𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 || 𝙸.𝙾

Chapter 2: Harsh Training

A few days later, you stood nervously in front of Obanai’s training grounds. You had been preparing for this moment, but the reality of it hit you hard. Obanai Iguro was a Hashira, one of the strongest Demon Slayers in the Corps. What if you weren't strong enough? What if he didn’t even want you as his Tsuguko? 

Before you could back out, the sound of footsteps interrupted your thoughts. 

Obanai appeared, his usual cold expression on his face. “You’re late,” he said, his voice sharp. “Are you prepared to train?” 

You gulped nervously and nodded. “Yes, Iguro-san.” 

Without warning, he handed you a wooden sword. “Good. Let’s start.” 

Obanai stood across from you, his wooden sword in hand, and his serpent, Kaburamaru, coiled around his shoulders. His eyes were sharp, studying you.

“Do you even know how to use a sword?” Obanai’s voice was harsh. “Or are you just wasting my time?”

You clenched your fists, trying not to show your nerves. “I’ve been trained before. I’m ready,” you said, trying to sound confident.

Obanai didn’t respond right away. He just stared at you, then moved so fast you almost didn’t see it. In a blur, he attacked, his sword aiming straight for you. You barely had time to block his attack.

“Pathetic,” Obanai muttered. “You’re too slow.”

Before you could recover, he attacked again, faster than before. You barely dodged, but his sword still grazed your side. You gritted your teeth, feeling the sting, but you didn’t back down.

“You need to do better than that,” Obanai said coldly, swinging his sword again, aiming for your head this time.

You managed to block it, but the impact sent you stumbling backward. You were already out of breath, but he wouldn’t stop attacking. You knew this would be tough but not so much.

He didn’t even give you a break. Before you could steady yourself, he was on you again, and this time, he knocked your sword from your hands. You barely managed to stay standing.

“Is this really all you’ve got?” Obanai asked, his voice harsh. “Do you wish to die? You can't even land one hit on me” he continued, eying you on the ground.

You were breathing heavily, your arms aching from the blows. But you refused to give up. You reached for your sword, determined to keep going. “I’ll do better,” you said, trying to sound firm.

Obanai didn’t answer. Instead, he attacked again, his movements quick and smooth. You tried to keep up, but he was too fast. Each time you thought you could strike, he blocked it easily, pushing you back.

“Stop relying on strength,” he snapped. “It’s not enough. You need to think. You need control.”

You felt your frustration rising, but you didn’t let it show. Your body was sore, and you were exhausted, but you couldn’t stop.

Finally, you saw an opening and tried to strike. For the first time, Obanai hesitated, just for a split second. You felt a small bit of hope. Maybe you were improving, just a little.

But then, with a sharp twist of his sword, he knocked you to the ground, your body aching from the fall.

“Pathetic,” he said, staring down at you. “Get up. I’m not finished.”

You forced yourself to your feet, your muscles screaming in pain. Your body was begging you to stop, but you refused. You knew you had to keep going if you wanted to get stronger.

Obanai continued to attack, faster than before. You tried to block, dodge, and counter, but he was relentless. Each time you made progress, it felt like he was three steps ahead.

As the hours passed, you were bruised, sweaty, and exhausted. But you kept standing, kept fighting.

When the sun began to set, Obanai stopped, watching you silently. He hadn’t smiled, but there was a slight look of approval in his eyes.

“You’re not terrible,” he said, his tone still cold. “But you need to improve a lot if you want to survive and not be so reckless.”

You nodded, your breath coming in short gasps. You were tired, but you weren’t going to give up.

“I’ll get better,” you promised, your voice a little shaky but determined. He turned around to leave but you said something, stopping him.

"wait iguro-san do you remember me?" You asked, not sure if he remembered what happened a year ago.

"Hmm?" He looked at you confused so you guessed that he didn't.

"You saved me..from a demon, a year back..." you said softly

"Oh right..you were the reckless kid who tried to kill a demon with a stick..I see you haven't changed" he said coldly

"I.." you weren't sure what to say

Obanai didn’t say anything else. He just turned and walked away, leaving you standing there, confused and exhausted but proud that you had made it through your first day of training.