head, feeling a bit conflicted.
Everything he wanted was in the System, as long as he had military merit points.
As for things in reality... he really didn't have anything special in mind, so he shrugged. "Nothing for now."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded and smiled:
"It's fine. Your achievements will be forever remembered by the Ubuyashiki Family. Whatever you want in the future, just ask, and we will surely grant it..."
He paused:
"This promise shall be an ancestral precept of the Ubuyashiki Family, valid forever."
Everyone gasped again; this reward was massive... However, none of them were jealous, as the merit was undeniable.
If anyone wasn't convinced, they could try killing an Upper Rank themselves.
If they couldn't, there was nothing to be jealous about.
After the commendation ceremony, the meeting moved into the regular agenda.
"For the Mount Fujikasane trial next summer, we need some live demons."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya said, looking at Himejima Gyomei. "Gyomei, I'll have to trouble you with this. I'll have some Trainers assist you."
"namu amida butsu, leave it to me."
Himejima Gyomei bowed his head in agreement. He had done this sort of thing before; after all, he had the best control over his strength and was most skilled at these capture missions.
He had plenty of experience.
"Master, regarding the ninja Family mentioned before..."
Just as Uzui Tengen was halfway through his sentence, Ubuyashiki Kagaya gently raised his hand and shook his head. "Tengen, let's not mention that matter again."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya interrupted him directly.
"Eh?"
Uzui Tengen's brow furrowed, still wanting to push for it. "Master, this matter is because of me—"
"Tengen, if you insist on going..."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya interrupted Uzui Tengen once more.
This made Ryuji curious; it was the first time he'd seen Ubuyashiki Kagaya interrupt someone twice.
And it was someone of the Sound Hashira's caliber, a pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Hmm?"
He felt Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze turn toward him, followed by that gentle voice: "You must take Ryuji with you; let him accompany you."
Uzui Tengen fell silent, while Ryuji asked curiously, "Why must I go along?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya sighed. "Because Ryuji, you are the strongest."
He paused and continued, "Tengen actually sustained significant injuries when he returned from his last mission, and he's only just recovered."
This made Ryuji turn to look at Uzui Tengen. Had he been tricked by the ninjas and ambushed?
Otherwise, Ryuji couldn't imagine Uzui Tengen getting hurt.
Uzui Tengen was silent for a moment before saying, "The strength of those ninjas has increased..."
He paused and sighed. "I really shouldn't have been showing off. It was so unflashy!"
He continued to Ryuji, "Some samurai have joined these ninjas, and there are even Onmyoji with special abilities..."
He narrowed his eyes and said solemnly, "And some have mastered techniques from the East..."
"Something called Qi. I don't quite understand what it is, but it's very strong."
He had a lingering look of fear after saying this.
Hearing Uzui Tengen's words, Ryuji's eyebrows shot up.
A great eastern nation? Qi?
That term... could it be Outliers? Is this a crossover world?
He subconsciously touched the jade plaque around his neck, which had Chinese characters carved on it.
Could it be... While Ryuji was thinking, Uzui Tengen added something that made everyone's hearts sink:
"Furthermore, I discovered that demons are cooperating with them."
"What?"
Rengoku Kyojuro cried out in shock, his eyes full of rage. Demons cooperating with humans?
That's simply absurd!
Uzui Tengen glanced at Rengoku Kyojuro; this kid clearly hadn't seen villagers more detestable than demons.
He sighed. "Unfortunately, the trail went cold there."
Everyone fell silent. If this ninja organization was truly collaborating with demons, then the Demon Slayer Corps wouldn't just be facing demons at night, but also humans who could approach at any time... That would be terrifying!
While everyone was silent, a voice spoke up:
"As for clues, I might have some..."
Ryuji's words drew everyone's attention. He remembered the samurai he had killed.
"A few days ago, I encountered a samurai claiming to be from the Ishikawa Family, named Sasaki."
His lips curled into a smirk:
"He was also carrying Shuriken used by ninjas."
"The Ishikawa Family..."
A glint flashed in Uzui Tengen's eyes as he looked at Ubuyashiki Kagaya. "Master..."
"Very well. You and Ryuji go together; it'll be safer that way."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded and looked at Ryuji:
"I'll have to trouble you again this time... Once you return, you can take some time off."
Ryuji nodded and smiled. "After the New Year, I also plan to visit the Tokito Siblings."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded and continued the meeting, discussing the development of the Demon Slayer Corps.
After the meeting ended, Ryuji and Uzui Tengen set off immediately.
Both were Hashira, so they traveled quickly.
Three days later.
"Ryuji... let's take a short break..."
Uzui Tengen panted, looking at Ryuji, who wasn't even winded. He shook his head. Truly impressive!
Traveling for three days straight and not tired at all... what terrifying physical endurance.
He's ridiculously strong.
"Sure. Brother Uzui, you need to work out more. Having three wives must be exhausting..."
