Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Receiving Odachi (uh..finally)
Another week, another mountain of training. Urokodaki-sensei wasn't messing around. He had us running up and down the mountain, dodging swinging logs, and sparring with bamboo swords until our arms felt like noodles.
"Come on, you weaklings!" he'd bellow, his tengu mask hiding his expression but not his booming voice. "A true Demon Slayer must be able to fight even when exhausted!"
I'd roll my eyes, panting for breath. "Yeah, yeah, Sensei. But can we maybe take a five-minute break for a snack? All this training is making me hungry enough to eat a whole boar."
Sabito and Makomo would just exchange amused glances, clearly used to my antics by now. They had become my constant companions, my training buddies, and my fellow sufferers of Urokodaki-sensei's "unique" training methods.
But despite the gruelling workouts and the occasional near-death experiences (seriously, those swinging logs were no joke), I was making progress. My control over Kinetic Breathing was improving every day, my movements becoming more fluid, my strikes more precise.
One night, as I was practicing alone in the clearing, something strange happened. I was pushing myself to the limit, my body a blur of motion as I executed the Sixth Form: Mugen Dō (Infinite Motion). The air crackled with energy, my katana a whirlwind of steel.
And then, I felt it. A surge of power, like a hidden boost button had been pressed. It was different from anything I'd felt before, darker, more intense. My movements got faster, my strikes hit harder, and there was this weird tingling in the air, like something awesome was about to happen.
I stopped, my heart pounding in my chest. What the heck was that?
I looked at my hands, and my eyes went wide. A faint, white energy was dancing around my fingertips, leaving trails of black with stroke of white light
What the... I thought, my mind racing. Is this... a new power-up? Did I just unlock a secret level or something?
I kept pushing myself, trying to tap into this new energy. It felt raw, untamed, like a wild animal waiting to be unleashed. The more I focused, the stronger it got, crackling around my body like a hidden current.
It was both exhilarating and kinda scary. I felt like I was on the verge of something big, something that could change everything.
As the night went on, I kept playing around with this new power, trying to figure out what it was and how to control it. It was definitely connected to my Kinetic Breathing, but it felt... different. More intense, more mysterious.
Two weeks flew by in a whirlwind of training. Urokodaki-sensei pushed us to our limits, and then some. We were running, jumping, dodging, and sparring from sunrise to sunset. My muscles ached, my lungs burned, but I wasn't complaining. I could feel myself getting stronger, faster, more in tune with my abilities.
Sabito and Makomo were right there with me, pushing themselves just as hard. We'd become a tight-knit trio, sharing laughs, frustrations, and the occasional stolen rice ball.
Finally, the day arrived. The swordsmith, a hyperactive little guy with a knack for theatrics, showed up at the hut, carrying a massive bundle on his back.
"Greetings, Urokodaki-sama!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply. "I have brought the fruits of my labor! The Nichirin Blades, forged with the utmost care and dedication!"
He unfurled the bundle, revealing three gleaming katana. Sabito and Makomo's eyes lit up, while I tried to contain my excitement.
"And for you, young Asakura-kun," the swordsmith said, turning to me with a flourish, "I present your Odachi!"
He unveiled a massive blade, way bigger than the others. The hilt was black and white, and it looked seriously impressive.
"It's been ages since someone asked for an Odachi," the swordsmith said, practically bouncing on his toes. "I put my heart and soul into this one. Now, let's see what colors your blades reveal!"
Sabito went first. His katana's handle was orange and white, and when he drew the blade, it turned a bright blue.
"Water Breathing!" the swordsmith cheered, clapping his hands. "A classic, but always powerful. Perfect for you, Sabito!"
Makomo's turn. Her katana's handle was black and blue, and the blade also turned blue, but a softer, calmer shade.
"Another Water Breathing user," the swordsmith nodded. "Urokodaki-sensei has taught you well. May your blade flow like water, Makomo!"
Finally, it was my turn. I gripped the hilt of my Odachi, its weight comforting in my hand.
With a swift motion, I drew the blade.
The room went quiet. Everyone stared at the Odachi, their faces a mix of wonder and... worry?
The blade was pitch black, like it was sucking up all the light in the room.
The swordsmith's jaw dropped. "A black blade?!" he squeaked, his voice high-pitched. "That's... that's..."
He trailed off, looking like he'd seen a ghost. Or maybe a demon. Probably a demon.
Urokodaki-sensei's usually stoic expression turned grave. "A black blade..." he murmured, his voice heavy. "It is said that those who wield such a blade..." He trailed off, leaving the ominous sentence hanging in the air.
Sabito and Makomo looked at me, their eyes filled with concern.
Great, I thought, my heart sinking. A cursed sword. Just my luck.
But before I could spiral into a full-blown existential crisis, something unexpected happened.
