After Muzan left, the special training resumed once more.
...
Bliss Cult — Back Mountain
"Too slow! Too slow!!"
Akaza stood bare-chested in the heart of the wind and snow.
The snowflake array beneath his feet was clearly etched into the accumulated snow.
He was like a towering mountain—anything that drew near would be crushed instantly by his fighting spirit.
"Rin Sun Breathing · Sixth Form · Cold Sun!"
A roar tore through the blizzard.
Inosuke charged into the formation, using his palm as a blade, a layer of scorching steam covering his hand.
At the same time—
"Total Concentration · Thunder Breathing · Godspeed!"
Zenitsu closed his eyes, his golden hair whipping wildly in the wind.
He pushed his hearing to its absolute limit.
The tightening of muscles, the flow of blood, even the faintest shift in Akaza's center of gravity—all of it wove together inside his mind.
"Total Concentration · Sun Breathing · Phantasmal Sun Halo!"
Tanjiro sprinted across the snow, his nostrils flaring as he breathed deeply.
The scent called weakness had never been clearer.
Three figures attacked Akaza's blind spots simultaneously—from three different angles.
Akaza's pupils shrank violently.
He threw a punch in counterattack—
But time seemed to slow.
In the eyes of the three youths, the world drained of color.
The wind and snow froze.
Akaza's lightning-fast fist became slow motion before their eyes.
Everything about him became crystal clear.
Selflessness.
For a single instant, the three seemed to be guided by instinct alone.
They made evasive movements that should have been impossible—and struck back.
Boom!
Boom!
Though all three were still blasted away by Akaza's far more seasoned fists, sent crashing into snowdrifts—
This time, Akaza did not pursue.
He withdrew his stance, the compass array beneath his feet slowly fading.
He looked at the three boys climbing out of the snow pits, and for the first time, true recognition appeared in those perpetually dissatisfied eyes.
"That's enough."
Akaza exhaled a breath of white mist, a faint smile surfacing.
"No need to train any further."
"Huh?"
Zenitsu, his face swollen like a pig's head, stared in disbelief.
"Why not?
Third Uncle, are you looking down on us for being stupid?
I really feel like I've gotten so much stronger these past few days!"
"Idiot."
Akaza walked over and, for once, reached out to pull Zenitsu up—then dragged Tanjiro and Inosuke to their feet as well.
"That moment just now… you saw it, didn't you?"
The three exchanged looks.
That sensation—seeing through everything.
"That is the highest realm of martial arts."
Akaza looked at Inosuke, his tone grave.
"You brats… reached it in just a few days."
"Especially you, Inosuke."
His palm pressed against Inosuke's shoulder, feeling the surging vitality within the boy's body.
"Your instincts, your physical structure—you were born for battle."
"I've taught you everything I can. What remains… must be honed through real combat between life and death, tempered with blood."
Inosuke wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.
"Thanks, Third Uncle. Your New Year's money was priceless. Happy New Year."
...
It really was time to say goodbye.
Inosuke's Kasugai Crow—now with barely any feathers left—had already circled the mountain peak three times.
Kotoha had even knitted it a tiny hat, yet still felt apologetic that her child had abused it into such a state.
At the mountain gate of the Mansei Bliss Cult—
The cold wind still howled.
"Inosuke… Tanjiro… blondie—you have to remember to come back often."
Daki clung tightly to Tanjiro's sleeve, refusing to let go, like a spoiled little girl throwing a tantrum.
"If you stay away too long, I'll kill my way to the Demon Slayer Corps and kidnap Tanjiro's sister as a hostage!"
"I won't forget, Lady Ume. Next time, I'll bring you an even prettier hairpin."
Tanjiro smiled, subconsciously adjusting the box on his back.
Daki sniffed, huffing awkwardly.
"Hmph… that's more like it. At least you've got a conscience."
On the other side, Kaigaku shoved a heavy bundle into Zenitsu's arms, his face fierce.
"Take it! Food—and the best wound medicine!"
"Don't get the wrong idea! I just don't want you starving to death on the road, or getting beaten to death and embarrassing Grandpa!"
"And… next time you come back, let's go to Mount Tao together to see Grandpa…"
Zenitsu hugged the bundle—still warm—and burst into tears, snot and all, trying to rub his face against Kaigaku.
"Senior brother… sob… even though your mouth is still vicious, your heart is small, and your temper awful… you really are getting better. Thank you, Bliss Cult!"
"Get lost! Don't wipe your snot on my new clothes!!"
Kaigaku roared—but he didn't push away the sobbing fool.
Inosuke stood on the steps.
He didn't cry. He didn't make a scene.
He simply looked quietly at the two people before him—
His parents.
Doma waved his golden folding fan, that ever-present smile still on his face.
Yet his gaze lingered on the bruises covering Inosuke's body—injuries from training with Akaza that hadn't yet healed.
"Inosuke… when you go out this time, try… to get hurt a little less."
Doma blinked.
"If you ever run into something you can't handle… come home."
"Dad will be here."
"Got it, Dad."
Inosuke clicked his tongue and looked toward Kotoha.
Her eyes were red.
"Inosuke."
Kotoha's voice was gentle, but he heard the tremor within.
"Come back early.
Mom… will always be waiting for you here."
Inosuke's heart clenched hard.
He took a deep breath, then broke into a wide grin and pulled the frail woman into his arms.
"Don't worry, Mom. Once I finish this big job… we'll never be separated again."
He released her, turned his back, and waved.
"Let's go! You lot—keep up!"
Three boys set off down the mountain, facing the cold wind.
Watching their retreating figures, Daki wiped her tears, her eyes turning fierce.
"Brother, we need to get stronger too."
"That home… must never be destroyed by anyone."
