Chapter 83

At the foot of Mount Fujikasane, Goto, a member of the Kakushi wearing a white-striped mask and hat, held his forehead in frustration as he watched the two figures in front of him slacking off.

Shinichi extended a single finger while Shinobu Kocho gripped it with both hands, the two seemingly engaged in a game of finger wrestling.

Shinichi looked completely at ease, while Shinobu gritted her teeth, straining with all her might—so much so that the veins on the backs of her hands were nearly bulging.

"Hey, you've improved, Shinobu. I can really feel your wrist strength getting better. Keep it up" Shinichi said with a smile.

Shinobu, her face flushed from exertion, stared at Shinichi unmoving finger before finally letting go in a huff.

"Hmph! I'm done!" she snapped, sounding irritable.

Shinichi leisurely withdrew his finger, though his earlier praise had been genuine.

Shinobu wrist strength was indeed impressive—while her arm strength was lacking, her wrist had remarkable explosive power.

This observation gave Shinichi an idea.

He suggested that Shinobu focus more on thrusting techniques that relied on wrist strength.

If she couldn't cut through a Demon neck, she could instead concentrate on piercing it—combined with speed training, she could still sever a Demon neck that way.

Though Shinobu was a bit tsundere, Shinichi was a Hashira and his judgment carried weight.

So while she didn't admit it aloud, she took his advice to heart and had recently been dedicating herself to thrusting drills.

Additionally, Shinobu hadn't given up on her poison research.

During the Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane, she had already confirmed that poisons were highly effective against Demons.

Lately, she had been developing poisons specifically targeting them—with some success.

Shinichi had also taken a liking to bringing Shinobu along on missions. Perhaps it was because she was the only one in the Demon Slayer Corps who didn't treat him with excessive respect.

Either way, he found her sharp tongue oddly refreshing.

So when Shinichi was once again assigned to oversee the Final Selection, he brought Shinobu along.

"Listen, my esteemed Hashira, it's getting late. Could you maybe do your job? The examinees will be arriving soon" Goto grumbled, unable to tolerate Shinichi laziness any longer.

Every time!

Always just standing around watching!

Don't we Kakushi members deserve help too?

Slacking off is one thing, but this time he's even dragging a girl into it!

The Kakushi silent resentment had no effect on Shinichi, who cheerfully patted Goto shoulder.

"The capable bear the burden, Goto. Overseeing the Final Selection—the cornerstone of our Demon Slayer Corps—is a task only someone as diligent, meticulous and hardworking as you can handle."

Goto huffed. "Hmph! Don't think flattery will make me overlook your laziness!"

Still, his slightly lighter steps betrayed his improved mood.

Shinichi stretched lazily.

Goto was still so easy to placate.

Shinobu, walking behind Shinichi, frowned and pointed into the distance.

"Hey, blockhead, look over there. Some of the examinees seem to have arrived already."

Shinichi followed her gaze. Sure enough, figures were already gathering at the base of Mount Fujikasane.

Shinichi stood up from the small stool he had been sitting on.

"Alright, it's really time to get to work now."

Soon, before the sun set, twenty to thirty examinees had gathered at the foot of Mount Fujikasane one after another.

Shinichi scanned the youthful faces of these examinees—the future of the Demon Slayer Corps rested on their shoulders.

Suddenly, two young figures caught Shinichi attention.

They were two boys, one with black hair wearing a red top, looking around curiously and the other with an unusual pinkish hue to his hair.

However, what drew Shinichi focus the most were the fox-shaped warding masks both boys wore on their heads.

Shinichi vaguely recalled such masks.

It seemed that among the swordsmen who had passed the Final Selection alongside Obanai and Kyojuro, there had been a girl who also wore a similar fox-shaped warding mask.

A gentle yet strong girl—she had even sought Shinichi out after the Final Selection to thank him.

As for the reason, that would come later.

What was her name again? Makomo? That sounded right.

Additionally, these fox-shaped warding masks were a symbol, a distinctive feature of the disciples of the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki.

Shinichi had heard about it before.

But the two boys only earned a brief glance from Shinichi. His responsibility lay with all the examinees participating in the Final Selection.

"Everyone, everyone! All eyes here! Now, the Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira of the Forest, Shinichi Moriki, will explain the rules of the Final Selection! Please listen carefully!"

It was the familiar voice of Goto, amplified by the equally familiar megaphone.

Instantly, all the examinees attention turned to Shinichi, though many also whispered among themselves.

The black-haired boy in the red top brightened and tugged excitedly at the pink-haired boy beside him.

"Sabito! That's the Forest Hashira that Makomo-nee mentioned! He really is young—doesn't seem much older than us."

The boy named Sabito, who bore a sizable scar on his face, also fixed his gaze on Shinichi standing before the crowd.

He murmured softly "A Hashira, huh? I won't let Master down! I'll definitely inherit the title of Water Hashira! Let's do our best, Giyuu!"

Seeing Sabito fiery determination, the black-haired boy named Giyuu nodded with equal resolve.

Shinichi briefly outlined the rules of the Final Selection—it was much the same as before: survive seven days and nights in Mount Fujikasane, teeming with Demons.

But then—Shinichi tone shifted abruptly.

His heterochromatic eyes swept sharply over all the participants, the piercing glint in them sending an involuntary chill down their spines.

"However, I must warn you—the dangers of the Final Selection lurk everywhere. You could face danger at any moment because what you'll be up against are real Demons with razor-sharp claws and fangs, not lifeless wooden stakes or stones."

"A single misstep, and you could die. So I ask you—are you truly prepared? Right now—I mean right now—it's not too late to withdraw!" Shinichi intense gaze bore into them.

But just like before, not a single swordsman wavered.

Shinichi nodded to himself in approval.

As expected, those who came to participate in the Final Selection—regardless of their actual strength—at least possessed unshakable determination.

In that case, Shinichi was even more unwilling to let these brave and resolute swordsmen perish meaninglessly within Fujikasane Mountain.

"Very well then, come and receive what I've specially prepared for you!" Shinichi announced clearly, casually gesturing to Shinobu who stood nearby with her arms crossed to open the prepared package.

Immediately, a rich, sweet aroma began to spread through the air.

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