Breaking Through the Infinite Multiverse of Anime Starting from Bleach

Boom—

With a thunderous roar, a massive boulder shattered. The flail, pulled by its chain, swept toward a figure in the trees.

The chain, thick and heavy, was held by a large, powerful hand—at its end, an axe.

The tall man swung the flail with his left and leaped forward, using its momentum to hurl the axe at his opponent.

A black blade met the axe, sparks flying. After the impact, both sides were thrown back by the force, skidding to a stop before regaining their stances.

Gyomei Himejima retrieved his flail, sweat beading on his brow only after the movement stopped. Earthy yellow lines faded from his skin.

"No matter how many times I try it, I'm always amazed by this secret art's power. Gusion, to have developed such a technique, you're truly a genius of an era."

He couldn't help but praise it. Over the past two months, all nine Hashira had learned Demon God from Gusion.

He thought the name was fitting—it gave humans power surpassing demons, truly a divine technique.

He'd always had natural strength, and years of training with Stone Breathing had made his body even stronger. With Demon God, he felt stronger still—sometimes almost omnipotent.

"It was just a little trick I devised before mastering Breathing. As long as it helps everyone, that's enough."

Gusion smiled. It wasn't really a lie—he had developed Demon God before learning Breathing.

The Hashira were indeed geniuses, with top-notch learning ability. Gusion had tailored the Demon God technique for each of them.

The Hashira's ability to adapt was incredible. In just two months, not only did they learn Demon God, but they also customized it to suit themselves.

That's why Gyomei's lines were earthy yellow, while Gusion's own were more like magical runes.

"I've heard demon activity has dropped lately. Maybe it's because of that girl Nezuko. We should be careful—Muzan might attack."

Gyomei looked worried, recalling Tanjiro and Nezuko's touching story, and began to weep again.

"I've discussed this with the Oyakata-sama. Miss Tamayo's medicine is progressing fast—Nezuko could become human again in a few days. But the Oyakata-sama and I think we should delay that a bit."

Gusion said. He'd stirred up a lot within the Corps these two months.

Borrowing his roommate Sosuke's way of thinking, he believed that, when outnumbered, it was best to strengthen your own side first.

So he hadn't rushed ahead, but focused on raising the Corps' overall strength, and used this time to train himself as well.

Due to the world's nature, the Demon Slayer world didn't have much spiritual energy, so Gusion's Shinigami training wasn't as effective. But Breathing offered clear self-improvement, and over two months, his stats had changed greatly.

Muzan's side seemed strong, with many explorers, but this world gave Gusion a big advantage—time.

Unlike in Kengan, he had three months here, just like in Bleach. He could use this time to train and grow stronger.

Of course, for a normal explorer, this would do little. Only with his limiter-release talent could Gusion benefit so much. Most explorers, even with extra time, could only hope to learn Breathing.

Currently, Gusion's normal stats (without Breathing) were:

[Pioneer 008, your base stats (including title bonuses):]

Constitution: 33 (+2)

Strength: 30 (+3)

Agility: 30 (+4)

Spirit: 32 (+2)

Charisma: 6

Luck: 1

[]

Gusion had trained Breathing to the constant state, so he gained benefits even while sleeping.

In theory, reaching this state rapidly increased one's physical abilities. But for someone like Gusion, with the limiter removed, the improvement wasn't as much as expected.

He suspected there was a stat cap for first-tier explorers—at 30, he felt a clear barrier that was hard to surpass.

He'd first broken 30 with Constitution, but that was thanks to a title bonus, not pure training.

Over two months of intensive exercise, his Constitution only rose by two points—clear evidence of the cap.

Strength and Agility, being lower to start, rose more, but now had been stuck at 30 for two weeks.

As for Spirit, it was thanks to the meditation learned in the Bleach world—a high-fantasy anime technique—so he'd broken the cap easily.

Besides stats, Gusion had kept up his Armament Haki training. Progress slowed after level 10, but he'd still gained two levels—now at level 12.

Compared to two months ago, he was a new person. In a fight now, using both Breathing and Demon God, his stat numbers would be outrageous.

He believed just his stats alone could crush any demon below Upper Moon Two—it was just a shame he hadn't found Muzan to test his blade.

If Muzan had come for him two months ago with all his forces, Gusion would have been in real danger. Now, it was a different story—he felt he could beat all the Upper Moons alone.

