Chapter 35: Destroyer of Demons
[Seiji's POV]
"I'd rather watch a pig trying to climb a tree."
"Look away then, no one is forcing you to watch me!!!" Shinobu said as she did....whatever it was that she was doing with her sword.
She moved with the grace of a feather but it was clear that the sword was too heavy for her. The steel in her hand threw her entire posture off balance. It was a horrible sight to see.
"Can't you just go back to practising with a wooden sword?" I asked, my voice was hopeful.
Shinobu was by no means a weak girl, she was simply normal while being surrounded by freaks of nature. She had the strength you would expect a 13-year-old girl to have.
She could pick up the sword and swing it - a civilian won't even notice the problem. But with a trained eye, you could see that the sword was heavy for her. She was not strong enough to swing her sword, much less cut off a head.
She was simply not meant to be a swordsman.
"Why don't YOU practice with a wooden sword." she said while performing movements similar to her sister's. "STOP WATCHING ME!!"
Honestly, I wish I could. But seeing her try to swing the sword in vain, I knew there was a big chance that she could hurt herself.
My eyes were locked on her figure as she practised. I could predict when and where an accident was going to take place by reading her body and the sword in her hand.
Before long, I was proven right as the katana flew off her slender finger. I burst into action, using the concept of Thunder BReathing, I covered the distance in an instant.
I was also moving before it actually happened so I was just in time to catch the sword before it fell on her and graze her pale leg.
"....."
"...."
She blushed and looked away.
"thank you." I knew it did not ring out from the lack of air rushing out of her mouth but I could read her lips.
"You're welcome."
"Would you listen to me now?" I asked.
She pursed her lips and her big round eyes looked up at me. They had no pupils and looked like the eyes of an insect, but it was beautiful.
"No. I think this is a great chance for me to give everything I have, knowing that you will save me if I mess up." she said under my eyes full of disbelief.
"I will take this~" she said and took the sword from my hand. She slipped past me so that she could continue practising on her own.
I sighed.
I watched her from a close distance, trying to advice her as best as I could while also saving her when she messed up.
An hour passed and I couldn't hold it anymore. I knew I should leave it to her to find her own path but it was unbearable.
There was something triggering about seeing someone who I knew would be incredible, stray from her path. Most people wouldn't get it since most people didn't have eyes like mine.
The closest thing I could compare it to was watching someone eat a burrito from the middle. You were simply not supposed to do it like that.
So I said, "You are trying too hard to be like your sister."
She stopped practicing and looked towards me. Beads of sweat fell down her dolly face and trailed on her perfect skin.
"I know you deeply admire her but you are not your sister and you never will be. You have to stop trying to imitate her." I said.
She frowned, "But she is a Hashira, if I-"
"Yes, but you are not blessed physically like she is." I cut her off and she clenched her fist in frustration.
She knew that her body was not strong like her sister's. She was small and weak. It has been her greatest insecurity.
"You need to find areas where you are blessed as well. I can see something special in you Shinobu, you just need to learn to see that too." I said genuinely. I hoped this time, my voice did not come out stoic.
She remained standing in her place for a long time as she contemplated my words. Then she met my eyes with a question, "Tell me, what should I do?"
I shrugged, "I don't know. That's for you to find out. But I do have some advice." I said and put a finger on my chin.
Shinobu perked up, her eyes expectant.
"Firstly, even though you suck at swinging your sword, you have no trouble stabbing so you should polish that area." I said and she knitted her eyebrows in thought.
"But you can only kill a demon by cutting off its head."
"Says who?" I asked, "The demon king? The almighty God? Yoriichi?"
I shook my head, "Where there is a will, there is always a way. If you want to kill a demon enough, you should have no trouble finding ways to kill it."
"Like using poison." I said while biting down a smile.
"Poison? But demons have great regenerative ability, poison would not work on them unless it's a Wi-" she paused, her round eyes widening in a silent realization
'Yes, what if those poison has wisteria flowers?'
Remeber, it was not a sword that brought the downfall of Muzan and Douma.
It was poison.
Then silent persists as she went deep into thought. She was testing the theory that came up in her mind, arguing against it and supporting it.
"I'll take this." I said and slowly pulled the sword out of her hand. She was too deep in thought to even notice.
"Seems like you figured out something, I will leave you to your thoughts." I said and walked away from her. The moment I turned around, my lips stretched into a smirk.
This should help her figure out her fighting style sooner than she did in canon. Although it was questionable, I think I did the right thing.
I went around the compound to enjoy the day. I was thinking of what I was going to do in the time being but my thoughts were cut short when Raven landed on my head.
"Oh, hey there princess, how've you been?" I asked and pet her head as she made herself comfortable in my hair.
She nuzzled on my finger for a few seconds before she quickly collected herself. Her eyes turned dead again and she tapped on my scalp.
I blinked, "There is someone for me?"
Raven said that someone was waiting for me outside of the mansion. I immediately headed towards the main entrance of the Flower Mansion and that was when I met him again after a long time.
"Hatori?"
A quick recap for those who forgot. Hatori Kanezuka was the swordsmith who created my sword and delivered it to me.
I ran towards him and bowed when I reached him. He had a wide smile on his face which i could see through his mask.
It seems like I was not the only one who was happy we met again.
"Hahahaha look at you now my boy! Already a Hashira in two month." He said proudly and surprised me by wrapping his arms around me.
He gave me a hug.
"Its good to see you again too." I said as he let go.
"But what brings you here?"
"Oh, haven't they told you? Each Hashira gets a new sword made of the highest quality of Scarlet Ore. This sword will be exceptional, unlike the one I made you before."
He then showed me the sword he had been carrying on his back. It was the exact replica of mine in terms of size and length but I could immediately notice the difference when I held it.
It was perfectly balanced, without flaw.
Without another word, I drew the sword from its sheath and was immediately stunned when I saw the perfection of the blade.
"This is...." words got stuck in my mouth as I fully pulled out the sword.
The first thing I noticed was the engravings at the start of the blade. The word, 'Destroyer' was boldly written on it with Kanji
On the opposite side, it was also written 'Evil Demons.'
Put them both together and it meant 'Destroyer of Evil Demons'
惡 あっ 鬼 き 滅 めっ 殺 さつ
The perfect edge of the blade reflected the light of the sun on my face. It was almost blinding.
"A true masterpiece." I said in amazement. My eyes took in every little detail of the blade and they agreed with every meaning held by the word.
I could feel it.
This was it...
This was the sword that would end it all.
..
..
[IMAGE (Post cool swords as well if you can) ]
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Author : I am not sure how to match number 1 effort but this extra chapter should be a good start.
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