After Kanon left, Teiichi returned to living alone once more.
Every morning, he rose early and began his rigorous, grueling physical training and Breathing Style practice in the faint light of dawn.
Nearly another six months passed like this.
One evening, Teiichi returned home for dinner as usual. After eating, he took out the map he had received from the Kakushi and spread it flat on the table.
Earlier that day, a Kasugai Crow had come with a message: the trial would officially begin at dusk in three days.
Teiichi studied the map carefully. Judging by its markings, the journey from here to Mount Fujikasane would take around two days.
Resting his chin lightly on his hand, Teiichi thought for a moment, then silently began working out a list of supplies for the trip:
Food is the most important thing. Two days on the road, plus seven days on Mount Fujikasane? That means I need nine days' worth of food.
No, it'll take another two days to get back. Eleven days in total, then.
I eat about three or four jin of food per meal. Call it ten jin a day, so eleven days would mean 110 jin.
At this point in his calculations, Teiichi's head began to ache.
Uh... 110 jin? Wouldn't that make one huge bundle?
I don't remember anyone carrying bags upon bags to the trial in the original. Does that mean there's game on the mountain to eat? Or can we come down during the day to eat and recover our strength?
Teiichi scratched his head in frustration. Neither seems very likely. The mountain's full of demons. Sure, they only come out at night, but it still doesn't seem like there'd be any game up there. And coming down during the day to eat doesn't seem very plausible either.
Teiichi shook his head. Forget it. I'll bring ten jin. That won't take up much space. If there's nothing to eat when I get there, I'll ration it to one jin a day.
Next is water, my Nichirin Blade, clo...
Would bringing clothes be too fussy...?
Forget it, I'll bring a change anyway...
Another day passed.
Early that morning, Teiichi wore a simple black outfit, his Nichirin Blade slung behind his waist. Weights were strapped to his limbs and waist, and a slightly bulging pack rested on his back.
After a moment's consideration, Teiichi still chose to pick up the heavy training sword he had brought down specially the night before.
Carrying and swinging this hundred-plus-jin sword along the way would serve as a substitute for his usual training.
He turned and went outside, closed the door securely, then ran down the mountain.
Throughout the journey, he followed the directions marked on the map.
After two full days of relentless travel, he finally reached the outskirts of Mount Fujikasane near dusk on the second day.
Even from a distance, he could clearly see the dense wisteria grove.
The blooming wisteria trees formed a dazzling sea of color, stretching from several hundred meters away all the way to the foot of the mountain;
from there, they continued several dozen meters up the slopes, creating a unique, captivating sight that one could not help but lose oneself in.
The vast sea of trees surrounded several peaks that towered into the clouds. Presumably, those peaks were where the trial would take place.
Looking at the sea of trees stretching hundreds of meters into the distance, Teiichi began to understand why he had seen no ordinary households during the last ten-odd kilometers of his run.
If ordinary people lived nearby, this scenery alone would surely draw them over for a stroll. Then, if they accidentally got lost on the mountain, they could only wait to die.
After racing all the way to the edge of the grove, Teiichi stopped abruptly and looked back at the brilliant clouds on the horizon, lit by the blood-red setting sun.
"Hmm, it's still early. I'll take my time walking up. You don't often see such a huge grove of wisteria."
Murmuring to himself, Teiichi steadied his slightly hurried breathing before stepping into the woods.
As he entered, a delicate, refreshing wisteria fragrance greeted him, leaving him momentarily stunned.
He had thought that so many wisteria trees would make the scent overpowering and pungent, but that was not the case.
The fragrance in the air remained light and refreshing, making him feel utterly relaxed and at ease.
As he strolled along the woodland path, wisteria blossoms dotted the branches like stars, swaying lightly like countless little sprites dressed in purple, whispering among themselves.
A breeze swept past, and petals fluttered down like a dazzling purple shower falling upon the world, a breathtaking sight that drew one in completely.
Looking at the dreamlike beauty before him, Teiichi seemed to understand why the demons on the mountain could not cross this sea of wisteria.
Perhaps demons found wisteria as repulsive as humans found excrement!
