Training was very, very, weird. Kirishiki would have unconventional ways of training, but Takeyasu went along with it, since he had no clue what to do if he quit. First off, was sword training. He needed to run around he mountain with a sword in hand. Luckily, Kirishiki keeps decorative swords that are the same weight as Nichirin Swords.
Kai: Come on, Tatsukami-kun! Hold on more!
He was running with his sword in hand, and was panting and panting. The sword heavily restricted his movement, and in the snow, it wasn't easy. He just did 10 laps around the mountain while holding a sword.
Takeyasu: Done, Kirishiki-sensei!
Kai: Yes! You are done! With the 10th lap. 90 more to go!
Takeyasu just groaned while Kai handed him some water. He drank all of it, and then started on his 11th lap around Mt. Ishiguro.
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Next up was Mist exercise. Although it didn't produce actual mist, when used on the opponent, it would give the illusion of it. Obscure, thick, and hard to get out of. Then, he had to find the giant wisteria tree while surrounded in Mist.
Kai: Ok. Now find the tree. I'll meet you there.
He faded into the mist as Takeyasu tried to climb up. But instead, he had the smell of wisteria. Yasu quickly followed up the trail, but it was just Wisteria Perfume. He then smelled wood, petals, and wisteria, Yasu quickly followed that scent and climbed up as much as he could until he finally reached the top and saw his master there as well.
Kai: Good. Did you find a wisteria scented wood stake by any chance?
Takeyasu: Yes.
Kai: Good thing this was a practice. If it wasn't, you'd be dead. You can't let faint smells take you off the trail. They need to be precise and strict. No compromises.
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Now it was time to be taught how to wield a sword. Takeyasu didn't know how, but Kai did. He told him to swing it down multiple times. Then to the side. Both left and right. All of which, he had to do in 5 sets of 100.
Takeyasu: (99....100!) That's 100!
Kai: Great! Now, only 400 left to go.
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He also was taught self defense moves. Although Yasu's martial arts were better than street fighters, they lacked refinement and compared to a Hashira, he was outclassed. Even with a wooden sword in hand, Kirishiki would always beat him.
Nevertheless, he tried different positions and movements so he could try and even touch him once. However, they all failed.
Takeyasu: WHOA!
Kai: Too fast.
Every.....single.....time.
Kai: Too slow. Ok, martial arts is good to know. Although you fight Demons with Nichirin swords, it's just in case for distractions or things like that. I'll teach you some.
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Even after all that, he still loved it on the mountain and living with the Kirishikis. He saw Shizuka as a 2nd mom, and Aiwa as his little sister. For 6 months, he lived a normal, but steady routine. Sleep, bathe, eat, train, eat lunch, train, eat dinner, train, and then go to sleep. But it wasn't just all training, Kai often gave breaks whenever he was REALLY in pain. Which happened fewer than he expected.
Not to mention, Shizuka was a good cook too. Not Sumire level, but better than Makomo level.
Shizuka: Who wants stew?
Takeyasu: I do!
Shizuka: Can you and Kai go out and get some deer?
Both: Yes, Shizuka.
They grab a bow and arrows, and a spear, and head outside. On the way, they talk about their training and how far Yasu has come.
Kai: You have gone far, Takeyasu.
Takeyasu: Thanks, Kirishiki-sensei.
Kai: You know, many students gave up on me because of my training methods. They're seen as weird or excessive. Many go onto someone else, develop their own breathing style, or just find another path altogether. Out of the 20 students I've had, 14 quit. But the six I trained survived, while only the ones who developed a breathing style themselves lived.
Takeyasu: It's ok. I don't really care that much. Besides, my parents died to a demon. All my friends' loved ones did. I know I normally don't care about almost anything, but it's because I've been cheated out of life. There's nothing I can do about it. And if I find something happy and worthwhile again, it'll be taken away from me sooner or later.
Kai: Well, not all worthwhile things last forever. Not even family. But that's what gives beauty to life. You'll always find something, even when it tells you no. And the things in life have value because of the fleeting moments of joy you have with it.
