Two days later, Sanemi Shinazugawa's Transparent World training came to an end.
Ending the training did not mean he had mastered it.
At the previous Pillar meeting, Raiden had set a rough limit of three days for each Hashira's training. Now that time had passed, and Sanemi's understanding of the Transparent World was still at an early stage.
He could enter the state occasionally, but only for brief moments. It would take much more time to fully stabilize it.
As for Raiden, aside from a slight improvement on the first day after integrating the Eighth Form, his overall strength had continued to rise steadily.
"Alright, that's enough. We're done for today," Raiden said, casually brushing aside Sanemi's incoming strike as if it were nothing.
It seemed their bond would not deepen any further. If he wanted more rewards, he would have to move on to the next Hashira.
Obanai Iguro… right.
At the last Pillar meeting, Obanai Iguro had ignored him. That was understandable back then.
But if he still acted the same now, Raiden might not be so generous during training.
While Raiden was lost in thought, Sanemi stood frozen.
He stared at his Nichirin blade in disbelief.
That last strike… I used the Transparent World.
So how did Raiden block it so easily?
Even in that state, the gap is still this big?
His throat felt dry as he watched Raiden standing there, calm as ever.
Just days ago, he had been eager to turn the tables once he learned the technique.
Now, that idea felt almost ridiculous.
He could clearly feel the difference when entering the Transparent World, his body sharpened, his senses clearer than ever before.
Anyone who experienced it would never forget that clarity.
And yet, Raiden remained untouchable.
Compared to their fight three days ago, the only change Sanemi noticed was that Raiden had become slightly more serious.
Just slightly.
No matter how fierce or unpredictable his attacks were, none of them made a real impact.
"Why are you still standing there? Training's over."
Raiden glanced at him, confused.
Over the past few days, their conversations had been minimal.
Either Raiden was mocking him, or Sanemi was asking questions about the Transparent World.
Most of the time, they trained in silence.
Usually, after training, Sanemi would grab his rice balls and leave.
…Wait.
Was he still here because of that?
Raiden frowned slightly.
What kind of habit was that? It was not like the Demon Slayer Corps would leave a Hashira hungry.
Shaking the thought off, he went back inside and returned with a few rice balls.
They were not enough to fully recover from a full day of training, just something to hold him over.
When Raiden stepped back outside, Sanemi was already seated on the wooden post, waiting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Without a word, he took the rice balls and began eating, head lowered.
Each one was about the size of Raiden's fist. Sanemi finished two in a few quick bites, then looked up at him.
Raiden paused, then quietly moved the remaining rice balls behind his back.
Two was enough. Was he planning to take his as well?
Hadn't today's beating been enough?
Sanemi's eye twitched.
He was a Hashira. Did Raiden really see him as someone that pitiful?
He was not here for food.
"I…"
"No."
Raiden cut him off instantly.
Sanemi inhaled slowly, forcing down the irritation rising in his chest.
For someone like this to be stronger than him… what a joke.
The words he wanted to say stayed stuck in his throat.
In the end, he simply glared at Raiden and turned to leave.
But just as he reached the courtyard gate, he stopped.
"…Thanks."
The voice was barely audible.
If not for his sharp hearing, Raiden might have missed it entirely.
"That tsuba on the post," Sanemi added, still facing away, "it's from my old Nichirin blade. It's nothing special. If you don't want it, throw it away."
His palms were slightly damp.
That tsuba was not just any piece.
It carried memories.
It was from the time he and Kanae Kocho fought together and defeated a Lower Rank demon.
Every time he looked at it, he remembered her.
But he could not bring himself to explain any of that.
To anyone else, it was just a worn piece of metal.
Raiden looked over at the wooden post.
An eight-sided black tsuba rested there, its surface marked by faint scratches, carefully preserved over time.
"A tsuba?" Raiden picked it up, weighing it in his hand. "What's this for? Trying to trade it for rice balls? I'll give you two at most."
Sanemi nearly snapped.
"Trade for your…"
He stopped himself, jaw tightening.
Was this guy serious?
That tsuba held memories he would never let go of, and to Raiden it was worth two rice balls?
For a moment, he almost went back to take it.
"Hmph."
With a sharp snort, he walked away, all the earlier hesitation gone.
Thanking him had been a mistake.
Watching him leave, Raiden's lips curled slightly.
Of course he knew that was not meant as a trade.
He just could not stand that kind of atmosphere, especially with someone like Sanemi.
He tossed the tsuba lightly in his hand, then caught it.
Not bad.
At least the training was not wasted.
Regardless of its value, it was still a gesture of goodwill.
The next day, Obanai Iguro arrived at the training courtyard.
Standing at the entrance, his gaze swept across the area, sharp and cautious.
The snake draped over his shoulders, Kaburamaru, flicked its tongue before giving a slight nod.
With that confirmation, Obanai stepped inside.
Facing Raiden, his emotions were complicated.
After the events in the Entertainment District, Mitsuri Kanroji had nothing but praise for Raiden.
That alone had already irritated him.
He had even considered teaching Raiden a lesson after returning.
But the strength Raiden displayed crushed that idea completely.
Now, he had to undergo Raiden's training himself.
That only made things worse.
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Sorry for the late update.
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