The day after his training with Tengen was over, Goku walked up to another training ground.
"So, I'm done with Tengen, next up is Muichiro-kun..." mumbled Goku. And so, the boy reached Muichiro's training ground. As he opened, he already heard some slayers complaining.
"I can't take it anymore!" said a slayer.
"If you can't even handle this, you'll be devoured by a demon right away," said Muichiro. Goku came closer enough to be able to see the Mist Hashira, who didn't notice him at first. "Even if someone gets killed, don't stop moving. If this were real, you'd be dead three times by now."
Then, he noticed Goku.
"Wassup, bro?" asked the Sun Hashira.
"Goku-kun! I've been waiting for you!" exclaimed Muichiro. "You're looking well."
"So are you," replied Goku, clutching his eyepatch.
"You people are useless, go get devoured by a demon and die!" said Muichiro's crow.
"Muichiro-kun, I gotta tell you, I genuinely hate your Kasugai crow..." said Goku.
"Your crow doesn't say these things?" asked Muichiro.
"Of course not," said Goku. "Rin just yells things like 'Mission!' or 'Wake up, dumbass!'."
"Oh, fine," said Muichiro. "Well, wear your uniform, the training's about to start."
"Finally, I feel uncomfortable walking around bare-chested..." muttered Goku.
Some time later, Goku was standing in the room, watching Muichiro train another slayer.
"Fine. Let's call it a day, then," said Muichiro all of a sudden, leaving.
Goku kneeled and picked up his water, drinking it.
"Hey, you're Goku Tsugikuni, right?" a slayer asked. "The Sun Hashira..."
"Yeah, it's me," replied Goku. "What do you want?"
"Could you please tell the Hashira to slow down a bit with drills?" asked the slayer.
"Sorry, that's a no," replied Goku. "I have to train as hard as possible, so slowing down would be a bad thing for me."
"Oh, I see... What a pity..." muttered the slayer.
(If I were to train them, they wouldn't last ten seconds trying to fight like me...) thought the one-eyed boy.
Later, Goku got outside the room, searching for Muichiro. "He's probably having dinner, I guess. I'm a bit hungry too, I have to admit..."
Not so far away from there, Muichiro was running. But something seemed off. It was as if someone was watching him. But... who? For now, maybe, that was not important.
Elsewhere, Sanemi and Obanai were training on their own when suddenly, Muichiro approached.
"Let me join too," he said.
"Tokito, huh? You come all this way out here every day," said Sanemi. "That doesn't affect your daytime training?"
"It might suffice as training for the Corps, but that's not enough for me," replied Muichiro. "I still wonder how Goku-kun can live with this training..."
"You should call him Tsugikuni now, you know?" Sanemi said. "He's a Hashira too..."
"But he said he wants to be called Goku or Goku-kun, not by his last name," said Muichiro. "So I'm just respecting his will."
"I never called him by his last name either, by the way," said Sanemi.
"Fine, to show you our respect for you, Shinazugawa and I will take you on a two-versus-one," said Obanai.
"Let's call it a two versus two!" said a voice. The three Hashiras turned and saw Goku on a rooftop.
"I'm getting tired of that childish training, let's really train!" he exclaimed, jumping off the roof and landing beside Muichiro. "I want to take on the strongest one, so Sanemi."
"Fine, you're in as well, Goku," said Sanemi.
And so, the four of them clashed like it was a real fight, and for the first time since his fight with Hantengu, Goku felt really alive again.
At the end of the sparring, Goku was sitting on the edge of a house, beside Sanemi.
"Today's training hit hard again..." said the Wind Hashira.
"Yeah, but it was worth it..." muttered Goku. "Hey, Sanemi... Do you see me as a friend?"
"Why are you asking me that?" asked Sanemi.
"Because I want to know," said Goku. "As Hashiras, we all should get along with each other."
"Yes, I see you as a friend now," replied Sanemi. "Initially, I disliked you, but after you showed your value and potential, I started to like you. You're ALMOST as tough as me."
"I'm happy to hear that..." muttered Goku.
"Hey, are you guys going to include us in the discussion or what?" asked Obanai.
"Sorry, Obanai," replied Goku. "It's just that Sanemi and I never talk too much, I was just taking advantage of the opportunity..."
"Anyway, Tokito, how's your daytime training going?" asked Sanemi.
"Very fine, I have to say," replied Muichiro.
"I'm looking forward to a tough training tomorrow, okay? I wanna feel the same sparks as today!" exclaimed Goku.
"We will," said Muichiro.
"Honestly, I like your enthusiasm," said Obanai. "You're a Hashira like us, but you decided to stoop to the level of normal demon slayers just to get trained. I admire you."
Goku looked at him. "I'd do anything for some serious training, Obanai."
A couple of days later, Goku was training with Muichiro with wooden swords.
"Compared to a couple of days ago, you have become a bit faster," Muichiro said. "You have a huge growth, Goku-kun!"
The two continued to clash until Goku delivered a decisive blow on Muichiro's sword, almost disarming him. In response, Muichiro smiled.
"How was that?" asked Goku.
"Fantastic! You can leave now," said Muichiro.
"Wait, what? But I've stayed only five days!" said Goku.
"Five days are enough for you," said Muichiro. "In this timespan, your legs and lower back are synced, your stamina increased, and your attacks are sharper. Maybe it's because you have enhanced senses, as a hybrid, but this doesn't change the fact you're getting even stronger!"
"Do you think I'll be able to hold my own against Muzan by the end of this training?" asked Goku.
"At this rate, yes," said Muichiro. "You're perfectly following your father's steps. At this rate, you risk becoming even stronger than he was."
"Don't say this," muttered Goku. "I'll never be as strong as my father, let alone being stronger. Not that I want to, honestly. I don't want to surpass my father. I just want to defeat Muzan..."
"I see," said Muichiro. "Well, you can't deny you could rival Upper Rank Three now, or even Upper Two."
"I hope so..." said Goku. "Now I gotta go. The next Hashira is waiting for me..."
"See you around, Goku-kun."
"See you around, Muichiro-kun."
Chapter 45 - End