Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

After buying tools from a village near Mount Sagiri, Yuko started hammering away at the wood for several days, and soon a small hut was erected next to it.

Although Urokodaki Sakonji was a little puzzled, he didn't say much, assuming that it was just a girl's habit to live alone.

Urokodaki Sakonji's training sessions were mostly in the morning. Initially, Ikuko went to observe for two days, and it was basically just ordinary breathing exercises and combat training.

After a few days, Yuko stopped going up the mountain in the mornings and stayed at the foot of the mountain to watch over Nezuko, so the master and apprentice could train in peace.

Tanjiro's afternoon practice consisted of various obstacles and climbing cliffs.

After Tanjiro became more skilled, Sakonji Urokodaki stopped secretly watching him. Instead, Ikuko took over from Sakonji every afternoon to keep an eye on Tanjiro on the mountain.

That attitude is like that of a mother who spoils her child, as if she is afraid that the slightest setback will ruin the child.

Urokodaki Sakonji was utterly perplexed. After several months of this, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Why do you, someone like you, stay by Tanjiro's side every step of the way?"

His subtext was, "Are you bored?"

With such formidable strength, why waste time here aimlessly?

Urokodaki Sakonji had never seen Ikuko make a move, but Ikuko never stepped on any of the traps he set up on the mountain, and she walked through the mountains as if on flat ground.

Yuko understood the meaning behind his words and instead of answering, asked, "What does Master Urokodaki think of Tanjiro?"

After a brief silence, Urokodaki Sakonji said, "That child has talent, but he's too weak."

Actually, that's not the case. Tanjiro isn't the type to ruin something big because of sympathy.

Yuko then asked, "What do you think of his suitability for water breathing?"

Without hesitation, Urokodaki Sakonji replied, "Very good."

Of course.

Because Tanjiro has a very gentle personality.

The suitability of a breathing technique is more or less related to one's personality.

People with gentle and calm personalities are very compatible with the breathing technique of water.

Those who are naturally passionate are more suited to the Breath of Flame.

Sword-style breathing techniques will bring them a high level of feedback. For example, the aggressive, fiery sword-style breathing technique is suitable for extroverted people.

Tanjiro does indeed have a good affinity for Water Breathing, but...

Yuko calmly said, "Compared to Water Breathing, there is a breathing method that is more suitable for Tanjiro."

Tanjiro wasn't unsuitable for Water Breathing, but rather, the feedback he received from Water Breathing was slightly less than that from Sun Breathing.

"...A more suitable breathing method?" The sudden change of topic almost caught Urokodaki Sakonji off guard.

He looked at Yuko in surprise: "Did you take that child as your stepson?"

Yu Zi smiled and said, "I'm not a pillar, I'm at most a half-trainer."

"Step-son" refers to a swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps who is personally taught breathing techniques by a Pillar.

Urokodaki Sakonji looked puzzled, his brows furrowing beneath his mask: "If that's the case, why don't you just teach Tanjiro directly?"

He is not a bad communicator. As long as Yuko can give a suitable reason, he has no reason to stop Tanjiro from learning a breathing technique that is more suitable for him.

Being more suitable means being more powerful, which means an increased chance of survival in battles against demons.

Yu Zi shook her head: "That breathing method has very high requirements for physical adaptability and needs. Without a solid foundation, it is impossible to use it."

Urokodaki Sakonji exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be...?"

Yuko nodded: "That's right, it is indeed the one hailed as..."

"Breath of Snow".

"..." She couldn't imagine Tanjiro using Snow Breathing.

Urokodaki Sakonji remarked, "I've only ever seen that kind of reckless breathing technique once before, on the current Flower Pillar, that little girl."

"Moreover, as far as I know, her Snow Breathing technique is incomplete. I never expected that someone else could master it."

Yu Zi's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. If she had known that the evaluation in later generations would be so low, she should have burned the documents back then.

Taking a deep breath, Yuko looked down at Tanjiro, who was practicing his Water Breathing sword technique, and asked, "Tanjiro has now mastered the breathing method and sword technique. Shouldn't Master Urokodaki's next step be to teach him Total Concentration Breathing?"

"..." Urokodaki Sakonji fell into a brief silence before finally speaking, "I actually don't want that child to participate in the final selection."

"Many of the children I nurtured died in the final selection."

Yu Zi knew perfectly well that she had kept this matter in her little notebook for hundreds of years.

even……

She could see the souls beside that rock clearly as well.

Yuko glanced sideways: "So, what does Master Urokodaki plan to do?"

Instead of speaking directly, Urokodaki Sakonji stood up and walked towards Tanjiro.

"I have nothing left to teach you."

"Eh?"

"Then it depends on your performance, and whether you can improve upon what I have taught you."

Sakonji led Tanjiro to a huge rock.

"If you can split this rock, I will allow you to participate in the final selection."

This sudden question left Tanjiro completely bewildered. Could such a large rock really be split open with a sword?

After leaving those words, Urokodaki Sakonji left without looking back, leaving Tanjiro alone, staring blankly at the rocks.

……

Turning to look at Urokodaki Sakonji, Ikuko smiled and said, "Is the condition 'concentrate breathing'?"

Sakonji looked down at Tanjiro, who was beginning to try it: "Without mastering Total Concentration Breathing, that child has no chance of survival."

Yu Zi remained silent.

Even among the official team members, not everyone has mastered full concentration breathing.

Urokodaki made this condition for Tanjiro because his disciples had been dying in recent years.

The conditions for using Sun Breathing are even more stringent; one must at least reach the level of Full Concentration Breathing in Normal mode to use it freely.

……

Since then, Urokodaki Sakonji has never given Tanjiro any further instruction.

Tanjiro practiced his breathing techniques and sword stances day after day. Although Urokodaki was unwilling to instruct him, the boy was not stupid and knew how to be flexible. He would ask Ikuko for advice whenever he had free time.

During Tanjiro's training, a boy and a girl named Sabito and Makomo appeared and brought Tanjiro valuable practical experience.

Because Ikuko was there to watch over Tanjiro every day, Sakonji Urokodaki would occasionally come up the mountain.

When he came to Yuko's side and looked at Tanjiro, he froze on the spot.

Noticing his unusual behavior, Yuko turned to look at him. "Your style is a little off, Master Urokodaki."

Urokodaki Sakonji's voice trembled as he said, "Did I push that child too hard?"

Ikuko: "..."