Half a year had passed since the brutal "betrayal" battle at the Entertainment District.
The Demon Slayer Corps had quietly shifted. Kanroji Mitsuri, once an ordinary member, had officially risen to become the Love Hashira. Her superhuman strength and unique Love Breathing had earned her that title after a series of outstanding missions.
When the news spread, the entire headquarters was filled with excitement. Every new Hashira meant another light of hope against Muzan.
Meanwhile, Kamado Tanjiro and Tō—two young slayers who once trained under Tomioka Giyu—had long shed their inexperience. After six months of intense training and countless life-or-death missions, they had become the backbone of the Corps.
Tanjiro's mastery of the Hinokami Kagura had reached new heights, allowing him to switch fluently among all twelve forms during battle. The flames of his Nichirin Sword now burned so hot they could instantly scorch a demon's body.
Tō, on the other hand, had perfected the fusion of Water and Wind Breathing, creating his own unique style—Storm Breathing. Though his speed and strength were still slightly below Hashira level, he could now defeat most demons alone, his strength just a step short of a pillar's.
That morning, Tanjiro and Tō arrived at Rengoku Kyojuro's home as planned to continue their sword training.
The Flame Hashira's house sat in a small courtyard on the outskirts. The training field was marked with deep, uneven grooves across the ground—scars left by years of relentless sword practice.
"Excellent! Tanjiro, your Hinokami Kagura has grown stronger!"
Kyojuro's booming voice echoed across the yard.
"But not strong enough! When you swing, let your breath flow from your hara to the blade! Only then will the flame stay alive!"
In the center of the field, Tanjiro was sparring with Tō. Both held their Nichirin Swords firmly, the orange-red fire on Tanjiro's blade roaring as he thrust forward.
"Hinokami Kagura: Sunflower Thrust!"
Tō's eyes narrowed, his body gliding backward like flowing water. His sword gleamed with intertwined blue and green light.
"Storm Breathing, Second Form: Waterfall Spiral Wind!"
The slash formed a spinning wall of wind mixed with flowing water, deflecting the flames while counterattacking toward Tanjiro's wrist.
"Very good! Tō, your Storm Breathing is becoming smoother!"
Kyojuro praised with genuine enthusiasm.
"But remember—shrink your wind wall! The smaller the circle, the sharper your strike!"
Seeing the opening, Tanjiro quickly changed form. The fire compressed into a blazing trail.
"Hinokami Kagura: Fire Wheel!"
His flaming blade spun like a burning wheel, slicing around the wind wall and slashing toward Tō's side.
Tō reacted instantly, twisting his wrist to turn the wind into water, redirecting the flame toward the ground while stabbing at Tanjiro's chest.
Their movements blurred, steel clashing in rapid succession. Each strike sang with sharp metallic echoes, and the air around them shimmered from heat and pressure.
Then suddenly—
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps rumbled from beyond the courtyard, followed by the sound of animal grunts and frantic complaining.
"Inosuke! Slow down! That's the Flame Hashira's house! You can't just barge in!"
Tanjiro and Tō froze mid-swing, exchanging confused looks. Kyojuro's brows furrowed—he opened his mouth to ask something, but before he could, the wooden gate burst open with a loud bang!
A shirtless boy wearing a boar's head mask charged in, clutching a tree branch like a weapon, sniffing wildly at the air.
"So good! Smells so good! Meat! Rice! Food!"
"Inosuke! I told you not to rush in!"
Hot on his heels came Agatsuma Zenitsu, hair messy and eyes filled with panic. He stumbled into the yard, saw Tanjiro and Tō, and immediately brightened.
"Tanjiro! Tō! You're here too!"
The wild boar-headed boy was, of course, Hashibira Inosuke.
Half a year earlier, he and Zenitsu had met Tanjiro and Tō during a mission. The four had since formed a close-knit squad, surviving several near-death encounters together and becoming inseparable friends.
But Inosuke's impulsive nature—and insatiable appetite—often led to trouble. Today was no different. He had clearly followed the scent of breakfast right to Kyojuro's home.
"Where's the meat?!"
Ignoring everyone else, Inosuke sprinted straight toward the kitchen, eyes gleaming beneath his boar mask.
"Inosuke! Stop!"
Zenitsu dashed after him, only to trip over the door frame and crash face-first onto the floor.
"Oww! Inosuke, you idiot!"
Tanjiro and Tō couldn't help laughing as they rushed over to help Zenitsu up.
"Zenitsu, what are you two doing here?" Tanjiro asked, still smiling.
"It's all his fault!" Zenitsu groaned, rubbing his bruised backside. "We just finished a mission in a nearby village, and while passing through, he smelled the food and insisted on barging in!"
"Hahaha! So it's Inosuke and Zenitsu!"
Kyojuro's loud, cheerful laughter filled the yard. Not the slightest trace of irritation showed on his face.
He stepped forward and clapped a hand firmly on Inosuke's shoulder—just as the boy reached the kitchen door.
Despite Inosuke's frantic struggling, Kyojuro didn't budge an inch. The Flame Hashira's grip was absolute.
"Who are you?! Let me go! I want the grilled meat!"
Inosuke grunted in protest, the boar's head on his face wobbling wildly.
"I am Rengoku Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira," Kyojuro said with his usual bright laugh. "Since you've come all this way, you're a guest! Join us for lunch. But first—put a shirt on! Running around half-naked isn't proper!"
Inosuke froze, clearly not expecting such warmth. His struggles slowed. "Grilled meat… really? I can eat it?"
"Of course!" Kyojuro nodded and turned toward the kitchen. "Senjuro! Bring two more sets of bowls and chopsticks!"
Soon, Rengoku Senjuro appeared from the kitchen carrying tableware. When he saw Inosuke and Zenitsu, he smiled gently. "Welcome! Lunch is almost ready—there's grilled meat, miso soup, and rice."
The moment Inosuke heard the word grilled meat, he instantly calmed down. He accepted the jacket Senjuro handed him and threw it on hastily—it was backwards, but at least it covered his chest.
Zenitsu sat down heavily on a stone stool in the courtyard, still rubbing his sore backside and muttering about Inosuke's recklessness, which made Tanjiro and Tō burst into laughter.
Before long, lunch was served.
Inosuke didn't even wait for everyone to sit. He snatched a piece of grilled meat and shoved it into his mouth, talking through his full cheeks. "So good! A hundred times better than Zenitsu's wild vegetable soup!"
"You still have the nerve to say that? Who was it that ate all my wild vegetable soup last time and said it was delicious?!"
Zenitsu yelled back, but then took a bite of rice and sighed. "Still… Rengoku-san's cooking is amazing."
Kyojuro smiled proudly at the lively table. "You are all the future of the Demon Slayer Corps. Eat more! You'll need strength for the battles ahead!"
He picked up a slice of grilled meat and handed it to Tō. "Tō, your Storm Breathing has been improving. Next time, let's spar—you and I, Flame versus Storm!"
Tō quickly took the meat and bowed his head. "Thank you, Rengoku-san! I'll do my best!"
Tanjiro looked around the table, his chest swelling with warmth.
Half a year had passed since Giyu's disappearance. Though worry still lingered and the path against Muzan remained perilous, seeing everyone alive and growing stronger filled him with hope.
He smiled and asked, "Inosuke, Zenitsu—what will you two do next? Why not stay and train with us? Rengoku-san is amazing—you'll learn a lot!"
Inosuke's eyes lit up. With his mouth still full, he mumbled, "Yeah! I'll get stronger! I'll beat more demons!"
Zenitsu hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine… but the training can't be too hard, okay? I still need my naps…"
Kyojuro threw his head back and laughed heartily, slapping the table. "Excellent! Once we're done eating, we'll train together! Let me see how far you've all come in these six months!"
Sunlight filtered through the trees, falling in warm patches over the table. The boys' laughter and chatter mingled in the air—bright, youthful, full of life.
Though they all knew countless dangers still awaited them, though Muzan's shadow still loomed over the world, in this moment they allowed themselves to rest—to enjoy the peace, the warmth, and to gather strength for the battles yet to come.
After lunch, Kyojuro led Tanjiro, Tō, Inosuke, and Zenitsu out to the training field.
Drawing his Nichirin Sword, he ignited a blaze of bright orange flame along its edge and called out in his booming voice, "Now! We'll start with the basics—sword swings!
Tanjiro, show me the latest form of your Hinokami Kagura!
Tō, perform the fundamental moves of your Storm Breathing!
Inosuke, Zenitsu—show me your best techniques! I'll point out where you need improvement!"
"Yes!"
The four answered in unison, gripping their Nichirin Swords tightly. The rhythmic sound of swinging blades filled the air.
Under the midday sun, flame and steel intertwined, their movements slicing through the light. The boys' figures moved in harmony, fierce and determined—their hearts burning as brightly as Kyojuro's flame.