Demon Slayer : Breath of The Forest

Gradually, the emerald-green whirlwind dissipated, leaving the open ground littered with bruised and groaning examinees.

Shinichi had his sheathed Nichirin Blade slung over one shoulder while his other hand firmly restrained the frantically struggling Giyu.

With a casual glance at the fallen examinees, Shinichi provocatively asked Giyu.

"Convinced now? Still dare to question my decision?"

From start to finish, dozens of examinees hadn't managed to lay a finger on Shinichi.

The restrained Giyu eyes turned bloodshot as he roared in frustration.

"You can't eliminate Sabito!!"

Crack!

Shinichi increased the pressure on Giyu arm.

Leaning closer, Shinichi said coolly "Bitter about it? Let me tell you—this is reality. Question me? Try again when you become a hashira someday!"

With that, he shoved Giyu away.

Stumbling to the ground, Giyu didn't hesitate—the moment he broke free he grabbed his Nichirin Blade and charged at Shinichi again.

But another hand clamped down on his hilt.

Giyu furious gaze instantly softened when he saw Sabito pale face.

Gritting through pain, Sabito shook his head at Giyu.

"Stop, Giyu! The Forest Hashira is right. Stand down!"

Clang!

The Nichirin Blade clattered to the ground as tears welled in Giyu eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sabito! It's all my fault! I'm useless!"

***

"Blockhead Shinichi, you're being heartless! Why would you do this? When did you become so cruel? If this is how you are, why did you let Maru-ni help me pass Final Selection back then?!"

Shinobu Kocho stared at Shinichi as if he were a stranger, her voice thick with confusion.

But Shinichi, busy writing a letter, barely acknowledged her waving dismissively.

"Shoo, shoo. I'm busy. Go play somewhere else."

"Blockhead Shinichi!!" Furious, Shinobu clenched her fists and lunged at him.

***

At the foot of Fujikasane Mountain, a weakened Sabito leaned on a cane, casting one last regretful glance at the mountain before turning to leave.

But he hadn't gone far when hurried footsteps approached from behind.

Turning back, he saw Giyu, a travel pack slung over his shoulder.

With resolute determination, Giyu strode up to Sabito and declared.

"Sabito, if you can't join the Demon Slayer Corps, then neither will I! Let's go back together!"

Instead of gratitude, Sabito eyes widened in shock.

Slap!

The sharp sound sent Giyu staggering.

Clutching his left cheek in disbelief, he looked up to see Sabito face twisted in fury.

"Tomioka Giyu! What do you think you're doing? Are you a child?! What do you take our master teachings for?! You idiot!" Sabito shouted, trembling with anger.

"Why did we join the Demon Slayer Corps? To avenge our loved ones! To ensure the tragedies that befell us never happen again! For our master! For your sister! How dare you say such things to me?

Do you think joining the Demon Slayer Corps is some kind of game? Get out! Go back! Don't make me despise you! If you desert, I'll hate you for the rest of my life!!"

Sabito grabbed Tomioka Giyu by the collar and roared, leaving the latter completely stunned.

He had never imagined Sabito could be so furious.

"I was eliminated! Now, Master hopes rest solely on you. You must become the Water Hashira! Your talent is no worse than anyone else! Don't you dare return to Mount Sagiri unless you become the Water Hashira! Otherwise, I'll disown you as my friend! Get out of here!"

With that, Sabito roughly shoved Giyu to the ground and limped away.

Giyu sat there like a lifeless puppet, staring blankly at Sabito retreating figure.

Unseen by him, tears streamed down Sabito face as he walked.

After walking for who knows how long, exhausted and battered, Sabito finally returned to Mount Sagiri.

When he spotted his master waiting outside the wooden cabin from afar, the familiar tengu mask broke his resolve.

He threw himself into his master embrace, sobbing uncontrollably, choking out apologies for failing his expectations.

After all, Sabito was just a 13-year-old boy.

"I'm sorry, Master... I... I let you down..."

Urokodaki Sakonji, the former Water Hashira, gently patted his disciple back and comforted him softly.

"You've done well, child. Don't blame yourself. It's alright."

After a long while, when Sabito finally calmed down Urokodaki led him back into the cabin where a steaming pot of seafood stew bubbled warmly.

Some time later, Urokodaki and Sabito sat outside the cabin, gazing up at the starry sky.

"Sabito, do you have regrets? Do you resent the Forest Hashira who eliminated you?" Urokodaki asked his disciple earnestly.

Sabito fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.

In truth, it was impossible to say he held no resentment, but the upright Sabito couldn't bring himself to blame a responsible Hashira.

After all, the Forest Hashira had clearly explained the rules and those dorayaki had indeed saved lives...

Seeing his disciple response, Urokodaki nodded in approval, then pulled a letter from his robe and handed it to Sabito.

"This is a letter from the Forest Hashira, Shinichi Moriki. Read it carefully, child."

Hearing it was a letter from the Forest Hashira himself, Sabito froze.

He took the letter, unfolded it and rows of messy handwriting appeared before his eyes.

By the time he finished reading, Sabito expression had completely changed.

The resentment in his heart vanished instantly, replaced by sheer shock.

He looked up at his master and asked hesitantly.

"Master, this...?"

Urokodaki nodded at him.

***

Rewinding to a few days earlier, Shinichi beckoned his Kasugai crow, Eizo to come.

"Eizo, please deliver these two letters—one to headquarters and the other to former Water Hashira Urokodaki Sakonji at Mount Sagiri."

Eizo cawed and nodded, then suddenly soared into the sky.

Shinichi watched as Eizo flew away and it was at that moment that Shinobu Kocho arrived behind him.

Shinobu face was slightly flushed and her tone carried a hint of embarrassment.

"Um, Shinichi-sama, yes I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. I apologize. But, why did you do that? Everyone will definitely say you're cruel and lacking in compassion."

Shinichi silently smiled and looked at the examinees gathering not far away.

As the largest group of examinees to pass the final selection, their numbers exceeded the Demon Slayer Corps' preparations.

Not only were there not enough uniforms and ore, but even the crows were insufficient.

Thus, the logistics department quickly sprang into action, busily preparing supplies.

Due to the shortage of crows, the Demon Slayer Corps even urgently recalled a batch of retired crows to fill the vacancies.

"Let them be misunderstood, I'd rather they curse the Forest Hashira for being cruel than have their lives casually sacrificed at the hands of Demons" Shinichi said nonchalantly.

"Blockhead Shinichi, you're not that bad after all..."

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