The trio—Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke—they currently have the lowest strength, but their potential for growth is high, Su Chen thought.
As for the Lower Moon demons, they're just stepping stones for the Demon Slayer Corps. In the early days, a slayer could become a Hashira just by killing one Lower Moon of the Twelve Kizuki.
The next level up is the ordinary Hashira. This group includes the Insect, Sound, Love, Serpent, Water, Flame, Mist, and Wind Hashira. They're all categorized as ordinary Hashira. Each person has different strengths, and it's hard to say who would win against an Upper Rank demon; it mostly depends on the compatibility between the slayer and their opponent.
The strength of these Hashira and the lowest-ranked Upper Rank demons varies greatly. However, if a Hashira doesn't activate their Mark, they generally can't defeat even the lowest-ranked Upper Rank demons. And among those low-ranking Upper Ranks, their strength is inconsistent. Some are very strong... but others are not, like that one obsessed with pots.
Above their rank... is the strongest Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps: the Stone Pillar, Gyomei Himejima. It's said that Gyomei's training for his Stone Breathing is almost like devilish training, and Su Chen agrees with that.
Next... the top-tier Upper Rank demons. The strength gap between each Upper Rank is basically a cliff. This was obvious from the final battle in the Infinity Castle... some demons fought two Hashira, some fought three, and some even fought four.
Su Chen was certain of one thing. If Akaza (Upper Three) hadn't been called home by his wife's memory... if that idiot Doma (Upper Two) hadn't been so greedy... and if Upper Rank One hadn't been so distracted... those three could have wiped out the entire Demon Slayer Corps. Humans must be smarter and more cunning than demons. Otherwise, it's impossible to win.
Finally, there's no need to even talk about Muzan's strength or Yoriichi Tsugikuni's strength. Those who know, know.
Su Chen brought his thoughts back to the present. He focused on himself.
Right now, my strength is probably above a Lower Moon demon, but still below an ordinary Hashira. Today's battle is the crucial fight for me to advance to the Hashira level.
Only by proving he had the strength of a Hashira could Su Chen truly join the Demon Slayer Corps. After thinking about it for days, Su Chen realized that if he worked on his own, separate from the Corps, it would be very difficult to make more progress. He needed to learn about the various Breathing Styles and the fighting styles of the Hashira. Each Hashira had their own techniques. Those skills were the most valuable things to Su Chen right now.
"Iguro-san, thank you for the information," Su Chen said, bowing politely to the Serpent Hashira. "Goodbye, everyone!"
After learning about Rengoku, Su Chen simply thanked him and bid farewell to the others. He continued forward with Kanao.
The two walked through the courtyard and arrived near the Ubuyashiki Residence. It was quiet here. Most of the people around were Kakushi members working diligently. Su Chen guessed they were trying to create a quiet environment for Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Su Chen looked up, quietly observing the house. He had to admit, the Ubuyashiki house was massive, much larger than the Butterfly Mansion.
But then again, the Ubuyashiki family is rich, he thought. Through centuries of accumulated wealth, combined with the family's unique intuition and business skills, they had become a capital giant in this country. The huge house in front of him proved it.
What family of only a few people lives in a house this big? So, the Ubuyashiki family isn't short of money. It's just that Shinobu is too proud. She keeps everything to herself and is too embarrassed to ask Kagaya for money. If it were me, I would have just reached out directly. Just say: 'I, Su Chen, need money!' How could he not give it to me?
Just as Su Chen was lost in thought, a figure suddenly emerged from around a corner on the other side of the house.
Su Chen noticed him immediately.
Sanemi Shinazugawa.
The two met in front of the Ubuyashiki Residence. They both stopped and silently watched each other.
Sanemi's face was firm and his eyes were bright. He looked full of vigor. He looks nothing like someone who just had three large buckets of blood drawn from him? Su Chen thought, stroking his chin. How strange. Why is he so energetic?
Su Chen suddenly felt that Shinobu's idea might actually come true. Since Sanemi's self-healing ability was so strong, wouldn't he have to contribute to the Butterfly Mansion's blood donation efforts in the future?
But these were just Su Chen's private thoughts.
He greeted Sanemi warmly. "Shinazugawa, long time no see."
Hearing this, Sanemi's mouth twitched slightly. "Yeah. I saw you yesterday. During the 'blood donation'."
The air fell silent for a brief moment. Su Chen waved his hand, as if to say they shouldn't talk about the past.
He asked with concern, "How's your recovery? It won't affect the match today, will it?"
Sanemi sneered. "Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself, Su Chen. I'm in peak condition, and I won't hold back later. You should think about your own strength. It's not too late to leave now."
Su Chen smiled slightly. "No need, Shinazugawa-san. Besides, who could outrun you? My Shinobu-jie jie said you ran incredibly fast when you left the Butterfly Mansion early this morning. She said you were so fast that even she, the fastest Hashira, couldn't catch you."
Sanemi said nothing. He seemed to be remembering some unpleasant memories. He looked silently at Su Chen. For some reason, he felt that this kid was becoming more and more like the sharp-tongued Kochou Shinobu.
Sanemi sighed, deciding it was better to say less. The next moment, he walked toward his preparation room without looking back.
Su Chen also took Kanao's hand and walked into the Ubuyashiki Residence. Both of their preparation rooms were inside Kagaya's house. Kagaya's two daughters had already prepared rooms and hot water for them, to make sure both fighters were in top condition before the match.
As they were about to part ways, Sanemi called out to Su Chen again.
They both stood sideways, neither one turning around to face the other.
Sanemi's voice suddenly rang out, and it was serious.
"Su Chen. Back at the Butterfly Mansion... I already acknowledged you."
"So I'm going to give it my all later. You... don't die."
As his words finished, a strong gust of wind suddenly swept through the courtyard. The wind was strong. Su Chen's gaze fell in Sanemi's direction. Unintentionally, the barrier between them seemed to have gotten much smaller.
Su Chen smiled softly. "Yes, Shinazugawa-san," he said, "but I won't die. I also have my own resolve."
"Thank you for your concern."
With that, Su Chen and Kanao's figures disappeared from where they stood.
Sanemi stood still for a moment. He couldn't help but show a smile.
"This kid."