บท 8: The "Mandatory" Training Arc (1/2)

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--- Chapter 8 ---

A week later!

At the west mountainside of Kawami Village, a white-haired boy ran up and down a hill while carrying timbers three times his size. It was an odd sight no matter who saw it, making one's heart wince to see such a child suffer.

Yet, reality is not that dramatic.

The young boy grinned madly, feeling his bones creak under the pressure of the logs. His short legs trembled with every step, but he kept moving anyway. There is a madness in those obsidian black eyes.

"WHO IS GOING TO CARRY THE LOGS!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW ME SON! YOU DON'T KNOW ME!"

It was only two lines. But these magical lines kept the boy moving like a damn wild horse. Yes, even with injury, hunger, and thirst.

Down the hill, Kanae looked at Tenma's performance and couldn't help but shake her head. "After a week of observation. It seems my guess about the abnormal body constitution is wrong."

"Tenma is just hard working. Well, extremely, no wonder he's so monstrous."

"Of course, while he didn't have an abnormal body constitution like the girl who joined the Demon Slayer Corps this year, his body recovered three to four times faster than ordinary humans."

Kanae's eyes lit up, "Interesting, Tenma-kun. There is no mistake. You're a diamond in the rough, which I will polish further. I will make sure you shine in the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"Demons will shake timbers upon meeting you in a few years."

Caw~!

A black crow entered the Kawami Village and descended to the hill where Kanae trained Tenma. Waterfall behind her crashed heavily to the rocky ground, splashing water everywhere.

Kanae casually glanced at the black crow landing on her left shoulder and understood this was a call from the Demon Slayer Corps. More precisely, a call from her teacher.

Kasugai Karasu, or Kasugai Crow, is a talking raven bred by the Demon Slayer Corps for long-distance communication. They could mimic their people's message and relay it to others.

(A/N: You can think of it like Voicemail)

This old Kasugai Crow has thin white eyelashes and a stern expression, reminding Kanae of her teacher.

Before Kanae could speak, the crow already opened its mouth and chirped.

"Kanae, you have completed your mission, but why didn't you return immediately?"

"You know the Demon Slayer Corps is short-staffed. We already lost 300 members this month."

"Demons are rampant, and as the Flower Hashira, you should fulfill your duty seriously. I know your easygoing nature, but I won't take excuses from you!"

"In this dangerous era, one doesn't have time to play around..."

"Return to the headquarters in two weeks, or Shinobu will suffer the consequences of your actions!"

"This is not a threat, young lady. It's a promise."

Kanae stayed silent throughout the entire massage. However, one could see the young lady was dissatisfied after hearing it.

After replying to the message and watching the Kasugai Crow fly away, Kanae crouched down and grabbed a random river stone, "Ah, how annoying of you, Sensei... Threatening me like this."

"When I inherited your position, I thought it was for a great reason and common people."

"But even you don't know the nature of this world."

"You know I wanted peace more than anything, and even living peacefully with demons is a great option for me, though it was naive..."

"However, this Flower Hashira, that Flower Hashira, became stale every time you preached it to my face." She clenched her hand hard.

She sternly looked at old, feeble red pine on the other side of a fast-running river.

"Rest in peace for those demon slayers who died in the battle..."

"I wished you a peaceful afterlife, but..."

"This era is for the young! Those who wield great strength can change the era. As for the old and weak, you should only watch!" Kanae used Flower Breathing with faint anger.

She had a stern expression as she burst with superhuman physical prowess. The ground beneath her sank slightly.

She threw the river stone, causing it to skip the water a few times before crashing into the old red pine and making it explode to pieces.

BOOM!

"Just wait, Sensei..." Kanae's voice echoed with hidden sweetness.

"I will show you the future of mankind!"

Kanae stared at the white-haired boy who came to her side with timbers on his back and couldn't help but smile. She saw a bright future in him, more than other Demon Slayers.

Great talent, check!

Great body, check!

Great character, check!

Future handsome man, check!

'My Tenma will shock the world!' Kanae couldn't wait for the future.

...

Huff! Huff!

