Tomioka walked through Mount Fujikasane, but the face beneath his mask was far from its usual calm.
Though he didn't understand why Yuki knew so much about the mountain's situation—or why he had so confidently dragged him here to confront the demon that killed Sabito—
But Tomioka was willing to trust Yuki, and even more willing to believe that he could encounter the demon who had harmed Sabito here.
Sabito, Makomo...
Tomioka silently recited the children's names in his heart.
Over the years, he had maintained regular correspondence with Urokodaki.
He knew very well that none of the children Urokodaki had trained in recent years had managed to leave Mount Fujikasane alive.
Though Urokodaki didn't elaborate much in his letters, Tomioka could sense his pain and self-doubt.
Given Urokodaki's nature, he would only blame himself, suspecting flaws in his training methods.
He likely felt unworthy to be a Breeder.
Tomioka had pondered countless times how to dispel Urokodaki's self-doubt.
Perhaps the only solution was to find a young man with exceptional talent and courage, and recommend him to Urokodaki.
Only by finding such a person and ensuring his successful passage through the Mount Fujikasane selection could Urokodaki regain his confidence.
But Yuki's words today made Tomioka realize there was another possibility!
Just then, Tomioka suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He could sense vibrations coming from the distance, as if a massive creature was moving through the forest.
The ground trembled slightly under its weight, and the sounds of its body scraping against tree trunks and snapping branches echoed through the woods.
Tomioka was momentarily stunned.
This was Mount Fujikasane, a place only used for selection trials for swordsmen who had just been approved by their teachers.
The trials didn't even require the swordsmen to kill a certain number of demons; they merely had to survive here for seven days.
Moreover, the demons here were all captured from various regions by Pillars or other swordsmen and then released into this area.
With no food available and the perimeter surrounded by Wisteria flowers, the demons here should have been relatively weak.
Yet, just from feeling the ground tremble and hearing the sounds, Tomioka had already conjured an image of a colossal beast in his mind.
Why would such a powerful demon be in Mount Fujikasane?
So, Yuki was telling the truth!
Tomioka suddenly heard a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
Two massive hands with dark crimson claws, dragging behind them long, arm-like appendages, lunged toward him.
Tomioka leaped back just in time to evade the attack, his eyes fixed on his opponent.
Before him, a dark teal-green demon with countless arms slowly emerged from the forest.
This was undoubtedly the Hand Demon!
The demon stared intently at Tomioka's fox-carved Disaster-Repelling Mask.
Its dark golden pupils, marked with black cross-shaped patterns, narrowed sharply.
"I never expected to see such a cute little fox outside the Demon Slayer Corps' selection trials."
"Hey, fox boy, what year of the Meiji era is it?"
Instead of answering, Tomioka countered with a question:
"Were you captured by Sensei Urokodaki?"
The mention of "Sensei Urokodaki" seemed to trigger something in the Hand Demon, instantly twisting his expression into a grotesque snarl.
The arms covering his body clawed frantically at his flesh, tearing open deep wounds.
"Don't mention that man in my presence!" he roared. "He's the one who dragged me here and locked me in this place for over forty years!"
But the next moment, the Hand Demon erupted into a bizarre, cackling laughter, his eyes curving into crescent moons.
"But here, I've found my own amusement," he chuckled. "Hiding and secretly devouring the swordsmen participating in the selection."
"And most importantly, devouring all of Urokodaki's disciples!"
Beneath his mask, Tomioka's breathing suddenly grew heavy and ragged.
The Hand Demon, oblivious to Tomioka's reaction, continued his maniacal laughter.
"Let me think... Among the Urokodaki disciples I've devoured, the two little ones left the deepest impression."
"One was a boy with rare flesh-colored hair, and the other was a little girl wearing a kimono patterned with vibrant flowers."
"Tch, you Urokodaki disciples are so easy to spot, all wearing those Disaster-Repelling Masks carved by Urokodaki himself."
"Every time I devour one of those masked little brats, I can't help but think: Urokodaki never imagined that his Disaster-Repelling Masks would actually attract calamity! Hahaha!"
At this moment, the Hand Demon noticed the person before him breathing heavily, his laughter growing even more gleeful:
"Yes, that's the feeling! That anger!"
"When I told that little girl that Urokodaki's mask had brought disaster and killed his disciples, she got just as furious as you are now."
"Tch, she was already so small and weak, with only speed to her advantage."
"But when she got angry, her movements became stiff and clumsy."
"To prevent her escape, I tore off her limbs first, then slowly devoured her."
As he spoke, the Hand Demon patted his belly with one of his arms:
"Come here, join the rest of Urokodaki's disciples."
"I can't wait to see Urokodaki's face when he realizes another one of his students has vanished..."
The Hand Demon's voice suddenly faltered.
He stared in terror at Tomioka, who had drawn his Nichirin Blade.
Etched clearly on the blade was the inscription: "Demon Slayer."
Only a Pillar could have such a mark on their blade!
'If he's a Pillar, why is he here on Mount Fujikasane?!'
The Hand Demon let out a whimper. His arms surged downward, instantly transforming into countless legs that propelled him into a desperate retreat.
But Tomioka moved even faster!
He remembered Urokodaki's teachings on the tranquility and steadiness of water when he had first learned Water Breathing.
Combining Urokodaki's lessons with his own experiences, Tomioka had developed the Eleventh Form of Water Breathing—
Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm
This form was originally intended to create a domain that would neutralize an opponent's Blood Demon Art.
But now, Tomioka charged forward, bringing this "domain" with him!
The Hand Demon's surging arms instantly withered and shriveled.
Without the support of his arms, the Hand Demon collapsed miserably to the ground.
He instinctively used his remaining arm to clutch his neck.
Tomioka removed his mask.
His usually handsome face was now twisted into a terrifying grimace of rage!
Driven by this overwhelming fury, Tomioka swung his Nichirin Blade with ferocious force.
At that moment, Yuki's words suddenly echoed in his mind:
"Water can be calm and steady, but it can also transform into a raging torrent, surging with unstoppable force!"
A new sword form materialized in Tomioka's mind.
The blade he raised high drew forth a surging wave of water, which crashed down toward the Hand Demon's neck!
Water Breathing: Twelfth Form - Torrent