Once the demon slayers gathered in the training ground, Ryou introduced the next phase of their training: perception.
"Now that you've honed your reaction, it's time to work on perception. In battle, sensing the slightest sound, movement, or change in the air can be the difference between life and death.
You need to react before your eyes even register what's happening. To do that, you must perceive your surroundings instinctively."
He gestured toward a pile of black cloth on a nearby table. "For this exercise, you'll be blindfolded. You'll have to rely on your hearing and other senses to react."
Under Ryou's instruction, the slayers paired up into teams of two. One person was blindfolded, while the other wielded a wooden sword that Ryou had specially modified.
The wooden swords had small holes in them, causing a distinct sound with every swing. This allowed the blindfolded person to use their sense of hearing to make judgments and react accordingly.
The sudden darkness forced them to rely on their senses. As demon slayers with breathing techniques and enhanced strength, they were able to react to slight changes in sound or movement.
Some slayers adapted quickly, able to react to their partner's movements with impressive reaction, while others struggled to adapt.
As Ryou moved around the training field, he spoke, "When you lose one sense, the others sharpen. Use that to your advantage.
Those of you blindfolded are responsible for dodging, while the sword wielder is responsible for swinging the wooden sword. Don't use any breathing style, just basic sword moves. Now, Start!"
Under his instruction, the sword wielders began slowly, allowing the blindfolded slayers time to adjust to the darkness. After about ten minutes, the pace intensified, forcing quicker responses and reactions.
The training was effective, and the improvement was visible to the naked eye.
Tatsuya, overseeing the training, commented, "Ryou-san's reaction and perception training is unique. If they continue practicing this even after they leave here, they'll improve significantly."
"Indeed." Haruka nodded in agreement. Unlike the slayers who came solely for reaction and perception training, Ryou trained the two in every aspect—physical training, swordsmanship, meditation, flexibility, reaction, perception, and many more.
It's also one of the reasons why their strength has improved significantly in such a short period. Now, they have the strength and skill to fight and even kill demons with the strength of the Lower Moons.
--
After an hour, the demon slayers switched roles—those who were blindfolded now wielded the swords, while the sword swingers donned the blindfolds.
The longer the training continued, the more the slayers became sensitive to their surroundings. Deprived of sight, they were forced to rely on their other senses, sharpening their ability to perceive subtle changes.
By the end of the day, though mentally exhausted, they had shown noticeable improvements in both reaction and perception.
Ryou was satisfied with their progress, though it was just small steps. No drastic changes could happen in just a day or two, it takes time. But for now, it's enough.
The third day came, and Ryou introduced the final training. "Today, we combine reaction and perception. You'll stay blindfolded, but this time, you'll dodge balls thrown at you."
Thanks to the first two days of training, the slayers, with their sharpened reaction and perception, were able to react even with their blindfolds on.
With the fast-approaching battle against Muzan, every skill and advantage would be crucial. It may save their lives. Within the three days of training, Ryou pushed them as far as he could. And, it's what he can do in a short span of three days.
The next day, a fresh batch of slayers arrived, ready for their own training session.
--
A week later,
Ryou received a message from Tamayo saying that she had been officially invited to join the Demon Slayer Corps as he guessed. As he read through the message, she mentioned some key details about what they were doing.
Tamayo was now working closely with Shinobu at a secret location, experimenting and developing drugs that may assist the Corps in the coming battle against Muzan.
With Shinobu's expertise in poisons, medicine, and pharmacology, paired with Tamayo's extensive knowledge of demons and their physiology, the research was progressing faster than either of them expected.
Tamayo praised Shinobu, calling her a genius in the field of poison and medicine. With Shinobu's help, she had been able to make progress on things that had troubled her for a long time.
With their combined efforts, they were on the verge of developing a drug that could turn demons back into humans. Along with other drugs, it would help the slayers fight against Muzan.
"Nice," Ryou thought to himself. "Everything's going according to plan."
Standing at the edge of the training field, Ryou watched the slayers collapse to the ground mentally exhausted, after an intense day of training.
The setting sun bathed the horizon in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the field. Ryou's eyes followed the fading sunlight, and thought, 'It's time for me to go!'
--
After three hours of running, Ryou arrived at a clearing in the forest. Even before reaching the spot, the faint sound of clashing blades echoed, signaling the intensity of the duel between two swordsmen.
The moonlight illuminated the clearing, casting a silvery glow on the battlefield where Kyojuro and Tengen were locked in a fierce battle, with wooden swords in their hands.
Upon his arrival, Ryou was greeted by this sight as sword energies flew with every impact, each clash sending ripples through the night air.
'Bang!'
The sheer force of their collision generated shockwaves that briefly stirred the air around them. It was a brilliant display of skill and power.
"You're good, Kyojuro. Your moves are flashier than before. Seems like you've honed up after fighting Upper Moon Three," Tengen remarked, with a flashy smile on his face.
Kyojuro laughed heartily with a brilliant look. "Hahaha... I've indeed improved, but against the demons like Upper Moons, it's still not enough."
In a flash, Ryou appeared beside Kanae and Gyomei, who were quietly observing the battle from the sides. He glanced at them and said, "You two arrived earlier than yesterday."
"Namu Amida Butsu!" With his hands clasped in a praying gesture, Gyomei commented. "We need to make the most of this precious time and push ourselves further. Only with strength can we defeat the strong demons and Muzan!"
--
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