If Haku's mere observation of a single demonstration, mastering the 'First Form, Water Surface Slash,' was somewhat hard for Urokodaki Sakonji to accept, then the scene before him now truly made his jaw drop.
If he weren't wearing the tengu mask, the exaggerated expression on his face would likely have depleted all the dignity he had accumulated over the years.
"Uh…"
Haku was also somewhat surprised.
Because he had just recalled the stance of Water Hashira Tomioka Giyuu swinging his blade during the island battle, he became entranced and unknowingly used Ice Release chakra.
In the Demon Slayer world, there was no such thing as chakra, so his act of freezing the waterfall with a single slash deeply shocked Urokodaki Sakonji.
After a long while, Urokodaki Sakonji regained his composure and asked Haku, "How… how did you do that?"
While observing Urokodaki Sakonji, Haku replied, "I'm not entirely sure myself!"
Urokodaki Sakonji approached the frozen waterfall, leaped up, and thrust his long blade into the nearby rock wall. Gripping the hilt and hanging in midair, he reached out to touch the ice crystals still emitting a chilling aura, his expression turning grave.
It was obvious.
This was no illusion—it was real ice!
After landing back on the ground, Urokodaki Sakonji pointed his blade at Haku and sternly demanded, "Who exactly are you? Was that just now some kind of Blood Demon Art?"
The swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps could not accomplish such a feat—at least he, a former Water Hashira, could not.
In his experience, the Blood Demon Arts of demons could indeed create all sorts of extraordinary phenomena, so he immediately became wary.
Seeing Urokodaki Sakonji pointing his blade at him, Haku was initially startled, thinking the man had recognized chakra and seen through his accidental use of Ice Release. However, the latter half of Urokodaki's words dispelled his concerns, as Haku had personally witnessed the Upper Rank Five demon, Douma, create ice constructs. It wasn't surprising that Urokodaki Sakonji would have such suspicions.
Facing Urokodaki Sakonji's questioning, Haku calmly responded, "I'm not a demon!"
Urokodaki Sakonji paused briefly, then came to a realization.
From the moment he first saw Haku, he had already confirmed that Haku was not a demon. Since he wasn't a demon, he naturally couldn't use a Blood Demon Art, so his suspicion of Haku was fundamentally baseless.
"But… how were you able to do something like that?"
As he spoke, Urokodaki Sakonji looked in astonishment at the icy waterfall still emitting a cold aura.
The techniques of Breathing Styles, while capable of evoking the sensation of flowing water or flames, were not real. In other words, none of the techniques of Water Breathing could conjure actual waves of water—at least not to the extent that he, a former Water Hashira, could achieve.
Haku initially planned to brush it off with a vague explanation to get by, but as he opened his mouth, a new idea suddenly struck him.
He slowly extended his right hand, revealing his palm to Urokodaki Sakonji.
Urokodaki Sakonji's gaze was instantly drawn to Haku's right palm, and his pupils suddenly contracted. Right before his eyes, a tiny ice crystal formed in Haku's palm, growing larger and larger until, in the blink of an eye, it was the size of a hand.
Only then did Haku speak, "I don't know why, but ever since I was young, I've had the ability to control ice. My parents thought I was a freak and abandoned me, so from then on, I didn't dare to use this ability in front of others."
"This… this…"
Urokodaki Sakonji was momentarily at a loss for words.
He had seen many things in his life, but witnessing Haku's display left him utterly shocked. He never imagined there could be such a person in the world.
Haku said, "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable!"
With that, Haku prepared to turn and leave.
This time, he had deliberately revealed his Ice Release to expose a slight flaw, testing whether the Demon Slayer Corps truly stood in absolute opposition to demons.
After confirming that the mysterious swordsman who had invaded the shinobi world to protect the anchor coordinates was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps trained in Water Breathing, the Corps was no longer an innocent organization in Haku's eyes. Thus, he wanted to test whether there was any connection between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons, or if there might be spies of that mysterious figure within the Corps.
Seeing Haku about to leave, Urokodaki Sakonji immediately called out, "Wait!"
Haku turned around to face Urokodaki Sakonji.
Urokodaki Sakonji shook his head, "I don't care if you're different. As long as you're not a demon, you can stay on Sagiri Mountain to train and become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps!"
Haku asked, "You're accepting me?"
Urokodaki Sakonji gave a wry smile, "Do you think the Demon Slayer Corps is in a position to be picky these days?"
Then, as if recalling something, Urokodaki Sakonji hesitated for a long moment before asking, "To what extent can you do something like that?"
Haku blinked, "What?"
Urokodaki Sakonji hurriedly clarified, "I mean, creating ice crystals like just now—what's the extent of your ability? Is freezing a waterfall your limit?"
Haku pointed at the icy waterfall, "If I go all out, I can do something a bit larger than this. That's roughly my limit!"
"What? It can get even stronger?"
Urokodaki Sakonji was shocked once again.
Freezing a waterfall already bordered on altering the natural environment. If Haku could go even further, wouldn't that mean a single swordsman, with a human body, had mastered a power equivalent to an Upper Rank demon's Blood Demon Art?
"Could it be… you're a messenger sent by the gods to save us?"
Urokodaki Sakonji hadn't believed in such things before, but looking at Haku and the frozen waterfall, his heart wavered.
"I'm sorry, I just want to save my own world."
Looking at the excited Urokodaki Sakonji, Haku sighed inwardly.
After a long time, Urokodaki Sakonji finally calmed down, returning to his usual seasoned and steady demeanor. He instructed Haku, "Ice, your power exceeds what ordinary people can comprehend. So, remember this: unless absolutely necessary, never use this power lightly!"
"Yes!"
Haku nodded lightly.
Urokodaki Sakonji rubbed his hands together, "Alright, from now on, I officially take you as my disciple. Once you fully master Water Breathing, you will be the new Water Hashira!"
Haku pointed at himself, "Me… Water Hashira?"
Urokodaki Sakonji explained, "You've probably heard from Ichimoku about the collective betrayal of the Hashira in our Demon Slayer Corps, right? These are the toughest times for the Corps, so as long as I approve, you can become a Hashira. Moreover, with your unique abilities, you're more than qualified to be the Water Hashira, so there's no need for doubt!"