"Tanjiro's Training (Part 3)"
The shocking training commenced. Even with wooden swords, a single blow could inflict significant injuries. Obanai Iguro attacked from the gaps between the trainees, a terrifying prospect given his unpredictable, almost unnatural swordsmanship.
Tanjiro's internal monologue: "We're all using wooden swords, yet he generates such bizarre arcs! He attacks through the narrowest gaps, like a living serpent. And when I aim for those gaps, I hear the desperate pleas of my fellow trainees—'Please don't hit me!'—as if I could actually hear their thoughts. It's incredibly stressful."
"This unprecedented tension made my hands shake uncontrollably. The slightest deviation in my movements would lead to disaster. But after four days, I gradually improved my precision, even counterattacking after dodging Iguro-san's strikes. After my wooden sword damaged the bottom of his hakama, he declared my training finished."
Obanai Iguro: "Goodbye, and go die! You scoundrel, stop acting so chummy with Mitsuri!"
Even after completing the training, Tanjiro remained disliked by Obanai Iguro.
Next was Sanemi Shinazugawa.
While searching for Shinazugawa's residence, Tanjiro encountered a distraught Zenitsu Agatsuma, his face contorted with tears.
"Waaah! Zenitsu?" Tanjiro was startled, but quickly recognized him, though his current state was drastically different from his usual self.
Zenitsu suddenly tackled Tanjiro to the ground, desperately pleading, "Please! Tanjiro-sama, get me out of this hellhole! I can't take it anymore! I can barely stand! I… I barely managed to escape, hiding my presence and digging a tunnel like a gecko! This training is deadly! I'll be killed!"
A large hand grabbed Zenitsu from behind, twisting his face in agony. It was Sanemi Shinazugawa, his expression equally contorted with anger.
"Choose. Go back to training, or die right now."
"Please spare me! No! I don't want to go back!" Zenitsu screamed, clinging to Tanjiro.
"Shut up!" A powerful blow to Zenitsu's neck knocked him unconscious. Sanemi Shinazugawa turned and left. "Move."
Completely bewildered, Tanjiro carried the unconscious Zenitsu, following Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"There's no choice, Zenitsu. Let's do our best!"
He then initiated a conversation with Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"Long time no see. I'm here for your training. Please, teach me well."
Sanemi Shinazugawa turned, glaring at Tanjiro. "Don't get cocky, brat. I won't acknowledge you."
Tanjiro smiled, mirroring his words. "No problem! You used Nezuko, so I won't acknowledge you either!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa: "You've got guts!"
Tanjiro then raised a sensitive topic. "By the way! I heard you're Genya's brother, and your relationship isn't great. Can you tell me what happened?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa fell silent. He'd planned to force Genya out of the Demon Slayer Corps to protect him, but Aoki had interfered, revealing his true intentions. Sanemi still resented Aoki for this.
However, he deeply loved his brother. The deliberate estrangement had been difficult for him.
His voice softened, lacking its usual explosive anger. "Shut up, brat. It's none of your business. Why are you three siblings so annoying?!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa took Tanjiro to his residence. Tanjiro soon regretted his decision.
"Zenitsu's escape perfectly illustrates the cruelty of Sanemi-san's training. It involved relentless attacks from all of us. Only vomiting or fainting brought a reprieve; there was no rest."
"Even Iguro-san gave me more breaks. Zenitsu, upon waking, scolded me like I was his worst enemy. Sanemi-san hit me particularly hard; one wrong move, and I'd be back at the Butterfly Mansion for treatment."
"The first day was brutal. I was beaten black and blue, vomiting everywhere, feeling like my heart would shatter."
Walking down a corridor, Tanjiro overheard Genya Shinazugawa.
"Brother, I'm here for training. Please, don't hold back. I want to see the true extent of the gap between us."
Peeking around a corner, Tanjiro saw Genya Shinazugawa smiling at Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"You're annoying. Don't you know the gap between us? Making it this far, you've got some skill. No wonder you're still in the Demon Slayer Corps," Sanemi Shinazugawa said, his voice slightly agitated.
Genya Shinazugawa didn't mind; he knew it was an act. "Yes, I worked hard to see you, brother. I even trained under Gyomei-sama. He taught me all my techniques."
Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes softened momentarily before returning to their usual harshness. "Alright, alright. You're training with me, right? Understood. My training is brutal. Be prepared."
Sanemi Shinazugawa left without looking back. Genya watched him go.
After Sanemi Shinazugawa was out of sight, Tanjiro emerged and approached Genya. "It seems you two have a good relationship. Sanemi-san may not say it, but he cares deeply about you. I can smell it."
Turning to see Tanjiro, Genya Shinazugawa smiled. "Yes, thanks to Aoki-sama."
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