Ryuji patted Uzui Tengen's shoulder and chuckled softly.
"You bastard... what do you know!"
Uzui Tengen grumbled, rolling his eyes as he watched Ryuji snap a large tree with his fist to set up camp.
At night, the two were sitting around a campfire eating roasted rabbit.
Suddenly, Ryuji's eyes turned red. Opposite him, Uzui Tengen leaped up, drawing his nichirin blade. "A demon?!"
Although it was a question, his tone was certain.
Because Ryuji's perception was never wrong!
Ryuji nodded. "Yes, a demon is rushing toward us. Its luck is really bad..."
Uzui Tengen nodded. "Indeed. This demon makes me—"
Before he could finish, Ryuji dropped a line: "Wait for me here, I'll be right back."
Then he vanished from sight.
"So fast... Should I retire? Even though I learned that Move from Ryuji, I still can't be as fast as him."
Uzui Tengen sat back down and took a bite of the roasted rabbit.
Ryuji didn't know his actions almost made Uzui Tengen retire; at this moment, he had already arrived before the demon.
"Damn it, the Demon Slayer Corps again!"
The demon seemed to be stumbling around dizzily, cursing loudly at Ryuji for blocking the way.
It swung its sharp claws toward Ryuji's neck!
Bang!
[Killed an ordinary pirate, military merit points +50]
"Tsk, only fifty points?"
Since he'd made a killing from Gyokko, he looked down on these fifty military merit points... "No, every little bit counts. I shouldn't waste it..."
Ryuji thought, waiting for the Demon Slayer swordsmen chasing this demon so he could tell them it was dead.
"Hmm? It's actually him? What a coincidence..."
Ryuji looked at the white spiky hair that entered his vision, raised an eyebrow, and called out:
"Shinazugawa, that demon is already dead..."
He pointed to the demon on the ground, which hadn't completely turned to ash yet.
Shinazugawa Sanemi's eyes widened, bloodshot:
"Tsk, you beat me to it... Damn it, I'm still not strong enough. Hey, Ryuji, I challenge you!"
As he spoke, he prepared to lung at Ryuji, completely ignoring the fact that he was holding a real blade.
"Hey, hey, Sanemi, calm down!"
A gentle-looking young man with black hair ran out of the bushes panting and tackled Shinazugawa Sanemi to the ground.
"Let go of me, Kumeno! Opportunities like this are rare! I want to get stronger!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi struggled as Kumeno Masachika pinned him down, looking up to apologize to Ryuji:
"Sorry, Sanemi didn't mean... Pillar of Fist?"
His voice rose an octave, his eyes bulging as he stared at Ryuji in shock, then shouted excitedly:
"It's the Pillar of Fist! Sanemi! It's the Pillar of Fist who killed an Upper Rank!"
He looked at Ryuji with worship and said incoherently:
"Pillar of Fist, please teach us a few Moves! Or... or take us as your Tsuguko! We want to get stronger!"
"Uh, you two should get up first..."
Ryuji looked at the admiring Kumeno Masachika and recalled who this was—Shinazugawa Sanemi's close friend. It was his death that led Sanemi to speak insolently to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
In the end, he was won over by Kagaya's charisma and became his most loyal guard.
He brought the two to the campfire; it was late, and they could easily run into demons in the forest.
He gave each of them a roasted rabbit.
"Oh? Taking on Tsuguko?"
Uzui Tengen chewed on a rabbit, leaned over, and smiled flashily:
"Ryuji, you've already taken those sisters from the Kochou family as Tsuguko; what's a few more?"
"Huh?"
Ryuji stopped chewing and asked:
"When did I take Kocho Sisters as my Tsuguko? Why didn't I know?"
"Hmm?"
Uzui Tengen was also confused. Aren't Kocho Sisters your Tsuguko?
Then what were you doing running around for them?
"Didn't you personally take them to Mount Sagiri to find the former Water Hashira for training? And I heard you plan to instruct them yourself..."
Uzui Tengen said, then looked Ryuji up and down before nodding as if realizing something, letting out an ambiguous smile:
"Oh... I get it. You have flashy taste. Good, very good."
"?"
Ryuji was completely bewildered.
What was Uzui Tengen talking about? He recognized every word, but why didn't it make sense when put together?
After this little interlude, unable to withstand Kumeno Masachika's persistent badgering, Ryuji gave Shinazugawa Sanemi a few pointers on power generation techniques before they went their separate ways.
The two arrived at the town where Sasaki lived and began investigating the Ishikawa Family.
They discovered that a month ago, the entire Ishikawa Family had moved to Tokyo.
"Looks like we'll have to take a trip to Tokyo."
Ryuji said.
The two decided to split up to gather intelligence in Tokyo.
"Sigh, no information... Forget it, I'll go meet up with Brother Uzui. Maybe he has something."
His eyes turned red, and he rushed toward Uzui Tengen's direction. Had he encountered demons?
And two of them!