Expectations X Let This Seat Measure Your [Training]

Urokodaki Sakonji nodded, saying nothing and asking even less.

He only remarked, "We shall eat well today."

He went to the cellar and brought out a wild boar leg.

Smoked wild boar leg is easy to preserve; sliced thin, it makes an excellent choice for either hot pot or sukiyaki.

It is a pity... conditions in the mountains are harsh, and there is no frying pan in the wooden hut; otherwise, stir-frying the smoked meat with some wild vegetables foraged from the mountains would be a true delicacy.

"Gurgle..."

With the hot pot simmering on the hearth, the master and his disciple sat opposite each other, eating in silence... surrounded by a circle of gluttonous ghosts.

"Slurp~" Makomo crouched beside Urokodaki Sakonji, watching him enjoy the meal one bite at a time, her saliva flowing uncontrollably...

"It smells so good, Sabito. Think of a way, I want to eat."

"I know it tastes good, you don't have to nag every single time." Sabito spread his hands helplessly; as they lacked physical forms, there was truly nothing he could do.

"If you ask me, Master is too biased." Shinsuke leaned against a roof beam, his legs dangling as he glanced jealously at Roy. "Eiichiro, this guy, asks for leave and gets it just like that. Not only did Master agree, but he even went out of his way to prepare something good for him... is he afraid that if he sneaks home, he won't come back?"

How could there be an "arrogant father"?

When that honest child Tanjiro was still here, he had nearly spilled every secret about his family.

It was precisely because Tanjuro was frail and sickly that the Kamado brothers had to go out and sell charcoal for a living. Now... Eiichiro is using the excuse of wanting to fight his father?

Is he afraid his father won't die fast enough?

"You're just jealous." Fukuda made no effort to hide his disdain for Shinsuke, sneering, "Can't a person go home to visit? He is still so young; it is normal to be homesick."

"I didn't say he couldn't go back, I just think the excuse he found is too absurd."

"Even if he said it straight, no one would say anything. After all, who doesn't have times when they miss home?"

"I don't have a home," Sabito said suddenly. "This place is my home."

"Me too," Makomo added. "I was adopted."

"Me too..."

"And me..."

"Same here..."

Roy shoveled a mouthful of rice, listening silently... his peripheral vision drifting toward the opposite side.

Urokodaki Sakonji was focused entirely on his meal, appearing to care about nothing else, his eyes fixed only on the food.

Only after finishing the meal did he brew a pot of tea, hand a cup to Roy, and ask, "Are you confident?"

Wisps of steam rose from the teacup...

Roy's expression was solemn; he rubbed the teacup, saying nothing at first, nor did he give a definitive answer.

After all, there is no such thing as a sure bet in a trial, especially when his father was the one taking action personally...

"It seems your father is quite troublesome."

Seeing Roy's silence, Urokodaki Sakonji sighed with deep conviction. "Indeed, there are no true geniuses in this world... only a formidable father can raise a formidable son."

"Is Master not curious?" Roy did not comment on that statement; he took a sip of tea and looked at Urokodaki Sakonji with a meaningful gaze. "You should have heard about my family situation from Tanjiro... is Master not worried that I might accidentally kill my sickly father if I lose control?"

"Will you?"

"No."

"Then why be curious?" Urokodaki Sakonji stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and gazed out at the endless snow-covered land. He said softly, "People can lie, but a blade cannot. Your Asauchi has already told me that everything you said is true."

"Including the battle, and your arrogant father."

The old Water Hashira turned back, looking at Roy with hope: "Stand tall, Eiichiro!"

"Even if it is your father, treat him as an enemy and defeat him honorably!"

"I will!" Roy raised his teacup and drained it in one gulp.

The next day, carrying that expectation, he rolled out of bed.

"Clang~" At four in the morning, the clock struck.

The youth gently stroked the Snow Walk by his pillow, put on his vest and shorts, and began his morning run.

At 4:20, he finished running; at 4:25, he stretched; at 4:30, he showered, then sat at the dining table and began eating breakfast at a leisurely pace.

"Knowing the young master had a test today, the kitchen specially prepared strawberry cake to wish the young master success."

Sandwich, milk, salad, and cake... "Gotoh, you all are very thoughtful."

"You are too kind, Young Master; it is only what we should do." Gotoh placed his right hand over his chest and bowed.

Roy nodded, accepting the gesture completely. He didn't waste a single bite, finishing everything clean before wiping his mouth, grabbing Snow Walk, and heading out into the world.

It was a bright, sunny day. The morning glow chased the youth, stretching his shadow long and thin. Passing by that dim little room, Roy paused to bow.

The old man lay on his rocking chair listening to a cartoon, seemingly unaware. After Roy left, he turned over, faced the corner of the wall, and grumbled, "What are you standing there for? Come over and pound my back."

The shadows writhed, revealing the figure of Zeno... A man of sixty or seventy, yet still summoned and dismissed like a grandson...

Zeno showed not a hint of displeasure on his face as he strolled behind Maha and began to knead his back. "The kitchen mentioned that Grandfather didn't want to eat breakfast, so I came to check on you."

"I'm not dying yet..." the old man retorted irritably. "You raised a fine son; he doesn't sleep in the middle of the night—what is he doing, tearing the house down?"

"His wife is squealing louder than a pig; he might as well find a pig to breed with!"

A crude Enhancer martial artist... Zeno suddenly recalled his grandfather's assessment of Netero spiriting away his father, and it seemed the reverse applied to his grandfather as well...

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and offer a defense: "You know how it is; there hasn't been a result yet, and Silva and Kikyo are anxious."

"If he were anxious, would he be hiding out? I'm neither deaf nor blind, old man; I see it as him being weak." Maha tapped his fingers against his hands behind his back, speaking slowly. "Why not hand the position of family head to Roy? That lad is diligent and pragmatic; he looks stronger than both of you."

Has that lad Roy really bewitched you just by cooking a few dishes?

"Grandfather, you jest. Let him pass Silva's test first." Zeno tilted his head to glance out the window. Across a long corridor, the youth walked with a steady gait, gripping Snow Walk, his earrings depicting the sun and the mountains...

Ten meters from the training hall, he stopped.

"Hum..." The killing intent condensed into substance, nearly warping the space.

The youth tightened his grip on the blade and raised his eyes to "measure" the interior of the training hall, separated by a single door...

The man sat on a stone stool in a commanding posture, toying with a soft whip in one hand while resting his chin on the other, watching with calm composure. His peerless Ren surged wantonly, nearly blowing Illumi, who stood with his arms crossed against the wall, right out of the room.

The foolish little brother brandished his hand-blade, slammed it into the wall, and dug his fingers in with force to steady himself, then looked again...

The door swung wide open!

Revealing Roy, his face calm.