Kaigaku froze at Yosuke's teasing remark, then hastily bowed his head.
"It's my fault for not recognizing Yosuke-sama earlier. Please, forgive my disrespect."
Yosuke regarded him coolly.
"Why do you want me to train you?
Judging by your strength, you shouldn't need my instruction."
Kaigaku shook his head quickly.
"No... I'm still far too weak. I have to become stronger—no matter what.
Please, Yosuke-sama, guide my training!"
His voice trembled with desperation—the thirst for power burning in every word.
"And what if I told you that to receive my instruction, you must first abandon Thunder Breathing?"
Yosuke's tone was calm, almost indifferent, but the question struck deep.
Without hesitation, Kaigaku answered,
"If it means becoming stronger, then I'll give it up!"
"S–senior!" Zenitsu cried out in shock.
If Kaigaku abandoned Thunder Breathing, it would be an act of betrayal—turning his back on their master's teachings. The thought filled Zenitsu with disbelief and anger.
But Kaigaku remained unmoved. Deep down, he even thought Zenitsu was trying to hold him back.
Yosuke tapped a finger against the table, each knock echoing like a clock counting down. The sound made Kaigaku's heart pound uneasily.
Then, Yosuke shifted his gaze to Zenitsu.
"What do you think, Zenitsu?
He's your senior, after all.
I'd like to hear your opinion."
Zenitsu froze. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
He was torn—between a fellow disciple, someone who shared his master's teachings, and his comrades who had fought and bled beside him.
Tanjiro and Inosuke clearly disliked Kaigaku, but still...
Meanwhile, Kaigaku's forehead pressed against the floor, his face twisting.
Why do I have to wait on his answer?
If I'd known this would happen, I should've come when Yosuke was alone…
With each second that passed, Kaigaku's resentment festered.
Damn it... Why hasn't that useless coward said yes yet? Does he just want to humiliate me?
Fine. Once I become stronger... we'll see who's laughing then!
Breaking the tense silence, Yosuke finally said,
"Very well. I'll give you a single opportunity.
Tomorrow, I'll assign you a trial.
If you pass, I'll take you as my disciple."
Kaigaku exhaled in relief, bowing deeply.
"Thank you, Yosuke-sama!"
Yosuke waved a hand dismissively.
"Go."
After Kaigaku left, Zenitsu bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Yosuke-san. I know you only agreed because of me."
Yosuke shook his head.
"No need. He'll only earn my guidance if he proves himself through the trial."
Tanjiro suddenly realized something, frowning.
"Wait... Yosuke-san, what about our trial?
I don't remember taking one before you agreed to train us."
Yosuke smiled faintly.
"Yours? You already passed—long ago."
After the three boys had gone to rest, Koyuki murmured softly,
"I don't know why, but I really can't bring myself to like that boy."
Umi nodded quickly, her tone matching.
"Right? I felt the same! And when Yosuke-sama asked if he could give up Thunder Breathing, he didn't even hesitate!"
Koyuki agreed with a sigh.
"Exactly. Anyone who would abandon their own art, their master's legacy, just to gain strength... it's hard to find that admirable."
Yosuke, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked,
"When you two first met Zenitsu, what was your impression of him?"
"Perverted little creep!"
"Cowardly and weak!"
They both answered immediately.
Yosuke chuckled.
"And now?"
"A kind-hearted boy," they said together once more.
Yosuke smiled knowingly.
"That's right. My first impression of him was the same as yours.
But his kindness—his heart—is undeniable.
People say you shouldn't judge by appearances, but first impressions do matter.
Because in that moment, there's nothing clouding your perception.
Kaigaku, however... gave me the opposite feeling entirely.
He's a man driven purely by self-interest—a selfish opportunist.
So rather than giving him a chance, I'm giving Zenitsu one—
a chance to see Kaigaku clearly for what he truly is.
Of course... I could be wrong.
If Kaigaku manages to shatter my preconceptions, then I'll gladly train him myself."
The next day.
Yosuke selected a demon-slaying mission from the Corps' records—
one to serve as Kaigaku's test.
Kaigaku frowned as he read the mission scroll.
A small village had already lost half its population.
This level of threat typically required a full team—at least ten Demon Slayers—to handle.
Could Yosuke have chosen a Twelve Kizuki for my trial? he wondered nervously.
Sensing his doubts, Yosuke spoke evenly.
"Don't worry. It's just an ordinary demon.
But if you can't even defeat something of that level...
then my training would do you no good anyway."
Reassured—if only slightly—Kaigaku accepted the mission and set off alone.
After he left, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke pressed their ears to the door, trying to eavesdrop.
When Yosuke suddenly opened it, all three tumbled inside in a heap.
They looked up at him with sheepish grins.
Yosuke raised an eyebrow.
"You're all curious about how this trial will end, aren't you?"
They nodded vigorously in unison.
Yosuke chuckled.
"I figured as much. You'd be coming with me tonight anyway."
As night fell, Yosuke spread his wings—blood-red and vast as a bat's.
He gripped Inosuke and Zenitsu by the arms, with Tanjiro clinging tightly to his back.
They soared into the starry sky.
"Whoa! My first time flying! This is awesome!" Inosuke shouted, twisting around excitedly.
"Yosuke-san, please slow down—I'm gonna be sick!" Tanjiro's face had turned pale green.
Zenitsu, whose own speed rivaled lightning, didn't feel any motion sickness—
but unlike the others, he remained quiet, lost deep in thought about Kaigaku.
They arrived above the mission site, hiding in the shadows as Kaigaku moved through the ruined village.
Sword drawn, he advanced cautiously, every sense alert.
Then—
A sudden, cold gust swept through the ruins.
From the darkness behind him, a black shadow leapt forward with terrifying speed.
"Thunder Breathing: Second Form—Rice Spirit!"
Kaigaku spun and unleashed a flurry of five lightning-fast slashes in succession.
The shadow was blasted backward, crashing through the rubble.
Under the pale light of the moon, its true form became clear—
a demon covered from head to toe in sharp, bone-like spikes.
Pls drop some power stones supper me at my
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