Demon Slayer: Echoes of Resolve

Morning came far too quickly for Kaito. The first rays of sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of the cabin, spilling warmth into the cold room. Kaito sat up from the futon Jigoro had begrudgingly laid out for him the night before. His body ached from the previous day's climb, and his mind buzzed with the weight of what lay ahead. The warmth of the fire had lulled him into a restless sleep, but now the reality of his situation came crashing back. He was in the home of a retired Demon Slayer, one who might hold the key to his future—or crush it before it even began.

Across the room, Jigoro Kuwajima sat at the low table, a steaming cup of tea in hand. He glanced at Kaito as the younger man rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Good, you're awake," Jigoro said gruffly. "Get up and eat something. You'll need your strength."

Kaito obeyed without question, quickly scarfing down the rice and miso soup Jigoro had prepared. It was simple but hearty, and it gave him the energy he desperately needed. The old man's sharp eyes watched him the entire time, as if already assessing his worth.

Once the meal was finished, Jigoro stood, leaning slightly on his cane. Despite his age and the burden of the cane, his posture radiated authority. "If you want to learn, you'll start today," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But let me make one thing clear—this isn't going to be easy. If you can't keep up, I won't waste my time."

"I understand," Kaito said, his neon-green eyes alight with determination. "I'm ready."

Jigoro scoffed. "We'll see about that."

--

Jigoro led Kaito outside to a clearing behind the cabin. The ground was uneven, scattered with stones and patches of grass, but it was clear this area had been used for training before. Wooden practice dummies stood at one end, their surfaces scarred and splintered from repeated strikes. A series of wooden poles stuck out from the ground at varying heights, forming an obstacle course of sorts.

Kaito turned to Jigoro, waiting for instructions. The old man leaned on his cane, his expression unreadable. "Before we begin," Jigoro said, "I want you to understand something. Becoming a Demon Slayer isn't just about swinging a sword or learning techniques. It's about survival. It's about discipline. If you lack either, you'll die before you even get the chance to face a demon."

"I'll do whatever it takes," Kaito said firmly.

Jigoro grunted in acknowledgment. "We'll see. For now, we start with the basics."

Before Kaito could ask what that entailed, Jigoro straightened and called out, his voice carrying through the clearing. "Kaigaku! Get out here!"

Kaito blinked, startled. He turned toward the cabin, where the door opened to reveal a young man stepping into the sunlight. Kaigaku was tall and lean, his dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail that swayed as he walked. His sharp, angular features were framed by a scowl that seemed permanently etched into his face. His haori, a deep blue with an elegant wave-like pattern, hung loosely over his shoulders, giving him an air of casual confidence.

Kaigaku's piercing gaze landed on Kaito, and he sized him up with a disdainful sneer. "This is the guy you were talking about, master?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Doesn't look like much."

"Kaigaku," Jigoro said sharply, his voice like the crack of thunder. "That's enough."

Kaigaku shrugged, his smirk unfazed. "I'm just saying. If you're gonna waste your time on some newbie, he'd better have more to offer than a pretty face."

Kaito felt a surge of irritation at Kaigaku's words, but he bit his tongue. He could tell immediately that this boy wasn't going to make things easy for him.

"Kaigaku's been training with me for a few months now," Jigoro explained, his tone even. "He knows more than you do, but that doesn't mean he's perfect."

Kaigaku snorted, crossing his arms. "Perfect enough to take down any demon that crosses my path. Unlike this guy, who probably doesn't even know how to hold a sword."

Jigoro's glare silenced him, and he turned back to Kaito. "Kaigaku will be your example. Watch him closely, but don't expect him to hold your hand. If you want to learn, you'll have to keep up."

Kaigaku rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Whatever. Just don't expect me to babysit."

Jigoro ignored the comment and gestured toward the wooden poles sticking out of the ground. "Your first task is balance. A Demon Slayer needs to be light on their feet, able to move swiftly and with precision. Start at one end and make it to the other without touching the ground."

Kaito nodded, stepping up to the first pole. He tested its stability with his foot, then hopped onto it, wobbling precariously. The poles were uneven and spaced irregularly, forcing him to adjust his footing with every step. He made it halfway across before slipping and landing in the dirt.

Kaigaku's laughter rang out behind him. "Pathetic. You'll never last at this rate."

"Kaigaku," Jigoro said, his tone sharp. "If you have time to mock, you have time to train."

The boy scowled but didn't argue, turning toward one of the practice dummies instead. Kaito dusted himself off and got back on the pole, determined not to let Kaigaku's ridicule get to him. He tried again, his focus sharpening with each step. By the time the sun was high in the sky, his legs were trembling, but he had managed to cross the poles twice without falling.

Jigoro watched him with a critical eye, nodding slightly in approval. "Not bad for a first attempt," he said. "But you've still got a long way to go."

Kaigaku, meanwhile, had been practicing his swordsmanship on the dummies, his movements quick and precise. He moved with an almost arrogant grace, his strikes powerful enough to leave deep gouges in the wood. Despite his abrasive personality, it was clear he was skilled.

As the day went on, Kaito continued to push himself, his determination unwavering. He could feel Jigoro's watchful gaze on him, and though the old man rarely offered praise, Kaito knew he was being evaluated with every step he took. Kaigaku's jabs and sarcastic comments didn't make things any easier, but Kaito refused to let them deter him. If anything, they only fueled his resolve.

By the time the sun began to set, Kaito was exhausted but exhilarated. He had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he was moving toward something tangible. As he collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily, Jigoro stood over him, his expression unreadable.

"You've got potential," Jigoro said at last. "But potential means nothing without effort. If you want to become a Demon Slayer, you'll need to give me everything you've got—and then some."

Kaito met his gaze, his neon-green eyes blazing with determination. "I will. I promise."

Kaigaku scoffed from the sidelines, his arms crossed. "We'll see how long that promise lasts."

Kaito ignored him, focusing instead on the small flicker of approval he had seen in Jigoro's eyes. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him going.