"Don't worry, Teacher!"
"I don't want to drop dead at twenty-five."
"There's no way I'm learning that Total Concentration: Constant level!"
Looking at Yoriichi, who seemed slightly concerned, Ieyasu responded with his usual carefree attitude.
There was no need to master the highest level of the Breathing Techniques, Total Concentration: Constant.
As far as Sayo and Ieyasu were concerned, it would be enough just to learn the Breathing Techniques Yoriichi taught them to a decent level.
There was no need to chase the ultimate realm at the cost of dying young.
"Yes. As long as you keep that in mind, it will be fine."
Yoriichi smiled gently at the still half-confused Sayo and Ieyasu.
Compared to Demon Slayer swordsmen who had only just entered the realm of Total Concentration: Constant, Yoriichi's own breathing showed no obvious outward signs.
It was hardly different from ordinary breathing.
But he could also deliberately bring forth the full force of his Breathing Techniques.
"To make it easier for you two to understand," Yoriichi said, "I'll demonstrate how the Breathing Techniques are used."
"That way, you'll understand the difference between Breathing Techniques and ordinary breathing."
The moment Yoriichi's words fell, both Sayo and Ieyasu immediately sensed a change in him.
A moment ago, Yoriichi had felt gentle and refined, like a mild-mannered young person.
But in that instant, he seemed to transform into a warrior capable of sweeping aside the world itself.
It was as if fire burned around him, carrying an overwhelming pressure.
The contrast between those two extremes was so sudden that everyone present was left stunned.
"T-Teacher…"
Looking at Yoriichi, who now felt like a man-eating beast in human form, Ieyasu instinctively swallowed.
He wanted to say something, but in the face of Yoriichi like this, he found he couldn't speak at all.
It was simply too terrifying.
Ieyasu had never imagined that Yoriichi could be so frightening.
So this is what Teacher looks like when he gets serious?
I really hope I never make him angry for the rest of my life.
At that moment, Ieyasu swore to himself that he would never, ever provoke Yoriichi's anger.
"Ieyasu, don't lose focus. Watch carefully!"
"Give it your full attention, listen to Teacher's breathing rhythm!"
Compared to Ieyasu, who had been completely overwhelmed by Yoriichi's presence, Sayo had also been startled by the abrupt shift in his aura—but she understood that this was instruction.
She quickly suppressed her emotions and focused on listening to Yoriichi's breathing.
Under his guidance, Sayo soon caught the rhythm of his breath and began trying to breathe in sync with it.
"Sayo, don't rush."
"And Ieyasu, calm yourself quickly. Listen carefully to my breathing rhythm and follow it."
Naturally, Yoriichi did not know only Sun Breathing.
Back when he was in the Demon Slayer Corps, he had helped create the breathing styles used by the other swordsmen. So he swiftly adjusted his breathing rhythm into a simplified form of Water Breathing.
Then, to Sayo and Ieyasu's astonishment, the feeling he gave off changed once more.
In an instant, he shifted from a burning, overwhelming warrior into a graceful young man as calm as water.
The gentle aura around him made both Sayo and Ieyasu feel refreshed and at ease.
But in the very next moment, they both snapped back to attention, closed their eyes, and began concentrating fully on listening to Yoriichi's breathing rhythm and imitating it.
At the same time, elsewhere in the Devonshire residence, in one of the smaller dining rooms—
Kaven, Kalitan, and Aria were leisurely enjoying breakfast as usual.
"So that means neither I nor Aria can touch those two outsiders anymore?"
After taking a sip of milk, Kalitan smiled at her husband.
"Dear, it seems we've ended up hosting quite a remarkable guest this time."
"Yes, that's right."
"For the next few days, you and Aria should behave yourselves."
Kaven nodded slightly, speaking with unusual seriousness.
"This Mr. Yoriichi likely has quite a status. We'll wait until he and his two peasant pupils leave in a few days before doing anything."
"As for Aria, you'll just have to be patient a little longer."
"Mr. Yoriichi seems like a decent enough fellow. We might as well build some ties with him."
As he spoke, Kaven gently rubbed Aria's head.
He truly did dote on his daughter.
In a sense, Aria's family simply never regarded those backgroundless outsider commoners as human beings at all.
In front of someone like Yoriichi, someone clearly from a family with status and backing, they were much more restrained.
As for Sayo and Ieyasu, they were little more than Yoriichi's pet in their eyes.
And naturally, one did not casually touch someone else's "pets."
"Yes, I'll be patient for a few more days."
"It can't be helped, after all."
In front of her parents, Aria was far more obedient and well-behaved, smiling sweetly as she said,
"Once Mr. Yoriichi and the others are done visiting, I'll just go find new toys."
"And I still haven't fully learned some noble etiquette anyway. I'll stay home and practice it properly for the next few days."
"There's a banquet in a few days, and I'm planning to attend."
Although it was a pity that she couldn't do anything to Sayo and Ieyasu, especially Sayo—Aria didn't care that much on a deeper level.
She had grown up in the Imperial Capital's great cesspool and knew how to judge what mattered most.
Once she realized Yoriichi was no ordinary person, she knew they could no longer lay a hand on him, or on the "pets" at his side.
"My Aria is the best."
"In that case, Mother will teach you proper noble etiquette."
Kalitan covered her mouth with a light laugh.
"I'm quite confident in that regard. When the time comes, Aria will definitely be the brightest girl at the banquet."
"Mhm!"
"With Mother teaching me, I feel even more confident now!"
Aria beamed happily.
In a certain sense, the affection within Aria's family did resemble that of an ordinary household.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Drop Powerstones, Comments, and Reviews:))
300 Powerstones – Extra Chap.
600 Powerstones – Extra Chap.