Repaying Kindness

When facing people he respects, Sanemi Shinazugawa is quite rational and articulate.

He came here to visit Arashizaki Tesshin, to have a brief chat about his recent work, and to inquire about his teacher's health. In doing so, Shinazugawa Sanemi's purpose was achieved.

Shinazugawa Sanemi glanced at Asuka, who was still somewhat unwilling to admit defeat, struggling to stand up and leaning on her broken sword, and frowned slightly.

"Teacher, what's up with that kid?"

"...Sanemi, you know about the natural breathing technique, right?"

Natural Breathing? Sanemi Shinazugawa raised an eyebrow.

The so-called natural breathing refers to the ability that some people with special constitutions develop on their own, without having been exposed to breathing techniques, to strengthen their bodies and even fight demons.

The origin of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Sun Breathing, the progenitor of the Five Breathing Techniques, originated from the natural ability of a powerful swordsman, so much so that later generations could not learn it and it was gradually lost.

For example, the Sound Pillar in the same team, although his Sound Breathing is said to have evolved from it, it seems to be based on specially made explosives. The true power of the Sound Pillar comes from his own ninja training method, which is basically unrelated to breathing techniques.

So when Arashizaki mentioned the natural breathing technique, Shinazugawa Sanemi immediately understood what he meant.

"You mean, this kid is...?"

Arashizaki Tesshin nodded. "That's right... Sanemi, his name is Asuka, he's a very special child, you two should get along well!"

"..." Shinazugawa Sanemi did not immediately agree, but instead bowed respectfully to Arashizaki Tetsushin and continued to steer the conversation back to the Demon Slayer Corps.

He couldn't hear the distant birds clearly; he only felt his head spinning.

This was the first time he had ever fought a true Wind Breathing opponent since he began his training, and his internal energy was being churned and turbulent by Shinazugawa Sanemi's terrifying sword energy.

"Be careful, Sanemi's sword has a powerful tearing effect; if you're not careful, you'll suffer hidden injuries!"

Miss Pear Blossom reappeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and began bandaging the bird's wounds.

"Thank you..." Asuka nodded slightly, expressing her gratitude for the help she had received from this female disciple whose strength was unknown.

As the sun gradually set in the west, Shinazugawa Sanemi had finished saying what he needed to say, and it was time for him to leave.

"Have you visited Sanemi, Masachika, and Suzune's graves?"

"Please take care of yourself, Teacher Tie Xin."

Sanemi Shinazugawa bowed deeply, looking at Asuka, who had already been bandaged up and was sitting cross-legged with Rika, calming his internal energy.

His lips twitched, and with a flicker, he vanished from the spot.

After the training ground calmed down again, Arashizaki Tesshin slowly walked towards the two people who were sitting cross-legged.

"Asuka, are you alright?"

Arashi's voice rang out above Asuka's head, and Asuka quickly stood up and replied, "...It's alright, thank you for your help."

"This doesn't count as helping, Asuka... You need to learn more about how to get along with people from Rika..." Hearing that Asuka actually thought that stopping Shinazugawa counted as helping him, he felt a bit strange, but could only sigh helplessly.

"Sanemi isn't your enemy; he's just not very good at expressing himself... You two should get along well!"

"....yes!"

Arashizaki Tesshin glanced at Asuka's bandaged wounds. Although he looked bloody and somewhat frightening, Sanemi had shown some restraint; it was just a superficial injury, and there were no hidden dangers...

He cleared his throat and said seriously:

"Asuka, the time has come!"

Upon hearing this, Asuka was taken aback, only to hear Arashizaki continue, "In two months, it will be the Demon Slayer Corps' selection ceremony for this year! It will be held at Fujikasane Mountain!"

"Normally, I would have planned to hone your skills for a while longer, at least until you could hold your own against Rinka for an hour before letting you go for the selection, but..."

He glanced at the mottled sword marks on the training ground behind the mountain and made a decision in his heart:

"The fact that you could withstand a serious blow from the Wind Pillar and still stand up... proves you've already earned the ability to become a Demon Slayer!"

Asuka listened silently to Arashizaki-sensei's words, her thoughts drifting back to two years ago.

Back then, Arashizaki Tesshin asked me, who had just escaped death, if I was willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps. I only agreed because I wanted to protect myself and survive. Is it time to pay the price now?

He raised his head, his expression equally serious, and asked:

"Teacher, what exactly is the Demon Slayer Corps? And what is this Wind Pillar you mentioned?"

Upon hearing this, even Rika, who had maintained a calm expression, was stunned and looked at Arashizaki Tesshin in disbelief.

Arashizaki Tesshin awkwardly scratched his head of white hair, and upon thinking about it carefully, it seemed to be true...

For the past two years, I've only been training Asuka. All Asuka knows is that I'm practicing his demon-slaying abilities; he knows nothing else...

"Ahem..." He cleared his throat, ignoring Rika's speechless gaze, and began explaining the basic knowledge that should have been given long ago to Asuka...

Ghosts are monsters that appear out of nowhere and feed primarily on humans.

They have extremely high physical abilities and can heal quickly from injuries. In some cases, the severed parts can even remain connected to the original body and grow new limbs.

Even worse, some may possess powerful and terrifying supernatural abilities, posing a serious threat to the human living environment.

The Demon Slayer Corps is an organization specifically tasked with dealing with demons.

As for "Wind Pillar," these are the titles of some of the most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.

At this point, Arashiki Tetsujin paused, his gaze somewhat complicated.

Although the Demon Slayer Corps has existed since ancient times, it has been hundreds of years.

However, this is the Taisho era, and the current government is implementing the "Sword Abolishment Edict." Organizations like the Demon Slayer Corps, which carry swords to fight demons, are not officially recognized.

Therefore, the Demon Slayer Corps members not only have to fight demons with their own flesh and blood, but also have to be careful of the control from human society.

"Humans aren't ghosts; their limbs can't be restored once broken, and they'll die from serious injuries... It's a profession purely for protection, one that's thankless and exhausting..."

"Do you understand, Asuka? Are you prepared for this?"

Arashizaki Tesshin looked at Asuka's calm expression, unsure of what the child was thinking.

He had already made his plans. If Asuka, given her personality, was unwilling to become a Demon Slayer... he would keep Asuka in Hayama and let her become a trainer who would be even stronger than him in the future.

Pear Blossom, standing to the side, also looked at Asuka, wanting to hear what this disciple, who had been training so diligently, planned to do.

"...Is joining the Demon Slayer Corps a way of repaying your kindness?"

...What? Arashi frowned.

Asuka looked calmly at Arashizaki Tesshin without any hesitation. "I just want to gain enough strength to survive, to be stronger than anyone else, and to no longer be bullied... I'm doing very well in Hayama, and I'm very grateful for your shelter and guidance."

"If this debt of gratitude needs to be repaid by joining the Demon Slayer Corps to kill demons, I will not refuse."

That kid...

Arashizaki Tesshin clenched his remaining right hand, his gaze deep.

The two stared at each other for a long time, until a gentle breeze broke the silence with a heavy sigh from Arashizaki Teshin.

He walked slowly to Fei Niao and gently ruffled Fei Niao's messy, thick hair.

Arashizaki Tesshin, who always had a stern face, revealed a gentle and worried look in his eyes for the first time.

"Asuka...you're a very capable and hardworking child..."

"You absolutely must pass the final selection and come back alive..."

"We made a promise."