Jigoro Kuwajima

With a flick of the wrist and a downward stroke, the water current dissipated. The demon's hands were severed, rolling onto the ground as blood gushed from the stumps.

"I was a hair's breadth away from taking your head. You're quite fast, aren't you?"

Suzuki Mufeng stood his ground, his spiritual perception spreading across the entire area. This demon's methods were similar to the Swamp Demon, yet there was a distinct difference.

The demon treated the earth like an ocean, swimming through it as freely as a shark. Its demonic eyes were locked onto Suzuki Mufeng, like a hunter aiming at prey while waiting for the perfect opening.

"Found you!"

Suzuki Mufeng drew his Nichirin Sword and hurled it toward a specific spot. The blade sank deep into the earth, pinning the arm of the demon that had been preparing for a sneak attack. A gust of wind swept by, and as the Nichirin Sword fell, a deep trench was carved into the ground.

"You abandoned your arm to escape? Damn it, the speed of Water Breathing is still too slow. Compared to you in the earth, I'm nothing but a snail; I can't keep up with your pace at all."

His senses told him the demon was fleeing into the distance. If he dragged this out any longer, it would truly get away.

Suzuki Mufeng quickly formed hand seals, completing over a dozen in under two seconds.

"Water Style-Water Dragon Bullet!"

A water dragon, only a meter and a half long, soared from behind his back. It slammed into the path ahead of the fleeing demon, soaking the loose soil with a massive volume of water.

Under his perception, he could tell the demon was unable to move forward. The technique worked!

"Sorcery! Are you the demon or am I? You actually know Blood Demon Art!"

The demon's head poked out from the ground, cursed Suzuki Mufeng, and then dove back into the earth.

Suzuki Mufeng followed instantly, but his two Nichirin Swords struck empty air again. The speed of Water Breathing was always a beat too slow.

"Don't even think about escaping. You aren't getting away."

Suzuki Mufeng had already discovered the demon's weakness: its Blood Demon Art only allowed it to travel through the earth, it still required breath, and it was hindered to varying degrees by different environments.

"Soil mixed with water hinders its movement, and its ability can't reach deeper than three meters."

Suzuki Mufeng unleashed the Water Style-Water Wave ninjutsu in rapid succession, creating large pools of water on the ground. Forced to surface, the demon finally turned and bolted!

"Are you an idiot? What's the point of making all these puddles? Can't I just stay away from you? Goodbye, you fool!"

Suzuki Mufeng instantly neutralized the friction under his feet and gripped his Nichirin Sword with both hands.

"Water Breathing, First Form-Water Surface Slash."

Suzuki Mufeng's speed surged, leaving only an afterimage behind. This time, he was incredibly fast, and his Nichirin Sword sliced across the demon's neck.

"How is this possible?"

As the demon's head fell, the happy memories of his time as a human with Miori burned through his soul like a raging fire.

"So, we did have happy memories after all... and those girls. What have I done? I suppose I'm only headed for hell now."

Recalling his human memories in his final moments, he seemed to find redemption, dissolving into ash and vanishing into the world.

"Ouch, ow... I still need to keep training. My body control is still too weak. I should use that move less often next time."

Beneath a pile of bricks, Suzuki Mufeng slowly rose from the rubble. He hadn't controlled his force well and had slammed into a street wall, creating a massive hole. He wondered if the Demon Slayer Corps' salary would cover the damages.

"Thunder Breathing, First Form-Thunderclap and Flash."

Fast, blindingly fast lightning streaked by; for a moment, it felt as if only that flash of light existed in the world.

"Water Breathing, Third Form-Flowing Dance."

In the nick of time, Suzuki Mufeng activated his Sharingan to track the lightning. He twisted his body, gripping his Nichirin Sword in reverse to parry the incoming strike.

Clang!

Water has no constant shape; it uses softness to overcome hardness. Suzuki Mufeng engaged his core, borrowing the momentum to deflect the force.

Water Breathing excelled at defense. He pushed the incoming Nichirin Sword away, forcing the elderly man holding it to retreat rapidly.

"You must be the demon wreaking havoc in these parts. You even know Breathing Style? A fallen Demon Slayer?"

Jigoro Kuwajima crouched, assuming a drawing stance, ready to strike again. Suzuki Mufeng quickly dropped his sword and spoke up.

"Senior Jigoro, it's a misunderstanding. I am Suzuki Mufeng. I've come to learn Thunder Breathing. Sakonji Urokodaki must have written you a letter of recommendation."

"Urokodaki did indeed write me a letter, but Suzuki Mufeng, what is the meaning of these techniques you're using?"

"Onmyodo. I had a stroke of luck years ago and learned some arts. As for whether I am a demon, surely a senior who has hunted countless demons can judge that easily enough."

Indeed, having hunted so many demons, Jigoro Kuwajima could not smell a trace of demon scent on Suzuki Mufeng. He was undeniably a living human.

"It was my recklessness. Mufeng—may I call you that? The demon here has been dealt with by you, hasn't it? Good lad. Come back to the mountain with me later; I will teach you Thunder Breathing with everything I have."

"Senior Jigoro, I'd like to start my training tomorrow. Also, I want to bring someone else with me. His talent for Thunder Breathing makes him the perfect candidate to inherit your mantle."

At these words, Jigoro Kuwajima was immediately intrigued. He had experienced the strength Suzuki Mufeng displayed firsthand; in time, he would surely become a Hashira. He was eager to meet anyone held in such high regard by Suzuki Mufeng.

"Senior! Senior! The demon is dead, right?"

Zenitsu Agatsuma came running over, panting. He tried to pounce on Suzuki Mufeng, only to be stopped by a foot pressed against his forehead.

"Senior Jigoro, this is the successor I found for you. What do you think?"

Jigoro Kuwajima saw Zenitsu Agatsuma's talent at a glance and sighed inwardly. Sakonji Urokodaki has taken on a fine disciple, he thought. His eye for talent is already no less than a Hashira's.

"What? You want me to join the Demon Slayer Corps? No, no way! I'm just a piece of trash, I can't be a demon slayer, no, no—"

"Brother, you're still carrying quite a bit of debt, you know. As long as you apprentice under Jigoro Kuwajima, your debts will be cleared immediately. Just think about your future, being chased by creditors, having people block your door every single day, this way, that way..."

Suzuki Mufeng leaned in close to Zenitsu Agatsuma's ear, painting an increasingly dire picture of the consequences of his debt, until Zenitsu Agatsuma was actually clinging to Jigoro Kuwajima, sobbing and begging to be taken on as a disciple—a sight that left everyone unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"Wait a moment. I caused quite a stir in the town today; help me clean up this mess before we head out. Jigoro Kuwajima, you can take Zenitsu back first."

"It's fine. This old man has nothing better to do, so I'll help you clean up as well."

"Gramps, I'll help too."

The three of them began clearing the ruins together; at their speed, they would surely have everything restored by the end of the night.