Inei's POV. Ubuyashiki Estate. After the Hashira Meeting.
Kagaya-sama told me to stay after the meeting, it seems like he got something important for me.
Kagaya: Inei, as far as you remember, you grew up in an orphanage, right?
Inei: Yes.
Kagaya: Regarding about your parents, your biological parents........
Kagaya: My wife found a record mentioning the Saito Clan.
Inei: "The Saito Clan"?
Kagaya: According to what we found.........
Kagaya: Long before the Demon Slayer Corps began, when my family was still figuring out the reason of the curse........
Kagaya: The Saito Clan, was already hunting Muzan.
Kagaya: And the reason?
Kagaya: The Saito Clan was a noble clan back in the Heian Period.
Kagaya: Ever since Muzan killed the head of the Saito Clan........
Kagaya: When they discovered Muzan's nature.........
Kagaya: They vowed that they will hunt him down......
Kagaya: The Saito Clan, will be the Shinigami of Muzan.
Kagaya: And so, the Saito Clan began in finding the methods on how to kill Muzan.
Kagaya: And through their efforts........
Kagaya: They discovered a few things demons are afraid of.......
Kagaya: Wisteria Flowers which keeps them away........
Kagaya: And then, the discovery of the materials, the ore on which the Nichirin Blades are made of.
Kagaya: And when they learned of the conflict of the Ubuyashiki Family.......
Kagaya: The Saito Clan advised the Ubuyashiki Family to form an organization to counter them.
Kagaya: And following the advice of the priest........
Kagaya: The Demon Slayer Corps was born and was fighting Muzan for thousands of years.
Kagaya: Unfortunately........
Kagaya: The Saito Clan was wiped out due to conspiracy among the noble clans back then.
Kagaya: But.......even though the Saito Clan was believed to be exterminated, there are survivors and those survivors kept a low profile.
Inei: And what does it have to do with me?
Kagaya: Apparently, according to the records that we also found......
Kagaya: The Saito Clan, was a ancestor of the Tsugikuni Family.........
Kagaya: And during the Sengoku Period, the one who created the breaths........
Kagaya: Was born into that family......
Kagaya: And as you know, the Sengoku Period, was the Golden Age of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Inei: The creator of the breath styles.........
Inei: You believed that he came from the Tsugikuni Family? Which means......?
Inei: My distant relative?
Kagaya: Exactly.....also......
Kagaya: We received a prophecy, during the Meiji Period, the era before Taisho.
Kagaya: A priest said.......
Kagaya: "From an ancient clan......."
Kagaya: "Shall rise the one, who shall end the Progenitor of Demons, finishing the work of his ancestors."
Kagaya: "And thus, like the First Breath User, that person, was also blessed by Amaterasu-sama."
Kagaya: "The Child of Prophecy, shall end this war against the demons."
Kagaya: "With the power of the Sun, and the shadow."
Inei: The power of the sun and the shadow........
Inei: You mean.......the shadow is me, right?
Kagaya: And as for the Sun.......
Kagaya: The Nichirin Blade is forged with special ore that was totally exposed to sunlight, to the point that it can absorb the energy of the sun.......
Kagaya: So, Inei......with these two......
Kagaya: I can already confirmed that you are the Child of Prophecy........
Kagaya: Inei........
Kagaya: It seems like the gods finally decided to put an end to our war against the demons........
Kagaya: You being born from a family that was hunting Muzan.......
Kagaya: From being born with a special strength.........
Kagaya: The Demons Slayers of the Sengoku Period was already inches in killing Muzan......
Kagaya: But with you........
Kagaya: We will finally be able to land, our killing blow.
Kagaya: I can only pray, for your success and to your fellow Demon Slayers as well.
Inei: Thank you for believing me, Kagaya-sama.
Inei: We will defeat him, within our generation, I swear, upon my clan's name.......
Inei: In order to prevent tragedies like mine and Tanjiro's.........
Inei: Like Shinobu's.........
Inei: Gyomei-san's, Tomioka-san's, Shinazugawa-san's..........
Kagaya: ........!?
Kagaya: So you knew...........
Inei: I was always listening to them........
Inei: Of course, I will know........
