Disclaimer: Demon Slayer is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
---
After a long discussion,
Tanjuro agreed to guide the Hashiras in their training to achieve the Transparent World.
Time passed until the afternoon the next day.
Since the Hashira members are assigned to different areas all over Japan, with each Hashira responsible for one region, it takes some time for them to travel back to headquarters.
In the courtyard of the Butterfly Mansion, Jigoro and Sakonji were having tea on the veranda.
"Haahh..." Jigoro was hanging his head and sighing.
Sakonji was just carefully watching over the children training in the courtyard when he heard his old friend sigh beside him.
"What's wrong?" Sakonji asked as he turned his head to him.
Since the two had retired, they had not been able to meet for a long time except for correspondence.
Both of them are grey-haired by the time they meet again.
Jigoro shook his head with his face full of worry. He didn't know how to start talking.
"It's my disciple... Kaigaku."
"I don't know what lit a fire under his skin, but he suddenly demanded that he would participate in the final selection exam."
As he spoke, his tone of voice was getting increasingly irritated.
"He hasn't mastered the first form yet!"
"His strength may be enough for Mizunoto-ranked... but to participate in the final selection..."
"He should keep his head down and train to join the next batch."
Jigoro could have forbidden Kaigaku to enter this year's exam as his trainer.
But he had a nagging doubt in his heart about whether his apprentice could really succeed.
Even if he didn't pass the exam, with what he knew of Kaigaku's personality, the kid would probably go down the mountain first.
Perhaps... it could serve to blunt the edge of his eldest disciple.
Sakonji was silent in thought as he carefully chose the words to say.
But seeing his old friend's worried look, he decided to say.
"Jigoro, I still have a few warding masks that I carved; maybe your disciple could take one..."
Behind the two, there was a sound of stumbling as Tanjuro staggered in his walk to his wife after talking with Gyomei.
---
The next day,
Kaigaku was standing at the entrance of the mansion, onward to Fujikasane Mountain.
"Master... what is this?"
In his hand, he held a white fox mask that was given to him by Jigoro. He turned it over to look at it.
Jigoro didn't say anything but tapped the ground hard with his cane. He looked at Kaigaku with a serious expression.
"The road is long and unforgiving!" He earnestly said.
"Listen up!
The final selection is not a joke! Every year, the number of people who survive is very few!
There are even fewer who didn't run away and formally conducted themselves as ranked members of the Corps!"
His eyes stare directly at Kaigaku, full of worry and fear for his disciple.
Compared to his friend, Jigoro has only trained two disciples so far. Kaigaku and Zenitsu.
One could never learn nor master the first form of Thunder Breathing.
The other only learned and mastered the first form of Thunder Breathing.
"Since you've made up your mind, then be prepared to die!"
Jigoro firmly exclaimed with his face flushed.
That was all he had to say to his first disciple as he turned around and walked back to the second floor of the mansion. His cane thumping the ground along the way.
Kaigaku stood confused where he was.
He looked back at the mask in his hand, then at his master's back.
A question mark rose above his head.
He would live, and he would graduate from the final selection; there was no doubt about that.
Surviving is what he was best at.
With that, Kaigaku strengthened his resolve and tied the mask around his waist. He turned around and left the Butterfly Mansion.
On the second floor of the mansion,
Zenitsu could only watch worriedly at Kaigaku's leaving.
---
---
-Location: The Ubuyashiki Cemetery-
Rows and rows of white tombstones stood neatly, filling the entire area.
But each tombstone was graced with flowers for offerings and praying.
The sun was shining brightly; the white tombstones seemed to be glowing like a beacon.
Kagaya was wearing a white haori with wisteria patterns on it. He was being supported by his wife, Amane, as he offered sacrifices and cleaned the graves one by one.
"Dear..." Amane said hesitantly. She looked at her husband's condition, which had deteriorated again, losing his sight completely.
"I can take care of the tribute from now on..."
Kagaya shook his head and didn't reply for a while. His eyelashes fluttering in the sunlight.
After skillfully inserting the flowers into the vase in front of the tomb, Kagaya raised his head.
"Yome. (My Wife)" He said softly.
"I'm nothing compared to these children who fought demons with their lives."
But before he could continue, he was interrupted.
"Father."
Ubuyashiki Nichika slowly walked over from the entrance to the cemetery. She inherited her mother's snow-white hair.
"They're here."
"The Hashiras have arrived."
"I see." Kagaya nodded. He smiled and reached out his hand to gently stroke his daughter's head.
"Let's go." Kagaya said to his wife.
---
As the Ubuyashiki trio left the cemetery,
The two kakushi that are responsible for guarding the cemetery were having a conversation.
"Hey, A."
"Hm?"
"Does Oyakata-sama come to sweep the tomb every day?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Shouldn't once a year be enough for tomb sweeping?"
B just stared at the sky, the shadows of the swaying leaves falling on his face.
"Are you an idiot?"
"What did you say!?" A bristled in anger.
B looked at A in the eyes, like he was looking at a fool.
"Every day of every year..." He said with conviction.
"...is the Death Anniversary of every swordsmen who has ever served in the Corps."
A fell silent at B's declaration. He moved his gaze away and lowered his head in guilt.
"..."
"You're right."
"What?"
"I'm an idiot."
---
---
-Location: The Ubuyashiki Residence-
Once again, the Hashiras have already gathered promptly.
Of course, Tanjuro was also in attendance.
The moment he arrived in the courtyard, there were still a few gazes that stared at him warily.
Sanemi narrowed his eyes and looked at Tanjuro up and down in confusion. The scars on his face seemed to have been added several times.
His face shows confusion. He remembered the last time they met, Tanjuro was much thinner than he was now.
But...
He snorted and turned his head away.
Sanemi brought two wooden swords in his arms. He had come prepared this time and ready to wipe out the shame of his previous defeat.
Last time he was caught off guard, and underestimate him!
With a whoosh, Tengen appeared in front of Tanjuro. His shiny gem accessory on his forehead gear was twinkling.
Tanjuro narrowed his eyes at this eccentric man, wondering what he was going to do.
Tengen just patted Tanjuro's shoulder hard and gave him a thumbs up.
"I heard you repelled the Upper Moon One, and did it quite flamboyantly!" He said with his eyes sparkling.
Unfortunately, before Tanjuro could reply,
Kagaya arrived on the veranda.
"Is everyone here?"
The meeting went on smoothly as Kagaya explained the agenda for today.
"Transparent... World?"
The Hashiras looked at each other, all except Gyomei. Their eyes held doubt about this new technique.
"Oyakata-sama."
Sanemi spoke up, his brows furrowed as he looked at Tanjuro.
"I would like to have a match with Kamado-san here. I hope you will allow it."