Of course, Gusion wasn't about to get cocky—the enemy explorers wouldn't sit idle either.

"Delay? Why? Isn't Tanjiro hoping for his sister to be human again?"

Gyomei asked, confused.

"Because we want Nezuko's existence to lure Muzan out. We're humans—time is limited. Muzan's lived for centuries. If he hides until our generation dies, he could rampage for another thousand years."

Gusion explained, "When we have the ability to solve the problem, we shouldn't leave it to our descendants."

He and the Oyakata-sama had decided: Nezuko would publicly demonstrate her ability to withstand sunlight, forcing Muzan to act.

Thanks to Gusion's knowledge of the story, he'd guided Tamayo's research and coached Nezuko to gradually adapt to sunlight.

Unlike the original, where Nezuko survived by sheer luck, this time it was a gradual, protected adaptation, with no other demons ever catching on—meaning Muzan never learned of it.

They constantly changed hideouts, keeping things secret. The Hashira's power boost was unexpected for the enemy.

At most, the enemy explorers might guess they were learning Marks or Transparent World, but never imagine they'd learned something even better.

So Gusion believed the time was right—they now had the power to face Muzan.

"You're right, Gusion. We shouldn't leave this to the next generation. Heaven gave us these strong bodies to end this chain of tragedy."

Gyomei wept, chanting "Namu Amida Butsu."

At that moment, a Kasugai crow flew in.

"Fifty kilometers to the west, a suspected Upper Moon demon has appeared. Several Corps members have died. Two Hashira are requested to handle it."

Gusion was excited—this was the first suspected Upper Moon sighting he'd heard in a while.

He wondered what Muzan's side was planning. While the nine Hashira had gone off the grid, the Upper Moons had gone quiet too. Gusion had gone out several times but never found an Upper Moon.

Now the crow reported one nearby—a clear sign the enemy was getting restless, or maybe setting a trap.

"I'll go. I've finished all my practice bouts for today."

Gyomei offered. He and Gusion took turns sparring with the Hashira, but for some reason, no one wanted to spar with him for long. Gusion's sessions ran longer.

"No, Himejima, you stay and guard the Corps."

Gusion said seriously, "I feel like something's off this time."

"You think it's a trap? The enemy's ready? Then we should go together."

Gyomei suggested.

Gusion shook his head. "You're best at defense. We need your strength here. I'm more mobile—I can adapt. I'll go alone."

He had his reasons. Gyomei was strong—stronger with Demon God—but still not quite at Gusion's level.

If there was a threat Gusion couldn't handle, Gyomei wouldn't make a difference. Worse, if both left, the rear could be wiped out. Muzan, with Infinity Castle, had absolute mobility.

The enemy could kill everyone in their absence, and then return instantly to ambush them.

Gyomei thought for a moment, and understood. "In that case, be careful. If anything happens, call for backup."

Gusion nodded and left—not heading straight to the scene but to the Oyakata-sama and Tamayo.

On Gusion's advice, even Shinobu and Tamayo had stayed under guard, and never separated from the main group.

Tamayo was busy with research but looked up in surprise when Gusion entered. "Lord Gusion? Finished your training for today?"

"I haven't sparred with the Wind and Mist Hashira yet, but things have changed. I have to go out. Just in case, I need to ask you to do two things."

Within the Demon Slayer Corps, Gusion's reputation was now sky-high—not just as the only Hashira to have killed Upper Moons, but also as the teacher who'd taught the Hashira and their Tsuguko the Demon God technique.

It was a breakthrough on par with Breathing itself, like when Yoriichi Tsugikuni had taught Breathing centuries ago.

So the Hashira all deeply respected Gusion—even the Wind Hashira, who'd disliked him at first, had become a grumpy fan.

With the Hashira's respect and the Oyakata-sama's special permission, Gusion had considerable authority. He could come and go as he pleased, and always kept tabs on Tamayo's and Shinobu's research.

He didn't actually understand science, but he knew the story, so he could suggest directions and ideas.

"Please speak, Lord Gusion."

Tamayo sensed Gusion's seriousness. He must be heading for danger.

"It may just be coincidence, but I think Muzan has found us. So, Miss Tamayo, I want you to take the medicine you developed before."

Gusion said.