Inei: I am a shadow, who quietly listens to the cries of those who were suffering......
Inei: Listening to their silent cries.......
Inei: That's why.......
Kagaya: Hmm.....
Kagaya-sama smiled upon me.
Kagaya: Looks like no wonder, why Shinobu looks up to you.
Kagaya: You may be silent with everyone, but your heart was always compassionate to everyone.......
Kagaya: And they saw it, during Tanjiro and Nezuko's trial.........
Kagaya: I am sure, that your fellow Hashira, will finally see you, in a new light.
Kagaya: You are dismissed, Inei.
Inei: Thank you, Kagaya-sama.
Inei: May the blessings of Amaterasu-sama, continue to shine down upon you.
With that, I quietly left the Ubuyashiki Estate, and went to the Butterfly Estate to stay and check upon Tanjiro and Nezuko.
When I arrived, it was already late. So, I decided to knock on the front door but no response.
Inei: Huh, seems like everyone is still asleep.
Inei: Guess I'll just stay on a nearby inn and—
???: Hm? Wait, you are.......?
As I was about to leave, someone opened the door, a girl with short black, blue eyes, and wears the standard demon slayer uniform.......
Inei: Ah, Aoi. Thank goodness you heard me.
Aoi: Saito-sama, I'm sorry for the delay.
Inei: Ah, it's fine.
I entered the Butterfly Mansion as I walked the corridors.
Inei: By the way, Aoi, have you met him?
Aoi: Who?
Inei: Tanjiro Kamado.
Aoi: Oh.....you mean the boy with a scar on his forehead?
Inei: Yep.
Inei: Where is he now?
Aoi: They're currently resting from their injuries.
Inei: I see. Maybe I'll just pay them a visit for tomorrow.
Once we arrived at the main hall, I decided to just sleep here.
Aoi: A-Are you sure, Saito-sama!?
Inei: Aoi, what did I told you, no need to be so formal with me.
Inei: I may be a Hashira, but I still prefer not to be so formal with people who is younger than me.
Inei: It's nervewracking.
Inei: So, please. Saito-san or Inei-san will do.
Aoi: O-Okay, Saito-san.
Inei: There. Much better.
Inei: You'd better rest as well, Aoi. I'm sure, you will facilitate with the Rehabilitation Training, so you'd better get some rest.
Aoi: Thank you for the concern, Saito-san.
Inei: Your welcome.
Aoi left as I was left alone in the main hall.
I just lay on the floor and slept.
----------------
The Next Day.
Inei: *yawn*
Inei: Another new day........
Inei: All right, time to check on Tanjiro.
I knew that the Butterfly Mansion is like a hospital, after all, this is where Demon Slayers go whenever they go back injured from their missions.
Inei: Let's see.......
After doing some stretches, I decided to search for Tanjiro's room, until I heard someone screaming at the top of their lungs........
???: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Inei: It seems like there are other patients as well.
Just from that scream earlier, that guy is totally afraid of medicine.
I followed the direction from where that voice came from, and I found the room.
When I opened it, I found five people inside. Aoi who is scolding a blonde haired guy, Kiyo who is just watching it unfold. Tanjiro who is lying on his bed and..........a wild boar?
Inei: Hm, wait. Let's see.
I entered the Transparent World and it was only just a mask, it is also a boy, and man, he's badly injured.
Not just him, Tanjiro has broken ribs, and the blonde noisy guy's body composition is too small for his age.
Probably it shrunk and it was caused by a Blood Demon Art, I can also see some traces of poison in his blood flow, so I guess he should really take the medicine.
Since they still don't know my presence yet, I decided to reveal in order for them to be aware.
Inei: Pardon my intrusion.
Aoi: Kya!
Kiyo: Wah!
Zenitsu: What the!?
Tanjiro: Inei-oniisan!
Inei: Looks like you guys really had a hard time.
Aoi: S-Saito-san!? What are you doing here?
Inei: I came to check upon Tanjiro. I never expected that there will also be three people here.
Kiyo then gives Tanjiro his medicine and he just drank it so easily.
Blonde Guy: Hey! Tanjiro's medicine goes down easy, doesn't it? Right!?
Inei: Medicine is medicine. No matter what taste it is.
