At the foot of Mount Fujikasane
As night was about to fall, Shinichi leaned against the red torii gate-like pillar with his arms crossed, observing the swordsmen who had come to participate in the Final Selection.
Most appeared quite young, around Shinichi age, though there were also some noticeably older and more mature swordsmen.
Dressed in a variety of outfits, they gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves.
Occasionally, some swordsmen would point discreetly at Shinichi, as his Demon Slayer Corps uniform stood out prominently, drawing everyone attention.
Shinichi heterochromatic eyes swept over each swordsman.
He noticed most exuded an unmistakable air of inexperience—likely having never truly battled Demons before.
Only a few carried the seasoned demeanor of those who had faced life-and-death combat.
Since they qualified for the Final Selection, it meant these swordsmen had passed their trainers rigorous training and could at least utilize Breathing Techniques.
Handling ordinary Demons on Mount Fujikasane shouldn't pose much of a problem.
There was still some time before nightfall and more swordsmen gradually arrived at the mountain.
Shinichi calmly watched each newcomer until two figures appeared.
They were sisters with matching violet eyes and butterfly-shaped hair clips.
The elder sister had long black hair, while the younger sported a neat bob with faint purple highlights at the tips.
The elder sister wore a haori resembling butterfly wings, while the younger donned a simple white short coat.
Their expressions differed too—the elder sister face was gentle and serene, while the younger wore a stern, serious look.
Though not in their familiar kimonos, Shinichi recognized them instantly—weren't they Kanae and Shinob?
What were they doing here?!
Shinichi was stunned.
Hadn't the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, promised to send the sisters to their relatives' home?
Why were they at Mount Fujikasane now?
The Nichirin Blades hanging at their waists shocked Shinichi even more.
As much as he didn't want to believe it, Kanae and Shinobu Kocho seemed to be here for the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection!
"What's going on? Joining the Demon Slayer Corps isn't some joke! Who allowed these two sisters to come here? Is this some kind of mistake?!"
Shinichi frowned, his voice tinged with inexplicable agitation.
Just then, the two sisters nearby seemed to notice Shinichi as well.
Shinobu Kocho felt her sleeve gently tugged by her elder sister Kanae.
"What is it, sister?"
Over the past year, the once mischievous and childish Shinobu had matured significantly, though she'd lost much of the innocence and joy typical of her age.
Her delicate face now wore a serious, unsmiling expression with fine eyebrows often unconsciously arched, giving her a perpetually stern appearance.
Unlike her sister, Kanae Kocho gentle demeanor remained largely unchanged.
If anything, after training under their master alongside Shinobu, Kanae had grown even more tender-hearted. From their master, she'd not only learned Flower Breathing but also come to understand how Demons came into existence.
Among the demons, there were also pitiable souls.
Gradually, the kind-hearted Kanae harbored a thought—what if those demons capable of peaceful coexistence could be reformed?
Could this be a way to resolve the centuries-long conflict between humans and demons?
If truly realized, perhaps tragedies like the one that befell her own family would never happen again.
Of course, this was merely a fleeting idea in Kanae mind.
Tugging at her sister sleeve, Kanae pointed in Shinichi direction and whispered.
"Shinobu, look—isn't that Shinichi-kun?"
"Huh?"
At the sound of that familiar yet distant name, Shinobu Kocho brows furrowed instantly.
She followed her sister gaze and locked eyes with Shinichi heterochromatic pupils.
Whoosh!
Almost simultaneously, both averted their gazes.
"It really is him! I knew it, Sister. He's a Demon Slayer too—that guy definitely is!" Shinobu clenched her fists, speaking with visible irritation.
Truth be told, she'd always held a grudge over Shinichi refusal to teach them the Breathing Techniques for slaying demons.
Even though she understood he did it for her and her sister sake—even their own master had once said.
"Kanae has remarkable talent for Flower Breathing, but Shinobu..."
Shinobu remembered clearly how their master had sighed regretfully.
She knew it herself—she was too frail, barely able to swing a Nichirin Blade, let alone sever a demon neck.
Yet the memory of her parents lying in pools of blood, the visage of that monstrous demon and the vow she'd made with her sister fueled Shinobu stubborn determination.
Through relentless training, she eventually moved their master.
With his guidance and her own insights, she forged her unique combat style.
"Shinobu, how many times must I remind you? Be polite. No calling people 'that guy' or 'this guy" Kanae said helplessly, reaching to ruffle her sister hair, only for Shinobu to dodge impatiently.
"Ugh! I know, Sister. I'm not a child anymore. Fine, I won't say it to his face, okay?" Shinobu retorted, hands on her hips.
"But—"
Meanwhile, Shinichi also quickly looked away after meeting Shinobu gaze, an awkward tension hanging in the air.
His past words echoed vividly in his mind:
...
"Promise me you'll live well with your sister. Entrust your will to me. I vow to carry your resolve and slay countless more demons in the future."
...
"Dammit!"
Shinichi shook his head in frustration.
Just then, a hand clapped his shoulder, followed by Goto impatient voice from behind.
"Hey! Shinichi, what are you muttering about? Get to work! It's almost nightfall—announce the rules already. Everyone's waiting!"
Dressed in the Demon Slayer Corp uniform, Goto carried a large box of steel and several red cloths.
Around them, numerous other corps members bustled about.
After all, this was different from Shinichi Final Selection back then. That time, only Shinichi had participated, so naturally, there wasn't much preparation needed.
But this time, there were thirty to forty swordsmen taking part in the Final Selection.
Shinichi alone couldn't handle everything, so he had requested headquarters to send Goto and some members of the Kakushi to help him set up the venue and such.
Reminded by Goto, Shinichi recalled the main task at hand.
Setting aside the matter of the Kocho sisters for now, the Final Selection was currently the most important thing.
Goto pulled out a huge copper megaphone from somewhere and shouted loudly toward the swordsmen gathered for the Final Selection.
"Everyone, everyone! All eyes over here! Now, let's have the Demon Slayer Corps' Kinoe-ranked swordsman, Shinichi Moriki, explain the rules of the Final Selection!"
The booming voice immediately drew the attention of all the swordsmen, including the Kocho sisters.
Shinobu Kocho violet eyes fixed on Shinichi, who wore a blue-green battle robe and carried two Nichirin Blades at his waist.
She murmured softly "Kinoe-ranked ?"
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