Chapter 12: Tanjiro Splits the Boulder
"He's been staying on Mount Sagiri for the past six months and hasn't come down once. Tanjiro's been working incredibly hard!" Hakuya said to Sakonji Urokodaki, even adding a compliment.
"Compared to you, his natural talent is somewhat lacking. This test may be beyond his current capabilities," Sakonji Urokodaki said matter-of-factly.
Hakuya didn't argue with the old man, nor did he express excessive concern. After all, Tanjiro was determined and resilient—he would find a way.
"Hakuya, follow me up the mountain."
Hakuya followed Sakonji Urokodaki up Mount Sagiri.
The two soon arrived at the testing grounds where the boulder stood. Tanjiro stood facing the massive stone, perfectly poised and ready.
Just as Hakuya was about to explain Tanjiro's unusual situation to Sakonji Urokodaki, the master stopped in his tracks, making no move to disturb his student.
Hakuya also looked in Tanjiro's direction. By sensing Tanjiro's breathing pattern, Hakuya discovered that his breathing had reached an optimal state. Hakuya was naturally familiar with this state—after all, he himself had mastered Water Breathing.
It seemed the boy had finally reached a complete breakthrough!
Sakonji Urokodaki also noticed the transformation in Tanjiro. Seeing that Tanjiro was about to attempt splitting the boulder, he chose not to interfere.
In an instant, Tanjiro's figure flashed toward the boulder. Then, as he closed the distance, he struck with a clean, precise sword slash, splitting the massive boulder cleanly in half. The cut surface was remarkably smooth.
Seeing this, Sakonji Urokodaki couldn't help but gasp. After a brief moment of shock, he regained his usual composure.
After splitting the boulder, Tanjiro's mind completely returned to reality. Looking at the split boulder before him, Tanjiro's face showed pure astonishment. He had actually split the boulder himself?
Just as Tanjiro stood there stunned, Hakuya and Sakonji Urokodaki walked toward him.
Tanjiro turned around after hearing their footsteps. Upon seeing Hakuya and Sakonji Urokodaki, he still couldn't quite process what had happened. It wasn't until they reached his side that he reflexively said, "Master! Hakuya-san!"
Sakonji Urokodaki looked at the split boulder and spoke slowly. "I didn't plan to let you participate in Final Selection. I don't want to see any more children die. I always thought you wouldn't be able to cut through this boulder. It seems you worked harder than I imagined."
At the end, Sakonji Urokodaki gently placed his hand on Tanjiro's head.
"Tanjiro, you truly are an exceptional young man."
Faced with Sakonji Urokodaki's fatherly affection, Tanjiro—who had been training on Mount Sagiri for two full years—couldn't help but burst into tears.
Seeing this, Sakonji Urokodaki pulled Tanjiro into an embrace.
"You and Hakuya must survive Final Selection and come back! Your sister and I will be waiting here for you both!"
That night, when Tanjiro was brought down the mountain, the wooden cabin was filled with the delicious aroma of food. This time, the hot pot broth and side dishes were unusually abundant. There were mountain vegetables and mushrooms that Hakuya had gathered from the mountain, and freshwater clams he'd caught from the river.
To celebrate the completion of Tanjiro's training, Sakonji Urokodaki, as his master, even caught a large fish specifically for Tanjiro—and the master himself sliced the fish fillets.
Chapter 27: Dinner at the End of Training
The three of them sat around the iron pot. Tanjiro gazed at the sumptuous dinner before him, a mixture of delight and confusion crossing his face as he asked, "Why are there so many ingredients today?"
Sakonji Urokodaki was ladling a bowl of hot soup and food from the pot with a spoon for Tanjiro.
"This is to celebrate the completion of your training. Don't hold back—enjoy! Your senior brother Hakuya prepared all this just for you!"
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Hakuya-san! I won't hold back then!" Tanjiro thanked both Hakuya and Sakonji Urokodaki, then happily accepted the food the master had served him and eagerly began eating.
Sakonji Urokodaki then ladled a bowl for Hakuya as well, saying, "Hakuya, eat your fill!"
"Thank you, Master!" This was a rare occasion for Hakuya to address him so formally. Although Hakuya recognized Sakonji Urokodaki as his master, he usually called him "old man."
This time, Hakuya didn't wait for Sakonji Urokodaki to pick up his chopsticks first as he had in the past. This was because tonight was a celebration from elder to student—a special occasion.
Sakonji Urokodaki looked at the two disciples before him and couldn't help but recall the days when Tomioka Giyu had trained alongside his own senior brother. It really was just like those times!
"Tanjiro, you're the one who worries me the most. This is all I can do for you. From now on, I hope you'll continue to grow under Hakuya's guidance!"
