Mt. Fujikasane Final Trial

After a night of rest, their spirits and energy were at their peak. Bidding farewell to their master, Sakonji Urokodaki, they spent nearly three days traveling until they arrived at Mt. Fujikasane to prepare for the Final Selection.

"So many wisteria flowers. They're beautiful."

Makomo crouched down, reaching out to pick up the fallen wisteria petals, intending to weave them into a wreath for her hair.

"Wisteria is highly toxic to demons. Mt. Fujikasane serves as the site for the Final Selection because it's blanketed in these flowers, trapping the demons inside and using them as whetstones for our final trial.

Plus, the Demon Slayer Corps frequently sends swordsmen to clear out the demons within, so there are only those that have consumed one or two people—perfect for our first trial."

Sabito, acting as the big brother, introduced these facts to them one by one, while Giyu Tomioka and Suzuki Mufeng listened closely by his side.

When they ascended Mt. Fujikasane, a large group of Demon Slayer Corps candidates, all trained by their respective mentors, had already gathered to await the start of the Final Selection.

Shortly after, Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki stepped out together. The two children, as delicate as dolls, spoke in unison.

"Everyone, thank you for gathering here tonight to participate in the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection."

"This mountain imprisons demons captured alive by members of the Demon Slayer Corps; because of the wisteria, they are unable to leave."

"The condition for passing the final selection is to survive on this mountain for seven days."

"We wish you all a safe journey."

As soon as they finished speaking, everyone surged into Mt. Fujikasane. Since it was still night—the domain of demons—the scent of blood and the foul stench of the creatures were unexpectedly intense.

The four of them entered separately. While sticking together would certainly have been the easiest way to survive, it would have defeated the purpose of the final selection. In the end, they would have to face the demons alone, and acting independently served as a test of their years of training on Mt. Sagiri.

"Seven days? Too long. With the combined strength of four Mufengs, my goal should be to wipe the demons off Mt. Fujikasane entirely. That would be a real challenge."

Just as Suzuki Mufeng determined his direction, three demons burst from the rustling bushes and lunged at him.

"Scared stiff, kid? You're mine!"

"He's my prey!"

"I haven't eaten in months; let's see who dares to fight me for him."

The three demons threatened each other, their words sharp, yet their bodies moved with greedy honesty as they bit toward his shoulders, arms, and thighs.

"Six Powers, Iron Body."

The moment the demons bit down, expecting to feast, reality played a cruel joke on them.

Blood gushed from the demons' maws—not Suzuki Mufeng's blood, but the blood of the demons themselves as their teeth shattered against his skin.

Their thoughts were now perfectly synchronized: Are you the demon, or am I? Your body is harder than a demon's!

In the next second, a light breeze swept past. As Suzuki Mufeng sheathed his blade, the sound of the hilt clicking against the scabbard rang out. The heads of the three demons had already been severed; they died without even realizing what had happened.

"Shared abilities aren't perfectly suited to me. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. The best method is to take the strengths and discard the weaknesses to create something of my own."

Suzuki Mufeng's body had a few minor scratches where the demons had bitten him. Their bite force was comparable to a dog's. In the memories of the Pirate Mufeng, he had long since become immune to animal bites after mastering Iron Body, but the effect was significantly diminished on Suzuki Mufeng's current body.

"I must prioritize the training of my Breathing Style."

A viscous aura drifted through the air. The commotion of killing three demons had already attracted more monsters and ghouls; it was best to leave.

There were indeed many demons on the mountain. Having gone without human flesh for a long time, they had become exceptionally savage. However, aside from their high regenerative abilities and reckless nature, their low intelligence made them easy to deal with.

As he prepared to leave after saving a young boy who had nearly died in a demon's jaws, his sleeve was suddenly tugged.

"Wait, there's another boy with black hair wearing a fox mask. He drew the demons away to protect us. Please, go help him."

It was Giyu Tomioka who was in trouble; he had to go help.

