Chapter 3

(POV Zenitsu)

It's been three years since I met Gramps and he asked me if want to become Demon Slayer. At first I thought he was from some shady organization and I tried to refuse. Come on, I know I didn't knew what to do at that time but I didn't plan to join a sect or gang or something like that. No, no, no, it's not for me. But he seems to notice what I was thinking more or less, so he explained some things to me.

He briefly told me about his organization and from what I understand they are helping people instead of hurting them. Well, Gramps saved my life and I didn't had a place to go so why not to agree? It's not like I die or something.

And what I can say? I couldn't be more mistaken!! It's hell on earth! After a week when my injury healed up, Gramps turned from elder, calm old man to a overseer from hell!! We traveled to his estate. It's big traditional house with lots of peach trees around. There is also mountain maybe three miles from house. And guess what. He order me to run all day at my full speed without stopping even for once! He seems to distinguish between when I was really tired and started to slowing down and when I tried to slack off, so he started hitting my head with his cane and I had to run till I collapse!

When he decided that I have met the minimum requirements, it was after about three months, we began "the proper training". I cried when I heard that. If all I did wasn't even "proper training" then what is?! I'm going to die here fo sure! Nooo!! I should report him for child's abuse!!

He started to train me in different aspects. The main part of training was still running and various lower body exercises. I even had to run with basket full of stones on my back! I asked him why the hell I have to run every single day. He respond by saying that stamina is the most important thing when you're Demon Slayer. You don't know how long you will fight with Demon and you don't even know if it'll be only one. If you're tired in the middle of fight, you're dead. Demons have immense stamina and regeneration abilities which are their's advantages.

I also trained in my reflex and reaction time. I had to run on long, wooden plank. When I heard that I sighed in relief, finnaly something that wouldn't potentially kill me! And I was mistaken again!! When I was running, that old man started to throwing stones at me!! When I yelled at him, he throw a stone right at my forehead. I fell from plank and started massage big bump on my forehead while crying.

At the end of every day, Gramps teach me how to fight with sword. I was little scared when he told me that in future I will use real sword! Real, sharp, made-for-killing sword!! For around an hour and half he trained me in basic swordmanship and be honest... I sucks at it. At the end of the day we sparred with each other, well, mostly like he made me his punching bag!! I got bruises and scratches all over my body. And that is how things go for almost three years!! I could probably make another sea with tears I cried.

But that's three years weren't only about my torture. Gramps also teach me some basic knowledge about Demon Slayer Corps and Demons.

First, he told me about that 'monster', which apparently was a being called Demon. They are a race of monstrous, immortal and malevolent beings. Demons come in a variety of forms. Most look human at first, only with slight changes like paler skin, catlike eyes with unusually-colored sclera, dark markings that come in various patterns across their bodies, or a change in hair color. The changes differ from Demon to Demon, as some Demons can still retain their normal appearance while others gain monstrous features like multiple heads, mouthes or limbs. One of those "mutated" Demons, was Demon similar to the mantis from 'that day'.

They are a mostly carnivorous, vampiric species whose primary diet is humans, consuming their flesh and blood and with an strong aversion to sunlight which burns them to ash, so they strictly operate at night. Demons have an abnormally powerful physical constitution and regenerative ability which makes them immune to normal weaponry and can regenerate most wounds with ease.

Although I said they are "immortal" there is still a way to kill them. The earlier mentioned sunlight is a the most reliable method to kill them, there is no exceptions from this method. Even the strongest Demons when exposed to sunlight will perish. I learn there are two others method to slay Demons. First is beheaded them by using Nichirin Blade. They are special swords forged only for Demon Slayer Corps. I don't know much about them except the fact that they are mortal for Demons because the ores from they were forged, were exposed to the sunlight somehow absorbing it's function to be deadly for Demons.

