Chapter Thirty-Two: Are You Angry?

Chu Fan had already created many techniques of his own, but he never bothered to name them deliberately, much less shout out their names during battle. What he did in combat was simply to draw upon all his strength and knowledge, considering every possibility to determine which attack could truly kill the enemy.

In many Japanese manga, characters often shout out their special moves. While it might look impressive, it also seems quite childish.

Of course, Chu Fan would remind Tanjiro Kamado only because Tanjiro had asked for his help—to grow stronger. If it had been anyone else, or an enemy, Chu Fan wouldn't have offered a single word of advice. In fact, he would have loved for his opponents to shout out the names of their attacks before striking; that way, he’d never have to worry about being ambushed.

“When you recover from the strain, come in,” he said. “Although I cannot teach you how to use the Sun Breathing, I can share some techniques. They should help you adapt more quickly to the burdens it brings. There are also a few matters I need to entrust to you.”

Then, as he looked at Tanjiro, who was smiling with joy, Chu Fan continued.

He intended to give Tanjiro some of Muzan Kibutsuji’s blood. Tanjiro would then deliver it to the only two demons in the Demon Slayer Corps besides Shinobu Kocho who were truly proficient in pharmacology.

“Recover... from the strain?” Tanjiro echoed in confusion. But just as the question left his lips, a burning pain flared inside him, as if his body were on fire, and his breath came in short gasps.

Tanjiro was certain that the move he’d just used surpassed any Water Breathing form he had ever mastered. He had been elated, but now, with the agony wracking his body, he understood the true meaning of the burden.

“What’s happening to me?” he asked, dropping to one knee, unable to comprehend.

“Your physical strength is too weak to withstand the strain of Sun Breathing,” Chu Fan replied calmly from his seat, sipping tea. “This is your first time using it, so this reaction is normal. There’s no need for excessive worry.”

After several dozen seconds, Tanjiro finally felt the difficulty breathing subside. He rose and took a seat opposite Chu Fan.

“Thank you very much for your guidance, Sir Illusive Feather,” he said gratefully, then politely inquired, “What else did you wish to tell me?”

“If you truly wish to master Sun Breathing, the first and most essential step is to improve your physical capacity. As for training methods, seek out Shinobu Kocho. She can guide you. You must also learn to transition between Water and Sun Breathing techniques, to lessen the toll on your body. Lastly, this is Muzan Kibutsuji’s blood—take it to Tamayo.” Chu Fan explained, and at the end, a small glass vial appeared in his hand, which he placed on the table.

The vial contained only twenty milliliters of Muzan’s blood—already a tenth of all Chu Fan possessed. Yet, for the sake of finally seeing this world through to its conclusion, he was willing to part with such a precious resource.

“You know Miss Tamayo…?” Tanjiro looked at the blood in the vial, moved by Chu Fan’s words.

“I wouldn’t say I know her, but I am aware of her. And I know you are collecting Muzan’s blood in hopes of turning your sister human again. You needn’t fear that I would harm Tamayo. If I wished her dead, I would have acted long ago. Deliver this to her with peace of mind, and let her study it. I have said all that needs saying and taught you all I can. Return to the Butterfly Estate and continue your training. Work hard to become stronger. Only by gaining true strength will your actions and words carry real weight.”

Seeing Tanjiro’s startled expression, Chu Fan spoke gently. Then he stood and resumed his own training.

“Yes, thank you very much, Sir Illusive Feather,” Tanjiro said, bowing deeply to the now-absorbed Chu Fan, who clearly had nothing more to add.

While Sir Illusive Feather was shrouded in mystery, Tanjiro had never felt the slightest malice from him. Even when he spoke of Tamayo, there was no hostility in his presence. It was proof enough that Sir Illusive Feather bore her no ill will, nor did he intend her harm.

“What an extraordinary person,” Tanjiro thought.

Shouldering his box, Tanjiro left the Chrysanthemum House, catching the now-familiar scent of flames in the air. He carefully stowed the blood, planning to have Miss Tamayo’s cat deliver it to her later that night.

But less than half an hour later, Tanjiro was back.

“Tanjiro, are you all right? Why are you back so soon? Wasn’t that man going to train you?” Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira asked in quick succession.

“I’ve already received his guidance and now know how to use Sun Breathing,” Tanjiro replied with a smile. “Sir Illusive Feather said he won’t supervise my physical training, so I should ask Miss Shinobu to instruct me.”

“You’ve all mastered Total Concentration: Constant, but your physical abilities are still lacking,” Shinobu Kocho said, her forehead twitching slightly as she forced a smile, having realized Chu Fan had left all the training to her. “So let’s start training at once.”

“But, Miss Shinobu, didn’t you say it was rest time?” Zenitsu wailed.

“You’ve already rested ten minutes. That’s more than enough. Come on, let’s begin,” Shinobu clapped her hands, smiling as she urged them on.

“Miss Shinobu, why do you seem a little angry?” Tanjiro sniffed the air, a little puzzled.

“Not at all! I’m just supervising your training—how could I be angry?” she replied sweetly. “First, run fifty laps around the Butterfly Estate. Only after that can you eat.”

“Yes, Miss Shinobu, I’ll get started right away,” Tanjiro said, catching the increasingly strong scent of anger in her smile. He stowed the box holding his sister inside the house and dashed off as if fleeing for his life.

“Tanjiro, why are you running? Join us in protesting!” Zenitsu groaned. “If you run, I’ll have to run too!”

“I’ve only just sat down to rest a moment—I don’t have the strength to run,” Inosuke complained, feeling sore all over.

“Tremendous stamina is the bare minimum for Demon Slayers. It’s only natural to achieve it. If you can’t, Inosuke, well… that’s just how it is. Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry,” Shinobu said with a bright smile, patting Inosuke’s shoulder and repeating the phrase.

“Huh?!” Inosuke was about to rest longer, but the sting of Shinobu’s words—so full of mockery—riled him up. “If others can do it, there’s no way I, the great Inosuke, can’t! I’ll show you!” He leapt to his feet and started running.

“Zenitsu, I have high hopes for you,” Shinobu said, appearing before the would-be shirker, taking his hand with a gentle smile.

“Yes—yes! I won’t let you down!” Zenitsu’s face flushed, and he darted off, energized.

Chu Fan listened to the commotion next door, already quite accustomed to such scenes.

Shinobu understood how to teach according to each person’s nature, always saying the precise thing to motivate them. Among the ten pillars, she was undoubtedly the best teacher. That was why Chu Fan left most of the instruction to her—not out of laziness, but trust.