"Water Breathing: First Form - Water Surface Slash!"
Giyu Tomioka's strike looked unremarkable.
After all, this move could be considered the most basic technique that every corps member practices during training.
But combined with the breathing method, it was actually not to be underestimated!
"Wind Breathing: Third Form - Clean Storm Wind Tree!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's speed was extremely fast.
In just the blink of an eye, he seemed to simultaneously deliver three slashes!
These three strikes wrapped around him tightly, capable of both offense and defense.
"Love Breathing: Sixth Form - Cat-Legged Winds of Love!"
Mitsuri Kanroji seemed to truly transform into an agile cat.
Dancing with her claws, she tore apart enemies with spinning slashes!
This attack method looked quite cute.
But in reality, its destructive power was astonishing!
...
Giyu Tomioka, Muichiro Tokito, and each of the other Hashira took turns demonstrating their breathing techniques at Kuzeha's request.
At the same time, they also demonstrated all their attack forms.
Kuzeha just watched quietly from the side.
Watching...
And then.
Replicating!
Whether it was the Serpent Hashira's stealth or the Sound Hashira's elegance, everything was reproduced almost perfectly in Kuzeha's hands!
This was the value of the [Sword Master] attribute.
Although it was only purple-grade, it had accompanied Kuzeha for quite a long time.
Some lower-tier attributes weren't necessarily inferior in practicality!
As Kuzeha demonstrated, the effect of [Teaching and Mentoring] was triggered next.
Using this to draw inferences, he improved the Hashira's breathing techniques!
"From now on, the overall strength of the Demon Slayer Corps will greatly improve!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki used to find that even simple actions like swinging a sword would accelerate his life's decline.
Therefore, after recovering his health, his hands were quite itchy.
Precisely because he had started learning swordsmanship, he could better appreciate how difficult it was for the children of the Demon Slayer Corps!
Now seeing them advance even further, he was naturally overjoyed!
While Kuzeha was leading the Demon Slayer Corps in training, the auction had already begun with opening remarks.
Mrs. Yukinoshita stood on the high platform, calmly surveying her surroundings.
"I represent the entire Yukinoshita Financial Group in thanking everyone for coming."
"I'm sure everyone is here for the youth restoration potions."
"Then I won't waste time with nonsense—the auction begins now!"
These representatives sitting in the audience each had powerful and deep backgrounds supporting them!
They were either representatives of world-class large financial groups, representatives from supernatural ability organizations, or official representatives dispatched by foreign governments.
In contrast, the Yukinoshita Financial Group, without Kuzeha's assistance, would at most be a small financial group dealing in local real estate!
Yet Mrs. Yukinoshita faced these attendees without any sign of timidity.
Her backless low-cut formal dress displayed elegant grace, her smooth back and collarbones possessing damned beautiful allure!
The hem of her dress bloomed like a gorgeous flower, elevating her grace to its peak!
More importantly, she had seen Kuzeha!
"Regarding the quantity of potions being released this time, everyone can rest assured."
"Regular version, excellent version, and miracle version all have sufficient supply."
"However, this auction, our Yukinoshita Financial Group only accepts bartering!"
The venue erupted in commotion.
Although the Yukinoshita Financial Group had already released related news beforehand, hearing it firsthand still made everyone sigh with mixed emotions—some worried, some pleased!
The major powers had plenty of money but didn't know what to trade with.
Representatives of smaller powers became interested.
Perhaps the items they provided might just meet the conditions?
In the crowd.
Ai Hayasaka followed her mother Nao Hayasaka to attend the auction.
The Hayasaka family had originally been vassals of the Shinomiya family.
At an auction of this caliber, they hadn't expected to obtain a potion.
This time they mainly came to achieve the goal of making contact with Kuzeha!
The girl held a notebook, moving through the venue, trying to find that familiar figure from her memories.
After all, she had been following him for so long, she could recognize his silhouette at a glance!
But.
Strange, why am I looking forward to this so much?
It's clearly just collecting intelligence on him...
Thinking about this, Ai Hayasaka suddenly felt that her thoughts seemed somewhat wrong!
Originally, she had just wanted to employ a honey trap.
That's why she started gathering information about Kuzeha.
However, when she came to her senses, she discovered that the more she learned about Kuzeha, the more she thought about this young man!
Her heart had completely taken his shape!
Coming to this auction, hoping to see Kuzeha, she inexplicably felt some small excitement!
As the auction proceeded in full swing, potions were quickly being traded through bartering.
Financial groups and organizations of all sizes each had their gains.
Soon most of the potions had been exchanged, and the entire auction was approaching its end.
But as time passed, Ai Hayasaka's beautiful eyes filled with disappointment, her expression dejected.
Because at such an important auction, Kuzeha hadn't appeared at all!
Ai Hayasaka put away her notebook, lightly biting her pink lips.
As if she had been stood up by a boyfriend!
...
After much consideration, I've decided to put this fanfiction translation on indefinite hiatus. The main reason is that it hasn't received enough support from readers to justify continuing the work. Translation takes significant time and effort, and without adequate community engagement, it becomes difficult to maintain motivation for the project.
I want to thank everyone who has read and supported this story so far. Your readership means a lot, even if the numbers weren't quite where they needed to be for me to continue.
For those who enjoy my translation work, I have other ongoing projects that are actively being updated. Feel free to check those out if you're looking for something new to read. I'm also always open to novel recommendations - if you know of a great story that deserves translation, drop the title in the comments and I'll consider picking it up.
Thanks again for your time and support. I hope you'll stick around for my other translations.
Links:
patre on.com/Bored_Mortal