After Kurozawa walked out of the shrine's Torii Barrier Gate, he found a nearby ancient tree with lush branches and leaves and spent a few minutes burying the body under it.
With his physique, digging a hole and burying someone was as easy as eating and drinking.
Looking down at the nameless grave, Kurozawa said, "Rest in peace. I hope you're not so unlucky in your next life."
Next year, this tree should bloom with vibrant flowers, blooming under the brilliant sunlight.
Just then, Sakonji Urokodaki's figure slowly emerged in the moonlight.
His Tengu Mask was serious and heavy, showing no hint of a smile.
"It seems you've dealt with the Demon. How do you feel?"
A flat voice came from beneath the mask, with no fluctuations in tone, but Kurozawa heard the concern in it.
"I took care of it in no time."
"Master, I'm claiming the next Pillar position in the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kurozawa chuckled and handed the Nichirin Blade back to Sakonji Urokodaki.
Sakonji Urokodaki glanced at Kurozawa's clean clothes and gave a subtle nod.
"Don't get carried away."
"That was just a low-level Demon."
As he spoke, Sakonji Urokodaki turned and walked towards their residence.
Kurozawa quickly followed, boasting casually, "Got it. Next time, I'll kill an Upper Moon for you to see."
Hearing this arrogant remark, Sakonji Urokodaki gave Kurozawa a faint side-eye and then softly clicked his tongue.
The click was almost inaudible, but Kurozawa still heard it.
He leaned closer to Sakonji Urokodaki and said, "Master, if I'm not mistaken, you just seemed to be looking down on me?"
"Yes, you heard correctly." Sakonji Urokodaki nodded directly.
"Hey, Master, you don't have to be so blunt, do you?" Kurozawa shrugged helplessly.
"Just because I can't do it now doesn't mean I can't do it in the future."
"I look forward to that day," Sakonji Urokodaki said casually.
"No way, Master, you don't even believe in me."
"I, Kurozawa, am exceptionally gifted. Is there anything I can't do? Sooner or later, I'll bring you an Upper Moon's head to use as a teapot."
"You'll be lucky if you don't die at an Upper Moon's hands."
Under the cool moonlight, master and disciple walked one after the other, talking as they slowly returned home.
In the records of the Demon Slayer Corps, there are twelve Demons with the strongest power, known as the Twelve Kizuki, who serve as direct retainers to the Demon progenitor.
The Twelve Kizuki are divided into Upper Moons and Lower Moons, with the six strongest being the Upper Moons.
Every Upper Moon has caused immeasurable losses to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Almost every few years, a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps dies, and the high probability is that they died at the hands of an Upper Moon Demon.
Some Upper Moon Demons who have lived for hundreds of years have at least dozens of Pillar lives on their hands.
The most troublesome thing is that Upper Moon Demons are very good at hiding and rarely leave any traces. If they encounter ordinary swordsmen, they don't even bother to attack. Only when they encounter a Pillar will they kill them, then leave the original location and find a new environment to live in.
The Lower Moons of the Twelve Kizuki are replaced from time to time, but the Upper Moons... no Pillar has ever killed an Upper Moon.
Kurozawa only watched a few episodes of Demon Slayer in his previous life. Let alone the Upper Moons, the Lower Moons hadn't even appeared, so he didn't know the specific strength of the Twelve Kizuki.
But from Sakonji Urokodaki's description, the Kizuki are all very powerful.
"Your current strength is considered outstanding in the Demon Slayer Corps. If you encounter a Lower Moon, you can consider giving it a shot, but if it's an Upper Moon, try your best to escape." This is what Sakonji Urokodaki told Kurozawa not long ago.
However, Kurozawa believed that with his rate of progress, let alone the Upper Moons, he would even have a chance to surpass the legendary Demon progenitor.
Because they were walking and talking, they didn't walk fast, and it took them more than ten minutes to reach Sakonji Urokodaki's wooden house.
There was a faint yellow firelight inside the house, and three figures could be seen through the window.
Upon entering, they saw two boys and a girl sitting around a low dining table.
The girl had blue eyes; it was Makomo.
To Makomo's left was a gentle-looking young boy, Sabito.
Sabito wore a haori with a tortoise shell pattern woven in yellow, orange, and green. Seeing Kurozawa and Sakonji Urokodaki return, he quickly got up to greet them.
"Master, Senior Brother Kurozawa."
Sabito's eyes were special, with beautiful silver pupils that always held a gentle smile.
To Sabito's left was a somewhat timid-looking boy, Giyu Tomioka.
He seemed a little uncomfortable in crowded places and was subtly hiding behind Sabito.
Reaching out and rubbing Sabito's hair, Kurozawa smiled and said, "How is it? Did you teach Giyu Total Concentration Breathing?"
Before Sabito could speak, Giyu Tomioka said softly, "No... I'm a bit slow, I haven't learned it yet."
Kurozawa smiled and comforted him, "When I was your age, I was still awkwardly practicing Breathing Techniques. There's no rush."
Giyu Tomioka became Sakonji Urokodaki's disciple a year ago, but even now he hasn't mastered many sword forms. His Water Breathing is only somewhat proficient, not excellent.
Compared to Sabito, who is the same age, the gap is quite obvious.
Moreover, Giyu Tomioka's personality is very timid.
Having witnessed his older sister killed by a Demon, the child suffered severe psychological trauma and was very cowardly.
However, Kurozawa knew Giyu Tomioka had deep potential.
In the original story, after Sabito died protecting Giyu Tomioka during the Final Selection, Giyu Tomioka changed. He began to train himself in a frantic manner, forging the future Water Pillar with the bones of Demons.
If Kurozawa remembered correctly, Giyu Tomioka's final strength would far surpass Sakonji Urokodaki at this time.
But now, Kurozawa wouldn't let Sabito and Makomo die in the Final Selection, and he didn't know if Giyu Tomioka would still become that cold and stern Water Pillar.
Perhaps, because of his arrival, Sabito would take Giyu Tomioka's future position and become the new Water Pillar.
Provided he yielded the Water Pillar position to him.
"The Final Selection is in a month. Sabito, Makomo, and Kurozawa, the three of you remember to look after your fellow disciples."
"The Final Selection won't be difficult for you. If you walk out alive, you'll become official swordsmen, choose your own steel, and have your own Nichirin Blade."
"My body is aging, and I'm almost unable to handle the work of the Water Pillar. At that time, I hope one of you can inherit my mantle and not disappoint me."
Sakonji Urokodaki suddenly spoke, his tone serious.
"Don't worry, I'm here," Kurozawa nodded, clenching his fist with a cracking sound.
At Mount Fujikasane, the location of the Final Selection, there were many Demons captured by strong members of the Demon Slayer Corps to serve as trials.
Kurozawa knew that Sakonji Urokodaki participated in the Demon capture operation, and in the original story, it was precisely because of the Demon Sakonji Urokodaki captured that Sakonji Urokodaki fell into a lifetime of pain.
Hand Demon, we'll meet soon, Kurozawa's narrowed eyes flashed with a hint of dangerous light.
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