The Bewildered Water Hashira

"Total Concentration."

Between Hasegawa's nose and mouth, vast amounts of white mist billowed out, nearly taking on the form of clouds.

"Water Breathing: Tenth Form - Constant Flow!"

As Hasegawa ran, he continuously spun and swung his Nichirin Blade, each strike stronger and more forceful than the last.

Eventually, in Mu Yu's eyes, Hasegawa's Constant Flow seemed to transform into a deep-blue Dragon formed from rippling water.

"Water Breathing: First Form - Surface Slash!"

The wooden stick in Mu Yu's hand collided with Hasegawa's Nichirin Blade.

Clang!

Amid the violent collision, the wooden stick and Nichirin Blade rang out with the sharp sound of metal striking metal.

Smack!

A crisp sound rang out as Mu Yu knocked Hasegawa's Nichirin Blade aside.

But at that moment, Hasegawa turned his blade, slashing diagonally toward Mu Yu's face.

Mu Yu was slightly surprised. This move was based on Water Breathing: Second Form - Water Wheel, yet it had been altered beyond recognition.

Tap!

Mu Yu lightly touched the ground with his toes. The earth seemed like still water as ripples spread outward, while Hasegawa's supposedly unavoidable Nichirin Blade swept past Mu Yu's face.

"Did I fail again?"

Hasegawa was devastated. This was already the final day.

Mu Yu smiled. "Hasegawa, congratulations. You successfully counterattacked for the first time."

Huh?

Hasegawa was bewildered. He had successfully counterattacked?

Mu Yu said, "You're finally starting to look the part. Remember this feeling. The subtlety of application lies within the heart. Killing demons demands efficiency, but don't be too bound by rigid rules."

Although the ten forms of Water Breathing were the most efficient sword techniques for killing demons, demons were not lifeless objects that would stand there waiting to be cut down.

The battlefield changed in an instant. Being too rigidly attached to Sword Kata might work against weak demons, but against stronger ones, it would only get you killed.

Hasegawa was overjoyed. It had not been easy at all, but he had finally managed to counterattack once!

Mu Yu said, "The next thing you need to achieve is Total Concentration Breathing: Constant—maintaining Full Concentration Breathing twenty-four hours a day. This is the first step toward becoming a Hashira!"

"Becoming a Hashira?"

Hasegawa was completely stunned.

The Demon Slayer Corps had ten ranks: Kinoe, Oto, Tsuchinoto, Hinoto, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoe, Kinoe, Mizunoto, and Kikyuu. Hashira, meanwhile, stood above all ten ranks.

Just over half a month ago, he had only been a lowest-ranked Kikyuu-class member. Now this Hashira was telling him that he had the potential to become a Hashira?

Was this a joke?

Mu Yu was speechless. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Total Concentration Breathing: Constant is only the first step toward becoming a Hashira. There are still ten thousand more steps after that."

To Mu Yu's surprise, Hasegawa was not disappointed at all. He was still grinning foolishly.

Becoming a Hashira... Even being qualified to take that first step was something Hasegawa had never dared dream of before.

"Catch!"

Hasegawa instinctively held out his hand. When he opened his palm, he found that there was an extra... bean in it?!

When he wanted to ask Mu Yu about it, he discovered that Mu Yu had already vanished. Only Mu Yu's voice echoed through the air.

"This bean is a secret medicine I made. You must carry it with you at all times. If you are seriously injured, eating it might save your life!"

"Remember, you can only eat it when you are seriously injured!"

Looking at the empty surroundings, Hasegawa's heart felt just as empty.

"Hashira... Hashira..."

Unfortunately, the area remained empty. There was nothing there.

Had he left?

He had not even gotten the chance to say goodbye!

Hasegawa knelt on the ground and heavily kowtowed three times toward the place where Mu Yu had been standing.

"Hashira, I will never forget your great kindness. I know my talent is lacking, but I will work hard to kill demons and earn your acknowledgment!"

Mu Yu naturally heard Hasegawa's voice clearly.

But Mu Yu... did not respond!

Feelings grew through time spent together. After more than half a month together, Mu Yu had developed some affection for Hasegawa as well.

But taking him as a disciple... Forget it.

Hasegawa's aptitude was still somewhat lacking.

The reason Mu Yu had patiently taught him for more than half a month was mostly because Mu Yu had learned the complete Water Breathing from Hasegawa.