The second method is by poisoning them. It's turned out that wisteria isn't liked by Demons. Wisteria Flower is poisonous to Demons and also gives off a smell which they don't like, making it useful as a tool to ward them away. Wisteria Flowers can be used as a base ingredient to create deadly and highly potent poison mixtures, which can easily kill Demons.

Gramps also explained me about Demon Slayer Corps. It is an organization that has existed since ancient times, dedicating its existence to protecting humanity from Demons. There are hundreds of Demon Slayers within the organization, but they aren't officially recognized by the government. There are ranking system with Mizunoto as the lowest and Kinoe being the highest. There are other ranks between those two but I doubt that I will ever be promoted so I didn't bother to remember them. To become Demon Slayer you must pass the Final Selection, a test used as an entrance exam to join the Demon Slayer Corps. During this selection, examinees must survive for seven days on a mountain top infested with Demons without any aid from the outside world. Just imagine this gives me goosebumps and urge to cry. Seven days! Seven whole days on a mountain with DEMONS!!! I don't want to do that!! I almost dying here every day, lets not speak about a week all alone with bunch of Demons!!!

Ahh, there is also thing about how Demon Slayers are able to kill Demons who physically are lot stronger than humans. Gramps said that, they are using "Breathing Techniques". This techniques can give you temporary or passive boost to your strength, speed, reflex, quick thinking and senses. Although if you use them too much you will exhaust yourself so this why he order me to do this all running everyday. The breathing style he will teach me is called "Breath of Thunder". It focuses on channeling strength into the user's legs making user so fast that its impossible to track him with naked eye.

Except me, Gramps has another student. His name is Kaigaku. He is black haired man with always angry looking face. I don't know why but he didn't like me at all. He always insulting me or abusing me physically. When Gramps told us to sparring between each other, Kaigaku is always beating me so much like did something terrible to him. Every time after spar with him I literally almost die. Gramps reprimanded him about being too brutal but he only clicked his tongue and looked at me hateful before going somewhere. Just what I did to him?

Well, this is what I've been doing for three years. I'm thirteen now and in two years I will become an adult. Honestly, I'm done. I'm not progressing at all and in three more years I will have to participate in Final Selection... HELL NO!! There is no such force which will drag me to do that!! I will die for sure there! What's with this old man!? Who even invented this cruel and terrible initiation!? Haaah, I have to think of something. I tried to escape but this old man... I underestimated him. He prepered all sorts of traps for me! When I tried to sneak out of the house I fell into a hole! Just when did he dig this?! There is also situation when I tried to run out on full speed but he appeared out of nowhere and put his cane between my legs.

° ° °

(POV 3rd Person)

*BANG*

*BANG* *BANG*

*BANG*

Zenitsu: "OUUCH!!"

The sound of wooden swords clashing against each other followed by scream full of pain could be heard around the whole area.

Near the certain house, two figures are standing next to each other. Well, currently one of them is lying on the ground with with bump on his head and tears in eyes. In front of him stand short, older man with wooden sword in his hand. He looked at the young man on the ground and said in rather loud voice.

Jigoro: "Zenitsu!! Remember, when you can't win by using your speed or strength use your head! Literally! You could headbutt me there! Think of something when you're at the disadvantage! Throw sand at my eyes, taunt me somehow! You will not fighting with other people, you aren't samurai! If this help you, play dirty!! I'm not teaching you fighting with honor, I'm teaching you how to win and survive!! AND DON'T CLOSE YOUR'S DAMN EYES WHEN YOU ARE ATTACKING!!! "

Jigoro like always swipe the floor with Zenitsu and gave him some pointers. Well, there's a lot to point...

Zenitsu: "Are you trying to kill me Gramps?! I could die from that head attack!! I will surely die in the future by you!! D-I-E!! There is no way I stand a chance against you!!" - he suddenly stand up start running away in the direction of the small hill.

