Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

Tanjirou looked anxious, while Urokodaki glanced at the square stone block at his feet and suddenly said, "Oh, I almost forgot about this."

"Pick up this stone, then move across the wooden posts while carrying it. When you can walk, and even run, effortlessly while holding it, the training will be complete."

Only now did Tanjirou notice the square stone beside Urokodaki's feet.

He stepped forward to try lifting it, but as soon as he gripped its edges and pulled, he nearly fell on his backside.

"Master, this stone is way too heavy!"

Urokodaki replied curiously, "This is a mountain boulder, much denser than regular stone. Of course it's heavy."

"If it weren't heavy, what use would it be?"

"Use your Breathing Technique, then try lifting it again."

The wind rustled through the trees, and Tanjirou's breathing grew fiery.

Power surged from within his body as he gripped the boulder again, his arms bulging with taut veins.

"Heh!"

With the Breathing Technique active, all his physical attributes more than doubled. The boulder felt somewhat lighter, and after some wobbling, he managed to lift it up.

With a loud shout, he finally hoisted it, his confidence swelling.

Holding the stone, he smiled at Urokodaki. "Master, I lifted it!"

In the past, even using Water Breathing, he could barely move such a stone. But now he still had strength to spare.

The Flame Breathing really suits me!

But Urokodaki offered no praise. He simply said, "You've lifted it—why are you still standing there?"

"Move onto the posts while carrying it."

Tanjirou realized he'd gotten ahead of himself.

He carried the stone over to the wooden post course and looked up at the three-meter-tall posts as thick as tree trunks.

"Sigh…"

"How am I supposed to stand up there, let alone walk or run, while holding this stone?"

"Hm? What's that?"

On the ground between the posts were numerous small wooden balls, half sunken into the dirt, with the other half exposed.

Kawanishi stepped forward, smiling kindly at Tanjirou. "I came up with this."

"These balls are small and won't cause you any real harm."

"Even if you fall, they won't injure you. They'll actually massage your muscles and help you relax."

"However—"

That smile didn't look so kind to Tanjirou anymore. There was always trouble when people said 'however.'

Swallowing nervously, Tanjirou asked, "However what?"

Kawanishi chuckled, patting Tanjirou's head while adjusting the position of the boulder, making him hold it with his arms extended straight out instead of hanging down.

Instantly, the stone felt even heavier.

Tanjirou's round little face scrunched up like a bun. "Brother, what are you doing..."

Kawanishi straightened up and said seriously, "The way you were holding it wasn't effective for training and could injure your arm bones."

"Standing upright with your arms extended takes more strength to balance and gives better results."

"You feel it's heavier and harder to hold, right? That's exactly the point."

That explanation sounded very reasonable.

Tanjirou nodded. "I see! Brother, you really know so much. Alright, let's do it this way."

A glint of amusement flickered in Kawanishi's eyes — in truth, he didn't know any of that. It just made the boulder heavier.

"Of course."

"Oh, and those wooden balls will only hurt... a lot. Other than that, nothing else to worry about."

"So be careful and don't fall."

Those small wooden balls were inspired by Kawanishi's memory of acupressure boards from his past life, which he had strongly requested Urokodaki to install.

Urokodaki had skeptically agreed.

Tanjirou: "…You really are my brother."

Watching Kawanishi's seemingly well-intentioned expression, Tanjirou sighed, then powered up his legs and leapt two meters into the air.

Using one foot to push off a post, he climbed another meter and landed directly on top of the wooden post. He wobbled at first but quickly stabilized himself.

Watching all this, both Kawanishi and Urokodaki felt admiration.

The Hinokami Kagura truly suited Tanjirou. Once his breathing technique activated, he was no longer weak.

A strange light flashed in Urokodaki's eyes.

The Demon Slayer Corps may soon gain another Flame Hashira, provided Tanjirou could master Total Concentration Breathing and maintain it constantly, even while sleeping.

Though he wondered whether Tanjirou could match that genius among the Hashira, who had become one after only two months of training…

Holding the stone with his arms extended, Tanjirou's weight naturally leaned forward.

On flat ground, this was fine — but standing on a post barely the size of half a foot, he constantly felt like he might topple.

It took several wobbles before he found his balance. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he stared nervously at the next post two meters away.

Three meters tall might not seem very high, but a fall from that height would be no joke.

He instinctively hesitated, afraid of falling.

Seeing his hesitation, Urokodaki suddenly shouted sharply:

"Why are you just standing there? Would you stand still and let a demon eat you?"

"If someone's being killed by a demon, would you stand frozen?"

"Move!"

"Are you useless? Where's your courage? Be a man—move!"

"If you can't even pass this, forget about killing demons. Go find some peaceful place to hide."

The harsh words were merciless, even shocking Kawanishi.

He hadn't expected Urokodaki to be so strict and blunt while training, his words hitting hard.

Tanjirou froze. Kawanishi grew concerned — he might fall…

Breathing techniques were tied closely to one's mental and physical state.

After Urokodaki's scolding, Tanjirou's breathing became unsteady.

But surprisingly, his fragmented breathing quickly stabilized again under Kawanishi's astonished gaze.

His resolve firmed. With steady breathing restored, Tanjirou bent his knees slightly and jumped to the next post.

He landed without hesitation and continued forward.

In Tanjirou's eyes gleamed two diamond-like sparks of determination.

Master was right — ultimately, it was fear.

Fear of falling, fear of pain.

And when facing demons, most of the time, he was also afraid — afraid of being hurt, afraid of others being hurt... so many fears.

But how could I let fear stop me?

If I fear something, then I must eliminate the source of that fear!

Fear doesn't mean retreat. Kindness isn't weakness.

(End of chapter)