Chapter 3: Final selection
Fuu= breathing sound
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I readied my katana and waited for her to strike.
(Her movements are swift, and her main swordsmanship focus on swift thrusts and stabs. If I don't let her sword touch me, I should be fine. But that's gonna be harder than it looks.)
I try to locate her with my hearing.
TIK
SWIF
CRACK
(THERE!) I heard her moving between the trees.
I opened my eye and run after her. (She's fast but I can still follow her sound.)
Suddenly I widen my eyes as I lose her sound. (Where is she behind, under, no, above!)
Swoosh
She jumped down and slash at my head, but I blocked it with my katana.
"Not bad."
"Why thank you" she smiled politely.
"Hey, how about we make it interesting." I said with a grin.
"Ara, how so?"
"If I win this fight, I want you to go on a date with me."
"Oh dear, you want to go on a date with me. Well, I am rather beautiful and exceptional, but may I ask why? We just met after all." she said while looking puzzled with a finger on her chin.
"Nothing much, it's just you intrigue me. Beside it doesn't hurt anyone does it."
"And if I win?"
"I don't know, do what you want to do with me." I shrugged.
"Humm...I don't have anything that I want you to do. So, how about owing me a favor?"
"All right." I said nonchalantly.
"Well, I was going to go easy on you, but I hate losing you see. that's why I will be serious starting now. So, please ready yourself." she said while smiling with closed eyes.
"Bring it!" I said confidently.
Swoosh
(FAST! She is faster than before I can barely see a blur. I'll have to give it my all just to keep up against her.)
Fuuu
Water Breathing Third Form: Flowing Dance
CLANG
CLANG
TING
Sparks fly in the air as we exchange multiple strikes among the plains in the forest.
(Shit. She isn't even using her breathing style. I have to become faster, but I still haven't master both thunder and water style breathing. I can't switch styles fast enough to counter her yet. But …. this is good I can feel myself improving!)
Pulling my sword back, I bring it down onher head. She dodged with a sidestep and kicked me in the gut.
BAM
"Heh, I caught you now." I said while holding on to her foot and ignoring the pain. "Ara, you caught my left foot my but what about my right foot." she said as she does a spinning kick at me.
BAM
(Fuc..) I thought while feeling lightheaded, then I heard the air vibrate as her katana slash at me while I jumped back with a tree against my back.
I use total concentration breathing to speed up my blood flow and raise my katana to block hers.
CLANG
She slides her katana along mine and use the hilt to try to knock me out. But I quickly duck and kneed her in the chest.
BAM
She does a backflip to reduce the force of my knee, spins the katana in her hand and run at me with speed faster than last time. I only saw a blur as I barely block her attacks and exchanged multiple strikes.
She spins around me and kick my left leg, I lost my balance, but I supported myself with one hand and jumped away.
Huff
Huff
"Fufufu, not bad." she said. "But can you still fight, you're already panting while I still haven't sweated yet."
"Tsk, don't underestimate me!" I closed my eyes and focus. (Clam your mind and breathe.)
Fuuuuu
Water Breathing Fourth Form: Striking Tide
I opened my eyes and rushed at her with all the speed I can get without using thunder breathing.
Insect Breathing: Butterfly Dance
She jumped up and descend at me with her graceful yet deadly movements.
CLANG
We stood with our backs to each other as her haori get cut and multiple cuts appear on my hands and cheek.
She turned back to me with a faint smile.
"Not bad. You manage to cut my haori, but I was faster."
"I usually use deadly poison, but I changed it to only make you stay unconscious for this night, so you don't have worry, ok." She says while tilting her head.
"Well, I should get going. If you manage to survive long enough let's meet again."
"W... Wait can you tell me your name." I said with the poison slowly affecting me.
"Ara, I almost forgot. My name is Shinobu Kocho, the current Insect Hashira. Nice to meet you. Now, can you tell me your name?"
"M... My name i..is Ren Kosuke." I said almost felling unconscious.
"I see. Then see you later Ren-san. Remember, you owe me a favor." she says as she leaves.
"Shinobu Kocho... I swear I will get stronger than you and go on a date with you!" I yelled at the top of my lungs with all my courage and willpower without knowing she heard me or not and fell unconscious.
"Fufufu, I'll be waiting then." Shinobu said quietly to herself as she runs.
The Next Morning,
The sound of birds chirping rang in my ears with the cool countryside wind striking against my skin.
I woke up and yelled "Arrg, so noisy. Shut up you bird!" then slowly stood up yawned and moved my body around to test my conditions.
(I should be able to move now. The poison has worn off but last night battle muscle pain still hasn't worn off. I have to get to Mount Fujikasane in 3 days, well, let rest for now and go slowly.)
3 Days later
Mount Fujikasane
(Wow. the view here is beautiful.) I thought as I walked up the stairs.
After reaching the top I looked around to see if there were any familiar faces but there was no one except a bunch of teenagers carrying katanas.
