Chapter 55: Successor of Stone Breathing

Chuyang instantly changed his expression and said fiercely, "We've done everything we possibly could, so keeping a few backup plans is only reasonable. If we're going to nitpick, let's just scrap the whole deal and settle things with our fists."

Uchiha Izuna laughed heartily. "You youngsters certainly have a hot temper, but I like it."

Uchiha Madara also nodded, adding, "Yang is right. Any necessary contingencies must be kept in place. We do hope for peace, yes, but not to the extent of sacrificing ourselves."

Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama exchanged glances before ultimately agreeing with Chuyang's allocation plan.

Both Hashirama and Chuyang had kept some inner thoughts hidden to themselves.

The sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan were exceptionally powerful and held a very high priority in the ninja world. They could seal not only tailed beasts and ninjutsu, but even things on the level of universal rules.

However, the combat capability of the Uzumaki clan itself was rather weak, making them vulnerable to attacks from factions that feared their power. With the strength of the Nine-Tails, the safety of the Uzumaki clan could be guaranteed.

Additionally, Chuyang had intentions of guarding against Black Zetsu.

The sealing arts of the Uzumaki clan posed a direct threat to Otsutsuki Kaguya.

Once the tailed beast capture plan was finalized, Senju Hashirama formally issued an order assigning the Anbu to track down the tailed beasts.

Naturally, this would cost a number of lives; after all, tailed beasts were not to be trifled with and would not simply wait around passively to be captured.

Yet another wave of ambitious youths from the Uchiha clan marched forward one after another. The calculated plan designed by Chuyang was already taking effect.

Senju Tobirama was responsible for contacting the Uzumaki clan. Their power was needed to seal the tailed beasts, and both sides also needed to establish a formal official alliance.

For millennia, the Senju and Uzumaki clans had stayed united through blood ties.

When signing the alliance, Hashirama, in his capacity as Hokage, needed to step forward in person.

As for Lord Madara, he was Konoha's ultimate powerhouse enforcer.

His only job was to beat people up. The moment a tailed beast appeared, he would rush to the scene to suppress and control it.

And Chuyang...

He was simply a diligent and tireless people's teacher. Aside from helping the village nurture future blossoms, he had no special contributions, and everything else proceeded in an orderly and systematic fashion.

Demon Slayer World.

Having returned to reality from the Soul Palace, Chuyang experienced an explosive growth in his physique overnight.

His originally lean and frail body suddenly sprouted eight rock-hard abdominal muscles, and he had grown five centimeters taller!

This was entirely thanks to his alternate-world selves selflessly sharing their respective innate talents, bringing about a qualitative mutation in his previously mediocre constitution.

Of course, if he were to master a breathing style, it would similarly feed back into his alternate selves.

To avoid exposing the secret of his changing physique, Chuyang wrapped himself up tightly. Fortunately, with the weather turning cooler lately, no one raised any suspicions.

***

During every single day of his recuperation at the Butterfly Mansion, Chuyang ate heartily and trained diligently. A week later, he was informed that he could be discharged—meaning he could leave the Butterfly Mansion.

Naturally, Chuyang had no intention of leaving.

Thus, he sought out Shinobu Kocho and voiced his request to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Lady Shinobu, could you teach me how to become a swordsman?"

This request from Chuyang seemed to stump Shinobu. The young girl stood before him hesitatingly, words failing on the tip of her tongue.

Not falling for it?

Chuyang gritted his teeth and called out loudly, "Lady Shinobu, please take me in as your Tsuguko!"

In the Demon Slayer World, a so-called "Tsuguko" actually referred to the status of a successor. In layman's terms, it meant becoming the direct disciple of a Hashira-grade swordsman.

Generally speaking, Hashira-grade swordsmen would take on swordsmen who practiced the same type of breathing style as their Tsuguko, though there were occasional special cases involving different breathing styles.

A Hashira-grade swordsman possessed the authority to summon Demon Slayer Corps members of any rank, but wishing to summon someone else's Tsuguko required the explicit consent of that specific Hashira.

