If he could overcome this weakness, then in the future, Muichiro wouldn't have to share an indirect kiss with another man...
But breathing was indeed a weakness. Humans had to breathe, after all. Even a ninja, trapped in a water prison for ten minutes without air, would panic. Later on, Doma's Blood Demon Art was practically the bane of Breathing Styles. One of his techniques involved scattering fine ice crystals into the air. When humans inhaled, they would draw these ice crystals along with the air's moisture into their bodies and be poisoned. This technique was truly the nemesis of Breathing Styles. If one couldn't defeat him quickly, they would only grow weaker as the fight dragged on. This highlighted the importance of intelligence. If one knew the opponent's abilities, they would at least not lose the fight. A Wind Style jutsu to blow away the ice crystals would suffice. Or a Fire Style jutsu... However, it wasn't that simple. Even Lower Moons possessed the strength of a Jonin, coupled with their special immortality. The strength of Upper Moons was even less to be trifled with. This had always been Uchiha Nagi's view: survival was paramount. Underestimating others would only lead to a fate like Sasuke's—being stabbed to death by Madara despite possessing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
"By the way, there's a mission. Oyakata-sama asked me to see if you'd like to go," Muichiro said after their training, touching his chin as he suddenly remembered something.
"Hmm? What mission?" Uchiha Nagi asked. He viewed his relationship with Kagaya Ubuyashiki more as a partnership than that of a vassal or subordinate, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki didn't mind this at all. After all, just being able to exchange ninjutsu with Uchiha Nagi was already an immense help to the Demon Slayer Corps.
"It's like this: we received intelligence about a demon in a certain location. Moreover, all the swordsmen sent there have lost contact. Therefore, Oyakata-sama suspects the presence of a Twelve Kizuki member." Muichiro continued, "A Twelve Kizuki... one Hashira might not be enough to guarantee success. Since you've just joined, Oyakata-sama would like to request that you go as well. Two Hashira heading there. Of course, Oyakata-sama said he won't force you if you're unwilling. If you're willing, please go to Oyakata-sama to ask for the specific details."
Uchiha Nagi thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll go over later." With his Nichirin blade, Mangekyo Sharingan, Amaterasu, Susanoo, and the Sword of Totsuka, if he still died so easily, it would be a plot-induced death just like Shisui's.
In the afternoon, Uchiha Nagi arrived at Kagaya Ubuyashiki's residence— To be frank, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was a broad-minded leader. For those who became cowardly and afraid of death after encountering demons, he would assign them to logistics. For those who were old, weary of fighting, or injured and disabled, he would allow them to retire. Some retired Hashira, like Sakonji Urokodaki, would become trainers for the next generation of Demon Slayers. Others might manage Wisteria Houses or similar support facilities. And some, like the Flame Hashira's father, did nothing at all. In short, working under him had a clear beginning and end; one could retire or resign at any time. There was no fear of "casting aside the fine bow once the birds are gone," or "boiling the hunting dogs once the rabbits are dead." Unlike a certain Third Hokage, who, after several great ninja wars, directly orchestrated the Uchiha clan's extermination... Collaborating with such a magnanimous boss was particularly comfortable.
"Ubuyashiki-sama, Muichiro-san mentioned you were looking for me?" Uchiha Nagi said respectfully. Although he was respectful, their relationship was one of cooperation, so Uchiha Nagi did not kneel on one knee, and the other party didn't mind.
"Please sit, Uchiha-kun," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with a gentle smile. "My apologies, my eyes cannot see. I'll have to trouble you to pour your own tea."
"It's no trouble." Uchiha Nagi wasn't bothered by such things. He poured himself a cup and also poured one for the other man.
"To be honest, I've invited you here this time because I'd like you to go with the Flame Hashira. We've received intelligence about a demon appearing on a train. A team of swordsmen went to investigate, but they've all gone missing. Alas..." Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed and began to explain the situation. A small team had gone to investigate a case of missing persons on a train, and all of them had disappeared. It was important to note that in this team, while there were Mizunoto-ranked members like Tanjiro who had just joined, the team leaders were two Kinoe-ranked members—equivalent to having two Jonin leading the team, as Kinoe was the rank just below Hashira. "Therefore, I suspect the presence of a Twelve Kizuki member there. I have already dispatched the Flame Hashira. However, after he left, I had a bad premonition. The Ubuyashiki family's premonitions have always been accurate, which is why I wanted to request your assistance on this trip."
"Very well, I'll go. It just so happens I also want to learn Flame Breathing from him," Uchiha Nagi nodded.
"Thank you for your trouble. Your Kasugai Crow has also arrived. I will have someone take you there later. By the way, the name of that train is 'Infinite'."
Infinite Train—
"Sigh, things really haven't been peaceful lately. It's all because of that Ripper along the railway lines. The number of passengers has dropped significantly." "Yeah, these useless police haven't caught the culprit after all this time. We small vendors are the unlucky ones; rent still has to be paid. Sigh..." "That's right, I heard the number of missing passengers has reached over forty..." Beside the bustling train station, many people were coming and going, transporting goods, but there were very few travelers. Some small vendors selling peanuts and melon seeds looked at newspapers with worried and troubled expressions. They hoped the newspapers would carry news of the culprit's capture, while at the same time, with pained expressions, they hawked their wares, hoping passing passengers would buy something.
A crow stood on Uchiha Nagi's shoulder. Fortunately, this one wasn't a chatterbox like Tanjiro's, or he would have been annoyed to death. Nor was it a sparrow like Zenitsu's, because he couldn't understand bird language. The crow led him to the train station. This world was roughly in the steam age; they had cars, electric lights, and electricity, but no television. The primary means of disseminating news was still newspapers. Uchiha Nagi wondered if, after Muzan was eliminated, he could visit other countries and see what their supernatural powers were like.
"Hello, are you the Hashira, Uchiha-san?" A young man who had been waiting at the train station for a long time became excited upon seeing Uchiha Nagi, recognizing the crow on his shoulder as a unique partner of the Demon Slayer Corps. Uchiha Nagi was a newly promoted Hashira, but his title hadn't been decided yet, because most Hashira inherited the title of their respective Breathing Styles, but he was a bit special...
"My name is Murata. I am the Mizunoto-ranked member assigned to assist you." "Mm, thank you for your trouble." Uchiha Nagi nodded politely at him.
"Oh oh, you're welcome! Let's board the train first; the tickets have already been bought. According to the information from the crow, the Flame Hashira has already set off to investigate the Infinite Train. We'll take this train to catch up and rendezvous with him," Murata said, scratching his head, surprised that a Hashira was so easy to talk to. Uchiha Nagi nodded, and the two of them then took their tickets and boarded the train...
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