Chapter 84

"Huh? The Demon Slayer Corps is this considerate? They even provide dinner?" The swordsmen participating in the Final Selection stared blankly at the fragrant dorayaki placed before them.

Their gazes turned even more peculiar when they looked at Shinichi.

Had the Demon Slayer Corps specifically sent a Hashira just to deliver sweets?

Only Sabito, wearing a fox mask and Giyuu remained unfazed.

They had already learned some inside information from their senior Makomo—these dorayaki were gifts prepared by the Forest Hashira, Shinichi Moriki or rather, a lifeline to save their lives.

Sure enough, Shinichi merely smiled nonchalantly at their confusion, casually picking up a piece of dorayaki before addressing the group.

"This is food, but not for your dinner. You can think of it as dorayaki stuffed with poison."

Poison?!

His outrageous statement stunned everyone.

"That's right, poison. But it's poison that can save your lives in a critical moment. If you encounter a powerful Demon you can't defeat, or if you wish to voluntarily withdraw from the exam, eat this dorayaki."

"As long as your reactions aren't as slow as a turtle, no matter what situation you're in, I guarantee I can safely extract you from Mount Fujikasane. However!"

Shinichi expression turned serious, his tone chilling.

"Once you eat this dorayaki, regardless of your circumstances or reasons, I will consider it as you voluntarily abandoning the Final Selection. So, think carefully!"

With that, Shinichi motioned for the swordsmen to come forward and collect their dorayaki.

Once received, they could immediately enter Mount Fujikasane to begin the selection.

Yet, as if intimidated by Shinichi earlier words, no one dared to step forward first.

In the end, the pink-haired boy Sabito was the first to approach, with the boy named Giyuu following closely behind.

Accepting the dorayaki from Shinobu Kocho, Sabito unexpectedly bowed deeply to Shinichi, surprising everyone—including Shinichi himself.

But Sabito knew why he was doing this.

He was expressing gratitude to Shinichi, for this "poison" in his hands was the masterpiece of the Forest Hashira, Shinichi Moriki.

His master had once told him that the mortality rate of the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection was extremely high—often, only a handful of examinees survived each round.

However, Makomo had written in her letter that since Shinichi took charge of the Final Selection, the survival rate of the examinees had skyrocketed.

Though the number of those who truly passed the selection remained low, most examinees now lived through it.

So Sabito wasn't just thanking Shinichi for himself, but also on behalf of all the examinees who would survive.

At the same time, he held a firm resolve in his heart—he would ensure everyone passed the Final Selection together!

Following Sabito lead, the other examinees imitated him, each bowing to Shinichi as they received their dorayaki.

After a moment of surprise, Shinichi caught on, his gaze turning playful as it settled on the pink-haired boy.

"Interesting."

***

As night fell, the figures of dozens of swordsmen gradually disappeared into the entrance of Mount Fujikasane.

Shinichi estimated the timing was about right and raised his arm. Soon, his Kasugai crow, Eizo, landed steadily on his forearm.

"Eizo, keep an extra eye on that pink-haired boy. I have a feeling... that kid isn't ordinary."

Eizo lightly pecked Shinichi finger, then flapped its wings with a loud squawk and soared straight into the sky.

"Maru-ni? Maru-ni? Where have you run off to again? Come back now! Time to work!"

After giving Eizo its orders, Shinichi began searching for Maru-ni again, but the plump little Shiba Inu had disappeared somewhere to play.

It took quite a while before Maru-ni came trotting happily back to Shinichi on its short little legs.

However, when Shinichi saw the fat around Maru-ni body, his brows knitted together tightly.

He crouched down directly, grabbing Maru-ni chubby face with both hands and vigorously rubbing it while scolding in frustration.

"Maru-ni! Look at you! You eat so much that you turn into a pig now. What kind of Shiba Inu looks like you? It's not that I'm stingy with your food! But who eats five pounds per meal like you? Maru-ni you need to lose weight!"

Faced with his owner nagging, the plump Maru-ni had long developed the good habit of ignoring him.

No matter how much Shinichi lectured, it didn't interfere with Maru-ni mealtime in the slightest.

So regardless of how earnestly Shinichi pleaded, Maru-ni chubby face maintained the characteristic "smile" unique to Shiba Inus.

"Sigh~ whatever, let's get to work..."

Shinichi sighed helplessly and casually patted Maru-ni rear. Maru-ni let out two happy yelps before darting into the entrance of Fujikasane Mountain, transforming into a black lightning bolt in the blink of an eye as it disappeared into the forest.

On the other side, Shinobu Kocho couldn't help but giggle at the scene, though this earned her a "flick of justice" from Shinichi.

"Ow!" Shinobu covered her forehead in disbelief, then widened her violet eyes at Shinichi.

"You flicked me!?"

Shinichi blew on his finger and said with complete seriousness.

"During missions, you must respect the Hashira. That's squad regulation, remember that."

"You flicked me?! Even my sister never hit me! You jerk!" The angry Shinobu doesnt give a damn about regulation, clenching her fists to punch Shinichi.

However, as a Hashira, there was no way Shinichi would let a mere Mizunoto-ranked little girl hit him.

In an instant, his figure flashed into the distance.

Goto, who had been watching the show, covered his forehead at the sight of these two clowns.

The future of the Demon Slayer Corps didn't seem very bright.

****

Deep within Fujikasane Mountain, in a dark corner, a pair of murky yellow eyes suddenly opened, followed by the sound of something squirming.

From the bushes, a feces-green figure slowly crawled out.

Bathed in the bright moonlight, the Hand Demon let out a roar!

"Ah! How many years has it been now? Damn it! Damn it! Damn it all! Damn Urokodaki! Damn that brat! No! That brat is worse than Urokodaki!!"

After barely recovering some strength over several years of lying around Fujikasane Mountain like a dead dog, the Hand Demon hatred for Shinichi had reached its peak.

The image of that young figure with emerald and pink eyes was seared deep into the Hand Demon soul. The damage he'd inflicted surpassed even Urokodaki.

"That damn brat, I'll make you pay sooner or later!" the Hand Demon muttered viciously.

Feeling the emptiness in its body, it began moving in a certain direction.

"I wonder when the Demon Slayer Corps selection will begin. If it's tonight, that would be perfect—I could quietly snack on one or two human swordsmen!"

Though the Hand Demon cursed fiercely, if it actually encountered Shinichi again, it would instantly cower in fear.

After all, the difference in their strength was undeniable.

So even as the Hand Demon boasted about eating humans, it only dared to mention consuming one or two.

It feared that eating too many might truly attract that terrifying thing.

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