Kaigaku

"So that's how it is. Demons, huh? I'd heard stories about them before from some of the kids who went up the mountain with me, but I thought they were just joking. I didn't realize it was true. We owe you one for saving the child yesterday. Take these back up the mountain to eat."

The old man brought out freshly made cherry blossom rice cakes from inside. Wrapped in thin paper, they were still warm, wisps of steam rising from them as their fragrance wafted toward them.

"Grandpa, you don't have an easy life either. I caused quite a bit of damage to the village last night, so please take this money as compensation."

"Old man, it must be hard living all alone, right? Right? Just let me take care of you in your old age! All you have to do is introduce me to your granddaughter. That's okay, isn't it? You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

Suzuki Mufeng grabbed Zenitsu Agatsuma by the back of his collar and, after apologizing to the old man, dragged him up the mountain. Zenitsu kept begging desperately the whole way.

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

Jigoro Kuwajima pressed a bag of money into the old man's hands. "Please accept the boy's gift."

"They're both good kids."

"Yeah. We'll continue our chat next time we have a chance."

The two old men chatted for a few moments. 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 off and let me go fight demons? I'm definitely going to die. I absolutely will!"

"Zenitsu, don't be so pessimistic. You're talented. One day, those demons won't stand a chance against you."

"How do you know that, Senior? What makes you say that? Are you just saying it to recruit me? Please don't, Senior Suzuki!"

He was so noisy. It wasn't as if I could tell him I knew about his future achievements because I'd read the original story.

The others ignored Zenitsu's racket as they made their way together to the mountain where Jigoro Kuwajima trained members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The Demon Slayer Corps had treated its retired former Rumble Hashira well after they became cultivators. This whole mountain belonged to Jigoro Kuwajima. But the old man only used it as a training ground for members of the Demon Slayer Corps and had never once used it for his own gain.

"Hey, old man, who are these two?"

Kaigaku, who would later betray the Corps and become Upper Rank Six, was a deeply selfish scumbag.

"Kaigaku, mind your manners. This is Zenitsu Agatsuma, my newest disciple. And this is Suzuki Mufeng, a prized student of former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki. He's here to learn Thunder Breathing."

Instead of focusing on Water Breathing, he'd come to learn Thunder Breathing. Kaigaku's twisted heart couldn't help but fill with hatred for Suzuki Mufeng.

I'm the genius, the protagonist, the darling of the world. Who do you think you are, Suzuki Mufeng?

"Suzuki Mufeng, all right. Fight me. Let me see the power of Water Breathing."

"Kaigaku, mind your manners. Suzuki, I've failed to teach my student properly. I'll have a word with him, so please don't take it to heart."

"I accept your challenge. I'd like to see whether your skills can back up your arrogance."

I'd been wondering how to teach this future traitor a lesson. Now, the opportunity had landed right in my lap—and he'd even offered it himself. If he was so eager to get himself killed, I wouldn't hold back.

"Well, all right. It'll be good for Kaigaku to learn there's always someone better. Zenitsu, don't try to run off. Watch carefully. This is a rare live demonstration, so pay close attention."

Jigoro Kuwajima held Zenitsu tightly by the collar. With the hand of fate gripping his throat, Zenitsu gave up on sneaking away. Of course, he was also curious to see just how strong this fierce-looking senior was.

He could also hear the insatiable ambition in Kaigaku, as well as the undisguised loathing in Senior Suzuki's voice. He had a feeling that Kaigaku would meet a terrible end.

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

"Arrogant bastard! Are you looking down on me? Suzuki Mufeng, you'll pay for that overconfidence!"

Suzuki Mufeng stood perfectly still, making no attempt to defend himself. Kaigaku was overcome with fury. Is he looking down on me? I'm Kaigaku, the greatest genius of all! Suzuki Mufeng, you'll pay for that arrogance!

"Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit!"

A flash of lightning burst forth. Wrapped in electricity, Kaigaku charged at Suzuki Mufeng, appearing right in front of him. He unleashed a dozen slashes in quick succession, weaving a net of lightning that engulfed him completely.

"Too slow. Much too slow."

Kaigaku, you really are nothing but a waste. With my mental energy covering the area, you looked no different from a snail.

Compared to Senior Kuwajima, you were worlds apart—his level was beyond your reach. Jigoro Kuwajima was someone Kaigaku could never hope to equal in his entire life. You really are a failure, Kaigaku.

"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide."

Suzuki Mufeng simply raised his Nichirin Sword high, then brought it down again and again. Water-like effects appeared along the blade.

Superior strength overcame skill. The force of each strike piled onto the last, sending Kaigaku flying. He hadn't even had a chance to react before the Nichirin Sword was knocked from his hands and hit the ground.

"Pick it up and keep going!"

Suzuki Mufeng barked the order. Kaigaku seemed to be frightened into crouching down and picking up the Nichirin Sword. Trembling all over, he gripped it with both hands and charged forward, swinging it mechanically.

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

Every technique except the First Form was forcefully broken by a single move from Suzuki Mufeng. His fierce torrents of water left Kaigaku no opening at all.

Kaigaku panted heavily and collapsed to his knees. The Nichirin Sword in his hand had been sent flying into the distance.

"Get up! Keep going! Challenge me again!"

Suzuki Mufeng looked down at him. In that moment, his gaze pierced Kaigaku to the core. No... I'm really no match for him. He's a monster—a monster I can't defeat.

"I give up! I'm done! I'm done!"

Kaigaku screamed in agony as he struggled to his feet. He scrambled up and turned to flee, his resolve utterly shattered.

"Senior Kuwajima, I'm sorry. I went a little too hard on him."

"It's fine. Kaigaku's too proud for his own good. I should thank you for teaching him that there's always someone better and that the mountains go on beyond the mountains."

Jigoro Kuwajima didn't mind at all. Kaigaku was always so arrogant, looking down on everything. Something was bound to go wrong eventually.

If he learned his lesson early and recovered from this setback, his teacher believed Kaigaku would become stronger. He would become a worthy member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

But unfortunately, this animal was destined to utterly disappoint his teacher. In secret, he began plotting against Suzuki Mufeng.

"Damn it! How could I have lost? It must be because that old man was too weak and didn't teach me properly! I'm leaving. I'll go find Sakonji Urokodaki, like he did. I'll definitely become stronger than him. But before I leave, I'll get my revenge!"

A shadow flickered in Kaigaku's eyes. A plan had already formed in his heart.