Chapter 326

So strong!

Much stronger than when we last fought!

Kanao stepped down, her small, slender figure dashing toward him at incredible speed.

Tanjiro rolled aside, dodging, then immediately rose to his feet with his sword, his gaze toward Kanao turning intensely serious.

Is that so…

Not only am I growing stronger, but this child is growing stronger too…

Boom!

The wooden swords in their hands collided, producing a dull thud.

Tanjiro's eyes locked in, fully immersed in battle mode.

Full Concentration: Constant!

Water Breathing: Fourth Form.

Strike of the Tide!

He launched a tidal wave of rapid strikes at Kanao with his wooden sword.

Kanao floated like falling petals, flickering through the tidal assault while counterattacking.

Their battle was fierce.

Meanwhile, over at Inosuke and Zenitsu's side.

Both sprinted at full speed, drenched in sweat, constantly muttering: "Meat meat meat meat meat!!"

"Mine mine mine mine mine!!!"

Sometimes Zenitsu led, sometimes Inosuke led.

Luo En sliced several perfectly grilled meat chops, then sat back on the chair beneath the cherry tree, reading a book, occasionally eating a piece of meat, sipping wine, and occasionally calling out:

"Agatsuma Zenitsu, slow your exhale rhythm, try focusing your strength into your steps."

"Uzui Inosuke, you don't want to lose to Agatsuma Zenitsu, do you? Engage your abdomen more, expel all the air."

"Breathing Technique, in simple terms, is a method of moving blood and Qi—try sensing the blood and Qi within your body, then control them through your breath."

The two drenched in sweat adjusted their breathing upon hearing his words, immediately sensing a difference.

After a brief pain in the chest, it felt as if expanded, able to hold more air; the previously aching, tense muscles relaxed slightly from the flow of blood and Qi.

…………

At dusk.

The sky blazed with crimson clouds.

"Heh heh heh."

The three, soaked in sweat, lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.

Luo En walked before them, looking down with a faint smile in his blue eyes.

"How do you feel?"

"I… I can't even lift a single finger…"

Zenitsu was utterly exhausted.

"My chest feels like it's burning…"

Inosuke, wearing his boar head mask, was equally weak.

Tanjiro was somewhat better than the two, but still ached all over.

"Hah"

Luo En laughed, took a sip of wine: "Rest a bit, then get up and eat some meat."

Zenitsu closed his eyes: "I… I don't have the strength to eat meat… I just want to sleep properly."

"Meat… I… I want to eat meat…"

Inosuke struggled, dragging his exhausted body up from the ground, swaying as he shuffled toward the meat chops.

"Then I'll…"

Tanjiro, his stomach growling loudly, also rose and staggered after him.

Both immediately tore into the meat on the grill.

"Delicious! Delicious!"

"Really! This is the first time I've eaten something this good—ten times better than rice balls!"

Tanjiro devoured the meat, tears streaming down his face from the sheer deliciousness.

Listening to the two's chewing and gnawing sounds.

Zenitsu, lying like a pile of mud with eyes shut, couldn't help swallowing hard.

"The meat used here is specially prepared—you won't usually get to eat this. It restores stamina and replenishes blood and Qi. Are you sure you want to stay here? If you don't hurry, they'll finish it all."

Luo En smiled at Zenitsu on the ground.

Zenitsu, hearing this, could no longer endure it.

"You two—! Save some for me!"

He pushed himself up and lunged toward them.

The moment he bit into the meat, large tears spilled uncontrollably from Zenitsu's eyes.

"Worth it… all of it was worth it."

The three devoured the meat.

Luo En bent down, picked up a branch, and played with it in his hand; the Twisting Force warped the branch into a spring-like curve, then, as he released the force, it straightened again.

"At this training pace, you two will master Full Concentration: Constant in three or four days."

Shan Yi froze at the words: "Eh?! Are we really going to endure this deadly training for three more days?! People are going to die!"

"If you want to be left completely behind by Tanjiro, feel free to pretend I never said anything."

"Um…"

Shan Yi was still hesitating.

Inosuke shouted: "Aah—Don't underestimate me! Who'd ever lose to Tanjiro?! I'm Inosuke—nothing can stump me!"

At that moment.

The courtyard gate was pushed open.

Tanjiro turned his head to look.

Seeing Tengui Yuyong standing at the gate, he blinked in surprise, then his face lit up with delight: "Mr. Tengui?!"

The expressionless Tengui Yuyong nodded at him, then turned to Luo En:

"I'm leaving on a mission tomorrow. Are you free today?"

Luo En immediately noticed the two wine flasks in his right hand, remembered yesterday's events, and smiled:

"You're here to invite me for a drink?"

"Mm. A return gift for yesterday."

"Hah! I bet you just want to save face. Fine then."

Luo En walked toward him with a smile.

As the two were about to leave the courtyard.

Luo En glanced at the three inside: "If you want to keep coming, be here at eight tomorrow morning."

With that, he left with Tengui Yuyong.

Leaving the three standing there, dumbfounded.

Tanjiro blinked in mild surprise: "Mr. Luo En and Mr. Tengui know each other? I had no idea."

"Was that… just now the Water Pillar?"

Shan Yi exclaimed: "He's that familiar with the so-called cold and heartless Water Pillar?"

Shan Yi turned to Tanjiro and asked: "Tanjiro, who exactly is that guy? Come to think of it… he wasn't even wearing the Demon Slayer Corps uniform. Is he really part of the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Facing his question,

Tanjiro scratched his cheek: "I'm not entirely sure, but Mr. Luo En isn't part of the Demon Slayer Corps. I only know he knows a lot, is kind, and incredibly strong—even the Bug Pillar, Miss Butterfly Shin, seems to be learning sword techniques from him."

"Even the Bug Pillar is learning sword techniques from him…"

Shan Yi's eyes widened.

How strong could that guy possibly be?

…………