After waiting for a while, the two girls come out and said in sync "Everyone, we thank you for attending the Demon Slayers' Final Selection tonight." and the white hair girl continue.
"Here on Mt. Fujikasane the Demon Slayers have captured a number of demons alive. They are unable to leave because of the wisteria that demon hate so much."
The girl with black hair continues "They blooms year-round from halfway down the mountain. However, they don't grow from this point onward. So, there will be demons hunting, trying to kill you. You'll need to survive here for seven days"
"And now, please be on your way." They both concluded.
The examines, started to head toward the entrance. I stared at the entrance and breathed to calm my nerves.
(This is it, there is no going back after this. They are not human; they are bloodthirsty demons. Just think of them as exp points in a game.) I took a deep breath once again and forced myself to stop thinking about anything other than killing demons and passing the exam.
(There is no time to hesitate, if I show an opening or a weakness I'll die! Let Do This!) I gripped my katana tightly and choose to go east of the entrance to get the first morning sunlight.
Near Midnight Mt Fujikasane
(For the next seven days just think about surviving.)
CRACK
(I hear something and it's near!) I ready my katana and use total concentration to speed up my blood flow.
(Where is it. Where is it coming from? Underground or above? No, it's coming from behind!)
"DIE! KID"
I jumped sideway. Water Breathing Sixth Form: Whirlpool
SHING
I cut the demon torso and head, the demon had a look of surprise and hatred toward me as he disappears.
(This demon was slower than Shinobu. I can react in time if I pay attention to my surrounding. That's good to know. I should be fine if I don't run into that hand demon.)
I then listen for the sound of any more demons. When the coast is clear I once again headed to the east of the mountain.
After 4 days
My schedule had been repetitive. Surviving at night and sleeping in direct sunlight in the morning. After 3 days of going around the mountain I've killed about 10 demons all of which are at similar levels with the demon I first encounter.
It's currently at night where I was going around the mountain covered in dirt to mask my scent from the demons. Then I heard loud footsteps in the distance and a scream
"HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME"
(Someone is in trouble. Should I help? Let just see the situation at hand and judge from that.) I ran toward the sound and hide behind a tree.
Tud
Tud
(No way, it's the hand demon. Curse me and my big mouth!)
"NO! HELP! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!" The boy said as he cried while the demon was trying to eat him.
(Should I help him, but I might die! I'm not the protagonist. But if I don't help him, I won't be able to make my dream come true. I won't be able to face the Sentai later knowing that my decision that got a person killed. Ahh, just DAMN IT ALL!)
Fuuuu
Water Breathing Second Form: Water Wheel!
I cut off the hands that were holding onto him and turned around to face the demon.
Then demon looked at me and made a disgusting smile.
"Ahh, another sweet little fox has come."
"Little fox cub, what year of meiji is it now? How many of your kind are in this selection."
"How would I know, dumbass."
"Oh, we have a feisty one here, now don't we. Well, you'll be my fourteenth of his disciples I have eaten. Ahahaha, I promised myself to kill every single one of them. There were two in particular that..."
"Shut up, idiot. I don't want to listen to what you have to say." I grinned, forcing my fear deep down. "You are going to disappear tonight whether you like it or not."
"Hey." I address the person behind me " Run away, if you don't want to die."
"y....Yes!"
"You are a rude little fox aren't you. Great I always like the difficult ones Its so enjoyable to see the look on their face just before they die."
"So, LET'S HAVE SOME FUN LITTLE FOX!" he said as he unleashes seven arms toward me.
Total concentration breathing!
TING
TING
I cut the demons arms that are coming toward me as I ran into the trees to slow his arms. The arms that were chasing me retract back to the demon and a new set of hands emerged from the demon.
"Come on! What happened to your cocky attitude. Weren't you going to kill me? Well, COME AND KILL ME LITTLE FOX." The demon shouted while extending his arms from multiple direction.
(Damn it, me and my big mouth. How should I cut off his head? What if I can't cut his head? What if the time I cut through the boulder was just luck? Nonono, stop doubting yourself.)
(Don't fall for his taunts. You're better than that. Calm myself and think!)
(I know he'll let his guard down when I aim for his neck. That arrogance will be his demise. This time I can switch my breathing styles. Breathe, remember that sensation and slash!)
Fuuuuu~
Thunder breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash Sixfold!
Boom!
Flashback
"Hey kid, if you're going to learn my breathing style, it's going to longer than 6 months. I don't know if you'll make it to next year's final selection."
"Then what if I learn only one form and perfect it?"
"What? You will only learn one form?"
"Yeah. I'm only filling my weakness with this breathing style. So, is it ok? Kuwajima-Jii."
"Hahahaha, I see. Well, it wouldn't take long to only learn just one form but are you sure? Your breathing style will be incomplete." He asked seriously.
"Yeah, and even if I get an incomplete version, I can complete it myself later, can't I." I replied grinning.