Takeyasu: But that's the problem. Why enjoy it when you're just going to lose it?
Kai: Well, maybe you need to keep on looking for that thing. Like how we don't need to find a deer anymore.
Takeyasu: You found one?
Kai: Yeah, shh. Watch.
He pulls back his arm to aim his spear, and it aims right at the head of the deer. It falls, and the deer collapses as they look over the catch.
Takeyasu: Ok. Let's eat some dinner.
Kai: I hear that.
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More often than not, he would receive letters from his three friends. Giyu, Sabito, and Makomo. Their training with Urokodaki was unlike Kirishiki's. Urokodaki was more stern and traditional, in contrast to Kirishiki's eccentric and unconventional methods.
But he was kinder than most. He even let Sabito go under his last name, making him Sabito Urokodaki. Despite being older than Kirishiki, he had half the students Kirishiki trained. And none survived. So he had a justification for being more strict.
Takeyasu often wrote about the family he lived under, and they were kind, but busy too. Some birthdays would happen where Yasu would take time off to visit Urokodaki's cabin. It was smaller, but he didn't raise a family.
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Now came the main part of Mist Breathing. Learning how to use the forms. Kirishiki created one form himself, while the main 5 were the basic forms of Mist Breathing.
Kirishiki: Now first off, I shall teach you how to do each of the forms. But you need to master a technique called Total Concentration Breathing. It's where you take in air, and have it flow throughout your body to enhance every physical capability. Try a normal breathing.
Takeyasu takes in a deep breath, and then exhales.
Kirishiki: Good. But, do what I do. Take a deep breath, and have the oxygen flow throughout your body before exhaling.
He takes in a deep breath and feels the oxygen throughout his body, and then starts running around faster than before. Takeyasu holds it in for a bit longer, but lets the oxygen flow through his body. But he exhales too fast and he falls into the snowbank.
Kai: Not everyone is a master on their first day. It takes time. We'll do breathing practices first thing every morning. Let me demonstrate how they go.
Takeyasu: Ok.
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A few months pass, and Yasu tried the wisteria tree exercise again. Takeyasu was able to smell the tree and the wisteria scent it emanated. He followed it, and managed to climb all the way there and not get lead by wisteria stakes.
Kai: Well done. Keep it up.
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Next up was swordsmanship. Takeyasu improved a lot. It was only 6 months and he was able to slash without chipping the blade. Kai would regularly throw snowballs which Takeyasu would have to slash in half. But he'd have to do it blindfolded to sense the snowballs.
Kai: Ready?
Takeyasu: Yes.
Kai takes a deep breath, and starts fling the snowballs erratically. They were coming from all directions, but Yasu was able to pinpoint them and slash with ease. Each snowball was easily cut as smooth as butter.
Kai: Wow. That's impressive. Now let's try something harder. These stones.
Takeyasu gulped. He never got past this stage. Every time, he'd mess up and a rock would hit him. But he had to try. Kai takes his deep breath, and starts throwing stones at the nihilist.
Takeyasu: (Total Concentration. Mist Breathing. 2nd Form.) 8 Layered Mist.
He does a repeated 8 slashes towards the stones and manages to slice them all at once. Kai was shocked. Takeyasu then sheathes his sword and Kai claps his hands.
Kai: Good job. Let's see if you can perform all the other ones.
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During times when Kai and Shizuka had to stay back at the tailors, Yasu would often watch Aiwa. She was a happy baby, and he saw her as the little sister he never had.
Takeyasu: Hello, Aiwa.
She then crawled over to him, and hugged his leg. Takeyasu was filled with joy, and hugged Aiwa. She called him her older brother, and his heart's hole started to slowly fill.
Takeyasu: (She's so precious! Oh right! Feeding time!)
He got her food, and slowly fed her. She babbled and kept on eating. After a bit, he needed to put her to sleep. So he rocked her, and rocked her, until Aiwa went to sleep.
Takeyasu: (I wonder what type of girl she'll grow up to be.)
Soon, he fell asleep on the futon in the room as well. When Kai and Shizuka arrived back home, they saw Aiwa and Yasu asleep. They chuckled and closed the door.
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Soon, Takeyasu's birthday neared after a year of training. He was turning 15. So he wanted to celebrate with his three closest friends. Giyu Tomioka, Makomo Aoki, and Sabito.
Kai: Where should we go?
Takeyasu: We used to live in an old blacksmith shop before we lived in different places. Can we go there?
Kai: Sure kid. Just let me send my crow, Hanetori, to Urokodaki's. Where is the party held?
Takeyasu: At our old blacksmith shop. So you should probably contact my uncle.
Kai: Ah, yes. Your uncle Ubuyashiki. Ok.
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A few days later, it was time for Yasu's birthday. They bought a big cake and even his uncle and aunt came. Not to mention, even after everything, the village still wished Yasu a happy birthday. The vendor even cooked up a lot of his favorite food in tempura.
Giyu, Sabito, and Makomo: 🎶 Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Yasu, happy birthday to you! 🎶
Takeyasu first made his wish, which was (I'd wish to pass the Final Selection.) then blew out his candles. Everyone cheered and they handed out some presents. Giyu gave him a wood carving of a lion dog, Sabito made an axe, and Makomo gave him her recipe book along with kitchen knives. Kagaya and Amane gave him new kimonos to keep him warm, made by the Kirishiki family. And as for them, they gave him a pot and some blankets.
Kagaya: So, how is our nephew doing in training?
Kai: Doing well. How are Tomioka, Aoki, and Urokodaki?
Kagaya: Urokodaki and Aoki are great. Tomioka is averaging, but he's still proficient, Something tells me they'll make it. One is guaranteed to stay alive.
Amane: Yasu? How do you like your presents and the food?
Takeyasu: It's amazing! Thanks, Auntie!
Amane: You're welcome, dear. But, you could live with your family in Tokyo. I notified them, your Grandpa Hitoshi and Grandma Michika.
Takeyasu: No thanks. I like my life here. Not as rich, but I have so much freedom and I have three wonderful friends. I wouldn't ask for more.
Amane: Ok. We still have that business and blacksmith shop in case you want to stop.
They had a great time there. The food was amazing, the cake was delicious, and he enjoyed his presents. But, Yasu wanted to visit his mother and father. So the entire party went to the cemetery to mourn for Takeyasu parents.
Amane and Takeyasu stepped forward and placed their hands on the graves. Takeyasu was going to cry, but Amane held his shoulders to calm him down.
Takeyasu: Hi mom, and dad. You know Giyu, Sabito, Makomo. Sabito's last name is now Urokodaki by the way. But Auntie Amane and Uncle Kagaya came. So did my master and his family.
Takeyasu started to tear up. But powered through.
Takeyasu: I'm sorry about what I said during the day you died. I was angry. I was stressed. I was......I was.......*sniff*.
It was too late, Takeyasu started crying and bawled into his aunt's shoulder. Amane comforted her nephew as Kagaya and the others looked down. Then, Amane held her nephew's face and told him some words that would change him.
Amane: If you keep mourning like this, what would they say?
Takeyasu: What would I now? They're dead!
Amane: They would say keep on living. Even if it doesn't want you to live. It's hard. But there is grace and joy hidden among despair and pain. You just have to look for it. Whether it be purpose, or people. They'll give you a reason life's worth living.
He looks over his family and friends, wiped his tears, and hugged his aunt.
Takeyasu: Thanks, Auntie.
The boy then walks away from the grave, and so does the rest of the party, and Takeyasu apparently hears, "Good job, son."
He wondered who said that. But no one was there. Yasu shrugged it off, and headed back to the party.
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As the days go by, Takeyasu's skills improved significantly. His senses, self defense and attacking, swordsmanship, and strength too.
He sliced snows balls and boulders with relative ease and the sword felt like a feather, while also being as strong as a rock.
The breathing styles were getting better and more easy to use. Soon, he managed to master his master's technique in less than a month. Lunar Dispersing Mist.
Kai: Time to try Lunar Dispersing Mist! Slice this entire rock!
Kirishiki then pulled over a huge rock, and threw it at Yasu. He jumped up, somersaulted in the air, and tried the move.
Takeyasu: Mist Breathing: 6th Form. Lunar Dispersing Mist!
He quickly slashed while somersaulting in the air, and after a ton of slashes, the rock was nothing more than tiny pebbles and dust. It was so strong, he managed to blow some snow away.
Kai: Excellent! Just make sure you don't overdo it. Total Concentration is to help do the moves and recover your body, but it isn't going to always be your go to move to heal. Don't use it as a crutch.
Takeyasu: Yes, Kirishiki-sensei!
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Even is old group of friends would often come by and visit each other's masters. Urokodaki was kind, and also a bit stern on the kids, while the Kirishikis were like a family.
Urokodaki would teach the group of to hunt, while the Kirishikis would offer to make arts and crafts for the group. Either way, each of the friends would have lots of fun whenever they didn't train.
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But all good things had to come to an end. Soon, Takeyasu would complete his training in 1 year. And so would the rest of the group. To celebrate, they had a party over at the blacksmith shop again.
Makomo, Sabito, Urokodaki, and Shizuka would cook while Kirishiki, Aiwa, Giyu, and Yasu would play. Mainly archery. Takeyasu and Kai would get perfect targets, Giyu was sometimes, while Aiwa stayed away since she was still only a year old.
Apparently, Aiwa was the same age as Kagaya's 5 actual children. Amane had quintuplets. 4 girls and 1 boy. Hinaki, Nichika, Kiriya (the only son), Kuina, and Kanata. Unfortunately, unlike Aiwa, because of the curse (which luckily didn't affect Yasu because his family relation was to Amane, and not Kagaya), they were forced to become the heads soon. Kagaya became the head at 4 years old since his dad died.
Despite all that, the group promised to pass the test, and become Demon Slayers together. Kirishiki got something called a camera, which he got from a client who couldn't pay with money, and took a picture of all of them. Kirishiki and his family, Urokodaki, Giyu, Yasu, Sabito, and Makomo.
Takeyasu: Ok. We meet at the blacksmith shop. Then, we head towards Mt Fujikasane.
Giyu: Yeah.
Sabito: We're gonna make it.
Makomo: To us!
Everyone: Yeah!
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Soon, the party winded down and it was time for the group to leave. Takeyasu rested well and soon, the next day happened. The day he'd become a Demon Slayer.
He was woken up by Kirishiki, and made a meal by Shizuka. After he finished eating, he puts on his birthday kimono, packs swords from Kirishiki's shed, and puts it on his back.
Kirishiki: Usually, they're one sword only, but better safe than sorry. I guess. And I get sent training swords for every student I get.
Takeyasu: Thank you.
Kirishiki: I'll see you in 7 days. Make sure you remember your breathing techniques and Total Concentration.
Takeyasu: Ok.
Shizuka: I've packed you your favorite meal for dinner. I'm not sure if there's enough for a week, but the technique can make one meal last long.
Takeyasu: Thank you.
Suddenly, Aiwa mumbled and babbled, but she said some words that would make Yasu feel warm inside.
Aiwa: Onii-chan.
She waved, and Yasu clenched his heart. He hugged his surrogate family, and waved goodbye. They did the same and waved until the boy was gone and went down the steps of Mt Ishiguro.
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Once there, he stays at the shop which was currently being ran by Kakushi. He talks to the man running it, and he just crosses his arms.
???: Tomioka, Urokodaki, and Aoki? Never seen em. We were told they'd arrive as well, but they're not here yet.
Takeyasu: Well, can I help here please?
