- Y/n Tsugikuni -

Chapter 8 - Sun Breathing -

“Hinokami Kagura: Solar Heat Haze!”
Tanjiro’s voice rang out as he leapt into the air, spinning downward with a horizontal slash that shimmered like a heat mirage.

Y/n—The Sun Pillar—stood firm. With precise timing, he parried the strike, stepping back fluidly.
“Sun Breathing: Azure Heaven.”
His blade carved a circular arc through the air, deflecting the blow with a radiant flare of control.

Tanjiro winced but didn’t let up. “Hinokami Kagura: Fake Rainbow!”
He vanished from sight, reappearing behind Y/n.
“Hinokami Kagura: Raging Sun!!”

Two scorching horizontal slashes surged toward the Pillar.

Clang—!
Y/n blocked again, rotating with sharp grace. “Sun Breathing: Bone-Burning Sun.”
A spiraling guard slash ignited around him, deflecting Tanjiro’s blades as sparks scattered in the courtyard.

‘Keep moving. Keep attacking. Feel every step, every breath… control your body like the sun controls the day.’
Tanjiro’s thoughts pushed him harder. He grounded his feet, focused his breathing—and attacked again.

“Hinokami Kagura: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance!”

The flurry was fast—overwhelming. Tanjiro’s blade became a storm of solar arcs, the flames forming the image of a dragon coiling through the air. Y/n had to step back, adjusting his stance to keep up.

“Oh wow—”
The Pillar grinned slightly, fending off the rapid strikes. “Impressive! Now focus your breath, Tanjiro! Refine your steps. Show me the strength that can surpass an Upper Moon!”

His counterattack came swift. Multiple slashes from unexpected angles, testing Tanjiro’s rhythm.

“You heard him, Tanjiro!”
Mitsuri called out from the sidelines, clapping her hands. “Don’t hold back!”

Tanjiro’s vision narrowed, breath synchronized.

“Hinokami Kagura…”

He shot to Y/n’s blind spot in an instant. “Now!”

Y/n turned, slightly off balance—he hadn’t expected that angle.
“Tch—”

SHLNK!

Tanjiro’s blade sliced clean across the Pillar’s arm. Flame trailed in its wake—and then—

Nothing.

No blood.

Tanjiro froze in horror. “T-Tsugi-san!? I—I didn’t mean to—!”

But Y/n reappeared beside him in the blink of an eye.

“Sun Breathing: Parhelion Rainbow.”

Tanjiro blinked. The ‘wound’ had been an illusion—another afterimage. Y/n hadn’t been struck at all.

From the shadows, Shinobu observed with folded arms, her expression calm but focused. Beside her, Silvy watched silently, eyes wide.

“That technique… it’s beyond even what he’s taught Tanjiro.” Silvy murmured.

Shinobu nodded. “He’s not just fast. He misleads. He reads his opponent’s heart as much as their blade. It’s how he survives—by keeping others just one step behind.”

Silvy let out a soft hum. “Though… last time I was on a mission with him—Tsugi-san, I mean—he got a little… intense.” She twirled the ribbon at her wrist absently. “He didn’t say anything, but it felt… different.”