Chapter 56: Heir of Rock Breathing

Chu Yang immediately changed his expression and growled, “We’ve gone this far—we’ve done our part. What’s wrong with keeping a backup plan? If Itachi want to settle accounts, then let’s all just flip the table and fight it out.”

Uchiha Izuna laughed heartily, "Young man, Itachi've got quite the temper—I like that."

Uchiha Madara nodded, “Yang is right. The backups we must keep. We hope for peace, but we won’t sacrifice ourselves.”

Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju exchanged glances, then agreed to Chu Yang’s allocation plan.

Both Hashirama Senju and Chu Yang harbored private thoughts they did not voice.

The Uzumaki clan’s sealing techniques are immensely powerful, ranked extremely high in the Hokage world—they can seal not only Tailed Beasts and ninjutsu, but even things at the level of world rules.

Yet the Uzumaki clan’s own combat strength is weak, making them vulnerable to attacks from powers that fear them; with the Nine-Tails’ power, the Uzumaki clan’s safety is guaranteed.

Moreover, Chu Yang also intended to guard against Black Zetsu.

The Uzumaki clan’s sealing techniques can directly threaten Kaguya Otsutsuki.

After the Tailed Beast capture plan was set, Hashirama Senju officially issued orders for the Anbu Black Ops to track the Tailed Beasts.

There would inevitably be casualties, since Tailed Beasts are no easy prey—they won’t just sit still waiting to be captured.

Another wave of ambitious young Uchiha stepped forward one after another; Chu Yang’s scorched-earth strategy was taking effect.

Tobirama Senju was responsible for contacting the Uzumaki clan, as their power was needed for sealing the Tailed Beasts, and both sides also needed to formalize an official alliance.

For a thousand years, the Senju and Uzumaki clans had relied on blood ties to stick together.

When signing the alliance, Hashirama Senju, as Hokage, had to appear in person.

As for Old Man Madara—he was the Hidden Leaf Village's top enforcer.

He only handled beating people; as soon as a Tailed Beast appeared, he would rush to the scene to control it.

As for Yang…

A hardworking, devoted teacher, who besides nurturing the village’s future blossoms, had no special contributions—all proceeded in orderly fashion.

Demon Slayer world.

Chu Yang, having returned from the Soul Palace to reality, had undergone explosive physical growth overnight.

Once slender and weak, he now sported eight hard, defined abs and had grown five centimeters taller!

This was all thanks to his counterparts in other worlds selflessly sharing their innate abilities, granting this waste a qualitative transformation.

Of course, if he learned Breathing Techniques, he would also reciprocate and empower his counterparts in other worlds.

To conceal his physique, Chu Yang wrapped himself tightly—luckily, the weather had turned cool, so no one grew suspicious.

Every day during his recovery at Butterfly House, Chu Yang ate heartily and trained hard; after a week, he was notified he could be discharged—that is, leave Butterfly House.

Chu Yang, of course, did not want to leave.

So he sought out Butterfly Shinobu and requested to become a Demon Slayer Corps member.

“Lady Butterfly Shinobu, could Itachi teach me how to become a swordsman?”

Chu Yang’s request seemed to stump Butterfly Shinobu; the girl stood before him hesitantly, lips parted but words unspoken.

Not biting?

Chu Yang gritted his teeth and shouted loudly, “Lady Butterfly Shinobu, please take me as your adopted son!”

In the Demon Slayer world, “adopted son” refers to a successor status—in simple terms, a direct disciple of a Pillar swordsman.

Normally, Pillar swordsmen take disciples who use the same Breathing style, but there are rare exceptions where disciples use different Breathing styles.

Pillar swordsmen have authority to command any rank of Demon Slayer Corps member, but to command another’s adopted son, they must obtain the consent of that Pillar.

“Adopted son” is a very special status within the Demon Slayer Corps.

Upon hearing Chu Yang wished to become her adopted son, Butterfly Shinobu’s pale face flushed visibly.

She frantically waved her hands at Chu Yang.

Chu Yang clicked his tongue—he felt something off about this Butterfly Shinobu, nothing like the one in his memory.

“Hahaha! Someone wants to become little Shinobu’s adopted son? How delightful!”

A bell-like laugh rang out behind Chu Yang; he turned to see a girl whose face resembled Butterfly Shinobu’s by seven or eight tenths, yet was more mature and gentle.

The girl had lively pale purple eyes, long, sleek black hair reaching her waist, with butterfly-shaped hairpins on either side, and a colorful butterfly-patterned haori draped over her shoulders.

The girl skipped up to Chu Yang and teased, “Shinobu isn’t a Pillar—she has no right to take an adopted son. But I do. Interested, little brother?”

Chu Yang stared dumbly at the girl—not because she was beautiful, but because she was…

Butterfly Kanae!

Butterfly Kanae was still alive!

This proves the current timeline is at least four years before the main plot begins!

No wonder Chu Yang always felt Butterfly Shinobu looked like a baby—she really was a baby…

“It’s impolite to stare at a girl like that,” Butterfly Kanae stepped forward and whispered softly into Chu Yang’s ear.

Chu Yang shuddered, stepped back quickly, and kept apologizing—his mind was in chaos.

“I can sense your aura. As an untrained ordinary person, your physical constitution is exceptional—Itachi have the potential to become a powerful swordsman.”

Butterfly Kanae smiled gently, “I was just joking earlier. Your constitution isn’t suited for my Breathing Technique. If Itachi truly wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps, I can recommend Itachi to another Pillar.”

Chu Yang snapped back to his senses and nodded immediately, “Then I’d be grateful for your help.”

“Itachi’re lucky—he’ll be arriving shortly,” Butterfly Kanae’s eyes sparkled with amusement, eager to see what sparks would fly between Chu Yang and that Pillar.

Butterfly Shinobu seemed to guess which Pillar her sister meant and unconsciously showed a look of surprise.

Chu Yang watched them exchange cryptic glances, utterly baffled.

After a while, a tall, burly figure pushed open the door, muttering, “Amitabha,” with a long, narrow scar across his forehead, blind eyes, a string of Buddhist prayer beads around his neck, and another set clutched in his hands.

Monk!

Himejima Gyomei!

Chu Yang glanced at Butterfly Kanae, who was grinning broadly, and let out a deep breath.

Himejima Gyomei was strong!

He could be called the strongest Pillar—without exception!

The moment Himejima Gyomei entered, he sensed Chu Yang; though blind, his perception was extraordinarily sharp—he nearly swung his weapon at Chu Yang had he not detected no demon aura on him!

Butterfly Kanae smiled, “Master Gyomei, unless it’s the Pillar Gathering, it’s rare to see Itachi—do Itachi train every day?”

Himejima Gyomei nodded, then asked eagerly, “Who is this man beside Itachi?”

“Survivor,” Butterfly Kanae summed up Chu Yang’s situation in three brief words, then added, “He wishes to remain in the Demon Slayer Corps.”

For an ordinary person, Himejima Gyomei would have urged him to return to a normal life—but Chu Yang’s overwhelming aura was impossible to ignore.

Himejima Gyomei said gravely, “This path will be far harder than Itachi can imagine.”

Chu Yang replied, “I understand.”

Butterfly Kanae suggested, “I believe Itachi should personally train him. A mentor may not fully awaken his potential.”

Himejima Gyomei hesitated, sensing Chu Yang’s aura once more, then finally nodded without resistance.

His Rock Breathing finally had an heir!

(End of Chapter)