Inei: If you want to recover, you got to take your prescribed medicine in order to help your recovery as well.
Tanjiro: Inei-oniisan. Are you perhaps a doctor?
Inei: Me? Kinda? Well, I can somehow see the anatomy of any living beings.
Inei: Humans, animals, plants, and even demons.
Aoi: Really?
Inei: Yeah. That's why I clearly deduced what happened to this noisy guy right here.
Blonde Guy: Just who the hell are you!?
Tanjiro: Zenitsu! That's he's a Hashira!
The blonde guy named Zenitsu was shocked.
Zenitsu: A Hashira!?
Inei: Inei Saito, nice to meet you, Zenitsu.
Zenitsu: Nice to meet you too, Saito-san. Sorry for my outburst earlier.
I turned to Tanjiro.
Inei: How are you feeling?
Tanjiro: I got plenty of rest but my body is still aching a little.
Inei: I see. What about you, Zenitsu? I know that some kind of a poison is the cause of getting your limbs to shrink.
Inei: What exactly happened?
Zenitsu: I almost got turned into a spider.
Inei: Then it is just as I expected, a Blood Demon Art.
Inei: And the medicine, it can reverse the effects of the poison and help you turn back to normal.
Aoi: He's right! That's why you got to take your medicine!
Zenitsu: But what if it tastes gross!?
Inei: Aoi, can you give me the cup?
Aoi: S-Sure.
She hands me the cup, and with a quick and strong motion, I pinned Zenitsu, opened his mouth, and carefully poured the medicine for him to swallow it.
I released him immediately after that.
Zenitsu: *cough* *hack* *cough*
Zenitsu: What the heck!?
Inei: Did you taste the medicine?
Zenitsu: N-No......
I showed him the cup was already empty.
Inei: Good. But next time, drink it on your own.
???: Hello.
I turned to the direction of the voice and it was Shinobu.
Shinobu: Ara, Inei-kun, wait.........
Shinobu: Since when?
Inei: Last night.
Shinobu: Oh.
Aoi: I'm sorry, Kocho-sama.
Aoi: Saito-san insisted that he immediately rest.
Shinobu: It's fine. He had an important meeting with Oyakata-sama after our Hashira Meeting.
Shinobu checked upon Tanjiro and the other two.
Shinobu: How is recovery coming along?
Tanjiro: I think we're a lot better now.
Shinobu: Then, let's have you start your rehabilitation training, shall we?
Tanjiro: Rehabilitation Training?
Inei: Yep.
Inei: The purpose of that training is from, the words itself rehabilitation, is to get your physical prowess get back to it's top shape.
Inei: And also to improve yourselves as well.
And so, Shinobu and I took Tanjiro and the guy with the boar mask, named Inosuke, for their rehabilitation training. We didn't let Zenitsu to participate as he still needs to recover.
And then, two weeks later.
At the dojo, as I was waiting with Aoi, Kanao, and the three helpers of the Butterfly Estate, Aoi asked me.
Aoi: Saito-san, you said that you wanted to revise some parts of the training regime?
Inei: Yes. I would like to base it from the training regime that I had with the spirits.
Aoi: You were trained by the spirits!?
Inei: Believe it or not, two months before the Final Selection, I went to a forest near Mt. Fujikasane.
Inei: There, I met three spirits who offered me to stay at their mansion and train me to become a demon slayer.
Inei: Since being a former assassin, I know how to fight. How to wield different weapons such as swords, spears, bows, and guns.
Aoi: Guns!?
Inei: I am an assassin. I was trained to be adaptive in ant situation, especially when I'm around my target.
Inei: I guess the same applies to fighting demons. With my training, I also created a new breathing style.
Inei: The Shadow Breathing.
Inei: I based it from my lack presence and my assassination methods.
Inei: Thus, I assassinate demons, either by surprise, or even face-to-face.
Inei: After all, you will never know when and how you'll die, the same way if you are going to get killed.
Inei: Then, during my years as a member of the Corps, I took on missions on saving people. Until one day, I met Kanae-san and Shinobu.
Aoi: Ah, Kocho-sama told me that you were the one who saved her and her sister.