"Phew, Sensei, I'm done!" Tenma declared while panting slightly, exhaling warm air from his mouth. He has been bringing logs down to this hill for a week, putting many piles near the waterfall.

With such quantity, the Kawami Village wouldn't run out of wood even after winter.

Of course, Kanae has other reasons for making Tenma carry these woods than just training him.

Humans are 'social' creatures.

Even introverts need some human interaction after a while.

Kanae knew Tenma's reputation was not good in the Kawami Village. He has no friends, and the adults are branding him with bad nicknames due to his unique lineage.

So, by sharing firewood with the villagers, Kanae hoped her adorable little student could integrate into the Kawami Village better. At the very least, the villagers would greet him with a smile instead of a scowl.

It will also deter some foolish and arrogant people from making a move on Tenma. Tenma doesn't need an enemy, so exposing his strength should be enough to shut them up.

Benevolence and Egoism, Kanae believed both sides must be even.

Someone must be kind but not pushover.

Someone must be humble but not lower themselves.

There is no such thing as a 'perfect' human, only a thriving person.

Kanae nodded in acknowledgment, "Good. You have been carrying logs for a week, and I can tell that your endurance and overall strength have increased rapidly. Hmm, you also become a few inches taller."

"You have met the standard to learn the Demon Slayer's Breathing Technique."

"What about my Spear Breathing then?" Tenma couldn't help but ask.

Kanae threw a bamboo container at Tenma and giggled, "Your Spear Breathing is unique, something I have never seen before. But it lacked 'Demon-Slaying' essence."

"I can see some similarity to my Flower Breathing, but not completely derived from it."

"In other words, your Breathing Style isn't mature enough..."

"You developed it based on your circumstance. In a real battle, you must adapt and overcome everything."

"Even your Shinkirou missed its target back then."

"You don't have to remind me..." Tenma grumbled in unhappiness, drinking water from the bamboo container.

Kanae covered her mouth and giggled again, "Hoho, is my little student unhappy? Sensei can hug you if you want. Think of it as a reward~!"

Tenma was stunned, silly. He coughed awkwardly and opened his arm, making Kanae smile wide as she hugged him with her well-developed body.

You know what well-developed EXACTLY means, you despicable pervert!

"Fufu, Tenma is a good boy, after all. Yoshi, yoshi~!" Kanae caressed Tenma's head gently as he enjoyed her pleasant smell.

[Tenma, you...] Hestia was speechless.

'Shut up, Tia. Let me enjoy this!' Tenma gave Hestia his final words as he didn't want to be disturbed in this heavenly moment.

Hugging Tamako and hugging Kanae are two completely different concepts.

The former is motherly, and the latter has this older sister vibe, wanting to spoil you rotten.

Tenma can't resist, okay!

He can't live without women.

[Tenma, you pervert!]

Yeah, whatever. Tenma ignored Hestia.

He believed he deserved this. Fuck you to anyone who thinks otherwise! I hope your pillow is warm on both sides!

...

Five minutes later.

Tenma unwillingly left Kanae's warm embrace. He knew how to limit himself and not be too indulgent.

Kanae sat on the big rock and said with amusement, "Okay, you have enough rest now."

"Your next assignment is to master Total Concentration Breathing and Enhanced Recovery Breathing."

"The first breathing technique will expand your lungs to intake as much air as possible, accelerating one's blood flow and heartbeat while increasing your inner body temperature, causing your bones and muscles to become more excited."

"A skilled Demon Slayer could maintain a Total Concentration Breathing state during the morning, noon, and night, and even while asleep."

"We called it Total Concentration: Constant."

"On the other hand, the second breathing technique will delay oxygen circulation to relax one's muscle and blood flow, slowing down poison in the bloodstream and even clotting wounds from severe injuries. By focusing on every inch of the body and raising the accuracy of one's breathing, one can spread their sensitivity throughout one's body and detect and even heal hidden internal wounds they may have."

"You used them in the spar a week ago, right?" Tenma raised his hand, gaining a nod of approval from Kanae.

"Yup. Are you interested in mastering these techniques now?" Kanae asked back.

Tenma flashed a confident smile, "I am. And I will shock you, Sensei!"