Goto: Sure. Name's Goto. I'm a Kakushi.
Takeyasu: Who are those?
Goto: Demon Slayer cleanup crew.
Takeyasu: Never heard of you.
Goto: It's a role where some who aren't physically skilled enough to pass Final Selection become one of us to help out still.
Takeyasu: So, essentially a servant.
Goto: (Calm down, calm down. He's the Master's nephew. If I blow my fuse, who'd know what he'd do to me?)
Giyu: Hello!
Sabito: Yo, Yasu!
Makomo: Time to go!
The boy sees his three friends outside with their kimonos on and Makomo wearing a fox mask.
Takeyasu: Sorry, Goto-san! Bye! Wish me luck!
Goto waves while the boy runs off to see Giyu, Makomo, and Sabito. They put their hands together, rush them back up, and head off to Mt Fujikasane.
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A year has passed ever since training. The group mainly talked about their lives during training, but also about their gifts from each mentor.
Takeyasu: I mainly got some food. And two swords.
Sabito: We all got warding masks. Urokodaki has a Tengu Mask, so he gives us masks he made himself. But he gives us fox masks because we're still young.
Giyu: Yeah. Maybe you should have one too. They're warding masks. Imbued with a protection spell.
Takeyasu: Maybe we'll all survive!
Sabito: Here's hoping.
Makomo: Let's stick together.
Giyu: We're bound to survive!
The group were currently heading up the mountain of Fujikasane. It was surrounded by purple wisteria, and was going to take place over 7 days. Wisteria grew everywhere, but from the center, nothing grew.
Tons of potential Demon Slayers were on the mountain, but as they were taking in the view, a rude man with white hair barged in between the group.
???: Outta my way, weirdos!
Sabito: Hey! Why the hell you calling us weirdos, white hair?!
He turns around and that same boy with white hair had scars all over his face and purple eyes.
Sanemi: Name's Sanemi Shinazugawa. Yours, newbies?
Giyu: Giyu Tomioka.
Makomo: Makomo Aoki.
Sabito: Sabito Urokodaki.
Takeyasu: Takeyasu Tatsukami.
Sanemi: I know those swords. You learnt under Kirishiki, didn't you? I guess the apple doesn't fall from the tree. Compensating for something, Tatsukami?
Takeyasu: That's not nice. It's a backup. Better prepared than powered down.
Sanemi: No wonder the corps is getting weaker, you're learning under crackpots like Kirishiki. How pathetic.
Sabito then grabs Sanemi by the collar.
Sabito: You're pissing me off. Kirishiki is a good man, and a great trainer. Guessing you used to learn under him, didn't you?
Sanemi: Yeah. Worst, teacher, ever. Smelling food? Running a mountain? Slicing snowballs?! This isn't a game! It's life and death! That's I quit under him! Besides, the Wind Hashira taught me more. Like this.
He grabs Sabito's wrist, kicks his leg, and kicks him by the back.
Sanemi: Ha! Where's Kirishiki now, Urokodaki?!
Goto: HEY! You're here to fight demons! Not each other!
Suddenly, groups of Kakushi arrive at the center and explain the basis of Final Selection. Sanemi released his grip from Sabito as they listened in.
Kakushi 1: Welcome to Final Selection. This event is a test all up and coming Demon Slayers must pass to become Demon Slayers.
Kakushi 2: You must survive here for 7 days beyond the Wisteria Trees. No help from the outside is permitted. So sir, eat your food now.
Takeyasu gobbles his food in 10 seconds and then listens back to the Kakushi.
Kakushi 2: These demons have been brought by Demon Slayers in the past, and are here for you to fight during the test.
Goto: If you ever want to quit, let one of the Kakushi know. They're on multiple sides of the mountain. And you cannot leave it unless you pass the test or agree to quit. Now.
All Kakushi: Good luck to you all.
The test begins, and the 4 friends rush into the forest, prepared to defeat any demon that comes their way.
But how will the test go for them?
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Part 8: End