'He really has no self-awareness. Even with such strength, he still thinks he's not worthy of being the Water Hashira... In terms of mastery of Water Breathing, he has probably already surpassed Urokodaki Sakonji!'
'The Eleventh Form... how should I go about mimicking it?'
Kiyokawa Izumi, who could roughly understand the principles, could not mimic it.
For a moment, he had no leads!
The Realm of Stillness Like Water was not that compatible with his Dark Breathing; it was the pinnacle of Water Breathing.
"Mr. Tomioka Giyu, you are a very, very excellent Water Hashira."
Not holding back on his praise, Kiyokawa Izumi sheathed his sword and said seriously, "I said I've seen Sabito, and you might not believe me.
On Mount Sagiri, I saw many boys and girls on the back mountain. They were likely the Disciples Lord Urokodaki trained over the years. They died in the Final Selection and chose to accompany Lord Urokodaki in this way.
If you have time, you should go back and take a look. Perhaps you can see him again."
This world was a bit strange.
Even Tanjirou could see Sabito. Compared to Muzan, those existing in the form of a Soul were more like ghosts or spirits.
Tomioka Giyu was stunned on the spot, unable to speak.
He was hesitating and wavering, but he didn't doubt what Kiyokawa Izumi said.
It had to be said, this guy was actually quite simple-minded.
"Perhaps there's an element of luck, but my limit is being able to slay lower rank six.
With this level of strength, I am far from being your match.
No matter what happened back then, there's no need to doubt yourself. You are an excellent Water Hashira!"
"It's not like that. Your Breathing Technique is not yet perfected."
Tomioka Giyu instinctively explained, "And I, in fact, did not pass the Final Selection."
"So? Does it matter?"
It felt like a university professor being hung up on not getting his elementary school diploma.
Kiyokawa Izumi originally didn't want to say much, wanting to let nature take its course.
With the 'zero negative reviews' protagonist around, what emotional knot couldn't be untied?
(Haganezuka Hotaru: Zero negative reviews? Have you asked for my opinion?)
But seeing his conflicted look, he really couldn't stand it.
"In reality, there are no 'ifs'. All you can do is not let down the sacrifices of others and not let their choices become meaningless."
They were all just a bunch of young people!
Kiyokawa Izumi shook his head.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the Mouth Hashira; he was the Hashira who usually suffered setbacks.
So, he couldn't say pretty words or words that struck the Soul.
Instead of talking about such heavy matters, it was better to talk about something lighthearted.
"All the Team Members watching, five hundred more push-ups! If you don't finish, no dinner!"
With a blank expression, Kiyokawa Izumi shouted at the official members nearby.
What are you looking at!
Can you even understand it?
If they could actually learn something, he wouldn't stop them.
But the problem was, these guys couldn't even see the movements of the sword swings clearly, so what could they learn?
Instead of wasting time watching the excitement, they should do another set of push-ups.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye at the withdrawn Tomioka Giyu, Kiyokawa Izumi, who also had a bit of a friendly streak, casually put his arm around the emo boy's shoulder and said with a smile.
"It seems your relationship with the Wind Hashira Shinazugawa Sanemi isn't that harmonious?"
Mentioning him, Tomioka Giyu fell into deep thought.
"He seems to get angry very easily."
"Want to know how to improve your relationship with him? I can teach you!"
The corners of Kiyokawa Izumi's mouth curled up slightly, as if he had some interesting idea.
Seeing Tomioka Giyu's gaze turn toward him, he stopped hiding it and said openly.
"I'll tell you a secret, come a little closer!"
Tomioka Giyu instinctively leaned in, and Kiyokawa Izumi lowered his voice accordingly.
"Do you know hagi mochi? It's that kind of dessert with Anko filling. Sanemi is exceptionally fond of it.
Next time before you see him, you can tuck some in your robe. When you see him, just hand them over. I guarantee he'll be very happy!"
Tomioka Giyu's eyes brightened slightly, showing a thoughtful expression.
So that's how it is!
Kiyokawa Izumi is really a good person, I like him!
Not only is he willing to talk to me, but he's also helping me improve my relationships with others.
"And Kochou Shinobu, let me think what she likes...
Why not give her hagi mochi too!"
"?"
Tomioka Giyu looked at him with a hint of doubt. Does Kochou Shinobu also like to eat hagi mochi?
"Yes, she loves it too! Sanemi often goes to the Butterfly Mansion to eat hagi mochi with her.
Or else, how do you think I know?
I've only recently become a Hashira, not as long as you. I just happened to see it while I was at the Butterfly Mansion.
In short, trust me! Just give them hagi mochi when you see them!"
Kiyokawa Izumi patted his chest, his handsome face seemingly writing a sentence: Would I lie to you?
"Good, then I'll bring more hagi mochi next time!"
At this moment, Tomioka Giyu's favorability toward Kiyokawa Izumi was completely maxed out.
"Cough, you can bring some for me too."
Kiyokawa Izumi coughed lightly and didn't forget to add.
"Okay!"
"Well, I'm going to rest for a while. Why don't you go and guide the Team Member training? If someone slacks off, just poke them with a wooden sword!"
"Okay!"
Tomioka Giyu stood up decisively without the slightest hesitation.
Seeing that he had walked away, Kiyokawa Izumi instinctively stretched, when he suddenly heard a voice by his ear.
"Is it really okay to bully Giyuu like this?"
________
There are 11 hours left until the end of the competition, and we're almost there until we reach 600 energy stones.