Inei: Yes. I was also the one who witnessed their promise of joining the Demon Slayer Corps.
Inei: During their rookie days, I became a Hashira, a year after I joined the Corps.
Inei: I was offered to be a Hashira within a month but I declined it because my priority is to fulfill my mission.
Inei: And four months, before I became a Hashira, I encountered all of the Lower Moon Ranks of that time.
Inei: All of them, dead by my hand.
Aoi: !?
Aoi: No wonder........
Inei: Soon after that, I encountered the Upper Moon Ranks. One, Two, and Three.
Inei: But they didn't stood a chance. I intended to prolong the battle and I battled them in open spaces.
Aoi: Isn't that too dangerous for you!?
Inei: It is one of my trump cards. Prolonging the battle, until the Sun comes up.
Aoi: Ah...........
Aoi: That's right........
Inei: No demon is immune to the Sun.
Inei: Even Muzan himself is no exception to this rule.
Inei: After that, I returned to the Headquarters and received the news of Kanae-san's death from Shinobu herself.
Inei: The demon who managed to kill Kanae-san, was the Upper Rank 2. The encounter even happened before my encounter with Upper Rank 2.
Inei: If I could've killed Upper Rank 2, then I could've avenged Kanae-san, and my foster family from the orphanage.
Aoi: You mean.........?
Inei: He was the one who killed my foster family.
Inei: That's why, I failed.
Inei: But maybe there is a reason why.
Inei: After all, I never knew about the abilities of the Upper Ranks when I first fought them.
Inei: So I only thought of surviving and gather information to their abilities.
Inei: In the end, they never even went all out, I am also the same. I never went all out, because I wanted to gather information.
Inei: And if word that I managed to kill an Upper Rank Demon, Muzan would probably launch an all-out attack out of nowhere.
Inei: That's why, before I act, I always think of every possibility and every scenario that could happen if I made that choice.
Inei: So far, I never regretted my decision, if I had one, that would be about Tanjiro's family.
Inei: I failed to protect them, because I never knew they are the ones that I meant to protect.
Inei: And in order for me to atone for that sin, I will make it up to Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Aoi: Saito-san.........
Inei: It's fine. I'm used to carrying such heavy responsibilities like this.
Inei: Well, even when I was young, I am the big brother of the orphanage back then.
Inei: You know, if things could've been different.......
I turned to Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu entering the dojo.
Inei: I would've gladly sacrificed my own life, just for the demon to spare my foster family.
Inei: But I knew that demons are heartless, but there are some who are suffering, who was turned to be a demon against their will, but sadly, most of them, are engulfed by greed.
I then turned to the trio.
Inei: All right. Now that the three of you are present, your training for today will begin.
Inei: And since this is Zenitsu's first day, I guess he should first watch for a while, in order for him to grasp the situation.
Zenitsu: Yes, sir!
Inei: Aoi, if you would.
Aoi: Yes, sir.
Then Aoi began to explain the Rehabilitation Training Regimen.
Aoi: Zenitsu-san, since this is the day you'll join us, like Saito-san said earlier, you'll have to learn the basic routines of the rehabilitation training.
Aoi pointed at the little helpers.
Aoi: You'll start over there. Those girls will make your body limber again after having bed-ridden for so long.
Inei: Now then, Inosuke, if you would, please?
And this is what happened.
Inosuke: *crying and suffering*
Inei: Inosuke, you can dislocate your joints and organs, right?
Inosuke: H-How did you—aaaaaagggggghhhhhhh!
Inei: Remember, I can see through one's body composition, muscles, nerves, internal organs, and blood flow.
Inei: In fact, that kind of stretches will be an easy part for you.
To the next step.
Aoi: Next, Reflex Training.
Aoi: These cups contain medicated water. The objective is to throw that medicated water onto each other.
Aoi: But if your opponent blocks your cup before you can pick it up, you can't move that cup.
Tanjiro faced off Kanao and he's having a concentrated face.
Inei: Tanjiro, remember what I told you before.
Inei: Clear your mind from all distraction, and focus upon yourself and to your opponent.
Tanjiro: Got it!
Inei: Now then.
Inei: Begin!
Even before Tanjiro could react, Kanao quickly threw a cup to Tanjiro.
