"The Selection Concludes"
Over the next six days, Tanjiro, having recovered, hunted demons alongside Aoki. Aoki usually dispatched them swiftly, occasionally leaving one or two for Tanjiro to handle. However, the demons were too weak for Tanjiro to gain significant experience, and Aoki wouldn't let him fight Level Two demons for the sake of rapid power increase.
For most of those days, Tanjiro essentially coasted, occasionally sparring with Aoki during the day for minimal improvement. Even small gains in combat technique were beneficial.
On the sixth night, Aoki noticed a significant decrease in demon encounters. By the final night, he encountered only a dozen, a stark contrast to the first night.
He finally realized he had eliminated almost all the demons on Mount Fujikasane due to his efficiency. His combat power soared from over four hundred to over nine hundred, his rating rising from Level Three to A-level.
Tanjiro, whose combat power had been just over one hundred, gained only five points. His expression was one of utter dejection.
The selection concluded, and Aoki and Tanjiro returned to the gathering point. Besides them, over a dozen others had passed. Fewer than the initial twenty-plus, but still a considerable number. Their success was largely due to Aoki's decimation of the mountain's demon population. Without him, only six, including Aoki and Tanjiro, would have likely survived.
"Senior Aoki, what happens next?" Tanjiro asked curiously, seeing so many survivors. The selection was over, but everyone remained, indicating further procedures.
"I don't know. Once everything's done, we'll return to Old Man Urokodaki and tell him the Hand Demon is dead," Aoki said lazily, leaning against a tree.
Sadness clouded Tanjiro's face. Though Aoki had avenged their fallen comrades, they wouldn't be returning to Urokodaki Sakonji. Two of these fallen disciples had been important mentors to Tanjiro, guiding him through his training and enabling him to reach this point.
Sensing Tanjiro's emotions, Aoki patted his head. "Don't be sad. Life and death are beyond our control. Look at these survivors. Without me killing most of the demons, they would have died countless times."
As one of Urokodaki Sakonji's disciples, Aoki wasn't unaffected by the deaths of his seniors, but he was less sentimental than Tanjiro and didn't let it affect his mood.
"Yeah, if it weren't for Senior Aoki, I probably would have died on the mountain too," Tanjiro said, a bright smile returning to his face.
A brilliant light dawned in the east. A massive, golden sun rose, illuminating the desolate landscape.
"So, most passed because almost all the demons were killed?"
In a small courtyard, a white-robed figure spoke, a black crow perched on his shoulder.
"Aoki… and Giyu… both disciples of Urokodaki Sakonji-senpai? Remarkable children."
A smile touched the figure's lips. "Have him come see me as soon as the selection ends."
The crow spread its wings and flew away.
"My children… so many more have been added."
"We will now distribute the Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and our communication crows. Then, choose your steel and have the swordsmith forge your Nichirin Blades."
Shortly after Aoki and Tanjiro's conversation, two identical-looking young girls appeared, differing only in hair color.
"Hey, what's going on? I want my Nichirin Sword, now!"
Just as things seemed to be proceeding smoothly, an angry shout erupted from the crowd. A young man in purple clothing, with a large scar on his face, stepped forward.
Genya Shinazugawa. Aoki recognized him instantly—the young man he'd clashed with at the foot of the mountain.
Shouting incessantly, Genya Shinazugawa approached one of the girls and grabbed her hair.
Tanjiro was about to intervene, but Aoki was faster, grabbing Genya Shinazugawa's arm.
"She's a girl, you know. Isn't that a little inappropriate?" Aoki said with a smile, though it clearly indicated he wanted Genya Shinazugawa to stop.
"You…"
Genya Shinazugawa stared at Aoki, remembering their previous encounter. He'd dismissed Aoki as weak then. Even now, he still considered Aoki weak. He tried to break free from Aoki's grip, but found it impossible.
"Crack!"
Sensing Genya Shinazugawa's struggle, Aoki tightened his grip, snapping his wrist. Genya Shinazugawa cried out in pain.
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters