Kaigaku

"I see, so they are evil demons? I had heard some friends who went up the mountain mention them before, but I thought it was just a joke. I never imagined it was true. Thank you for your help yesterday, child; take these with you to eat back on the mountain."

The old man retrieved some freshly steamed sakura mochi from his house, wrapped in thin paper and still steaming, the fragrant aroma wafting toward them.

"Grandpa, your life isn't easy either, and I caused quite a bit of damage to the village last night. Please take this money as my compensation."

"Old man, living all by yourself must be very difficult, right? Right? Just let me take care of you until the end of your days! As long as you introduce your granddaughter to me, it'll be fine, no problem at all!"

Suzuki Mufeng grabbed Zenitsu Agatsuma by the back of his collar, apologized to the old man, and dragged him toward the mountain. Along the way, Zenitsu Agatsuma begged frantically.

"I don't want to kill demons! I'll definitely die—"

Jigoro Kuwajima stuffed a bag of money into the old man's hand. "Please accept the child's good intentions."

"They are both good children."

"Indeed. Let's continue our chat next time when there's an opportunity."

The two old men exchanged a few words, and after saying their goodbyes, Jigoro Kuwajima quickly caught up with Suzuki Mufeng and the others.

"Senior Suzuki, I'm just a coward. Can't you let me go? If you make me fight evil demons, I'll surely die, absolutely die."

"Zenitsu, don't be so pessimistic. You have talent; in the future, those evil demons certainly won't be your match."

"How do you know that, Senior? Where can you see that? You aren't just saying that to conscript me, are you? Don't do this, Senior Suzuki!"

It's really too noisy. I can't exactly tell him I only know about his future achievements because I've read the original work.

Ignoring Zenitsu Agatsuma's clamor, the group arrived at the mountain peak where Jigoro Kuwajima trained members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The Demon Slayer Corps did not treat these former Hashira who became trainers after retirement poorly; this entire mountain belonged to Jigoro Kuwajima. However, the old man only used this mountain as a training ground for Demon Slayer Corps members and never sought personal gain.

"Old man, who are these two guys?"

Kaigaku, the human scum who would later betray them to become Upper Rank Six, driven by extreme selfishness.

"Kaigaku, show some respect. This is Zenitsu Agatsuma, a new disciple I have taken on. This is Suzuki Mufeng, a top student of the former Water Hashira Urokodaki, here to learn Thunder Breathing."

Seeing someone choose to learn Thunder Breathing instead of perfecting Water Breathing, Kaigaku's twisted heart couldn't help but feel disgust toward Suzuki Mufeng.

I am the genius, the protagonist, the darling of the world. What are you, Suzuki Mufeng?

"Suzuki Mufeng, let's have a match. Let me see the power of Water Breathing."

"Kaigaku, show some respect! Suzuki, I apologize for my poor teaching; I will have a word with him. Please don't take it to heart."

"I accept your challenge. I also want to see if your strength is enough to support your arrogance."

I was wondering how to teach this future traitor a lesson. Now, someone has handed me the pillow just as I was getting sleepy. Since you're so eager to seek death, I won't be polite.

"Sigh, this is fine too. Let the brat Kaigaku learn a thing or two. Zenitsu, don't think about running away; watch carefully. This is a rare live demonstration. Look closely."

Jigoro Kuwajima gripped Zenitsu Agatsuma's collar tightly. Having his fate held by the throat, Zenitsu Agatsuma gave up on the idea of sneaking away. Naturally, he was also curious about just how strong this fierce-looking senior brother really was.

Moreover, he could hear the insatiable ambition radiating from Kaigaku, as well as the undisguised disgust from Senior Suzuki. He had a premonition that Senior Brother Kaigaku was going to have a miserable end.

"Kaigaku, you strike first, or you won't get another chance."

"Arrogant! Are you looking down on me? Suzuki Mufeng, pay the price for your conceit!"

Suzuki Mufeng stood his ground without adopting any defensive stance. Fury welled up in Kaigaku—Is he looking down on me? I am Kaigaku, the greatest genius! Suzuki Mufeng, pay the price for your pride!

"Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit Swarm!"

Lightning flashed. Kaigaku was enveloped in electricity as he dashed toward Suzuki Mufeng, unleashing over a dozen strikes that wove a web of lightning, completely covering him.

"Slow. Too slow."

Kaigaku, you really are just trash. Under the coverage of his spiritual perception, Kaigaku was no different from a snail in his eyes.

Compared to Senior Jigoro, the gap was as vast as heaven and earth, completely unreachable. Jigoro Kuwajima was a realm Kaigaku could never attain in his entire life, so you really are trash, Kaigaku.

"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide."

Suzuki Mufeng simply raised his Nichirin Sword high and brought it down strike after strike, the blade shimmering with the visual effect of flowing water.

With overwhelming force, the stacked power sent Kaigaku flying. He didn't even have a chance to react before the Nichirin Sword in his hand was knocked to the ground.

"Pick it up and continue!"

Suzuki Mufeng barked sharply. Kaigaku seemed terrified; uncontrollably, he crouched down to retrieve the Nichirin Sword. Trembling all over, he gripped the blade with both hands and charged forward like a machine.

"Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Distant Thunder, Fourth Form: Rice Spirit Swarm, Fifth Form: Heat Lightning, Sixth Form: Thunder Swarm!"

Except for the First Form, every sword technique he used was forcefully broken by Suzuki Mufeng in a single move. The fierce, surging water left the opponent no opportunity whatsoever.

Kaigaku gasped for air, kneeling on the ground, his Nichirin Sword already flung far away.

"Stand up! Continue! Keep challenging me!"

Suzuki Mufeng's condescending gaze pierced deep into Kaigaku's heart at that moment. No! I'm really no match for him. He's a monster, a monster I can't defeat!

"I give up! I'm not fighting anymore! I'm not fighting!"

Kaigaku screamed in agony as he scrambled to his feet, turning and fleeing into the distance, his mentality completely shattered.

"Senior Jigoro, my apologies. I might have been a bit too heavy-handed."

"It is nothing. Kaigaku has too much pride; I should actually thank you for helping him realize that there is always someone better, and a mountain beyond every mountain."

Jigoro Kuwajima did not mind at all. Kaigaku was usually far too arrogant, looking down on everything, and something bad was bound to happen sooner or later.

By letting him understand this early on, his master believed that if Kaigaku could walk away from this setback, he would become stronger and eventually grow into a qualified member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Unfortunately, this beast was destined to thoroughly disappoint his master, as he began plotting against Suzuki Mufeng in the shadows.

"Damn it, how could I lose? It must be that old man who is too weak; he didn't teach me well, which is why I lost! I will leave and go find that Sakonji Urokodaki just like him. I will definitely become stronger than him, but before I leave, I must have my revenge."

A gloomy shadow flashed across Kaigaku's eyes as a plan formed in his heart.