A "Tsuguko" was an exceptionally special status within the Demon Slayer Corps.

Hearing that Chuyang wished to become her Tsuguko, Shinobu's fair face flushed red at a visible speed.

She flusteredly waved her hands at him.

Chuyang smacked his lips, feeling that the Shinobu before him seemed rather peculiar—vastly different from the impression he held.

"Hahaha, to think someone actually wants to become little Shinobu's Tsuguko, how utterly amusing!"

A silvery, bell-like laugh rang out behind Chuyang. He turned his head and saw a girl who looked seven or eight parts similar to Shinobu, yet appeared much more mature and gentle.

The girl possessed lively, pale purple pupils, long, glossy black hair cascading down to her waist adorned with butterfly-shaped hair clips on both sides, and a colorful butterfly-patterned haori draped over her shoulders.

Skipping over to Chuyang, she teased, "Shinobu isn't a Hashira yet, so she's not qualified to take on a Tsuguko. As for me, however, I just might be. Interested, little brother?"

Chuyang stared blankly at the girl before him, not simply because she was stunning, but because she was...

Kanae Kocho!

Kanae Kocho was still alive!

This proved that the current timeline was at least four years away from the official start of the story!

No wonder Chuyang always felt that Shinobu looked like a baby; she really was just a baby right now...

"Staring at a young lady like that is very impolite, you know," Kanae stepped forward and whispered gently into Chuyang's ear.

Chuyang gave a start, hurriedly stepping backward while offering continuous apologies. His mind was currently somewhat chaotic.

***

"I can sense the aura emanating from you. For an ordinary person who has never undergone training, your physical constitution is exceptional, and you have the potential to become a powerful swordsman."

Kanae smiled softly. "I was only joking with you just now. Your constitution isn't suited to learning my breathing style, but if you truly wish to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I can recommend another Hashira for you."

Regaining his composure, Chuyang nodded immediately. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"You're in luck; he'll be arriving shortly." Kanae's eyes were filled with smiles, somewhat anticipating what kind of sparks would fly when Chuyang met that particular Hashira.

Shinobu seemed to have guessed which Hashira her older sister was referring to, instinctively wearing an expression of astonishment.

Chuyang watched the two of them communicate in riddles, feeling completely bewildered.

After a short while, a tall and imposing figure pushed open the door, chanting "Namu Amida Butsu" with every breath. He had a long, narrow scar across his forehead, completely blind eyes, and wore a string of prayer beads around his neck while holding another in his hand.

A monk!

Gyomei Himejima!

Chuyang turned his head to glance at the grinning Kanae Kocho and let out a deep breath.

Gyomei Himejima was strong!

He could arguably be called the strongest Hashira, without a single exception!

Gyomei noticed Chuyang the moment he stepped through the door. Being completely blind, his sensory perception had grown extraordinarily powerful. If he hadn't failed to smell any scent of a demon coming from Chuyang, he would have nearly swung his weapon to kill on the spot!

Kanae smiled gently. "Mr. Himejima, unless it's a Hashira meeting, it's usually very hard to catch sight of you. Are you training every single day?"

Gyomei nodded, then asked impatiently, "Who is this by your side?"

"A survivor." Kanae summarized Chuyang's ordeal in three concise words before adding, "He wishes to remain in the Demon Slayer Corps."

Under normal circumstances, Gyomei would have directly advised him to turn back and live the life of an ordinary person, but the robust and powerful aura radiating from Chuyang was simply too difficult to ignore.

Gyomei said in a deep voice, "This will be a path far more arduous than you can possibly imagine."

Chuyang replied, "I understand."

Kanae suggested, "I believe you should guide him in person. A general trainer might not be able to fully unlock his latent talent."

Gyomei hesitated for a moment, during which he once again sensed Chuyang's aura, and ultimately found himself unable to resist nodding.

His Stone Breathing would finally have a successor!