As they walked along the road, Kazuki and Tsuyuri Kanao—though acquainted—didn't exchange a single word.
She's a Hashira's tsuguko too. That makes us companions in a sense… Wouldn't it be rude not to say anything at all?
With that thought, Kazuki turned to glance at her. She looked just the same as ever—an unchanging smile on her face, violet eyes without the slightest ripple.
"Um… hello. My name is Kazuki. You're Tsuyuri, right?" he greeted her anyway.
(In Japanese settings, people often address those they aren't close to—or elders—by their surname.)
Kanao turned her head, smiled at Kazuki, then turned back and continued on her way.
Seeing this, Kazuki focused on the road ahead as well. After that, neither of them spoke again.
When a crescent moon hung high in the black night sky, the two finally arrived at Mount Fujikasane, where the Final Selection would take place. Wisteria blossoms covered the mountainside, releasing a distinctive fragrance into the air.
So magnificent…
Taking in the scene, Kazuki couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Following the stone steps upward, they reached the summit platform. Quite a few swordsmen had already gathered there, Nichirin Blades hanging at their waists. One particularly eye-catching figure was a yellow-haired boy, trembling from head to toe, looking utterly terrified.
At the front of the platform stood a red torii gate. Beneath it were two adorable children, nearly identical in appearance save for their hair color—one white-haired, one black-haired. Each had a sprig of wisteria tucked into their hair and held a lantern in hand.
So many people came to participate… which also means…
the number of people harmed by demons must be enormous.
Hatred flickered in Kazuki's eyes. Since the green-skinned demon, he would finally be facing demons again.
This time, I'll slaughter every demon I encounter!
He lifted his gaze toward the wisteria-free depths at the center of Mount Fujikasane, silently making his resolve.
Moments later, a red-haired boy wearing a blue haori patterned with clouds arrived as well.
At that point, the two children beneath the torii spoke in unison, drawing everyone's attention.
"Thank you all for coming tonight to participate in the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection."
The white-haired child continued, "Within Mount Fujikasane are demons captured alive by Demon Slayers."
Then the black-haired child followed, "These demons cannot leave the mountain."
The white-haired child spoke again, "That is because from the mountain's base to its midsection, wisteria blooms year-round—flowers demons despise."
The black-haired child continued, "Beyond this point, however, there are no wisteria blossoms, and demons will appear."
The white-haired child concluded, "Survive within for seven days. That is the condition for passing the Final Selection."
The two then bowed together and said, "Now then—may your journey be safe."
With that, they stepped aside. The gathered swordsmen began filing into the mountain one after another.
Kazuki followed them in—but unlike the others, his goal wasn't merely to survive seven days.
What he wanted… was to wipe out every demon here.
About an hour after entering Mount Fujikasane, Kazuki encountered his first demon.
"Hahaha! Finally, a human's come in. I was about to starve to death in here!"
A demon with an abnormally long tongue dangling from its mouth crawled out from behind a tree, drooling as it stared at Kazuki with glowing green eyes—like a gray wolf that hadn't caught prey in ages.
It had clearly mistaken the hunter for the prey.
"You… really want to eat me?" Kazuki asked calmly as he drew his Nichirin Blade, his cold gaze fixed on the demon.
"Enough talk! Just become my food already!" the long-tongued demon screamed, lunging forward, claws stabbing straight toward Kazuki's neck.
Kazuki passed by the demon's side, flicked the blood from his blade, and sheathed it.
A thin line of blood appeared across the demon's neck midair. Its head slid from its body and fell to the ground, followed by its body collapsing with a thud.
The decapitated demon didn't even have time to scream before it crumbled into ash.
"So weak…"
Kazuki glanced back at the dissipating remains, and the last trace of concern he had about the Final Selection vanished completely.
"AAAAAH!!! Help!!!"
A shrill scream tore through the night, sending a flock of nocturnal birds scattering.
Someone's in danger? That must mean demons over there.
The moment he heard the scream, Kazuki pinpointed its direction and sprinted toward it.
Within the forest, a yellow-haired boy wearing a haori patterned with triangles was fleeing desperately, tears streaming down his face. His terror was unmistakable in every frantic movement.
"Stop running! Let me eat you already!"
Behind him, a gray-skinned demon scrambled after him on all fours.
"Eek!!! No! My meat tastes awful! Please just let me go!" the yellow-haired boy shrieked, crying as he ran, tears pouring nonstop from his eyes.
Just then, another demon appeared ahead of him.
"Living human… food… I'll eat you!"
The demon lunged the moment it spotted him. His earlier screaming had already drawn the attention of other demons nearby.
"AAAAAH!!! Someone help me!!!"
Seeing this, the yellow-haired boy immediately veered to the right.
Bang! Thud—roll, roll, roll!
Focused solely on escaping, he failed to notice a tree root jutting from the ground. He tripped over it, crying out as he tumbled forward.
The two demons chasing him seized the opportunity and closed in.
At that moment, Kazuki arrived. Seeing the situation, he immediately drew his Nichirin Blade and charged forward.
The yellow-haired boy rolled a short distance, slammed headfirst into a tree, and his eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness.
Second and third demons.
Kazuki counted silently. He was just about to reach them.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form—Thunderclap and Flash!"
At that instant, a firm, serious voice rang out, followed by a streak of yellow lightning flashing past Kazuki's eyes.
That guy from before?
Kazuki clearly saw it—the yellow flash was the very boy who had been fleeing moments ago. Now, his eyes were tightly shut, his expression solemn. In a single instant, his Nichirin Blade—etched with lightning patterns—swept across the demons' necks.
Two heads fell to the ground.
The yellow-haired boy stood behind the demons, a large bump on his head, his blade already sheathed.
"Did I… get beaten to it?" Kazuki muttered, a hint of disappointment as he sheathed his own sword.
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