Although people might endure the disgust of crossing a cesspit a few meters long in pursuit of freedom, crossing a "sea of excrement" hundreds of meters wide would probably be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Before he knew it, he had reached the foot of the mountain, where a long, winding stone staircase led toward the summit.
Teiichi took a closer look, then stepped onto the stairs and began climbing.
Before long, he reached a broad, flat stone platform.
Six brilliant red pillars stood in its center like giants holding up the heavens.
At that moment, more than a dozen people were scattered across the platform.
Most wore plain, coarse clothing like Teiichi. Scars were visible on some of the Demon Slayers' faces, though it was unclear whether they had joined the Demon Slayer Corps after encountering demons or encountered demons after joining the Corps.
Teiichi swept his gaze around, finally choosing a red pillar to lean against. He slowly closed his eyes and began resting.
He was starting to regret bringing the heavy training sword. Although he could indeed swing it for a long time during his usual training, this was his first time carrying it for an entire day, and now his whole body felt somewhat exhausted.
As Teiichi rested with his eyes closed, footsteps sounded near his ears from time to time. Another dozen or so figures arrived on the platform one after another. By a rough estimate, there were probably close to thirty people now.
He had no idea how much time had passed.
At last, Teiichi slowly opened his eyes.
He had heard the footsteps of three people coming up together, which piqued his curiosity. Everyone before had arrived alone; this was the first time three people had come together.
He looked toward the stone staircase, where three figures slowly appeared, one in front and two behind.
The one in the lead was a young man wearing a white haori edged with a flame pattern over a long black robe.
Judging by his appearance, the young man was only around fourteen or fifteen, but he was handsome and striking.
His deep, bright eyes shone like stars, and his long, glossy black hair fell naturally to his shoulders like a waterfall.
More distinctive still, a faint purple scar extended from his hairline, covering his left eye.
Two members of the Kakushi followed closely behind him, one on his left and one on his right, forming a protective escort.
At that moment, everyone on the platform turned toward the trio in unison, watching their every move intently.
Is that... Kagaya Ubuyashiki? If it's him rather than his son, it should be because his son hasn't been born yet or is still too young. I wonder how many more years it'll be before Tanjiro's time. Teiichi tilted his head as he looked at the young man.
"Good evening, everyone."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki and his companions walked to the front of the platform. Turning to face everyone, he spoke in a soft, gentle voice that felt like a spring breeze:
"I am Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the current head of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Hearing him introduce himself as the head of the Demon Slayer Corps, the candidates gathered for the trial all grew excited. They had never expected the head of the Corps himself to preside over a mere trial.
"Thank you all very much for coming tonight to take part in the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection," he said in a low, resonant voice.
"Imprisoned on Mount Fujikasane are demons that the powerful swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps captured alive through tremendous hardship." His tone was calm, but a barely perceptible gravity showed in his eyes.
"These demons are confined here, never to see freedom again." He paused, then explained, "This is not out of pity or mercy, but because they are too vicious. Once released, they would surely bring endless calamity upon the human world."
"And yet, despite that, they remain trapped here, unable to escape." He raised his head slightly, looking toward the summit, and continued, "All of this is thanks to the wisteria that covers the slopes from here to the foot of the mountain, blooming throughout the year."
"Demons utterly loathe the unique fragrance wisteria gives off. Merely smelling it leaves them weak all over and barely able to move. It is only with the protection of this wisteria that we can ensure these demons cannot escape." His words conveyed reverence for the miraculous power of nature.
"However, beyond this point, farther up the mountain, you will no longer find any trace of wisteria."
His expression grew increasingly solemn as he warned them:
"In other words, from this point onward, every step you take may bring you under attack by demons."
"So, what awaits you now is a seven-day test of life and death-this is the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection!"
He raised his voice so that everyone present could hear him clearly.
"During these seven days, you must not only face harsh natural conditions and the torment of hunger and exhaustion, but also remain constantly alert to threats lurking in the dark.
"Only those who overcome every difficulty and successfully survive will pass the test."
After saying this, he paused briefly, his gaze slowly passing over the tense yet determined faces on the platform.
Finally, he bowed slightly and spoke in a voice filled with encouragement and hope:
"Now, please set forth bravely!
"May the gods protect you. I look forward to seeing you all return safely to this place in seven days."