20 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

The misty Sagiri Mountain was quiet every morning until it was disrupted by the routine training of a group of young swordsmen.

A boy, shirtless, climbed the steep slope carrying a massive boulder on his back, while a girl moved with ghostly agility through the forest. These scenes were common here—a testament to the intense training of the Demon Slayers and their apprentices, all striving to ensure they could cut down one more demon in their next battle.

Coming to Sagiri Mountain, Haruto finally understood the true meaning of "hellish training."

Compared to his time in the Swordsmith Village, Urokodaki Sakonji's rigorous training regime was on an entirely different level. After two weeks of rest due to a fractured rib, Haruto quickly regained his peak condition under Urokodaki's guidance.

But merely mastering Total Concentration Breathing was no longer enough for Urokodaki's standards. That was when the concept of Constant Total Concentration was introduced.

The idea was simple yet grueling: maintaining the state of Total Concentration Breathing at all times—while eating, sleeping, even during mundane tasks. Every cell in the body had to be saturated with oxygen continuously.

Though extremely difficult to master, the rewards were evident. Haruto could feel his body growing stronger by the day. Even his swordsmanship, which had previously reached a plateau, advanced to new heights.

The daily sight of these young warriors running through the mountain trails had become a unique feature of Sagiri Mountain, undeterred by rain or shine. The only time someone would leave the group was when a crow or parrot landed on their shoulder, delivering a mission. The chosen one would don their Demon Slayer Corps uniform, grasp their Nichirin blade, and head off to hunt demons.

...

Six Months Later

Three boys sat in a row, obediently waiting, while a green-haired girl stood behind them, scissors in hand and a cheerful smile on her face.

She carefully trimmed their hair—Sabito's soft, peach-colored locks, Giyu's coarse black hair, and Haruto's unique hair that always seemed to regenerate its pale blue tips within days.

Above them, a snow-white crow circled twice before diving down.

"Message from the Stone Hashira! Message from the Stone Hashira!"

Haruto extended his index finger, allowing the crow to perch on it. His broad hand, now covered in calluses and scars from training and fighting demons, gently supported the bird.

The crow ruffled its feathers and eagerly pecked at a piece of fish Haruto offered. After swallowing it, it announced:

"Message from the Stone Hashira! Suspected demon activity in Takinogawa Village! Mission assigned to Mizunoto-ranked Takanashi Haruto. Depart immediately! Depart immediately!"

(T/N: Mizunoto, the lowest rank, obtained after surviving the Final Selection exam)

"Wow, even they know I'm Mizunoto. And here I thought the Hashira wouldn't even notice me…" Haruto muttered under his breath, throwing a light jab at the Stone Hashira. Despite his grumbling, his movements were swift.

He shook off the stray bits of hair from his clothes, took a quick shower, and changed into his Demon Slayer uniform, layering it with his signature haori.

"Takinogawa Village? Where's that?"

"It's in Tokyo Prefecture's Kita-Toshima District. If you run, it shouldn't take you more than a day to get there," Sabito explained.

"Make it quick. Makomo's going to take the Final Selection soon," Giyu reminded him.

Haruto smiled, ruffling Makomo's hair. "Don't worry. I'll bring you back a souvenir."

"That's not what I meant…" Makomo chuckled softly, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"I want one too," Giyu added, his blue eyes staring earnestly at Haruto.

Sabito grinned, his silver eyes curving in amusement. "Just come back safely."

For these young warriors, "souvenirs" weren't necessarily physical items. The greatest gift was each other's safe return.

When Haruto went to bid farewell to Urokodaki, the elderly trainer handed him a fox mask. It was identical to the ones worn by the others, handcrafted by Urokodaki himself. Instead of a scar, a small star was carved on the side, symbolizing Haruto's unique characteristic.

"If you don't mind…" Urokodaki murmured as he handed it over.

Haruto placed the mask over his face and nodded in approval. It fit perfectly and didn't obstruct his vision.

Beneath the tengu mask, Urokodaki seemed to smile. "Go on. When you return, I'll have something delicious waiting for you. And don't forget to visit your master."

...

Nightfall, Takinogawa Village

Takinogawa Village was gripped with fear. Rumors of a wild beast preying on villagers spread like wildfire. Many had already fallen victim to the creature in the dead of night.

But the truth was far worse than any wild animal.

In the medicine hall, the local physician had warned his wife and two daughters to lock the doors and windows tightly every night.

Little Shinobu trembled in her older sister Kanae's arms, wrapped tightly in a blanket.

"Don't worry, Shinobu," Kanae whispered, trying to calm her sister despite her own shaking voice. "As long as we stay inside, we'll be safe. Nothing can hurt us."

Yet their parents' hushed conversation betrayed a deeper fear.

"It's not a beast… The blood splattered all over the walls… It's something far worse. Like a crazed, bloodthirsty killer…"

Shinobu clutched Kanae tighter, mumbling, "It's just a beast. It can't break into the house…"

A distant howl echoed through the village, sending shivers down their spines. The sisters held each other tightly as the sound drew closer.

Downstairs, their father stood guard with an axe, their mother by his side. They were ready to defend their family, no matter the cost.

But then, a loud thump broke the tense silence. Something was pounding on the wooden door.

"Stay back!" their father roared, hoping to scare off whatever was outside.

CRASH!

The door shattered, and a monstrous figure burst into the house.

Kanae and Shinobu's hearts froze as they witnessed the creature—a demon, grotesque and terrifying, with blood dripping from its fanged mouth.

The demon lunged at their father, faster than he could react. In one brutal motion, it tore out his throat. Blood sprayed across the walls, painting the room red.

Their mother screamed and, in a desperate bid, grabbed the axe to strike the demon. But before she could swing, its claw pierced her chest, ripping out her heart.

Kanae grabbed Shinobu, shielding her as they backed away in terror. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "If one of us has to die… let it be me."

The demon, chewing on their mother's still-beating heart, turned its malevolent gaze toward the sisters.

"Fresh… hearts…" it hissed, advancing on them.