Gyutaro lurked in the shadows, grinding his teeth, a low hiss escaping him.
"…Anyone who dares touch them—I'll cut them into pieces."
...
The night after the three departed.
At the back mountain training ground—the place once filled with falling trees—silence reigned.
Akaza had changed out of the martial arts uniform Doma had given him and returned to his familiar red vest.
With a small pack on his back, he stood before Doma and Kotoha.
"You're leaving, Lord Akaza?"
Doma sat beneath the corridor, not surprised—only a hint of regret in his voice.
"Not staying a few more days? If Inosuke knew you were leaving, he'd throw a tantrum."
"No."
Akaza shook his head.
Turning, he looked at the Bliss Cult that had gradually become familiar.
"During my time here… memories I never had before began surfacing."
He chuckled softly, fingers brushing the wrist guards on his hands—
A New Year's gift from his nephew.
"That dojo… that master… and that girl who always smiled and called my name."
"Before, thinking of them would split my head apart, make me want to destroy everything."
"But now… it doesn't hurt anymore."
He lifted his head, his eyes clear.
"Inosuke gave me back that feeling."
"Teaching those three… reminded me of my days training in the dojo."
"That pure feeling."
Akaza stepped before Kotoha and bowed slightly to the human woman who couldn't even bind a chicken.
"Lady Kotoha, thank you for your hospitality."
"And thank you… for giving birth to a child like Inosuke."
Kotoha was flustered and hurriedly returned the bow.
"Lord Akaza… you're too kind. Inosuke is fortunate to have an uncle like you."
Finally, Akaza looked at Doma.
"Doma."
"You're annoying, rotten to the core, and nauseating to deal with."
"But… thanks."
"You raised that brat well."
"And thanks to a strange guy like you, in this endlessly despairing demon life, I managed to find something I truly want."
"Being friends with you… isn't bad."
Doma froze.
Then he spread his fan, covering half his face, leaving only a pair of curved, smiling eyes—hiding the flicker in their depths.
"My, my… Lord Akaza is getting sentimental."
"You're always welcome back~ Your room will always be kept."
"Next time you return, don't forget a souvenir."
"Hmph. I'm going."
Akaza didn't look back.
With his pack on his back, his figure flashed—and vanished into the vast snowy plains.
He felt that he had something to seek.
Perhaps he needed to stand before one person's grave and tell her—
I think… I've found the way home.
...
The once lively Mansei Bliss Cult suddenly felt empty.
Daki, Gyutaro, and Kaigaku went to prepare the meal.
In the grand hall, only Doma and Kotoha remained.
Doma sat on the enormous throne, staring at the empty doorway, idly tapping his fan against his palm.
Kotoha stood in the hall, gazing absentmindedly at the man on the throne.
"Ah… everyone's gone."
"It suddenly feels… so quiet here."
He touched his chest, feeling oddly hollow.
"Inosuke… this time he came back even stronger."
Doma murmured, pride in his tone—but more than that, an indescribable… ache.
"But… he has more wounds now."
"That mark… he thought I didn't know, but I saw it."
"Why? Why push himself so hard? He could've just hidden behind Dad…"
Just then—
Kotoha, who had been standing silently below, suddenly moved.
She walked step by step up the platform.
Her steps were slow, yet unbearably heavy.
Tears from seeing Inosuke off still streaked her face, but in her always-gentle eyes now flickered something Doma couldn't understand.
"Kotoha-chan?"
Doma looked at her in confusion, gently lowering his fan.
"What's wrong? Are you tired? These past few days were hard on you too. Go rest—"
Thud.
Kotoha threw herself into Doma's arms, clinging tightly around his waist.
Her nails pierced through the expensive fabric, digging into his flesh.
"Lord Doma…"
Her voice trembled—fear, and pleading intertwined.
"What is it?"
Doma froze, instinctively reaching out to pat her back.
"Did someone bully you? Tell me—I'll kill them."
Kotoha looked up.
That face made Doma's heart shudder again.
"I… don't want to be a burden anymore."
She cried, tears soaking Doma's chest.
"I saw it… all of it… the injuries on Inosuke's body…"
"That day… Lord Muzan's gaze… the way he looked at me…"
"He was looking at me like an ant he could crush anytime—like Inosuke's weakness."
Her voice grew hoarse.
"I'm weak… I'm Inosuke's only soft spot!"
"As long as I live… as long as I remain this fragile human…"
"Inosuke will always be at Muzan's mercy!"
"I don't want… I don't want to become the reason he dies!!"
Doma's rainbow-glass eyes shook violently for the first time.
He looked at the woman in his arms.
She was so fragile, so foolish, so beautiful.
Kotoha was meant to be cherished and protected.
But now—
What was this?
"Lord Doma…"
Kotoha grabbed his hand and pressed it against her own neck.
"Please…"
"Turn me… into a demon as well."
Boom!
The words struck like thunder, exploding in Doma's mind and shattering his carefully maintained composure.
His hand froze midair, fingertips trembling.
"Kotoha-chan… do you understand what you're saying?"
"If you become a demon… you won't be able to sing to Inosuke in the sunlight."
"You won't be able to go to temples to pray."
"You might even… want to eat people."
"That version of you… would you really be able to accept yourself?"
For the first time, panic crept into Doma's voice.
"I DON'T CARE!!"
Kotoha screamed.
"As long as I don't drag you down… even if it's hell, I'll accept it!!"
"The gods can't save Inosuke… the Buddha can't save him either…"
She stared straight into Doma's eyes. His heartbeat quickened.
"Better to beg you… than the gods."
(A new arc begins. full-throttle hype continues!)
◇ You can read Full Book on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/CanonBreaker
✨ Bonus Chapter Goals ✨
10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter