Timeline: Three years before the main story
Location: Ubuyashiki Estate / Kamado Home
POV: Split (Akira / Tanjiro / Nezuko)
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Akira
Ubuyashiki Estate — Early Morning
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was gentle.
"Akira," he said, smiling softly despite the bandages that wrapped his face, "I'm formally assigning you to the Kamado region."
Akira knelt, head bowed.
"There have been no disappearances," Kagaya continued. "No unexplained deaths. That alone tells me everything."
"It's a quiet place," Akira replied. "Worth protecting."
Kagaya's smile deepened.
"I sensed something there," he said. "A warmth that hasn't existed in a long time."
Akira's fingers tightened briefly against the floor.
"…Understood."
"One more thing," Kagaya added.
"Train them—but do not rush fate."
Akira lifted his head slightly.
"I won't."
---
Akira
Forest Clearing — Night
His own training did not stop.
Moonlight reflected off his blade as Akira moved through forms—controlled, precise.
The steel shimmered faintly crimson.
Not forced.
Not burning.
Awakened.
Crimson Blade answered his will now, though holding it strained his body. Every use demanded perfect breathing, perfect restraint.
He ended the sequence and exhaled slowly.
Still incomplete, he judged.
But stable.
He sheathed his sword just as footsteps approached.
Light. Careful.
---
Tanjiro
Forest Edge
Tanjiro froze.
"Akira-san…?"
"You're late," Akira said calmly.
Tanjiro bowed immediately. "I'm sorry! I was carrying charcoal and—"
Akira interrupted by placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You didn't lose your breath," he observed.
"That matters more."
Tanjiro blinked. "Really?"
Akira nodded. "You're ready to train properly."
Tanjiro's eyes widened.
---
Training Begins
"No sword," Akira said.
"No forms."
He pointed toward the slope behind the house.
"Run it. Up and down. Keep your breathing steady."
Tanjiro swallowed. "How many times?"
Akira looked at the mountain.
"Until your body stops complaining."
Tanjiro ran.
Again.
And again.
And again.
When his legs shook, Akira corrected his posture.
When his breath wavered, Akira adjusted his rhythm.
"In through pain," Akira instructed.
"Out through resolve."
Tanjiro collapsed eventually—gasping, exhausted.
Akira crouched beside him.
"You're improving faster than you think," he said.
Tanjiro smiled weakly. "I won't waste it."
---
Nezuko
Yard — Afternoon
Nezuko watched everything.
When Akira demonstrated breathing, she copied him.
When he stood still, she stood still.
When he shifted his weight, she mirrored it perfectly.
Akira noticed.
"You're mimicking," he said.
Nezuko nodded proudly. "I wanna be strong too."
Akira considered her for a long moment.
Then he knelt.
"No fighting," he said firmly.
"But breathing… and movement."
He placed her feet properly. Adjusted her stance.
"Balance first," he said.
Nezuko focused intensely.
She did it.
Akira felt something tighten in his chest.
"…Good," he said quietly.
---
Tanjiro
Weeks Later
Work felt different now.
Every step uphill was measured.
Every breath while carrying charcoal had rhythm.
He didn't tire as easily.
When he slipped once on wet stone, his body corrected itself instinctively.
Akira watched from a distance, unseen.
He's learning without realizing it, Akira thought.
That was the best kind of growth.
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Akira
Night — Watch Post
He stood guard above the Kamado house, blade resting beside him.
Crimson steel glinted faintly beneath the moon.
Below him—
A boy refining his breath through honest work.
A girl copying strength through play.
A family untouched by darkness.
Akira closed his eyes briefly.
Not yet, he thought.
They'll have time.
And so the Sun remained where it belonged—
watching, teaching, protecting—
without burning what it cherished.
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