Faced with Horitake's somewhat frantic line of questioning, Makomo merely scratched her head with an embarrassed, bashful smile.
"About that... even we aren't entirely sure," she admitted softly. "We didn't know when we would be able to appear before Tanjiro, nor did we know when Sabito would be able to cross blades with him to provide guidance. It just felt... it felt like there was some kind of unseen force, a providence deep within the darkness, urging us to help him. It allowed two ghosts like us to achieve the nearly impossible."
Listening to her ambiguous answer, Horitake found himself nodding in sudden understanding.
"I see... so that's how it is. It feels as though the two of you were given a divine mission—a purpose to help Tanjiro break through his limits. This kind of 'providence' is truly profound, a mystery beyond words."
Makomo nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining with agreement.
While the two of them conversed atop the tree branches, the training and duel unfolding below reached its climax. Finally, Tanjiro had achieved his breakthrough.
Pushed to his absolute limit, his long-accumulated effort surged forth like a river bursting a dam. It was a natural evolution, a seamless transition of strength. With a thunderous roar, Tanjiro unleashed a vertical strike!
The blade struck Sabito.
In that instant of impact, even Sabito looked startled, his expression momentarily freezing. As the blade swung through, a heavy silence descended upon the entirety of Mt. Sagiri. Tanjiro felt a jolt run through his entire being.
When his vision cleared and he looked forward again, he realized with a start that he hadn't struck Sabito at all. Instead, he had hit the massive boulder—the very source of his months of agony and doubt.
To his utter astonishment, the formidable rock had been cleaved in two. A clean, perfect split ran right through the center.
Tanjiro stared at the halved boulder, his eyes wide with disbelief and trepidation. "I... I did this? I... I actually succeeded?!"
The initial shock was quickly eclipsed by a wave of pure ecstasy. He had done it! He had truly done it! By splitting this stone, he had fulfilled Urokodaki-sashou's requirement. He could finally participate in the Final Selection! There was hope!
Overwhelmed by the massive surge of joy, Tanjiro stood there, rooted to the spot in a daze.
Without him noticing, Sabito appeared by his side. Still wearing his warding mask, the spirit nodded slowly, his posture conveying clear, silent praise. "Congratulations, Tanjiro. You did well."
As the words left his lips, the morning sun finally pierced through the dense fog cloaking Mt. Sagiri. Golden shafts of light filtered through the mist, creating a breathtaking Tyndall effect. Tanjiro stood at the heart of this ethereal glow, bathed in light and vapor.
Beaming with gratitude, Tanjiro looked at Sabito. "This is wonderful, Sabito! Thank you for your guidance. I never could have done this without your help!"
Sabito didn't say much. He offered a faint, gentle smile and adjusted his fox mask, hiding his face behind the painted porcelain once more.
Seeing this gesture, a flicker of confusion crossed Tanjiro's face, followed by an unsettling feeling in his gut.
Up in the tree, Horitake's eyes widened as he stared intently at the scene below. He noticed that as Sabito stood within the sunlight, his silhouette was becoming faint—almost translucent.
Horitake turned his head sharply to the side. Makomo was the same. Her body had begun to blur, turning into something ephemeral, as if she were about to vanish into thin air.
A realization struck Horitake like a physical blow. Could it be...?
Makomo showed no trace of sadness at her departure. Instead, she gave him a knowing, peaceful smile. "Yes, it's time for us to leave. Don't be sad. To witness Tanjiro's success at the very end, and to see an old friend like you... I am truly content."
Horitake understood immediately, and a heavy sense of sorrow settled in his chest.
The fact that Sabito and Makomo could manifest before Tanjiro, and even engage in physical combat to train him, came at a price. That price was their very soul power. After all they had endured, their spirits had grown increasingly frail. Now that their mission was complete, they were finally fading—moving toward the cycle of reincarnation, or what is known in Japan as "attaining Buddhahood."
Watching Makomo's form grow more spectral by the second, Horitake felt a bitter lump in his throat.
Below, Sabito also sensed Horitake's presence. Before his spirit vanished entirely, he tilted his head back, looking up toward the trees.
"Horitake... I leave Tanjiro in your hands."
Horitake sat up straight and nodded with solemn gravity. "Rest easy. And thank you... thank you for everything you've done for him during this time."
Only then did the earnest, somewhat oblivious Tanjiro realize Horitake was there. Seeing Horitake perched on the branch, he waved with a surprised grin. "Horitake-senpai! It's been so long! When did you get here?"
Horitake offered a thin, pained smile but didn't find the words to respond. His heart was a chaotic swirl of emotions that defied explanation.
To see Tanjiro again was a joyous reunion with a dear friend. Yet, who could have predicted that this reunion would coincide with such a final farewell? He was saying goodbye to Sabito and Makomo, a parting that would likely last for lifetimes.
Finally, even the slow-witted Tanjiro sensed something was wrong. He noticed that Sabito, standing right in front of him, was turning into a shimmering haze under the morning sun.
Tanjiro's face paled. "This... what's happening?!"
Sabito, his mask firmly in place, gave a small wave. His voice was calm, though tinged with a hint of lingering affection. "Goodbye, Tanjiro."
With those final words, Sabito vanished completely, dissolving into the sunlight to begin his journey into the next life.
In a panic, Tanjiro looked up toward the tree. There, he saw Makomo doing the same. After a final wave of farewell to both Horitake and Tanjiro, she too disappeared into the light.
The scene left Tanjiro frozen, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.
Horitake remained on the branch, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He whispered softly to the empty air, "Safe travels... you two."
The sun grew brighter, its rays finally dispelling the last of the mist within the mountain. The fog was gone; the area was now flooded with a brilliant, ten-thousand-fold radiance.
Still standing rigid, Tanjiro began to piece things together through the memories of his training.
Horitake drifted down from the tree as light as a leaf, landing in front of his young comrade. Looking at the boy, Horitake managed a small, sad smile. "Tanjiro, is there something you want to ask?"
With a look of profound sorrow, the realization finally dawning on him, Tanjiro whispered, "Horitake-senpai... were Sabito and Makomo actually...?"
Horitake nodded heavily. "Yes. They were both students of Urokodaki-sashou. They were exceptional swordsmen, just like Giyu Tomioka."
He paused, his voice dropping an octave. "But unfortunately... they both sacrificed their lives during a previous Final Selection."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"