*SWIISHH*

Jigoro: "Huh...? You try tu run again!? Like hell I will let you!!" - he looked first surprised that Zenitsu disappeared from his place only to yell at him with popped vein on his forehead when he spotted him.

Zenitsu looked behind him and saw angry old man chasing him while waving furiously his cane. 'Oh crap!! He's getting closer! He will beat me again!! Nooo!!' Zenitsu thought while speeding up.

He knew there is no chance he could run from this crazy old man. Gramps is insanely fast despite his age and lost leg. Zenitsu spotted a tree at the top of the hill. 'If I can't runaway from him at least I will wait till he calm down and I lower my chance of getting beat again.' He though quickly and decided to climb up at the tree.

Jigoro: "Stop crying! Stop running away! That won't take you anywhere!! Come down from there and continue to training!!"

Zenitsu: "No way! I won't learn anything anyway!! Leave me alone, Gramps!!"

Jigoro: "I told you before, call me 'Master'!!"

Zenitsu:" I call you 'Gramps' because I love you!! "

Jigoro felt something is melting in him and he felt extreme happy. He looked at him and sighed in the end.

Jigoro: "Haaaah... Listen Zenitsu, it's nothing wrong, just calm down and come here. We will continue to training."

Zenitsu: "NOOO!!! I'M SURE I WILL DIE IF TRAIN ANY MORE!! I'M SURE I WILL DIE!!"

Jigoro: " You won't die from this light training! Come down you little moron! What about the Breathing Technique? Did you manage to learn other forms?"

Zenitsu: "... no..." - he said in very meek voice, barely heard.

Jigoro: "LOUDER!! YOU ARE MAN!"

Zenitsu: "NO, I DIDN'T!! I CAN'T LEARN OTHER FORMS! I'M SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU!! It's just... Just... Like something is blocking me. I've learning first form for almost a year and yet, I can't even catch a glimpse of other forms..." - he shouted as loud as he could only to said the latter part sadly and with clear disappointment in himself.

Yeah, that was true. A year ago Jigoro decided it's time to teach him "Breath of Thunder" like he did with his other student. But, sadly, it is turned out, that Zenitsu can't learn other forms except for the first one - "First Form: Thunderclap and Flash."

Zenitsu: "I want to live to your expectations!! But it's totally beyond me! I feel terrible that I'm like this!! I even tried to working at night in secret but it's was useless!! I only waste my sleep time!!! And after all this effort I gain nothing! Nothing!! I'm done! I won't train anymore! I will die if I do so!!"- Zenitsu yelled hysterically with tears and snots over his face.

Suddenly, earlier clear blue sky started to filling with black, storm clouds. The lightnings flashed in the sky followed by thunders. Jigoro started to get bad feelings.

° ° °

(POV Zenitsu)

Jigoro: "O-Okey Zenitsu. Just calmd down and-"

Zenitsu: "No WA-"

*BOOOOOOM*

I didn't even said what I wanted, when lightning struck me. The whole tree was burned and almost breaks in two vertically. I heard Gramps screaming something but I didn't understand him. I felt like I was underwater. Everything started to moving slowly. Couple of my bangs cover my sight. They are yellow? Did my hair color changed? Haaaah, I sighed internally. Just how unlucky I can be? To be struck by lightning in the middle of day. So this is how I die, huh? To be honest, I imagined this to be more... Dramatic? Painful and scary? Instead of this I just feel numbness all over my body... Haaah... I always was feared of death but when it comes I finally realized it. That will eventually happens and well, it happened. I started to thinking about my family. I tried to shove away the memories of them because the were really painful for me. But maybe I shouldn't? In the end they are my family. I should always keep them in my heart. The sky stopped to moving away, I think I hit the ground now but I didn't felt impact. My eyes are closing, I can't stopped them... I looked at gramps who is currently panicking and worriedly started to checks my condition. I smiled wryly. I'm sorry Gramps. I'm sorry I disappoint you... Then my whole world turned black and I lost my consciousness...