Demon Slayer : Breath of The Forest

"What... what?"

Sabito was stunned and so was everyone else present, including the Kakushi members like Goto.

Even Shinobu beside Shinichi looked at him in surprise.

"What!Shinichi-sama why? Sabito excellence is clear for all to see. Why? Why must Sabito be eliminated? Please give us a reason!"

Murata pushed through the crowd, his face filled with urgency as he questioned Shinichi.

But Shinichi merely gave him a cold glance before replying indifferently.

"Before the Final Selection began, I made it clear that no matter the circumstances, if any of you ate the dorayaki I gave you, I would consider it as voluntarily withdrawing from the selection."

"Sabito, tell me—did you eat the dorayaki?"

Hearing Shinichi words, Sabito nodded bitterly.

It was true—he had indeed eaten the dorayaki and it was only through the strength gained from it that he had been able to save Giyu and the others from the Demon.

"You all heard him admit it. So, is there still any issue with my decision to eliminate him?" Shinichi swept his gaze across the crowd, his tone calm.

Perhaps it was the overwhelming presence Shinichi exuded as the Hashira, but for a moment, none of the examinees dared to meet his eyes.

Except for one.

Tomioka Giyu stepped forward, his water-blue eyes fixed firmly on Shinichi.

Clenching his fists, he resisted the pressure Shinichi radiated and argued.

"No! Sabito only ate that dorayaki to save me! He could have passed the Final Selection on his own. If someone must be eliminated, let it be me instead of Sabito!"

A sudden hum filled the air as Shinichi left eye seemed to flicker with an eerie green light.

In the next moment, Giyu felt an immense weight press down on his shoulders.

"Are you questioning me? Questioning a Hashira?" Shinichi tilted his head slightly, looking down at Giyu.

Despite the suffocating pressure, Giyu stubbornly raised his head meeting Shinichi gaze as he gritted his teeth.

"Sabito doesn't deserve to be eliminated! He's more qualified than any of us to join the Demon Slayer Corps!"

At Giyu words, expressions of shame flickered across the faces of the other examinees present.

Then, another figure stepped forward, rushing to stand before Shinichi.

Murata shut his eyes tightly, fists clenched as he shouted "I was also saved by Sabito! He's worked so hard, grown so strong—he shouldn't be eliminated! If someone must be disqualified, then eliminate me instead, Shinichi-sama!"

One after another, more examinees stepped forward.

Most had either crossed paths with Sabito or been saved by him from Demons. Even those who didn't know him personally respected his righteous actions.

Soon, dozens of participants in the Final Selection stood before Shinichi, pleading with him not to eliminate Sabito.

The scene left everyone astonished.

Even Goto, who had been watching from the sidelines, felt compelled to speak up for the boy.

If nothing else, shouldn't someone who had slain so many Demons be allowed to pass the selection?

But Goto also understood the importance of rules.

He respected Shinichi authority as a Hashira, so in the end, he refrained from interfering.

Shinichi glared coldly at the numerous examinees before him.

Just as he was about to lose his temper, he suddenly felt someone tugging at his sleeve.

Turning his head, he saw it was Shinobu.

Shinobu large violet eyes held a trace of sympathy as she spoke to him in an unusually gentle tone.

"Stubborn Shinichi, maybe you should let this go. That Sabito has really been through a lot."

Having experienced the Final Selection herself, Shinobu understood the hardships involved and thus empathized with the examinees actions, while also admiring Sabito.

But Shinichi seemed both angered and amused, muttering under his breath.

"Ridiculous!"

With that, he abruptly turned back, drawing his Nichirin Blade along with its sheath from his waist and slamming it forcefully onto the ground.

An invisible shockwave instantly radiated outward from Shinichi, causing the hearts of the surrounding examinees to tremble slightly.

"Enough! Since you haven't officially joined the Demon Slayer Corps yet, I won't blame you for not knowing the rules. But once you're in, you'll learn—never question a Hashira orders! You want me to spare Sabito from elimination? Fine, I'll give you a chance!

Draw your Nichirin Blades and give it everything you've got! If even one of you can land a hit on me, I'll let Sabito pass the Final Selection. Otherwise, shut your mouths!" Shinichi gaze was fierce as he scanned the crowd.

The examinees were momentarily stunned by his words.

Drawing a blade against a Hashira? Who would dare? Hesitation flickered in their eyes.

But Tomioka Giyu, standing at the front acted almost without thinking—swish!

His Nichirin Blade flashed from its sheath in an instant.

"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust!" A swift strike aimed straight for Shinichi face!

The sudden attack shocked everyone.

Was there really someone bold enough to challenge a Hashira?

Facing Giyu lightning-fast technique, Shinichi remained expressionless.

Without any visible movement, he simply raised his sheath and effortlessly blocked the strike.

But it didn't end there.

Giyu had already closed the distance, his blue eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

Gripping his Nichirin Blade with both hands, he launched a relentless barrage of slashes at Shinichi, as if his life depended on it.

As Shinichi dodged the attacks with ease, Murata, who had been clutching his own Nichirin Blade tightly, could no longer hold back.

He shouted to his comrades "Everyone! Are we just going to stand here and watch? If it weren't for Sabito, none of us might have passed the Final Selection! We have to do something!"

With that, Murata yanked his Nichirin Blade free—but instead of drawing it, he plunged it into the ground and charged at Shinichi, gripping only the sheath.

Murata actions set an example.

Immediately, other examinees hardened their expressions and grabbed their sheaths.

"Who cares if he's the Forest Hashira? We're not officially in the Corps yet! Let's take him down!" one reckless fighter roared, sparking a chorus of agreement.

Dozens of examinees brandished their sheaths and charged at Shinichi with battle cries.

Catching their approach from the corner of his eye, Shinichi allowed himself the faintest hint of a smile.

But amusement aside, the dignity of a Hashira had to be maintained.

Clang!

Blocking another of Giyu strikes, Shinichi took a deep breath.

Hot air escaped from the corners of his mouth—it was time to show these examinees the might of the Forest Hashira.

"Forest Breathing, Sixth Form: Resilient Grass—Hurricane Strike!"

Whoosh!!

A fierce emerald-green hurricane erupted from Shinichi position, sweeping across the previously calm clearing and leaving countless slashing afterimages in its wake.

The terrifying whirlwind instantly swallowed dozens of examinees and in an instant, countless screams rang out.

More than a dozen figures were even flung into the air.

On the other side, Sabito, lying on a stretcher heard the agonized cries of the examinees.

His expression twisted with urgency as he gritted his teeth against the excruciating pain, desperately trying to stand up.

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