"Ah→ ah↓ ah↑ ah-"
Starting one day, howls that seemed destined never to stop rang out across Mount Sagiri.
Zenitsu Agatsuma looked a little more mature after a trip back to Mount Momiji, only to dissolve into tears and snot again before the Mechanical Puppets Kotetsu had upgraded.
"It hurts so much!"
For safety, the Mechanical Puppets held wooden sticks rather than real swords-which actually made them more torturous. Each blow raised a blood-red welt.
Numerous commands had been programmed into the Mechanical Puppets, allowing them to imitate some of Haruto's swordsmanship.
That alone was enough to teach a lesson to the Swordsmen who had arrived here full of themselves after passing the Stone Hashira's test.
"Boohoo, this hurts way too much..."
Zenitsu's snot was almost stuck to Tanjiro's shoulder. The iron-headed boy discreetly pushed the yellow head away. "What did our teacher say we had to do to pass?"
"Last an hour against the puppet, or smash the thing-cut off its head or something."
Genya shuddered.
Although the puppets Young Kotetsu produced fell short of his family's heirloom, Yoriichi Type Zero, several rounds of modifications had put them well beyond what these Swordsmen could handle.
In just one morning, half the Swordsmen were already clutching their arms and legs and wailing nonstop.
"You're so noisy! Get out of my way, all of you!"
Inosuke snorted twice, clenched his fists, and pounded his powerful chest muscles twice.
"Hah!"
He bent low and charged at the Mechanical Puppet's legs.
"Watch this! I'll tear you apart!"
The Mechanical Puppet, a tuft of white hair fluttering atop its head, swung its wooden stick. Smack!
Zenitsu, Tanjiro, and Genya all flinched.
"...Yeeow! That hurts!"
His bare, pale back immediately began to swell. Gritting his teeth, Inosuke concentrated his attacks on the puppet's lower half.