Tanjiro: ............
After Tanjiro wipes his face.
Inei: Okay, second round.
Inei: Begin!
Tanjiro got a cup, but Kanao stopped him and she successfully threw the cup to Tanjiro's face.
Tanjiro: ................
Inei: Okay, that's it for now.
Tanjiro wipes his face as he sighed.
Tanjiro: *sigh*
Inei: Don't worry, Tanjiro. This is not a race but journey.
I turned to the other two.
Inei: The same also goes for you two, Zenitsu, Inosuke.
Lastly, the full-body training. They will play the game tag.
As Aoi explained the rules, I tapped her shoulder as I gestured at Tanjiro and Inosuke being gloomy, probably tired.
Inei: Maybe we should take a break.
Aoi: Huh?
Zenitsu: Excuse me, may I ask something?
Zenitsu raised his hand.
Inei: Hm, yes. Do you have questions about the regimen?
Zenitsu: No, it's just.......
He stands up.
Zenitsu: Come with me, you two.
Tanjiro: ??
Inosuke: Not going.
Zenitsu: Just shut up and come with me like I said!
And then he drags the other two outside.
Inei: *sigh*
Aoi: What is going on?
Inei: Even I myself doesn't have an answer.
Until I can only hear Zenitsu being mad at Tanjiro and Inosuke for a stupid reason.
Aoi: U-Um......
Inei: Leave this to me.
I went outside and when I found the three, I stopped furious Zenitsu by pinning him to the ground.
Zenitsu: What the......!?
Tanjiro: Inei-onii-san.
Inei: Zenitsu, this isn't a joke. Tanjiro and Inosuke are not even having a good time with this training.
Inei: They're having a hard time.
Inei: Well, maybe for you, having girls helping you train will be considered as "heaven" to you.
Inei: But for Tanjiro and Inosuke, as if they are going back and forth to hell.
Inei: So, just shut your mouth, quit yammering, and go out there and train you idiot!
Zenitsu: I-I'm sorry!
And when we returned, Zenitsu's training began. He easily passed through the first two regimens, but in the cup game, he refused to splash Aoi the medicated water.
As for the tag, well, Zenitsu used his speed to caugt Aoi off guard, but he was beaten by Aoi herself.
Inosuke became fired up as well, easily going through the cup game and the tag, but Inosuke is somehow being brutal. As he just rashly splashed the medicated water to Aoi, and then hanged Aoi upside down when he caught her.
Inei: Inosuke, can you hold back even just a bit.
As for Tanjiro, well.........he's on a losing streak.
But, they still can't beat Kanao.
Tanjiro: *sigh*
Inei: ..........
The training went on and on for five days. The three of them couldn't even get a cup or even touch a strand of Kanao's hair in the game of tag.
Eventually, Zenitsu and Inosuke gave up and just called it a day.
Tanjiro was still determined.
He continued training but, he eventually called it a day.
After washing his face and changing new clothes, he asked me while we're walking to the hallways.
Tanjiro: Why can't I beat her? I followed your advice and yet.
Tanjiro: What gives her an edge better than me? Her reflexes are so fast. Even if I'm in top condition, I wouldn't be able to beat her.
Inei: I guess it is because of a breathing technique.
Tanjiro: A breathing technique?
Inei: Yes.
Inei: Maybe I should teach you this technique, before I help you improve the Hinokami Kagura.
Tanjiro: The Hinokami Kagura!? Wait, Inei-oniisan, I know you already mastered it to perfection but, could it really helped me improve?
Inei: Yes.
Inei: Remember what your father taught us about the correct way to breath.
Inei: That will allow us to dance forever.
Inei: Tanjiro, do you know about the Total Concentration Breathing?
Tanjiro: Total Concentration Breathing?
Inei: It is a breathing technique that is to be maintained at morning, noon, and night. All around the clock.
Inei: Even when you're asleep.
Tanjiro: No, I haven't done that.
Then Sumi, Naho, and Kiyo found us and gave Tanjiro a towel to which he thanked them.
The three young girls asked Tanjiro if he maintains the Total Concentration Breathing and then they explained it to him.
And they cheered him on.
The Next Day. I helped Tanjiro to master the Total Concentration.