After dinner, Hakuya was using scissors to trim Tanjiro's unruly long hair that had accumulated over the past year. This was Hakuya's care as a senior brother.
Sakonji Urokodaki, who was kneeling by the fire, suddenly asked, "Hakuya, Tanjiro—was the hot pot delicious?"
Hearing this, Hakuya didn't answer, but simply continued helping Tanjiro with his haircut.
Though he didn't respond, Hakuya had to admit that tonight's dinner had indeed been rich and delicious.
"It was delicious, Master! I haven't had anything this good in forever!" Tanjiro happily declared, expressing his complete satisfaction with the meal.
"A child with a hearty appetite like you will gain strength as you eat. But it's the same with demons."
At this point, Sakonji Urokodaki turned his gaze toward Hakuya and Tanjiro and continued, "Remember this—a demon's power is fundamentally determined by the number of humans it devours. The more humans a demon consumes, the stronger it becomes. Some gain physical strength, some transform their bodies, and some even acquire unique Blood Demon Arts—supernatural abilities."
With this, Sakonji Urokodaki stood up and walked over to a cabinet, retrieving two fox masks.
"These are warding masks. I've placed protective charms on them to keep you safe from harm."
"This is my final gift to you both."
With that, Sakonji Urokodaki handed the masks to Hakuya and Tanjiro.
The next morning, both Hakuya and Tanjiro rose early, dressed in their traveling clothes, and gathered their swords along with the warding masks Sakonji Urokodaki had given them.
Before leaving, Tanjiro didn't forget to say goodbye to his sister, who remained sleeping peacefully.
Hakuya said nothing and walked directly out of the cabin.
Outside, Sakonji Urokodaki was already waiting to give his final farewell to the two. Seeing Hakuya emerge, Sakonji Urokodaki said, "You are the most talented student I've had among all these children. You must come back alive. Don't let another tragedy occur."
Hakuya nodded without saying much.
At that moment, Tanjiro also walked out of the wooden cabin.
Sakonji Urokodaki walked over and patted Tanjiro on the shoulder, saying, "Tanjiro, don't get separated from your senior brother Hakuya!"
"Yes! I understand!" Tanjiro replied.
Tanjiro naturally understood Hakuya's strength—he was far more powerful than himself.
After a simple farewell, Tanjiro said to Hakuya, "Let's go, Hakuya-san!"
Hakuya nodded, and the two set out on the road to Mount Fujikasane, where the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection would be held.
After a full day of travel, it wasn't until nightfall that Hakuya and Tanjiro arrived at the foot of Mount Fujikasane.
Looking at the wisteria flowers blooming all over the mountain, Tanjiro's mood suddenly brightened.
To maintain an air of mystery, Hakuya wore his warding mask over his face.
Following the only path up the mountain, the two ascended a stone staircase and arrived at a clearing paved with smooth stones.
Within the clearing, several young people around Tanjiro's age were already waiting.
The appearance of Hakuya and Tanjiro immediately captured everyone's attention. The most striking was Hakuya—a slender figure standing around 175 centimeters tall, wearing that distinctive warding mask.
Hakuya was around the same age as Tomioka Giyu, making him several years older than most of the others. If it weren't for waiting for Tanjiro, Hakuya could have participated in Final Selection a year and a half ago.
However, these two years had deepened Hakuya's mastery of swordsmanship, and now he had no concerns about passing the trials.
"Hakuya-san, there are so many people here!" Tanjiro was surprised to find that all the participants were young people around his age.
Most of the young men wore confident, almost arrogant expressions, but upon seeing Tanjiro's friendly face, a hint of disdain flickered in their eyes.
"Hakuya-san, look—there's a girl!" Tanjiro excitedly tugged at Hakuya's sleeve.
At Tanjiro's call, Hakuya glanced over and saw a petite girl in a butterfly-patterned kimono.
The young girl had an innocent expression, as if she were delicate and vulnerable.
But since she dared to come here and seemed completely indifferent to everything around her, Hakuya knew she was no ordinary girl. She was probably someone who would show no mercy in battle.
"What's the big deal? If you're interested, just go talk to her," Hakuya said, retracting his gaze.
Hearing this, Tanjiro blushed and replied bashfully, "Hakuya-san, what are you saying? I'm just surprised—she seems to be the only girl here."
After saying this, Tanjiro looked around again to confirm.
"If you're worried about her surviving alone, then invite her to team up with us," Hakuya suggested, continuing with his plan.
Tanjiro had the same thought after Hakuya mentioned it. However, he was still too shy to approach her directly.
While Tanjiro was struggling with his hesitation, Hakuya had already walked over. He approached the petite girl and said, "Excuse me, my name is Hakuya. Would you like to team up with us during the selection?"
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