Another training session ended, and Murata and Komi Kata sat on the long corridor to rest. After such a long period of training, the two had become familiar with each other and became friends.
They watched Yoizumi, who was guiding Nezuko in sword practice under the sun. Murata observed Yoizumi's gentle attitude towards Nezuko, which was completely different from how he trained them, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Their family has such a good relationship..."
Komi Kata leaned back, supporting himself with both hands, and leisurely responded,
"How could it not be good? These are his closest family members."
"In the Demon Slayer Corps, how many still have family alive?"
"In an era plagued by demons, family is already the most luxurious existence."
"You're right..."
Murata sighed softly, nodding in agreement. After joining the Demon Slayer Corps, he had seen too many people who joined because their families were destroyed.
He wondered if he would survive future battles... Noticing Murata's worry, Komi Kata patted his shoulder, "Murata, as long as we pass all the Pillar Training, and are recognized by the Pillars, we can definitely survive!"
"Let's work hard together!"
Murata smiled, raising his hand to fist-bump Komi Kata.
"Mhm!"
Yoizumi patiently taught Nezuko the movements for sword practice. When his training ended, Nezuko excitedly ran up to him with a wooden sword, staring at him with bright, sparkling eyes.
Nezuko, currently in front of him, seemed to have discovered a fun new toy, continuously swinging the wooden sword in her hand with surprisingly great force.
Could it be that Nezuko is very talented?
Yoizumi thought, then Nezuko struck Yoizumi with the wooden sword, observing his reaction.
Hmm?
Yoizumi remained still, allowing Nezuko to hit him, and quietly watched her. Nezuko then poked Yoizumi's chest with the wooden sword, looking up expectantly for Yoizumi's response.
She was disappointed; Yoizumi didn't notice her intention, only thinking Nezuko was playing.
Nezuko pouted and tapped his 'wooden fish head' with the wooden sword, a crisp sound ringing out.
"Stupid! Big Brother is stupid!"
After Nezuko, looking bored, dropped the wooden sword and ran off, Yoizumi covered his tapped head, belatedly understanding.
So she wanted him to cooperate?
It seems Nezuko isn't without changes.
From her original childlike innocence, she had gained a bit more childishness.
When Yoizumi found Nezuko in the kitchen again, she was diligently learning to make pastries behind Kanzaki Aoi.
Clearly, Nezuko was no longer interested in sword practice.
His sapphire eyes silently watched his younger sister, who was kneading dough with her head bowed, her face still smudged with flour.
His gaze flickered slightly.
This Nezuko... is very much like Mother Kie...
"Ah! Mr. Yoizumi, you're here!" Kanzaki Aoi only then noticed Yoizumi and immediately greeted him.
"I just made some sweet pastries; would you like some, Mr. Yoizumi?"
A short while later.
Yoizumi left the kitchen carrying a plate of sweet pastries... After the third week of Pillar Training, Yoizumi began the assessment.
All the swordsmen stood ready in the training ground, and Komi Kata confidently declared,
"I think I can pass!"
Murata, standing nearby, glanced at him indifferently, amused, and pointed at his trembling legs.
"Then what do your trembling legs mean?"
Komi Kata gritted his teeth and retorted,
"I'm excited! But why are your hands shaking?"
Murata cleared his throat, "I'm excited too."
The two tacitly stopped speaking, calming themselves and adjusting their breathing.
As Yoizumi arrived, the vast training ground became so quiet that only breathing could be heard. The scattered, rising and falling breaths all revealed the nervous hearts of those present.
"Swish!" The sound of a nichirin blade being drawn echoed through the training ground. The frosty white nichirin blade gleamed with coldness, and a chilling aura swept through.
The sudden drop in temperature made all the members feel a bit intimidated.
"Today, everyone, take your nichirin blade and attack me together. I allow you to use breathing techniques."
"The assessment time is one minute. As long as one person is still standing after one minute, everyone passes the assessment!"
Someone raised a timely question, lifting his hand high and asking loudly, "Will Snow Pillar use a breathing technique?"
"No, I'll give you three minutes to prepare."
After speaking, Yoizumi remained in place, saying nothing more. Only the faint, almost imperceptible chill in the arena continuously declared his power to everyone.
One minute!
As long as one person is standing, it counts as a pass!
Murata swallowed, it sounded easy, but having personally experienced three weeks of training, they knew how distant it was. What if they used breathing techniques?
That would only add a negligible probability to the already tiny chance of success.
"Everyone, don't forget what Snow Pillar said on the first afternoon!" Komi Kata took a deep breath and said loudly.
The first afternoon... [Without the resolve to kill me, you will not grow.]
With renewed determination, everyone picked up their nichirin blades, their gazes firm as they looked at Yoizumi in the center, no longer wavering.
Yoizumi raised the white-gold nichirin blade sheath in his hand and threw it forcefully backward. As the sheath hit the ground, another sound rang out simultaneously...
"Begin!"
In an instant, everyone simultaneously charged towards Yoizumi, a dazzling array of breathing techniques aimed directly at him.
Yoizumi merely glanced, found an opening to break through, and with a sweep of his nichirin blade, a biting chill assailed them. The members at the very front felt their bodies stiffen and were then successively sent flying, without even having time to react.
As Yoizumi leaped out of the encirclement, he grabbed a member's collar and threw him backward, hitting four or five others who fell to the ground.
Yoizumi coldly reminded them, "When using breathing techniques with so many people, don't just think about the enemy; pay attention to your teammates. You almost caused friendly fire just now."
Less than 10 seconds into the start, nearly a quarter of the people were on the ground.
Cold sweat beaded on Murata's forehead, immense pressure bearing down on his nerves.
But Yoizumi wouldn't give them time to think. He attacked proactively, kicking one person aside with a side-kick, while simultaneously blocking the heavy blows of two others with his nichirin blade.
"Clang!"
The nichirin blades clashed, emitting a grating sound. The two struggled with all their might but couldn't stop Yoizumi. The next second, an immense force directly flung them away, their backs hitting the wall with a dull thud.
40 seconds remained.
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