"Very well, listen up boy, even if you're only learning one form of my breathing style, I will make you master it without fail in the next six months."
"Yes!"
Flashback over
I change my direction and use thunder breathing to go from tree to tree, while dodging his hands, I backflip toward the tree that's facing the demon and used all of my leg muscles and propel myself against the tree.
I aimed for his neck with my katana in a quick draw position.
Fuuu
Thunder breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
Hand Demon POV
(He's fast. But it's ok, because my neck is tougher than regular demons. There is no way he can cut through it. As soon as he fails, I'm going to squish this stupid brat's head! Just imagine the look on that bastard Urokodaki's face whe-)
Thunder breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
BOOM
"Wha..." said the demon while his head fly in the air. "My body is fading away and I can't stop it. Damn it! Damn it! I can't believe this mask is the last thing I see..." he roared as he disappeared.
First person POV
(I know I should feel some kind of feeling toward the demons, but I don't, is that normal...? oh well. But I did it! I survived against him. I can do this!) I determinedly gripped my katana.
"Let finish this exam." I said as I headed toward east again.
After 3 days,
"It's finally over." I says as I come back down the mountain, passing the barrier only to see that out of 15 people, only 3 including me passed the test.
Then the two little girls come out from the side.
" Congratulation, we're pleased to see that you have returned safely."
"First, we shall issue your uniforms. We will take measurements, after which your ranks will be engraved on the back of your hands with wisteria. Which you can see by saying a password and flexing your arm."
"There are ten ranks 'Mizunoto → Mizunoe → Kanoto → Kanoe → Tsuchinoto → Tsuchinoe → Hinoto → Hinoe → Kinoto → Kinoe"
"Currently, you are of the lowest ranking, Mizunoto. Today we will let you choose the ore for your swords. However, the katana will take ten to fifteen days to complete. But first..."
Clap Clap
CAW
CAW
CAW
One of the three crows flies toward me and lands on my outstretch arm.
"We will now assign you with your own Kasugai Crow. These crows are primarily use for communication. Now then, please select your ore." the black hair girl said as she removes the sheet.
"You shall choose the ore that will be used forge your blade yourself."
I glanced over all the ore on the table, thinking carefully.
"Humm, I can't really tell them apart. Sigh, guess I'll trust my guts and choose this one." I said as I choose the third largest ore before taking it.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki POV
"I see, three of them managed to survive, huh? Excellent. The number of my children have risen again. I wonder what kind of swordsman they will become." he said while petting a crow.
1 Day later in the afternoon,
I arrived near the house Urokodaki lives in. "Urokodaki-san I passed the final selection!" I shouted as I ran toward the hpuse wanting to share the good news.
The front door opens as he stared at me for a few seconds as if confirming something. Then, he quickly ran out toward me, hugging me as he says "Ren, I'm so proud of you."
By the tone of his voice and the grip of his hug, I could tell that he was truly glad for me. I hesitantly hug back and said, "Of course you are, I'm awesome after all." I said with a grin while tearing up.
At Night,
"Also, Urokodaki-san I killed a demon that said he killed all your previous disciples. It seems that he's been captured by you and wanted revenge. But I've avenged them, Uromkodaki-san."
"I see. Then at least their souls shall be at peace. I'm truly impress that you made it back. That said, get some rest. You must be tired, Good night, Ren."
"Umu, good night Urokodaki-san."
15 Days later,
Ding
Ding
A person wearing a brownish haori with multiple sunspots with an overside straw-hat with bells arrived in front of Urokodaki's house.
"My name is Haganezuka. I have forged Ren Kosuke's sword and am here to deliver it."
"I'm Ren Kosuke, the one you're looking for."
"This is the Nichirin blade. I am the one who forged it. The Nichirin blade's raw materials are scarlet crimson iron sand and scarlet crimson iron ore. The mountain the materials are from, the sunlight mountain is bathed in sunlight all year round. Never troubled by cloud nor rain."
"Sigh, there he goes again with his bad habit." said Urokodaki-san coming out of the house.
"Hey, hurry up and draw the blade already. The Nichirin blade's other name is 'colour changing blade', the blade changes its colour with each individual. I can't wait to seee what colour it'll change into."
I draw the blade as the blade colour changes to a blue hue on the edges with a thunderbolt across the blade.
SHAKE
SHAKE
"I didn't have much hope, but I was hoping to see a red blade!" he growled as he suddenly jumped on me and twisted my arms and knees backward.
"Owowow! Stop it, you crazy swordsmith! How is it my fault that you don't get to see a red blade!"
"Of course, it's your fault, it's your fault because...…"
CAW
CAW
Suddenly A crow landed near me and shouted.
"Ren Kosuke! Here is your first mission. Make your way to Tokyo, Asakusa. There've been mysterious murders happening in the city. Go investigate!" said the crow before flying off.
(Seriously? I won't even have some time to practice with my sword? Sigh~)