weakness | tanjiro k

thirty two.

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A SPECIAL TRAINING session has began. It was called 'Hashira Training'. Those who ranked lower than the Hashiras trained with them one by one.

Usually, the Hashiras only trained their successors and no one else. And that's because the Hashiras were busy.

But ever since Nezuko conquered the sun, the demons suddenly stopped appearing.

It was like the calm before the storm.

And because of that, Hashiras only had to focus on night patrol and day training now.

Nezuko had to go into hiding but Akari got to stay with Tanjiro since she was told her kekkijutsu would be beneficial to the war.

Tanjiro and Akari were heading to the Water estate to talk to Tomioka Giyu.

"Excuse meeeee. Tomioka-saaaaaan. Heeeeeey. Hellooooo." Tanjiro said trying to get his attention.
"Giyu-san! It's me and Akariiiiiii. Kay going in."

They peaked their heads through the entrance.

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"AND SO EVERYONE'S training."

"I know." Giyu replied.

"Ah! So you knew already." Tanjiro said.

Akari and Tanjiro were sitting with Giyu.

"Oh, uhh. I'll be allowed to return to duty in seven days. So can you train me when I'm out?" Tanjiro asked.

"No." Giyu replied.

"Why not though? I smell the anger in your body. But why're you mad?"

"I'm mad because you didn't master the breath of water. You needed to become the Water Hashira." Giyu said.

"I'm really sorry about that. I've discussed with Urokodaki-san before too. It's not rare to change breath styles or create an offshoot of one. And the breath of water is one of the basic breaths, so there are lots of derivatives." Tanjiro said.

"That's not what I was talking about. Someone has to he the Water Hashira right now because the Water Hashira seat is vacant."

"The Water Hashira seat is vacant? Isn't that you Giyu-san?"

"I am not the Water Hashira."

Then Giyu got up and began to walk away.

"Go away."

Yet Tanjiro promised to follow Oyakata-sama's request and followed Giyu.

He kept talking about dull things with Giyu all afternoon. He really just kept talking and talking.

And Giyu was lost.

On the fourth day, Giyu gave up.

"I never actually passed the Final Selection." Giyu said.

Akari and Tanjiro followed Giyu and ended up on a bridge.

"Eh? The Final Selection, as in the wisteria flower mountain?" Tanjiro asked.

"Yes. Back then, there was a boy whose family got killed by demons like me, his name was Sabito. I went to the selection with him. I was thirteen. We got a long right away because we both lost out families and we were of the same age. Sabito had a strong sense of justice. And he was a very kind boy. He was the only one who died in the selection that year. He pretty much single handedly defeated every demon on that mountain. Everyone aside from Sabito got accepted in that selection. I was injured by a demon who attacked me in the beginning, so I was fading in and out. Then Sabito cane in and saved me. He entrusted me to another boy, then headed towards another voice that was crying for help. When I came to, the selection was over. I was selected for surviving seven days. But I am a human who couldn't defeat a single demon and I was bailed out. Can I really say I passed? I am not worthy of becoming the Water Hashira. I an not worthy of standing with the other Hashiras as equals. I'm not like them. I never should've had a place among the demon slayers."

Tanjiro began to tear up.

"Just go take the Hashira training. That's what best for you. I'll never get that mark. Maybe Sabito would have. Don't concern yourself with me anymore. It's a waste of time."

And just like that, Giyu began to walk away.

As his figure began to get smaller and smaller Akari spoke up.

"Isn't what S..Sabito en..entrusted to you keeping you t..together?"

Giyu froze.

He raised a hand to his cheek.

"Did I say s..something mean...?" Akari whispered.

"I don't know. He's not even twitching." Tanjiro replied.

Then Tanjiro came up with a great idea.

"Tanjiro. Sorry for the delay. I'll go train now."

"Giyu-san? Do you want to have a cold soba eating contest?" Tanjiro asked.

Giyu is fully committed to joining the Hashira training now.

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Taisho Secrets

1. Akari misses Nezuko.

2. Akari's favorite hashira is Shinobu.

3. Everyone is nervous for the war.

unedited.