Ripples in the Darkness

Wisteria Mountain was shrouded in mist.

Tanjiro and the others stood bare-chested beneath the waterfall, letting the raging torrent crash down from above and batter every inch of their skin.

The stream water of early spring was bone-chilling. Even though the Corps members had long mastered Breathing techniques to temper their bodies, very few could endure the waterfall trial from start to finish.

"Chant! Chant!"

Tanjiro's consciousness was beginning to fade, yet his lips continued to move as he tried to rouse his spirits this way.

But as he chanted, he suddenly realized that the roar of his companion's "Inosuke-style charge" had vanished. Stiffly, he turned his head to look.

Inosuke, still wearing his boar's head mask, had already passed out. Yet his body remained stubbornly upright in the water, swaying as though he could collapse at any moment.

Tanjiro: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

"Inosuke!?"

"Oh no! Inosuke, hang in there! Hey!"

In a fluster, Tanjiro dragged Inosuke ashore. After a great deal of fussing, he finally managed to bring him back around.

After the waterfall trial, they were supposed to continue with training such as carrying logs and pushing boulders.

But the Corps members had already reached their limits and could only take a brief rest.

They gathered together to prepare lunch and recover a little of their strength.

By the campfire, Inosuke tore into a salt-grilled fish, occasionally glancing deeper into the wisteria forest.

"Who knows what kind of training those guys are up to? I've gotta catch up fast and become stronger than all of them!"

As Tanjiro carefully turned the fish over the fire, he gently reminded him.

"Inosuke, you should at least show basic respect to the Hashira."

"Hmph! I know that!"

Inosuke casually tossed aside the stick he had picked clean, a fish bone hanging from the corner of his mouth. His expression was unexpectedly serious.

"Every one of those guys is stronger than me, especially the Commander. Back at the Butterfly Mansion, just getting close to him made my whole body feel like it was being pricked by needles."

Tanjiro nodded in deep agreement. "That's true. I've smelled an extremely dangerous aura on Mr. Kashu before."

"But that aura disappeared during our last mission. It's strange..."

"What's strange about that?!"

In the corner, Zenitsu silently gnawed on his grilled fish, tears welling in his eyes as he shrieked in rebuttal.

"You two! You've never truly heard how terrifying that monster's heartbeat is!"

"That heartbeat is horrifying and suffocating. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!"

Tanjiro and Inosuke looked at each other and tilted their heads in unison.

Was this guy acting up again because he wanted to back out?

Meanwhile, at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

Having finished his training, Kashu came to visit Kagaya Ubuyashiki, only to unexpectedly find a rare guest in the residence.

She wore her hair in a large, low bun. Her face was pale, with only a touch of crimson on her lips. Dressed in a dark purple kimono patterned with subtle designs, she possessed a quiet and secluded air.

Kashu's tone carried a hint of surprise. "This is unexpected. I never thought Miss Tamayo would truly be willing to set foot in the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters."

Tamayo gently shook her head. "Please do not tease me, Mr. Kashu. This is the critical moment to deal with Muzan Kibutsuji. No matter what, I would not wish to miss such an opportunity."

Kashu laughed softly. "You misunderstand, Miss Tamayo. I have no intention of teasing you. On the contrary, I admire your courage."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised a hand to invite Kashu to sit, then gently took over the conversation.

"How is the special training progressing? Have Sanemi and the others caused you any trouble?"

Kashu casually sat cross-legged and spread his hands.

"Well... how should I put it? Half and half, I suppose."

"Everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps is quite talented. They simply lacked the right method before. Once given a clear direction, their progress has been remarkable."

Kashu felt that he had already put it tactfully enough, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki was far too perceptive not to immediately catch the implication.

Low emotional intelligence: A bunch of weaklings.

High emotional intelligence: They have plenty of room for improvement.

Worry creased Kagaya Ubuyashiki's brow. "Two weeks have already passed, and not a single Hashira besides one has awakened the Transparent World..."

He understood how everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps felt, and he understood their determination to slay demons.

But if it were at all possible, he did not wish to see these children lose their precious lives.

"No, one person has succeeded."

Kashu picked up a pastry and tossed it into his mouth. Fou immediately gave him a light swat with a paw, and he could only smile helplessly before taking another piece and offering it over.

"Gyomei Himejima truly lives up to being the oldest Hashira. His blindness has instead made his mind even more focused. In only two weeks, he has grasped the Transparent World."

Upon hearing that Gyomei Himejima had succeeded, a trace of reminiscence crossed Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face.

"So it was Gyomei..."

"I must ask you to continue taking good care of the remaining children."

Kashu waved a hand casually, then turned toward Tamayo, who had been waiting quietly at the side.

"Did you bring the previous experimental report?"

"No. I had Yushiro bring the experimental equipment ahead and arrange everything. Shall we go there now?"

As she spoke, Tamayo's eyes gleamed with excitement, and she could not conceal her eagerness.

Kashu frowned deeply. "I understand that you are eager to deal with Muzan Kibutsuji, but haste makes waste. Do not throw yourself into disarray."

"It is noon right now, and this place is covered in wisteria flowers. Do you want me to hold an umbrella and carry you to the laboratory?"

Tamayo: (⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)

"Ahem! Forgive me. I was too hasty."

Night descended, bringing an end to the day's grueling training.

The Demon Slayer Corps members set off for home in groups of two and three, discussing what they had gained that day.

Yet a short-haired youth with thick brows and a magatama pendant hanging from his neck broke away from the crowd and disappeared alone into the distant shadows.

"Hey, Kaigaku! The dormitories are this way!"

"Forget him! He's a swordsman of the same rank as us, yet he walks around with that sour expression all day. What's he acting so proud for?"

"Isn't that a bit harsh? We're comrades from the same class, after all."

"You see him as a comrade, but does he see you as one?"

"Come on, let's go back and rest. I'm exhausted after today!"

Several Corps members laughed and chatted as they departed. The night grew darker, and Kaigaku's figure vanished completely into the gloom deep within the wisteria forest.

Meanwhile, Kashu and Tamayo were also racing through the mountains, swift as ghosts.

That was only natural. Tamayo might look frail, but she was still a demon, while Kashu could hardly be called human himself.

Before long, the two reached the foot of the mountain. Kashu raised a brow and abruptly stopped.

Tamayo's mind was fixed on the research awaiting her in the laboratory, and she failed to react in time. Just as she was about to crash into Kashu's back, he reached behind himself, pulled her over, and caught her in his arms.

Before Tamayo could respond, Kashu swiftly covered her mouth and signaled for silence, then nodded toward two blurry figures in the distance.

"I've led you here as agreed. It's time for you to fulfill your promise, isn't it?"

"Of course. That person likes people who know what is good for them. Drink it."

Following the voices, Tamayo saw a distant figure swallowing demon blood. Veins immediately bulged on her forehead.

"The location of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters has been exposed! Mr. Kashu, we..."

Tamayo urgently turned back, only to discover in horror that Kashu had already vanished from her side!