Demon Slayer: Echoes of Resolve

Aoi smiled faintly, but there was a weight in her expression, as though she were choosing her words carefully. "If you're serious about surviving—and maybe even fighting back—you can't just charge into battle. The Demon Slayer Corps doesn't take in untrained fighters. You'll need to be trained by a veteran Slayer—or even a Hashira, one of the Corps' strongest warriors."

Kaito frowned, his neon green eyes narrowing as he tried to process her words. "Like, sword fighting and all that?"

"It's more than just swinging a sword," Aoi replied. "You'll need to master Total Concentration Breathing before you can even begin to stand a chance against a demon."

"Total Concentration... Breathing?" Kaito repeated, the words sounding foreign on his tongue. "What is that, some kind of meditation thing?"

Aoi shook her head, her braid swaying slightly. "It's a breathing technique that allows us to enhance our physical abilities—our speed, strength, and endurance. Without it, humans wouldn't be able to match a demon's raw power. Every Demon Slayer learns this as their foundation. It's the first step to becoming strong enough to fight."

Kaito leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Okay, so let's say I figure out this breathing thing. What's next? Do I get one of those swords like you guys have?" He gestured toward the blade resting beside Aoi, the firelight reflecting off its polished surface.

"Not immediately," Aoi said. "First, you'll need to prove yourself worthy. That's why you'd have to be taken in by a veteran Slayer or a Hashira. They'll teach you Total Concentration Breathing and guide you in either learning their style, or developing your own fighting style. Once you've shown you can handle yourself, you'll be given a Nichirin sword. It's not just a weapon—it's specially forged to kill demons. Without it, you won't last a second in a real fight."

Kaito raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "So I can't just pick up a stick and start whacking demons? Sounds like a lot of hoops to jump through."

Takeda, who had been silent up to this point, let out a low grunt. "This isn't a game, kid. The Final Selection is the only way to officially join the Corps, and it's not something just anyone can walk into. If you want to survive it, you'll need every bit of training you can get."

"Final Selection?" Kaito asked, his curiosity piqued despite the older man's gruff tone.

"It's a trial," Aoi explained. "A test to see if you're capable of becoming a Demon Slayer. You'll be sent to a mountain infested with demons and expected to survive for seven days. If you make it out alive, you'll officially be part of the Corps." Her expression grim.

Kaito let out a low whistle. "Right. Seven days with a bunch of demons. No big deal."

"It's not a joke," Takeda said, his voice sharp. "Most who attempt the Final Selection don't come back. If you think this is something you can take lightly, you're better off staying out of it and hoping you never run into another demon."

Kaito met the older man's gaze, his jaw tightening. "Trust me, I'm not taking this lightly. I've already had a close encounter, and I'm not planning on dying anytime soon."

Aoi studied him for a moment, her expression softening slightly. "Then you'll need to find someone willing to train you. We can't stay here for long, but if you're serious, I can point you in the right direction."

"Great," Kaito said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And where exactly am I supposed to find one of these 'veteran Slayers' or Hashira? Do they have, I don't know, business cards or something?"

Aoi couldn't help but chuckle softly, the faintest flicker of amusement crossing her face before it disappeared. "Not quite," she said, folding her hands in her lap. "But... I did hear something recently. There's a rumor going around about a retired Demon Slayer living near the base of Mount Hakobe."

Kaito straightened slightly, his neon green eyes narrowing in interest. "A retired Slayer? Like someone who used to do what you guys do?"

"Yes," Aoi confirmed. "He supposedly left the Corps years ago. Some say he was injured and couldn't fight anymore, while others claim he simply walked away. Either way, he's still alive—if the stories are true. If anyone could train you, it might be him."

Takeda grunted, his arms crossed as he shifted his weight. "If you ask me, it's a fool's errand. The man's probably long dead, or he wants nothing to do with the Corps anymore. You'd be wasting your time chasing rumors."

"Maybe," Aoi conceded, glancing at Takeda before turning her gaze back to Kaito. "But if you're serious about learning how to fight—and if no one else is willing to take you in—he might be your only chance."

Kaito mulled this over, leaning back on his hands as he stared into the fire. "Mount Hakobe, huh? What's the catch? Is it crawling with demons too?"

"It's dangerous, yes," Aoi admitted. "The mountain is remote, and there are reports of demons in the area. But if you can make it there and convince the man to help you, it might be worth the risk."

Kaito exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disbelief. "Right. So let me get this straight. I have to trek through a demon-infested mountain, find some mysterious old guy who may or may not still be alive, and then beg him to train me in some ancient breathing technique. Am I missing anything?"

"Only that you'll need to convince him you're worth his time," Takeda said dryly. "From what I've heard, this man isn't exactly known for his hospitality."

"Fantastic," Kaito muttered, dragging a hand through his dark green hair. "This just keeps getting better."

Aoi tilted her head, her expression softening slightly. "It's your choice, Kaito. No one's forcing you to do this. But if you want to protect yourself—and others—from the demons, you'll need to start somewhere. And the Corps won't accept anyone who isn't trained."

Kaito let her words sink in, the weight of the situation settling over him like a heavy blanket. He didn't have a clear memory of his life before waking up in the forest, but he knew one thing for certain: he hated the demons. The sheer despair and anguish he'd felt from the people they'd slaughtered still lingered in his chest like a raw wound. He couldn't stand the thought of sitting by and letting more people die.

"All right," he said finally, his voice firm. "I'll do it. I'll find this retired Slayer and convince him to train me."

Takeda raised an eyebrow, his skepticism apparent. "You think you're ready to take on demons without any training? You'll be dead before you even get to the mountain."

"I didn't say it'd be easy," Kaito shot back. "But I'm not just going to sit here and wait for another demon to come along and finish me off. If this is my best shot, I'll take it."

Aoi smiled faintly, a glimmer of respect in her eyes. "Then I'll tell you what I know. The path to Mount Hakobe isn't easy, but if you head north from here, you'll eventually reach a small village at the mountain's base. The villagers might know more about where to find him—assuming the rumors are true."

"North. Got it," Kaito said, his mind already racing with plans.

"Rest first," Aoi said gently. "You'll need your strength. The journey won't be kind to you."

"Yeah, rest," Kaito muttered, glancing around at the dark forest. The idea of sleeping out in the open, knowing demons could be lurking nearby, didn't exactly fill him with confidence. Still, he lowered himself to the ground, leaning against a fallen log.

As the fire crackled and the stars twinkled above, Kaito stared into the flames, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty and determination. He didn't know if this retired Slayer even existed, let alone if the man would agree to train him. But he couldn't let himself think about that now.

For the first time since waking up in this strange world, Kaito had a direction—a purpose. And he wasn't going to let anything stop him.