Jagged black with stroke of white lines, like cracks in the darkness, appeared on the black blade, traveling from the hilt to the tip. They pulsed with a strange energy, their glow illuminating the darkened room.
Everyone gasped. The swordsmith stumbled back, his hand clutching his chest.
"What... what is this?" he stammered, his voice trembling.
I stared at the blade, mesmerized by the pulsating energy. It was like the sword itself was alive, its power humming in my hand.
A slow grin spread across my face.
"I don't know," I said, my voice filled with a newfound confidence. "But I have a feeling it's gonna be awesome."
Just as the silence in the room was getting a little too thick, a familiar hoot echoed from above. Fuyume, my trusty eagle owl companion, swooped down from the rafters and landed on my shoulder.
"Bout time you showed up, buddy," I said, giving him a quick head scratch. "Been missing you for days."
Fuyume ruffled his feathers, seemingly pleased with the compliment. Then, in a deep, masculine voice that sounded oddly out of place coming from a bird, he declared, "Head to Mount Kōri in the north. A young monk has gone missing from the temple at its peak. Investigate and slay the demon responsible."
Whoa, hold on a second, I thought, my eyes widening in surprise. Did my owl just talk? And in a voice that sounds like a cross between Morgan Freeman and Batman?
Before I could process this new development, a flurry of black feathers filled the air as two Kasugai crows landed on Sabito and Makomo's shoulders.
"Investigate the village of Higashiyama," one crow cawed, its voice raspy and urgent. "Young men have been disappearing. Find and eliminate the demon responsible."
The other crow echoed the message, its beady eyes fixed on Makomo.
A wave of disappointment washed over me. Seriously, Universe? We just became friends, and now you're splitting us up?
Sabito and Makomo looked at me, their expressions mirroring my own.
"Looks like our paths diverge here, Akio," Sabito said, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Yeah," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "Guess it's time for us to go our separate ways. But hey, let's meet up again after we've completed our missions. We'll have a ramen party to celebrate!"
Makomo nodded, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "We'll be waiting, Akio-kun."
I turned to Fuyume, my heart heavy but my resolve unwavering. "Ready for an adventure, buddy?"
Fuyume hooted in response, his golden eyes gleaming with determination.
Before leaving, I turned back to Urokodaki-sensei and bowed deeply, my forehead touching the tatami mat. "Thank you for your hospitality, Urokodaki-sensei," I said sincerely. "I'll do my best to make you proud."
Urokodaki-sensei nodded silently, his masked face revealing nothing. But I could sense a flicker of approval in his posture, a subtle acknowledgment of my respect.
With a final farewell to Sabito, Makomo and Urokodaki-Sensei, I set off towards Mount Kōri, my Odachi strapped to my back, my heart filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
(To be Continued…)
Akio leans in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, Over9000words, about that whole black blade and the weird black with stroke of white zig-zag lines... Any chance you could, you know, spill the beans? Is it some kind of hidden power? A secret technique? Or maybe just a really cool fashion statement?"
Over9000words chuckles, adopting a dramatic pose. "Ah, Akio, my dear protagonist, you wound me! Revealing such crucial plot points would be a cardinal sin, a spoiler of epic proportions! Patience, my friend, patience. All will be revealed in due time."
Akio groans, rolling his eyes. "Come on, man! Don't leave me hanging like this. At least give me a hint. Is it related to my 'Walmart Byakugan'? Or maybe it's a side effect of eating too many questionable mushrooms?"
AI-sensei interjects, their voice a mix of amusement and exasperation. "While I appreciate Akio's insatiable curiosity, I must concur with Over9000words. Premature revelations would diminish the suspense and intrigue of the narrative."
Akio pouts. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets. But don't expect me to stop pestering you about it. I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to uncovering mysteries, especially ones that involve my own potentially awesome powers."
Over9000words laughs heartily. "That's the spirit, Akio! Keep us on our toes. And to our readers, thank you for joining us on this wild ride. We'll see you in the next chapter, where hopefully Akio won't stumble upon any more plot-convenient weapons or abilities."
Akio raises an eyebrow. "Hey, I wouldn't mind a magical talking cat or a pair of gravity-defying boots. Just sayin'."
Over9000words suddenly snaps their fingers. "Oi, Akio! I almost forgot to mention, don't call that Transparent World technique 'Walmart Byakugan' anymore. From now on, it's called 'Mind's Eye'."
Akio's face lights up with a sarcastic grin. "Finally! A decent name from your rusty -1 HP engine. I was starting to lose hope."
Over9000words coughs awkwardly. "Well... it wasn't actually my idea. It was our dear reader, 'Project_Paladin,' who suggested it in the comments. So, kudos to him!"
Akio shakes his head, still grinning. "Guess I shouldn't have expected much from you, Over9000words. hey, thanks 'Project_Paladin' for the assist! We can finally ditch the Walmart Byakugan name. It was getting a bit... cringey."
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End of Chapter 14
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