CHAPTER 21: HASHIRA TRAINING ARC PT. IV

The soft scent of wisteria lingered in the air as Tanjiro stood in the training courtyard of the Butterfly Mansion, watching the graceful yet sharp movements of Shinobu Kocho.

"Try again, but with a bit more grace," she said, gently correcting his form.

Tanjiro nodded. "Yes, Kocho-san!"

Her poisons, footwork, and speed were completely different from what he was used to. It forced him to focus, adapt, and think in a new way. She smiled quietly to herself.

"You remind me a little of my sister," she said suddenly, "kind, stubborn… always trying to carry others' pain."

Tanjiro paused.

"She died smiling," Shinobu added with a soft expression, "so that I could keep fighting with hatred in my heart… but that's changed. People like you, and… him," she whispered, glancing out the window toward the woods.

After a few more hours, training ended.

—

Later, near a mist-covered waterfall…

Tanjiro found Giyu Tomioka seated alone, gazing at the flowing water.

"Giyu-san," Tanjiro said.

Giyu didn't turn. "I won't train you."

Tanjiro sat beside him silently.

"Sabito should've lived," Giyu muttered. "Not me. He was stronger… braver. And Makomo… she believed in him."

The weight of regret hung heavy.

Tanjiro placed a hand on the mossy stone between them. "They both believed in you, Giyu-san. And I do too. You're not alone."

A long pause.

"…You're too kind."

"Maybe. But I've learned that even water can break mountains."

Finally, Giyu stood. He unsheathed his sword.

"Don't expect me to go easy," he said.

Tanjiro smiled.

"I never do."

And so, the two Water Breathing swordsmen clashed beneath the falling mist, blades echoing across the stream.