Inei: Let's do this via meditation.
Inei: Remember, breathing is all about the lungs.
Inei: As of now, your lungs are still too weak. But, with this training that I'm going to give you, it will help you improve.
Inei: Also, this is how the spirits trained me.
Tanjiro: Please!
And so, Tanjiro's training under my tutelage began. The next day, Inosuke and Zenitsu didn't show up, so I guess I'll have more time to train Tanjiro.
We went to the backyard and I asked Tanjiro on what should I teach him.
Inei: Improve the Hinokami Kagura or hone your Total Concentration Breathing.
Tanjiro: Inei-oniisan, I used the Hinokami Kagura during my fight against Rui.
Inei: Hm....
Inei: And the result was you were immobile for a while the moment I saved you and Nezuko.
Inei: Tanjiro, what breathing style do you currently use?
Tanjiro: Water Breathing.
Inei: Then, use the Hinokami Kagura from now.
Tanjiro: Eh!?
Inei: Your body is much more used to Hinokami Kagura. But, since you also learned Water Breathing, I guess it wouldn't be that bad.
Inei: At least, you're going to be versatile and can adapt in any situation.
Inei: So, Tanjiro, would you like me to demonstrate the Hinokami Kagura to you?
Tanjiro: Yeah! That would be great!
Inei: Then, step back.
Inei: Watch, and learn.
I took my starting stance, as I breathed and entered the Selfless State. With my breathing under perfect control.
Inei: Perfect Concentration.
Inei: Here I go.
-----------------
Shinobu's POV.
I heard that the three demon slayers are undergoing the Rehabilitation Training, until two of them stopped.
Then I heard from Aoi that Kamado-kun is training under Inei-kun.
Shinobu: Inei-kun, you really planning on making him your Tsugoko, huh?
I went and look for them and I found them in the backyard. Kamado-kun watching Inei-kun with wooden sword in hand, who is on a specific stance.
I quietly watched them and see what is going on.
But somehow, Inei-kun's presence became different, there is a different vibe surrounding him.
Inei: Perfect Concentration.
Inei: Here I go.
Inei: Hinokami Kagura.
Inei: Enbu!
Shinobu: !?
Inei-kun began with a downward slash, and suddenly, he performed another form.
Inei: Heki–ra no Ten.
He spinned his body horizontally to perform a 360° slash.
Inei: Retsujitsu Kokyo.
Two horizontal slashes.
Inei: Shakkotsu En'yō.
A large circular slash.
Inei: Shayō Tenshin.
He backflips into the air to deliver a powerful upended sword slash, this is a decapitation strike.
Inei: Hirin Kagerō. Kiki Onkō. Yōkatotsu.
Inei: Nichiun no Ryū Kaburimai.
Inei: Kasha. Gen'nichi Kō. Enbu (Flame Dance).
He finished it and then, I couldn't help but admire his swordsmanship.
His Shadow Breathing could a pinnacle of his swordsmanship. But being able to master another breathing technique.
So this is what Inei-kun wanted to pass on to Kamado-kun.
So I decided to stay a little bit longer, and watch them.
---------------
Tanjiro's POV.
When Inei-oniisan performed all the Twelve Forms of the Hinokami Kagura, I just couldn't help but be stunned.
His movements were so precise, no wasted movements, and did he just connected all Twelve Forms? Without any pause.
Though he did say each form, it was just fluid that it transitioned to the next form, one after the other.
Tanjiro: Amazing.........
--------------
Back to Inei.
I smiled at Tanjiro as I walked towards him.
Tanjiro: Amazing. It's just like Dad's.
Inei: Mm.
Inei: Tanjiro, if you want to master that, you first got to improve your breathing.
Inei: I managed to do the Hinokami Kagura without any wrong steps, that it because I put my breathing under control.
Inei: In this case, Total Concentration Breathing.
Inei: Did you see me pant for air during the dance?
Tanjiro: No. I didn't hear a sound of your breathing, the scent of fatigue is not also there.
Inei: Now then, Tanjiro. Are you ready to master this Total Concentration?
Tanjiro: Yes, sir!
Inei: Good. Prepare yourself. For this is going to be long and tough road ahead.