The Baffled Water Hashira

"Total Concentration."

White mist billowed from Hasegawa's nose and mouth, nearly forming cloud-like wisps.

"Water Breathing: Tenth Form - Constant Flow!"

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

In Mu Yu's eyes, Hasegawa's Constant Flow eventually 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 fierce impact, the wooden stick and Nichirin Blade rang out with the 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 twisted his blade, sending it slashing diagonally toward Mu Yu's face.

Mu Yu was slightly surprised. The principle behind this move was Water Breathing: Second Form - Water Wheel, yet it had been altered beyond recognition.

Tap!

Mu Yu lightly tapped the ground with his toes. The earth rippled like still water, while Hasegawa's seemingly unavoidable Nichirin Blade grazed past Mu Yu's face.

Did I fail again?

Hasegawa was utterly dejected, because this was already the final day.

Mu Yu smiled. "Hasegawa, congratulations. You succeeded in counterattacking for the first time."

Huh?

Hasegawa was baffled. He had succeeded in counterattacking?

Mu Yu said, "You finally look somewhat decent. Remember this feeling. The true subtlety lies in the heart. Killing demons demands efficiency, but don't bind yourself too rigidly to fixed 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 still and wait to be cut down.

The battlefield changed in an instant. Being overly rigid about Sword Kata was fine against weaker demons, but against stronger ones, it would only get you killed.

Hasegawa was overjoyed. It had truly not been easy—he had finally managed to counterattack once!

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

"Becoming a Hashira?"

Hasegawa was completely dumbfounded.

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

Half a month ago, he had only been at the lowest Kikyuu rank. Now, this Hashira was telling him that he had the potential to become a Hashira?

Was this some kind of joke?

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

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

Becoming a Hashira—even if he merely had the qualification to take the first step—was something Hasegawa had never dared dream of before.

"Catch!"

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

When he wanted to ask Mu Yu about it, he found 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 keep it on 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 around at the empty surroundings, Hasegawa felt empty inside as well.

"Hashira-sama! Hashira-sama!"

Unfortunately, the surroundings remained silent and empty.

Had he left?

He had not even had the chance to say goodbye!

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

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

Naturally, Mu Yu heard Hasegawa's words 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.

But taking him as a disciple... better not.

Hasegawa's aptitude was ultimately still somewhat lacking!

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

Teaching him sword techniques made them 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 inside. More than that, though, he had gained confidence.

"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 instantly bewildered.

After the Hashira who had taught him, he had actually encountered two more "Hashira." What was going on?

Weren't Hashira all lofty and important figures, busy every day with countless matters?

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

The Kasugai Crows were indispensable to the Demon Slayer Corps' normal operations.

A Kasugai Crow being unable to find its partner for half a month was simply too abnormal. It could even disrupt the Demon Slayer Corps' operations.

Naturally, it was taken very seriously!

It was under these circumstances that Giyu Tomioka had been assigned to conduct the crisis investigation with Shinobu Kocho.

That Hashira wearing a butterfly hair ornament and a butterfly Haori is truly beautiful!

The other one looks like he wants strangers to stay away. He definitely doesn't seem easy to get along with—I should keep my distance!

After some discussion.

Shinobu smiled warmly, though she was also quite surprised. "If I heard correctly, you mean that during the half month or so when you disappeared, you were with a Hashira who had been guiding your training the entire time?"

Hasegawa asked doubtfully, "Is there a problem?"

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

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

"The person who taught me was not very old. He should have been no more than fourteen."

"Mhm, mhm."

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

Under fourteen... could it be the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito? But would that airheaded fellow 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 extraordinary. He must have been the Water Hashira!"

Pfft!

The expressionless Giyu was baffled, his face filled with astonishment.

You were saying that the Water Hashira taught you for half a month right in front of me, the Water Hashira? Did you think I had no pride?

Shinobu could not hold back her laughter either, trembling as she laughed.

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

Shinobu said, "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 people dislike you, you know!"

A few seconds later.

Giyu retorted, "I'm not disliked!"

Shinobu said, "Gasp!"

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

He really did think 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 extraordinary!

No matter how he looked at it, the man in front of him did not seem as powerful as the person who had taught him!

Giyu asked, "The person 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 managed to touch the hem of his clothes."

Giyu said, "..."

Shinobu said, "..."

Even a little ant would think a tiny grasshopper was impressive!

Hasegawa was a mere Kikyuu-class member. There were countless people whose clothes he would be unable to touch.

Hasegawa could tolerate others looking down on him, but he could never 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 at his waist and said, "Water Hashira-sama, forgive my offense. I wish to challenge you!"

Both Shinobu and Giyu were surprised.

A Kikyuu-class member challenging a Hashira?

Interesting!

Giyu said expressionlessly, "Fine."

Clang!

Hasegawa drew his blade at extreme speed. A flash of silver vanished in an instant, and the expressionless Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, showed a trace of surprise.