Demon slayer: What if (Season one: The rising sun) (Being rewritten!!!!)

Chapter Four: Final Selection

Narrater POV

(There's a reason I won, because I learned how to detect the opening thread. As soon as I pick up the scent, I'm able to see the thread. It guides me. It connects my blade to any opening the enemy leaves me, and it tightens as soon as I see it. It quickly draws my blade forward. Then I strike.)

The wind blew across the mountain, the boulder stood in front of Tanjiro, split in two. The cloth decorations lay on the ground, along with the thick rope they were tied to.

As Tanjiro stared at the boulder, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned, seeing Urokodaki walking towards him.

"Urokodaki."

Urokodaki stared at the boulder, silent for a moment, before he spoke. "To be honest, I never had any intention of sending you to the final selection."

Tanjiro looked at him in confusion.

"Because I didn't want to see any more children die. I was sure you wouldn't be able to cut through this boulder, but..." Urokodaki put a hand on Tanjiro's head, stroking his hair like he was his own child, "Well done, Tanjiro. Truly remarkable. I'm very proud."

Tears came to Tanjiro's eyes, and he didn't bother to wipe them away. Urokodaki pulled him in for a hug.

"Make sure you come back from final selection alive. Your sister and I will be waiting for you.

A fire crackled as the smell of grilled fish permeated through the small hut, a pot filled with food bubbled.

Tanjiro stared at the food with wide-open eyes. "There's so much food! What's the deal?"

"You finished your training, so we're celebrating." Urokodaki poured some soup into a bowl. "Time to eat. Don't be shy."

Tanjiro happily excepted the bowl of food. "Thank you. I'm starving!"

As Tanjiro stuffed his face, Urokodaki looked at him, a small bit of sadness could be felt. 'Tanjiro. I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for you. After today you will be facing unimaginable hardships. Your training pales in comparison.' He sighed, 'But, at least for tonight, you can rest well and sleep soundly one last time.' Urokodaki took Tanjiro's bowl and filled it with more soup.

A cutting sound was heard, and a few strands of Tanjiro's hair fell onto a blanket. Tanjiro cut his hair as Urokodaki folded a haori.

"Hey, Tanjiro." Urokodaki suddenly asked.

"Eh? Yes?" Tanjiro asked.

"What did you think of the hot pot?" He asked.

"Great! I haven't feasted like that in a while." Tanjiro said.

"A growing boy with an appetite like yours will get bigger and stronger, the bigger his meals are. The same applies to demons. Remember that." Urokodaki turned his head, "The more humans a demon had eaten, the more powerful he'll be."

"So if they eat a lot, they'll be tough to defeat?" Tanjiro asked.

"That's right." Urokodaki confirmed, 'They get stronger, physical traits change, and some learn to use strange spells." Urokodaki opened a cabinet, reaching in and grabbing a fox mask. "You'll be able to tell how many poor souls they've claimed once your sense of smell is even more developed." He bent down and handed Tanjiro the fox mask he held in his hands.

"What's this?" Tanjiro asked.

"It is called a 'warding mask'." Urokodaki told him, "It's been enchanted by a protection spell to keep you from harm."