Tenma is Exposed??!

--- Chapter 53 ---

"Phew..." Tenma exhaled white mist from his mouth. "I thought you would be more stubborn than this, but it seems Shadow Hashira is indeed stable." 

Jin Kagemaru looked at his cracked katana and replied, "Hmph, I'm just testing you. Nevertheless, who would have thought you would break my sword." 

"Getting this fixed is a pain in the ass." 

"Tsk, my swordsmith is going to be furious." 

"That Breathing Style of yours... It's not branched from Sun Breathing, right?" 

Tenma smiled, "Of course, I developed it myself." 

"I called it Spear Breathing (Yari no Kokyu)!" 

Jin Kagemaru believed Sun Breathing was the key to wiping demons from this land. Unfortunately, the last Sun Breathing User died centuries ago, and no one could find his legacy. 

Recently, Jin Kagemaru heard a rumor that someone had found the successor of Sun Breathing. But rumor is rumor, and no one could confirm this matter.

What Tenma achieved is not considered uncommon.

Many people created their own Breathing Style.

But that doesn't mean their Breathing Style could contend against those with profound inheritance. Their Demon Slayer Corps might not have the legendary Sun Breathing, but they still have Breathing Styles branched from it.

Jin Kagemaru knew his talent and body well, so he developed his own Breathing Style, Shadow Breathing based on the Wind Breathing. 

Yet, Jin Kagemaru discovered a new "Breathing Style" no less profound than his Shadow Breathing. In fact, he also faintly sensed that Tenma's Spear Breathing has better potential and power than his Shadow Breathing.

After all, Tenma is still young. He can refine Spear Breathing even further and make it rival Sun Breathing. 

'With such a physique, even without Sun Breathing, not even Lower Moons are challenging to him.' Jin Kagemaru thought to himself.

'This boy... He must join our Demon Slayer Corps!'

Jin Kagemaru unconsciously clenched his hand, wishing he could recruit Tenma immediately. Even then, he could only sigh because recruiting Tenma doesn't seem easy.

He also needed to ask the elders and the leader about Tenma's recruitment first.

For once in Jin Kagemaru's life, he doesn't like protocols.

"Do you have any thoughts of joining the Demon Slayer Corps?" asked Jin Kagemaru, trying to read Tenma's thoughts.

Tenma narrowed his eyes, "Well, pretty straightforward, I see."

"Joining the Demon Slayer Corps, huh? Since I wanted to fight demons, I will eventually join..." 

"Then..." Jin Kagemaru's breath hiked in excitement.

"But not now." Tenma finished his words cruelly.

"..." Jin Kagemaru's mask shook.

"Pfft-! Mitsuri couldn't hold her giggle.

Jin Kagemaru glared at Mitsuri, and the bubbly girl quickly covered her mouth, not wanting to offend the Shadow Hashira. She's only a little demon slayer and can't compare to him.

But we can't be sure about the future.

"Why?" Jin Kagemaru asked calmly. He didn't lose his cool because of Tenma's rejection or Mitsuri's giggle.

Tenma stared at him blankly and replied, "Why? The Final Selection is like four months away." 

"Uh..." Jin Kagemaru was speechless. 

Fuck, this kid is teasing me!

Tenma patted some dust off his clothes and added, "If I don't join the Demon Slayer Corps, Kanae-nee will be mad at me." 

"So, just wait and see." 

After saying that, Tenma called out his horse and picked Eri up to the saddle.

"Bad Brother! How could you throw me like that!" Eri complained upon sitting on the saddle.

"My bad. I will make a cake for you later." Tenma helplessly rubbed the girl's head, consoling her with deserts.

"Hmph, hmph! I won't forgive you until the white cream desert is in my mouth!" Eri pouted in displeasure.

'Wait, that sounds wrong.' Tenma's expression froze.

"Eri, phrasing!" Shinobu shouted in annoyance.

"Well, see you later, Shadow Hashira." Tenma coughed awkwardly and waved his hand before riding into the road.

Jin Kagemaru watched Tenma and others slowly fade into the distance and mumbled, "Since Shinobu is on his side, there is no need to worry about losing him." 

"But Kanao actually knew such a talent-! No, monster." 

"This girl... She must be hiding it because of her teacher." 

"Hah, what a headache." 

"Talking about headaches, I have two coming after this." Jin Kagemaru looked at his cracked katana. "I wonder if Ubuyashiki-sama already knew about Tenma's existence." 

"After all, he was the one who appointed Kanae as the Flower Hashira despite knowing the previous head was still able to work." 

Jin Kagemaru adjusted his mask and stared at the morning sun, blowing white steam. 

...

...

At the same time, Kanae entered the Demon Slayer Corps because the leader summoned her. She calmly walked into the mist-covered mountain range and passed several checkpoints, preventing demons from finding this place.

Three minutes later, Kanae arrived at the ancient Japanese house and saw two familiar faces guarding the gate. She waved her hands, and the guards nodded, allowing her in.

Kanae entered the house and gently stepped on the tatami mat before lowering one knee to the floor before a closed door. 

"Ubuyashiki-sama, I'm here." She said calmly.

A beautiful woman in a cream-colored kimono and blue hakama slid the door open. She has white hair, a fair face, and calm facial features. She was none other than the wife of Demon Slayer Corp's leader, Ubuyashiki Amane.

"Amane-sama." Kanae greeted politely.

"Come in. Kagaya-sama has been waiting for you." Ubuyashiki Amane replied with a calm smile.

Kanae nodded and entered the room, seeing a handsome man in a black kimono and white haori on a mat. He held a scroll in his right hand and a Kasugai Crow in his left.

He also has unsightly marks spreading from his left eye, seemingly rotten and painful.

He was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Kagaya placed down the scroll and asked, "Long time no see, Kanae. I believe it's been a few months since we met this way." 

"Yes," Kanae replied, not showing much emotion besides respect for the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Although the leader's bloodline was 'gradually' cursed due to a 'certain' demon, he still walked through the darkness and steered the Demon Slayers on the right path.

Kagaya smiled, "I have just received a report from Jin." 

"Jin  met an interesting young man, who was 'physically' gifted he could only describe him as monstrous, and also developed his Breathing Style based on spearmanship." 

"This young man was seen with your sister and our recent best recruit, Shinobu and Mitsuri." 

Kanae's expression remained the same, "I see..." 

"What did they do exactly?" 

Kagaya rubbed his crow and replied, "Well, according to Jin's report, the young man killed a general-level demon and even survived the demon's suicide bomb." 

"What an unfathomable feat, that is." 

'General-level demon? Tenma actually killed it.' Kanae was surprised as she expected Tenma to become strong after coming out from his cave, but this was something else.

"Kanae..." Kagaya put down the crow. "Why don't you introduce this young man to me?" 

Kanae was stunned before realizing Kagaya's intention. 

The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps was known for cherishing young talents, hoping they could harness their potential to rid the land of demons.

However, Kagaya never forced someone to join the Demon Slayer Corps because he knew forced melon was not sweet.

Kanae was 'probably' called here because Kagaya wanted to know Tenma formally despite already having his information.

Looking at the sick man smiling despite his cursed health, Kanae couldn't help but sigh at his strong will and foresight.

Kanae recalled her time with Tenma and smiled, "The young man's name is Tenma." 

"Nakiri Tenma." 

"He's the 'greatest' cook alive, and well... My beloved boy."