In Demon Slayer With Heavenly Insight

Chapter 64 - New Skill

Kanzaki Aoi immediately ran out and said, "No, Lady Kocho, Inosuke is too depressed now and is not suitable for competition at all!"

Kocho Shinobu glanced at Inosuke.

She casually approached him and asked thoughtfully, "Inosuke, do you still want to continue participating in the competition?"

Inosuke, who was always enthusiastic and outgoing, was acting strangely abnormal at this moment.

He raised his head, his usually fierce eyes now dull and lifeless. "I'm sorry… I'm so weak..."

"He really does look depressed~"

Kanzaki Aoi nodded. "Yes, Lady Shinobu! Inosuke has been acting like this ever since Mr. Ren treated him earlier. It's really strange. His injuries were already healed!"

Kocho Shinobu found it odd as well.

She crouched down and carefully checked Inosuke's condition.

It seemed like he was suffering from another blow to his self-confidence—just like before.

Since he was still undergoing rehabilitation training, perhaps Sanemi Shinazugawa could give it a try. Maybe some training from the Wind Hashira would help.

Kocho Shinobu stood up, looked at Sanemi, and said, "Alright! Let Mr. Shinazugawa try. After all, I don't have any better methods right now."

Sanemi grinned and said confidently, "Don't worry, Butterfly. I'll whip this pig-headed brat back into shape in half an hour!"

Kocho Shinobu sighed. "Let's hope so."

Then, she turned and walked back toward Ren's training area.

By now, all the preparations for the competition were complete.

The indoor training ground of the Butterfly Mansion was divided into three sections:

One for Ren Katsuragi, one for Sanemi Shinazugawa, and one for Rengoku Kyojuro.

Kanzaki Aoi silently retreated. To prevent Shinazugawa from dragging anyone else into his brutal training, she hurried off to take care of the other patients in the ward.

Kanoe got a new table, then sat down and quietly observed Ren.

Meanwhile, Kyojuro began stretching his joints, preparing himself with five different recovery exercises.

Ren was also ready.

As a doctor, Ren took rehabilitation training very seriously.

Once he started working, he focused intensely.

In no time, the four male Demon Slayers in front of him had all been massaged.

Kocho Shinobu stood to the side, watching the entire process.

As a doctor herself, she knew a thing or two about massage techniques.

So when Ren began, she immediately noticed something strange.

Ren… didn't actually know how to massage.

However, she quickly realized that his technique and skill were improving at a terrifying speed.

At first, his movements were stiff and unrefined—clearly the work of a beginner.

But by the time he worked on the second person, his movements and speed had improved dramatically.

By the third, his strength was precise, and the patient he was massaging nearly moaned from relief.

At this point, his skills were on par with hers.

By the time he worked on the fourth person, it became truly absurd.

Kocho Shinobu could no longer even follow Ren's hands with her eyes!

Yes—he was moving so fast that she couldn't keep track of his technique at all!

All she could hear were the constant snapping sounds from the patient's joints, followed by groans of satisfaction.

After four intense massages, the four Demon Slayers stood up, feeling completely refreshed.

"My waist doesn't hurt anymore!"

"My legs feel great!"

"I can even lift my Nichirin Blade again!"

They all turned to Ren with admiration.

Just two words summed it up: Absolute professional.

Ren stood up, stretched his body, and turned to Kocho Shinobu.

"Shinobu, wait for me for a moment. I'll wash my hands and then it'll be your turn."

Hearing this, Kocho Shinobu's face flushed.

Is it finally my turn?

Watching Ren hurry off to wash his hands, Shinobu suddenly felt conflicted.

Will he take advantage of me later?

This was her first time being massaged by a man.

Although Ren was still young, he was still a boy. Could it be that he was washing his hands now just to…

No, no, no!

Shinobu quickly shook her head and slapped her own cheeks.

Her heartbeat quickened, and her cheeks burned with heat.

She couldn't understand why she was feeling so nervous over a simple massage.

Was it because it was Ren?

Her thoughts started wandering.

Should I lie down face-up? Or is lying on my stomach better?

"Lie down!"

Ren's voice startled her.

At some point, he had returned, his hands still damp from washing.

He casually wiped them on his clothes and said, "I got all sweaty earlier, and I didn't want to get the clothes your sister gave you dirty. That's why I went to wash my hands. Sorry for the wait."

Kocho Shinobu was momentarily stunned.

So… he washed his hands just for that?

She had completely misunderstood him.

She pursed her lips, feeling incredibly embarrassed.

Right… Ren is only 14. Why would he have such thoughts?

She wanted to dig a hole and bury herself.

"Lie down first," Ren said gently.

Then, he found a brand-new set of cushions for her, even replacing them with softer pillows.

Kocho Shinobu hesitated.

She kept fidgeting with the hem of her haori, looking a bit troubled.

Ren noticed her hesitation and thought for a moment before saying, "If you're worried about your clothes getting dirty, you can take off your haori. It'll be easier to massage that way."

"I… I won't take it off!" Shinobu instantly pulled her haori tightly around herself.

Her face was completely red. She took a deep breath.

In the end, she obediently lay down.

Ren sat cross-legged and began pressing on the joints and acupuncture points of her body.

He could clearly feel how stiff her muscles were, and how tense her nerves had become.

It was as if tiny jolts of electricity were flowing through both of their bodies at the same time.

"Relax, it won't hurt," Ren said gently.

Shinobu's delicate body trembled, and a deep blush spread to the tips of her ears.

She buried her face in the pillow, leaving only the top of her head exposed.

Ren gently patted her back. "It's okay, just relax."

Slowly, Kocho Shinobu's body softened.

Her muscles loosened—her body's way of signaling that she was finally relaxing.

Ren took a deep breath. This is the moment.

Now, it was time for him to use the massage skill he had just learned.

He activated his Bullet Field ability.

[You have learned massage techniques. You are familiarizing yourself with and organizing the knowledge you just acquired. You have named this technique—Shadowless Massage Hands!]