Guiding him in swordsmanship meant they were even.

Not long after Mu Yu left, a pitch-black Kasugai Crow flew down.

"East-southeast, east-southeast! Hasegawa, east-southeast!"

Hearing his partner Kasugai Crow's voice again, Hasegawa felt especially warm. More than that, however, he felt confident.

"I know, I know. Bai, stop squawking already."

Bai the Kasugai Crow said, "Hasegawa, run! Run!"

Wisteria Crest House.

After learning the identities of the two people before him, Hasegawa was immediately bewildered.

After the Hashira who had taught him, he had now met two more "Hashira"? What was going on?

Weren't Hashira all lofty, busy important figures?

What Hasegawa did not know was that the Kasugai Crows had been unable to contact him, which had already drawn the Demon Slayer Corps' attention.

The Demon Slayer Corps could operate normally largely thanks to the Kasugai Crows.

For a Kasugai Crow to be unable to find its partner for half a month was far too abnormal. It could even disrupt the operations of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Naturally, it was taken very seriously!

It was under these circumstances that Giyu Tomioka had been "appointed in a crisis" to investigate the situation with Shinobu Kocho.

That Hashira with the butterfly hair ornament and butterfly Haori is really beautiful!

The other one looks like he doesn't want strangers anywhere near him. He definitely doesn't seem easy to get along with. I should keep my distance!

After some discussion.

Shinobu smiled sweetly. She was friendly, but also surprised. "If I heard correctly, you mean that during the half month or so when you disappeared, you were with a Hashira who continuously guided your training?"

Hasegawa asked in confusion, "Is there a problem?"

Shinobu said, "No problem at all. Can you tell me which Hashira it was? I might know him!"

Hasegawa's eyes lit up. He had been worried that he did not know the name of the person who had taught him!

"The person who taught me was young. He probably wasn't older than fourteen."

"Mhm, mhm."

Shinobu nodded with a smile, though she was pondering inwardly.

Not older than fourteen... Could it be the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito? But would that absentminded guy patiently teach Hasegawa for half a month?

No matter how I look at it, that doesn't seem likely!

Hasegawa said, "That person's Water Breathing was unfathomably refined. He should be the Water Hashira!"

Pfft!

The expressionless Giyu Tomioka was stunned, his face filled with astonishment.

You were telling me, the Water Hashira, that the Water Hashira had taught you for over half a month? Did the Water Hashira not deserve any dignity?

Shinobu could not contain her amusement either, laughing so hard that she trembled.

Unlike her usual habitual smile, Shinobu was genuinely amused this time.

Shinobu asked, "Giyu, did you teach him for half a month?"

Giyu replied expressionlessly, "Don't drag me into this. I don't know him."

Shinobu said, "Talking like that in front of a junior will make him dislike you, you know!"

Several seconds later.

Giyu retorted, "I'm not disliked!"

Shinobu was stunned. "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Did Giyu not know that the other Hashira had always disliked him?

He really thought highly of himself!

Now it was Hasegawa's turn to be dumbfounded. This emotionless, expressionless man before him was the Water Hashira?

Then who was the person who had taught him?

That person's Water Breathing had clearly been unbelievably refined!

No matter how he looked at it, the man before him did not seem as formidable as the person who had taught him!

Giyu Tomioka asked, "The one who taught you was very skilled in Water Breathing?"

Hasegawa said, "His strength was beyond description. He taught me for half a month, yet I never even touched the corner of his clothes."

Giyu Tomioka said, "..."

Shinobu said, "..."

Even a little ant would think a grasshopper was powerful!

Hasegawa was only a Kikyuu-class member. There were countless people whose clothes he could not so much as brush.

Hasegawa could tolerate others looking down on him, but he absolutely could not tolerate anyone looking down on Mu Yu, who had taught him for half a month.

In Hasegawa's heart, Mu Yu was truly like a god!

Hasegawa gripped the Nichirin Blade hanging at his waist and said, "Water Hashira, forgive my offense. I wish to challenge you!"

Both Shinobu and Giyu were surprised.

A Kikyuu-class member was challenging a Hashira?

Interesting!

Giyu replied expressionlessly, "Fine."

Clang!

Hasegawa drew his blade at extreme speed. A flash of silver vanished in an instant, and surprise appeared on Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka's expressionless face.