Chapter 26: If You Want to Become Stronger, Come to Me

The Breath of the Sun was created by the legendary swordsman Yorichi Tsugikuni, said to be the strongest in history, and it is the origin of all breathing techniques. Her Insect Breathing is a derivative branch of Flower Breathing, but if you trace it back, its true source is also the Breath of the Sun.

"The Breath of the Sun has vanished for hundreds of years—how could it possibly have been passed down?" Even Shinobu could not suppress the confusion in her heart and asked directly.

Due to Kibutsuji Muzan, the inheritors of the Breath of the Sun had been slaughtered over the years, leaving the technique lost to the world for a very long time.

"The Breath of the Sun truly disappeared from the outside world centuries ago," Chu Fan replied. "But the Kamado family has always lived deep in the mountains, leading a simple, reclusive life making and selling charcoal. That’s why their mastery of the Breath of the Sun was never revealed to the outside world. In fact, the Breath of the Sun’s lineage nearly ended entirely.

"Shinobu, you’ve already heard Tanjiro Kamado mention his sister, haven’t you? Their whole family was nearly wiped out by demons. It was only because Tanjiro happened not to be home at the time that he survived. Now, which demon do you think destroyed his family?"

Chu Fan met Shinobu’s gaze as he spoke. Shinobu was deeply shaken by these revelations—she had never heard any of this before. But recalling Tanjiro’s hatred for Kibutsuji Muzan, she soon made the connection.

"Kibutsuji Muzan?" she said in disbelief.

She had questioned Tanjiro before about Muzan, and Tanjiro had replied that he remembered that man’s scent. She also knew of Tanjiro’s extraordinary sense of smell.

"That’s right," Chu Fan nodded. "It was precisely because Tanjiro recognized the scent at his home that he later came face to face with Kibutsuji Muzan."

"But, Mr. Phantom Feather, how do you know all these things? Didn’t you say you weren’t present at the trial for that boy?" Shinobu, now aware of these matters, quickly noticed a flaw and voiced her suspicion.

"There’s no need for you to know how I found out," Chu Fan replied, brushing off the question. "My purpose here is to guide him—to teach him the proper way to wield the Breath of the Sun."

"Um, Miss Shinobu, Mr. Phantom Feather—what exactly is this Breath of the Sun you’re talking about?" Tanjiro, listening to these two pillars discuss his family’s past, was utterly confused, but finally voiced the question that troubled him most.

"Tanjiro, the Fire God Kagura your family has passed down for generations isn’t merely a ritual dance," Chu Fan explained. "It is, in fact, a sword technique derived from the Breath of the Sun, adapted from the style passed down by the greatest swordsman, Yorichi Tsugikuni, hundreds of years ago. It was simply preserved in the form of a festival dance. The Water Breathing you learned from your master isn't the most suitable for you—Breath of the Sun is. From what I know of your father, he must have taught you as a child that you must master and carry on that ritual dance."

Chu Fan watched Tanjiro as he spoke, intent on helping him master the Breath of the Sun and all its techniques as soon as possible. Not only would this speed Tanjiro’s recovery, but it would also prepare him to accept Chu Fan’s guidance and begin his training in earnest. Chu Fan already foresaw a day when those fated to become demons would meet Tanjiro and be utterly unable to defeat him.

"My father did indeed tell me to master and preserve the Fire God Kagura," Tanjiro said. "But he never mentioned anything about it being the Breath of the Sun."

Tanjiro found Mr. Phantom Feather profoundly mysterious—this man seemed to know so much about his family, and yet Tanjiro was sure his father had never mentioned him. He couldn’t fathom how this man could know so much, but at least he sensed no malice from him. Even so, Tanjiro was unsure how to respond to the situation before him.

"I know you have many questions, but I’m afraid I can’t answer them right now," Chu Fan said. "There is, however, one thing I need to confirm with you: you want to kill Kibutsuji Muzan, don’t you?"

At this, Tanjiro’s expression grew solemn and resolute. "Yes. Both Nezuko and I want to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan."

"Such determination is admirable," Chu Fan said. "But after your battle with Lower Moon Five, you must realize you’re not yet strong enough. If you truly wish to become more powerful—strong enough to defeat Muzan—then once you’ve fully recovered, come find me at the Chrysanthemum House.

"I will teach you the proper way to master the Breath of the Sun."

Seeing the resolve in Tanjiro—the chosen one of this world—Chu Fan’s eyes betrayed a hint of admiration.

"Until then, Shinobu, help heal them quickly," he continued. "And teach them how to master Total Concentration: Constant. They’re much too weak right now—at least get them out of the realm of the utterly powerless."

Chu Fan then turned to Shinobu to give these instructions.

"I…" Shinobu wanted to protest at Chu Fan’s peremptory tone, but he gave her no opportunity to refuse and left the Butterfly Mansion, returning directly to his own residence.

"I have important things to attend to as well, you know!" Shinobu muttered, a rare hint of irritation showing on her usually gentle face. She still had medicines and poisons to prepare, and missions to carry out.

But then she looked at Tanjiro. If he truly was the last inheritor of the Breath of the Sun, then helping him master it would greatly strengthen the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Kanao, Aoi, help them with their rehabilitation training," Shinobu instructed. "But don’t work them to death—if they’re not dead, don’t push them to the brink."

With that, Shinobu remembered her subordinates and delegated the task to Kanao, making herself scarce.

Kanao Tsuyuri and Aoi Kanzaki accepted their orders.

"Yes, Sister," Aoi replied seriously, while Kanao simply nodded.

"How can you say such terrifying things with such a lovely smile?" Zenitsu muttered, startled by Shinobu’s cheerful demeanor as she issued those daunting commands.