CHAPTER 22: HASHIRA TRAINING ARC PT.V

Training under Sanemi Shinazugawa was nothing short of brutal.

"Move faster or die faster!" he barked, swinging his blade recklessly close to a group of terrified lower-ranked slayers.

Zenitsu screamed as he ducked for his life. Inosuke roared in excitement. But Tanjiro focused, enduring each blow.

Sanemi glared at Genya, who trained at the far edge of the field.

"Tch. Still useless," he muttered.

Tanjiro stepped forward, fists clenched. "Don't talk to your brother like that."

Sanemi's eyes flared. "What did you say?"

A heated clash erupted between them, swords sparking under the midday sun. Wind howled. Tanjiro refused to back down.

The fight ended with both breathless.

"You got guts, brat," Sanemi muttered. "But don't meddle in my business."

Tanjiro turned away. "It becomes everyone's business when it's about family."

—

Later, Tanjiro arrived at a quiet temple deep in the mountains. There stood Gyomei Himejima, calmly praying with his prayer beads in hand.

"You've come," Gyomei said, eyes closed.

"Please train me," Tanjiro bowed.

Without a word, the hulking Stone Hashira stood and began the training. It was intense, pushing Tanjiro's endurance and spirit to their limits. But Gyomei never raised his voice. His guidance came in quiet discipline.

That night, beside the temple fire, Gyomei spoke.

"I was blind… but I saw more after I lost my sight. I protected orphans… and lost them to a demon. They said I murdered them. Only one little girl told the truth."

He paused, the beads clutched tight.

"She died… but I carry her courage in my every breath."

Tanjiro looked up at him with newfound reverence.

"You're the strongest person I've met."

"No, Tanjiro… I just carry the heaviest pain."