Moriyama Akira patted his chest, making grand declarations while in a drunken stupor.
As the saying goes, a man three parts drunk will make you weep with his performance.
Ryosuke didn't mind, just smiled and humored him.
"Alright, alright, I get it."
The clamor of the izakaya gradually faded behind them.
The cool night breeze blew over them, dispelling the heat brought on by the alcohol.
Ryosuke didn't return to the cramped inn; instead, he casually leaped onto a rooftop.
Moriyama Akira clumsily followed, and in a short while, he was lying sprawled out beside Ryosuke, his snores beginning to rise.
The surroundings became completely quiet.
Above them was the night sky, dotted with stars, the Milky Way like a ribbon.
It was far clearer and more brilliant than the light-polluted city night sky of his previous life.
Ryosuke rested his head on his arm, an ineffable sense of melancholy rising in his heart.
In his previous life, he was isolated, distant, like an inconspicuous stone in a city corner.
His parents died early, relatives were indifferent, he had few friends, and his work was mechanically repetitive. His only solace after work was the cold screen and virtual world in his rented room.
Socializing? That was a burden.
Life was like stagnant water, not a ripple to be seen.
He lived, merely because he hadn't died yet.
But now... Ryosuke could almost still smell the earth and peach blossoms of Peach Mountain.
He could almost hear Rika's chattering concern.
He saw Master Jigoro's stern yet caring eyes flash before him, and the awkwardness of Shota, who was clearly unconvinced but couldn't help but compete.
And Tamayo's gentle, tearful appearance.
Now there was also Moriyama Akira.
Vivid faces flashed through his mind.
Although the start was hellish difficulty,
Although there was a troublesome system that constantly coveted his meager lifespan,
Although he had to face all sorts of disgusting and terrifying demons... this path of demon slaying, forged with his life, didn't seem... so bad after all.
At least, he wasn't alone anymore.
There were people waiting for him to come home, people fighting alongside him, people with the same goal.
This life was no longer just about living; it had gained weight, something he wanted to grasp and protect.
He turned his head and glanced at Moriyama Akira, who was drooling.
Though this guy was utterly incompetent, his luck was incredible, and he had no ill intentions; he was a pretty good mascot.
A faint smile touched his lips, and Ryosuke closed his eyes, letting the alcohol and fatigue envelop his body, his breathing gradually steadying in the night breeze... The next day.
Moriyama Akira let out a painful groan; the headache from his hangover made him wish he could bury his head in the ground.
"Ugh... Is it morning?"
He sat up groggily, finding that Ryosuke had already risen.
He stood at the edge of the eaves, performing breathing exercises towards the rising sun.
Each breath carried a rhythm, and his entire body exuded a vibrant life force.
Moriyama Akira shook his head, always feeling that Mr. Ryosuke seemed different.
He couldn't pinpoint exactly how he was different, only that he felt more energetic.
"Awake?"
Ryosuke didn't turn around, his tone urgent: "Pack your things, we're leaving."
"Ah? Oh! To Mount Sagiri!"
Moriyama Akira finally reacted, following Ryosuke as he leaped off the rooftop.
The two left Yamagata Prefecture, embarking on their journey... The morning of Mount Sagiri was steeped in thick fog and sweat.
The impenetrable mist hung over the mountains; with each breath, his nostrils filled with the scent of grass and trees.
Near and far, the figures of young men constantly emerged from the mist.
Looking at these figures, Ryosuke frowned in thought.
Compared to Thunder Breathing, Water Breathing was gentler and the easiest of all Breathing Techniques to learn.
Therefore, Urokodaki Sakonji had many more disciples than Master Jigorō.
Their training methods were also completely different.
One focused on explosive power and speed, the other on endurance and resilience.
Ryosuke sighed, "Over at Peach Mountain, we emphasize instantaneous explosive power; training is like risking your life. If you don't control a sprint well, you easily fall. Urokodaki-sensei's side... feels more grueling."
"That's right."
Moriyama Akira nodded, a bitter smile on his face as he seemed to recall something: "I also suffered a lot during my training back then."
Ryosuke smiled but didn't speak.
He had suffered far more than them.
When he first started training, the pain and tearing sensation from his damaged liver were something he would never forget.
Turning past a misty mountain forest, the view opened up a bit.
On a relatively flat clearing, several two-person-tall boulders stood.
Two young men were constantly swinging their swords at them.
One of the young men had medium-length, flesh-colored hair, silver eyes with horizontal stripes, and a scar on the right side of his face. It was Sabito.
Each time he swung his wooden sword, it made a whooshing sound, and stone chips rained down.
The black-haired young man beside Sabito was much more silent.
Tomioka Giyu had a refined face with little expression, but compared to Sabito's fierce movements, his every sword swing was like a gently flowing stream.
Though it looked delicate and weak, its power was by no means inferior.
"Sabito! Giyuu!"
Moriyama Akira waved and shouted.
Their sword-swinging stopped simultaneously.
Sabito turned his head at the sound, his eyes curving into a smile: "Senior Moriyama!"
He responded cheerfully and strode forward to meet him.
Giyuu also silently sheathed his sword and followed behind.
"Is the mission over? How was Yamagata Prefecture?"
Sabito's voice carried the clear vitality unique to youth, and his gaze fell curiously on Ryosuke.
"Uh... The demon was quite troublesome, but it's all resolved," Moriyama Akira said, scratching his head, a bit embarrassed.
He hadn't contributed much, still coasting to victory; Ryosuke had killed the demon.
"Who is this?" Sabito asked.
"Oh! Right!"
Moriyama Akira quickly stepped aside to introduce him.
"This is Yasui Ryosuke, from Peach Mountain, a disciple of Master Jigorō, a Thunder Breathing swordsman! I owe him a lot during the Final Selection on Fujikasane Mountain!"
His tone held undisguised admiration: "He's the one who single-handedly cleared most of the demons lurking on Fujikasane Mountain and even slew the Hand Demon! If it weren't for him, probably very few of our batch would have made it out..."
Sabito carefully observed Ryosuke, his gaze filled with respect.
"So it was you! Yasui Ryosuke!"
Sabito's voice was filled with excitement: "Senior Moriyama and the later junior disciples all mentioned you! Clearing Fujikasane Mountain by yourself... protecting the lives of so many companions participating in the Final Selection..."
He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Ryosuke.
"Sabito deeply admires this achievement and responsibility! Thank you!"
Ryosuke looked at this young man, who in the original world line should have died young, serving as a buff for Tanjiro and Giyuu, but was now full of vitality. A strange warm current and sense of accomplishment surged in his heart.
"You flatter me."
Ryosuke reached out and held Sabito's arm, stopping him from continuing to bow.
I'm not that good; I just did what you would have done—
Tomioka Giyu, who had been silent, now raised his deep blue eyes and looked steadily at Ryosuke, speaking with utmost seriousness.
"You are very strong; you killed so many demons and actually didn't die."
...
💎 Power Stone Bonus: Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter
🌟 5-Star Review Bonus: Every 5 (5-Star) Reviews = +2 Extra Chapters
💬 Comment Speed-Up: If any chapter reaches +10 Comments = The Next Chapter Will Be Released Faster!