Chapter 787: Compared to My Master, I Still Have a Long Way to Go
Chapter 787: Compared to My Master, I Still Have a Long Way to Go
In the world of Demon Slayer, the power system is quite different from that of the Naruto universe. There is no simple hierarchy like genin, chunin, and jounin, and the power levels of demons and human swordsmen are entirely dissimilar.
Let's start with the human side, the Demon Slayers.
There are several cultivation levels among the Demon Slayers.
The first level consists of those who have mastered the basic breathing techniques, forming the foundation of a human swordsman.
The second level involves mastering the focused breathing state, allowing swordsmen to unleash tremendous power in a short period. However, their strength is still slightly inferior to that of the Lower Moons among the Twelve Kizuki.
The third level entails mastering the constant focused breathing state, enabling swordsmen to maintain their peak power at all times. This results in a qualitative leap in their physical condition and strength.
Those who have achieved this level are comparable in strength to the Lower Moons of the Twelve Kizuki.
Moreover, their power doesn't stagnate after attaining this level but continues to grow stronger as they maintain this state. Over a period of two to three years, their physical prowess and strength will continually increase.
Once a swordsman has mastered the constant focused breathing state and maintained it for over two years, they reach the level of a 'Pillar' within the Demon Slaying Corps. At this level, they can easily defeat the Lower Moons of the Twelve Kizuki.
All the Pillars of the Demon Slaying Corps are at this level.
However, there is an almost insurmountable gap between the six Lower Moons and six Upper Moons of the Twelve Kizuki. The first three members of the Twelve Kizuki are especially formidable, each stronger than the last.
A typical Pillar-level swordsman who has mastered the constant focused breathing state for several years is about a third as strong as the weakest of the Upper Moons. This means that it would take around three Pillar-level swordsmen to take on one of the Upper Moons in battle.
But the cultivation levels of humans don't stop there.
There are two even higher realms—the fourth and fifth levels. However, these levels are extremely rare and require not only talent but also opportunity.
The fourth level is called "Stripes"! It is characterized by the appearance of stripe-like birthmarks on a part of the body, which significantly enhances the swordsman's physical condition and strength, propelling them to yet another level of power.
A swordsman who has unlocked the stripes can rival the weaker members of the Upper Moons, but they are still no match for the first three.
Take Upper Moon Three, Kakuzo, whom Kanata is facing right now! His strength is enough to take on three swordsmen who have unlocked their stripes. Over the centuries, he has slain countless Pillar-level swordsmen.
And now, the fifth level: "Transparent World"!
In this realm, the world falls into silence, and one's gaze can pierce through all things, clearly revealing the internal structure of life, the flowing blood, and the beating heart.
At this level, a swordsman can harness 100% of their potential, with every muscle and bone functioning in perfect harmony. Their strength undergoes yet another qualitative leap.
Only by unlocking the Transparent World can one's strength be considered comparable to that of Upper Moon Three, Kakuzo!
In the future where Feng Ye hadn't interfered with the world's timeline, Tanjiro Kamado, having unlocked the Transparent World, along with Giyu Tomioka, the Water Pillar, who had unlocked his stripes, still couldn't defeat Kakuzo. In the end, it was only because Kakuzo awakened his self-awareness and chose to end his own life that they prevailed. This speaks volumes about Kakuzo's terrifying power!
But...
Even this formidable Upper Moon Three is currently being suppressed!
Yes, suppressed by Kanata alone!
If it had been Kanata from ten minutes ago, before she had honed her skills in battle, she might not have been able to suppress Kakuzo from the outset. However, after gruelingly grinding a demon to death, Kanata's swordsmanship has become increasingly smooth and refined, evolving beyond mere brute force into a style that suits her perfectly.
Boom!
A deafening buzz shook the earth.
"Ha, hahaha... What is this?"
Despite having half his arm sliced off, Upper Moon Four, Yushiro, showed no signs of pain. Instead, he looked invigorated and even laughed excitedly. "There's no power of breathing involved. Is it possible to reach such a level by cultivating pure swordsmanship?"
In the hundred years since Yushiro had become a demon, he had encountered countless human swordsmen and faced off against numerous Pillar-level swordsmen, witnessing a myriad of breathing techniques.
Yet, the young girl before him was utterly unlike any breathing technique swordsman he had ever faced! He couldn't sense even a hint of breathing technique power from her.
Maki wielded pure swordsmanship, flawless and perfect. In the realm of swordsmanship alone, she had surpassed those breathing technique swordsmen by an unknown number of levels!
Without relying on breathing techniques or external powers, her simple sword swings were perfect strikes that seemed to follow the fundamental laws of the world, creating brilliant sword glows that were both beautiful and dangerous!
"I don't know what you mean by breathing technique. My master never taught me that," Maki replied calmly as she continued to battle Yushiro, each clash of their blades causing violent explosions and tearing his fists to pieces.
However, Yushiro's regeneration ability far surpassed that of the previous demon by several folds. Even when half his body was shredded by the sword glow, it only took an instant for him to restore himself to his original state.
"Master, huh? So, there exists a lineage in this world that cultivates pure swordsmanship. I've never come across it before. I suppose there aren't many who can reach your level through pure swordsmanship," Yushiro commented.
"To cultivate swordsmanship to such a realm, you must have surpassed your master and forged a new style of your own!" he added.
Yushiro relentlessly swung his fists, enveloped in glowing auras, clashing continuously with Maki's sword.
Maki's swordsmanship not only excited him but also filled him with awe.
At this moment, he could be said to be holding nothing back, using almost his full strength, and even mixing his Blood Demon Art into his fierce attacks. Yet, he still couldn't turn the tide of the battle! Since becoming an Upper Moon demon, never had any human swordsman suppressed him or made him feel such intense pressure!
The only one who had given him a similar sense of pressure in battle was another Upper Moon, ranked above him—Upper Moon Two, Daki!
Though he was loath to admit it, Maki's current display of power was indeed superior to his!
If Maki had the sun-breathing Nichirin Sword in her hand right now, he wouldn't just be suppressed—he would be in a perilous life-or-death situation.
Maki's power rivaled that of Upper Moon Two, Daki, and she was stronger than Upper Moon One, Kokushibo. This was the level of Maki's current strength, aligning with Feng Ye's assessment from long ago.
It was because of this assessment that Feng Ye had told Maki that there were very few people in this world stronger than her.
"..."
Maki heard Yushiro's words, and her sword strikes didn't pause for a moment, but her voice hesitated slightly.
An image flashed in her mind—Feng Ye holding a broken wooden sword, lightly swinging it and causing the earth to split.
"No," she said. "Compared to my master... I still have a long way to go."
(End of Chapter)
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