"The sun will rise soon. Take care of yourselves. I'm leaving."

Suzuki Mufeng immediately set off in the direction they pointed, leaving the other candidates staring at his back with longing.

In the hours that followed, Suzuki roamed Mt. Fujikasane, intervening whenever he encountered someone in mortal danger.

Gradually, the legend of a swordsman who used Water Breathing to effortlessly slay demons and save lives began to circulate among them. At first, they didn't believe such a strong swordsman could exist among the newcomers.

But once they witnessed Suzuki Mufeng in action, they realized how vast the gap between people could be.

A bleak, cold wind howled. In a clearing in the forest, Giyu Tomioka's chest was torn by three deep claw marks, blood flowing freely, his breathing becoming erratic.

Opposite him, a demon resembling a savage from a primeval forest licked the blood from its fifteen-centimeter-long claws, its face flushed as if it were a drunkard.

"Hehe, kid, where should I eat you first? From the head, or the feet? Why don't you pick a spot, kid?"

A Blood Demon Art user. His claws can unleash invisible slashes. What do I do? My body feels heavier and heavier.

If I don't stop the bleeding in my chest, I'll die of blood loss. Is this it? Am I going to see you so soon, sister?

"Giyu, it's only been a few hours. How did you get so pathetic?"

Suzuki Mufeng's voice came from behind the demon, silent and stealthy. The demon jumped in fright, spinning around to unleash a claw strike, but the fierce slash hit nothing but air, leaving three deep furrows in the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Suzuki Mufeng appeared directly in front of Giyu Tomioka, tearing off a piece of his own clothing to use as a bandage, carefully staunching the bleeding wound.

Though shocked by Suzuki Mufeng's speed, Giyu Tomioka tried to speak, wanting him to finish off the demon first.

"Don't talk. Be careful not to tear the wound open. I don't want to have to carry you out of here."

"You brat, how dare you ignore my existence! You're courting death!"

The infuriated demon was about to lash out with its claws when it suddenly noticed a bubble floating right in front of its face.

Pop—

The bubble burst, splashing water onto the demon's face, its vacant eyes reflecting its utter confusion.

"Are you trying to humiliate me?!"

The demon swung its sharp claws violently. Giyu Tomioka stood in front of Suzuki Mufeng without a moment's hesitation; if he could protect Mufeng before he died, he would be content.

"Stop moving around. Just stay put, you're a wounded man."

The claw strike from a moment ago felt like nothing more than three gentle breezes. Was this demon so emotionally unstable that it couldn't even use its Blood Demon Art?

"Why... my claws, they've disappeared! Was it you—"

While it was still mired in confusion, Suzuki Mufeng had already placed his hand on the hilt of his blade. With the mere sound of a sword being unsheathed, the demon's head was already severed.

Even a man as stoic as Giyu Tomioka widened his eyes, the word 'astonishment' practically written across his face.

Suzuki Mufeng returned to Giyu Tomioka's side as nonchalantly as if he had just crushed an ant, joking with him.

"Giyu, are you captivated by me?"

"That's not what I meant. Let's go find Sabito and the others first."

Although he was curious about how the demon's claws had vanished, he would not press for answers; everyone had their own secrets.

In his heart, they were family, and he trusted Mufeng. If Mufeng wanted to talk about it, he would; if he didn't, then he wouldn't.

"This Final Selection isn't simple. With Sabito's strength, he should be fine for now. My only concern is Makomo. Let's go find her first, but let's rest for the night before we do."

Considering Giyu Tomioka's physical condition, Suzuki Mufeng decided to wait until morning to move.

Suzuki Mufeng appeared calm and collected, but in reality, his nerves remained tightly coiled.

In this brief moment of peace, he couldn't help but lament the difference between reality and the anime; in just a few hours, five or six lives had already quietly slipped away.

This was only the first night, and even greater challenges awaited them.

This time, Sabito and Makomo would not die, and he would personally sever the head of the Hand Demon.