'Total concentration breathing'
Jin took a sharp breath and sprinted toward the abomination with his flaming sword.
The demon removed its hands from its jaws and fired multiple dark green balls toward him.
'Shit.'
He immediately jumped backward and avoided them.
'Acid?'
"I don't usually use this attack… it melts my prey."
"But you…"
"You are dangerous."
More acid balls shot toward him, and a dozen hands extended at the same time.
'Wind breathing: First form'
'Dust Whirlwind Cutter'
Jin dashed forward at high speed and slashed in a horizontal cyclone pattern.
The incoming acid balls were cut apart and scattered.
The demon suddenly raised one of its arms—
And shoved it inside its own mouth.
'What the hell is wrong with this demon?'
'Water breathing: Third form'
'Water Wheel'
Jin leaped into the air and performed a front flip, slashing downward.
A torrent of water surged from his blade toward the demon's head—
But it was blocked by multiple arms.
The demon pulled its arm out of its mouth.
It was now completely covered in thick acidic mucus.
Then it inserted another arm inside.
'…This is getting annoying.'
The demon attacked again.
Same pattern.
Jin sidestepped to the right, narrowly dodging the acid projectiles, and rushed forward.
Suddenly—
From his blind spot—
An acidic arm shot toward him.
Jin noticed it—
But it was too late.
He blocked it with his sword—
And got flung backward from the impact.
'Water breathing: Eighth form'
'Waterfall Basin'
Jin stabilized himself mid-air and landed properly.
He glanced at the demon.
Many of its arms were now coated in acid.
Then—
He looked at his sword.
It was already half melted.
'I knew this could happen…'
'That's why I brought a spare.'
'I need to finish this in one strike.'
'Thunder breathing: Sixth form'
'Rumble and Flash'
Jin accelerated forward, dodging acid balls while slicing through multiple arms.
He jumped into the air—
Spun—
Dodged another incoming arm—
And landed directly on the demon's body.
'Now's my chance.'
He threw away the melted sword.
Pulled out the spare blade from his back.
And lunged toward the neck.
The demon didn't react.
'…He's confident.'
Its neck was tightly wrapped with multiple arms.
A natural defense.
Jin grinned.
'Then I'll break it.'
'Total concentration…'
'Stone breathing: Third form'
'Stone Skin'
His muscles tightened.
His skin hardened.
Power surged through his body.
Jin sidestepped multiple incoming arms—
And swung his sword with full force.
*Swoosh
*SpurtSquirt
*Thud
The demon's body collapsed.
Its severed head flew into the distance, eyes wide in disbelief.
Jin landed smoothly.
Raised his fist.
"Booyah!"
"…Erm."
Jin turned around.
The girl was awake.
Staring at him.
*cough
"Ahem… so you're awake, huh?"
"…."
"How much did you see?"
"Not much."
"I only saw you using more than one breathing style…"
"And grinning like a maniac while fighting."
Jin's smile froze.
"…."
He had no reply.
"Thank you for saving my life."
She bowed deeply.
"Can we talk somewhere else?"
Jin asked.
She nodded silently.
-
In a small cave
Jin was roasting a rabbit.
The girl sat opposite him, staring blankly.
"Before anything… we should introduce ourselves, right?"
She nodded.
"I am Kawahire Jin. A trainee of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"My name is Makomo."
She spoke in a soft, dreamy voice.
'Yep… I was right.'
'Makomo…'
'I think she trained with Sabito…'
"So, Makomo… can I call you that?"
"Hm."
"So… why did you lose focus during the fight?"
"You know that's a fatal mistake."
"That demon…"
Her eyes filled with tears.
She started sniffing.
'…Now what?'
'What am I supposed to do?'
'Can't just hug her…'
'I'm not some hentai protagonist.'
Jin stayed silent.
After a while, she calmed down.
"That demon killed my older brother…"
"And said awful things about my master…"
"I know I shouldn't have lost focus…"
"But I couldn't help it…"
"I need more training."
"It's good that you understand that."
Jin nodded and handed her a skewer.
She took a bite.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"It's delicious."
"I know, right?"
Jin grinned and showed her a small pouch.
Salt and spices.
"I came prepared."
Makomo stared at him.
He looked like he had come for a picnic.
"Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
Jin took another bite.
'Delicious.'
'My cooking improved a lot.'
"How can you use multiple breathing styles?"
"I read that people who try it suffer irreversible damage."
"Even the first breath user never used multiple styles."
Jin finished his skewer and started roasting another.
"I have a special physique."
"That's why I can use different breathing styles without backlash."
"Normally, a person's body adapts to one breathing style."
"If they try another, their body gets damaged."
"So don't try it."
"Unless you're born like me."
"Want another?"
"Yes."
-
Next Five Days
Jin and Makomo traveled together.
They encountered many demons.
None was a problem.
Two more kids joined them.
*ClangClang
The bell rang.
The test was over.
Return
Jin, Makomo, and the others returned.
Only eleven remained.
'Eleven… out of fifty.'
Two white-haired girls stood near a table filled with metal alloys.
"Welcome back."
"It seems everyone is here."
'Everyone?'
"Congratulations. You all passed."
"From now on, you are official members of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"You will receive your uniform, Nichirin blade, and Demon Slayer mark."
"You must pay for your uniform and get your measurements taken."
Kakushi stepped forward and began collecting money.
'…Strange.'
'They work with authorities…'
'Why charge for uniforms?'
"There are ten ranks."
"Mizunoto… to Kinoe."
"You all start at Mizunoto."
"Also, each of you will receive a Kasugai Garasu."
*CawCaw
Birds landed on their shoulders.
Jin looked at his.
'…Huh?'
'That's not a crow.'
A black parrot sat on his shoulder.
"…."
"Kasugai Garasu are usually crows used for communication."
"Now, choose your alloy."
Everyone stepped forward one by one.
Jin picked randomly.
Then they received their marks.
'Wisteria Flower Engraving…'
'Only Ubuyashiki family can do this.'
After Selection
Jin and Makomo walked down the mountain.
'Now what…?'
'No mission… no assignment…'
'Should I find an inn?'
He felt a tug on his shirt.
Makomo.
"Hmm? Something you need?"
"I was wondering… where are you going?"
"No fixed destination."
"In that case… come with me."
"My master can train you."
'Urokodaki Sakonji…'
'Former Hashira…'
'That's a huge opportunity.'
"If it's not a problem… I'll come."
"It's not!"
"Let's go!"
Makomo started running.
Jin followed.
-
Far Away
A man sat in seiza.
A crow rested on his palm.
Light skin.
Purple eyes.
Black shoulder-length hair.
A curse mark on his forehead.
"Is that so…"
"My children have increased…"
"I wonder…"
"What kind of swordsmen they are."