Hiding in the sand, splitting into many places, starting with Arkham

This is far more than just the potential to become a Pillar!

Morioka had been in the Demon Slayer Corps for nearly sixty years. Although he had retired due to injury many years ago, he had never seen anything like this in those sixty years.

However, he had heard of one a while ago that was very exaggerated.

And the one before his eyes seemed to be not much different.

“Master Morioka is too kind,”

Shimizu shook his head.

Compared to his main body and the avatar in the DC world, he was nothing close to a genius.

So, Shimizu picked up the bamboo sword again and tried again.

With the memory of the DC world avatar as a foundation, this time the effect was two points better than the last time.

Morioka was once again filled with emotion.

The progress was so obvious, what else could he be but a genius?

… …

… …

Shimizu only spent three days learning all the forms of Wind Breathing.

In one month, relying on the avatars of two worlds, he cultivated the Total Concentration Breathing of Wind Breathing to a considerable level.

When using chakra in conjunction with breathing, Shimizu could exchange three moves with Morioka without a clear winner—because the latter could only unleash three moves when going all out.

According to Morioka, those three moves had 70% of his peak power.

Shimizu was quite satisfied with his current strength.

The time this body had spent cultivating chakra was still relatively short. Coupled with the newly learned breathing technique, he already possessed 70% of the strength of a Kanoe ranked swordsman. In the Demon Slayer Corps, he was already a high-end combatant below the Pillars.

Next, he just needed to continue cultivating chakra, and then have the Shimizu from the other two worlds spare time to deeply study Wind Breathing and share the experience.

Relying solely on absorbing the experience of the main body and the DC avatar was not enough. He had to undergo enough training to digest these experiences and allow his body to develop muscle memory to remember these things.

This way, he could at most reach a level close to the main body or the DC avatar. Surpassing them wasn't impossible, but just as you've made a step forward after a long period of hard training, the other two bodies, relying on their abilities and talents, might be able to make this step in no time.

What Shimizu in the Demon Slayer world needed to do next was to thoroughly understand the forms of Wind Breathing, improve his swordsmanship, and strengthen his physical fitness to cooperate with the cultivation of Wind Breathing.

Until he could maintain Total Concentration Breathing at all times, whether sitting, standing, walking, or even sleeping, he could maintain the breathing technique non-stop for twenty-four hours a day.

This state is called Total Concentration: Constant, which has very high requirements for a person's own cardiopulmonary function and other comprehensive physical qualities.

For ordinary swordsmen who want to have strength close to the Pillars, mastering Total Concentration: Constant is the best method.

Basically, Kanoe ranked swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps have mastered the technique of Total Concentration: Constant.

Apart from Total Concentration: Constant, Morioka had nothing else to teach Shimizu.

It was time to say goodbye.

“Master Morioka, thank you for your careful guidance during this time.”

In front of the temple gate of Mount Tateyama, Shimizu, carrying a knapsack, bowed to Morioka in Buddhist fashion.

“Amitabha, Young Master Shimizu is naturally gifted. This old monk is just a dying old man and doesn't have much to guide. I hope Young Master Shimizu can succeed greatly in the selection on Mount Fujikasane in a month, and then exterminate demons and protect the world.”

The old monk put his palms together and chanted a Buddhist prayer to Shimizu.

“By the way, this is a little incense money. I hope Master will not decline it.”

Shimizu took out a small check from his pocket.

This was considered a check from the Meiji and Taisho eras.

“This… this is too much.”

Morioka waved his hands repeatedly when he saw the number on the check.

“Eh, it's okay. As you know, I have quite a bit of wealth. This is just my pocket money for a month. I see that the buildings of Mount Tateyama Temple are old and have reached the point where they need to be repaired. They need this money more than I do.”

Shimizu stuffed the check into Morioka's hand and patted his chest.

Their lineage of the Uesugi family had considerable influence in the Koga area, so calling them Uesugi Hanjō was no problem. Their assets were abundant.

Without waiting for Morioka to reply, Shimizu continued to ask:

“By the way, I would like to ask you about the area that the Water Pillar is usually responsible for.”

“Water Pillar?”

Morioka was a little curious, but he still gave a rough range.

“Didn’t Young Master Shimizu say that he wanted to learn Thunder Breathing? Why are you going to find the Water Pillar? If you want to learn Water Breathing, this old monk suggests you go to Mount Sagiri and visit the former Water Pillar, Mr. Urokodaki Sakonji.”

“Does this Mr. Urokodaki still accept disciples?”

Morioka didn't know why Shimizu asked this, but he still replied:

“Among Mr. Urokodaki's disciples, except for the current Water Pillar, Tomioka Giyū, none of them survived. Since the last disciple died in the trial on Mount Fujikasane several years ago, he hasn't accepted any disciples for six years.”

“I understand, thank you, Master Morioka. Then I will take my leave first.”

Shimizu bowed to Morioka again and turned to leave.

Urokodaki Sakonji is not teaching disciples now, which means that the protagonist, Kamado Tanjirō's family, has not yet had an accident, and has not been rescued by Tomioka Giyū and sent to Mount Sagiri to learn the art.

“Sun Breathing… Hinokami Kagura…”

Shimizu took out a map he had brought with him when he left home and spread it out, muttering to himself.

Relying on the abilities of his main body and the DC avatar, he could easily learn Wind Breathing, and Thunder Breathing would probably not be difficult either, but he might not be compatible with Sun Breathing, and he was not the so-called Child of Scarlet Brilliance.

Whether it was Shimizu in this world or the main body, none of their ancestors for three generations had engaged in fire-related industries, nor did they have red hair or red eyes.

But no matter what, Sun Breathing is ultimately the strongest origin breathing technique. Shimizu would not be willing if he didn't try it.

The location of the Kamado family is not certain. Shimizu can only search for places that meet the conditions based on the area that the Water Pillar is usually responsible for—a remote mountain, and at the foot of the mountain, there seems to be a town where Tanjirō often goes to sell charcoal.

“It’s best to use the power of the family.”

Shimizu identified the direction and walked towards the Kōga area.

Before coming here, he asked his third uncle, Uesugi Yu, to purchase a batch of materials.

These were used to make puppets.

Even though the industrialization of this world is still in a relatively backward stage, and it doesn't have as many materials that can adapt to chakra like in the Naruto world, the upper limit of the puppets made is estimated to not be very high, but they can more or less strengthen his combat capabilities.