Chapter 5

2(POV 3rd Person)

At the center of the training grounds two people are facing each other. Both of them have wooden swords but they took different stances. Old man take standard Iado stance while looking very cautiously at his opponent. He look at him carefully to find any sign of possible opening. Yellow haired, young man take Ko Gasumi stance. His eyes are totally focus on his opponent. The kind look disappeared from his face and is replaced by serious, his eyes are as cold as possible. He take deep breathe and closed his eyes.

Old man's wooden leg moved forward on the ground, making small, almost noiseless sound and he dissappeared from his place. But that won't went unnoticed by young man. This slight sound make his ears twich a little and he suddenly opened his eyes. He bended his knees slightly and disappeared in yellow flash followed with loud roar, like that of thunder.

*BZZZT BOOOM*

*CRACK*

Ground couldn't hold the pressure and cracked leaving two meters wide crack.

*BANG*

*BANG BANG*

They appear in different places only to clash their swords and again disappear. This repeat for few more times and finally they appear again, standing ten meters from each other. Both of them are covered in sweat and they try to calm their breath. They are staring at each other without words. 'He become stronger than last time we fight. I can barely keep up with him. Let's see what you got, Zenitsu' thought Jigoro. He again move first but this time with "normal" speed, earlier you couldn't trace their moves with naked eyes but now although you can see blur of their movements. Earlier, it was contest of speed, now, it's about swordmanship.

Jigoro slashed vertically downwards towards Zenitsu, but he parried it and make fast swing at Jigoro's neck. Old man's eyes squinted and he retreat few meters. He knew Zenitsu improved but no to the extend where he would immediately receive "killing" blow after just one slash. He need to take this much more seriously .

This time it's Zenitsu who attacked. He make horizontal slash from left to right which Jigoro blocked with little effort. Using force from blocked slash, Zenitsu performed spin and slashed again. This again was blocked but this time Jigoro counter with thrust toward young man's chest.

Zenitsu's eyes narrowed a little, he redirect Jigoro's thrust to the side and make a swing to make vertical slash that will end this spar.

Seeing his thrust parried effortlessly Jigoro scowled internally but when he saw an opening when Zenitsu rises his sword above his head he knew this is a chance! 'Now!'.

He tighten all his muscle and put all his energy to made quick spin and he slashed vertically upwards, aiming for Zenitsu's chin.

Zenitsu seeing this, smiled quickly, 'Got ya'.

In the next moment Jigoro's eyes went wide. He was shocked. His slash made contact but not with Zenitsu's face but with swords handle! He blocked it using a handle!

Using the moment when Jigoro lose focus, Zenitsu stepped aside. He knocked out sword from Jigoro's hand and put his sword on Old man's neck.

Zenitsu: "Haha, got you Gramps~" - he said with now smiling face.

Jigoro looked up at his student while still processing what happened. Last move... It was too fast! Even he, former Lightning Hashira, couldn't trace his movements. He was shocked but also really happy that his student become so strong.

Jigoro: "Humph, don't be full of yourself! You beat old man and you so excited about it?? Shame on you."- well, he was happy but didn't express it, he isn't good with compliments and praises.

Zenitsu: "Yeeeaah...You right, how could I? I beat Old man who once was the strongest Demon Slayer of his generation and hailed as "The Roaring Hashira". Do you want to go home and eat some gruel? I will even feed you if you want. Stop being such a Tsundere and praise me sometimes, it's been a year since I saw you last time. "- he said sarcastically while rolling eyes.

What he said was true. A year ago Zenitsu decided to leave Jigoro's house and train alone in the mountains. He hoped that he will somehow discover how to break through this something that is blocking his progress in learning other breath forms. He tried different methods, for example meditation and he even tried to use other forms forcefully but it only ended in gaining huge pain in his chest. Once he even coughed blood and thought that he blow up his lungs. After that he decided that's not the way. Still thinking for the solution, he choose only one correct option - he should master First Form as much as he can. No, even more than that, he should surpass creator of the Thunder Breathe! He will master First Form and become unrivaled in using it, maybe then he will get the gist of others. In the end, First Form is a foundation for the rest Forms so it's logical to make this conclusion.

Zenitsu: "You coming, Gramps? I haven't eat anything good for a long time. I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I even missed your cooking."- he said while walking to the house with hands on the back of his head.

Jigoro looked at the young man backs and he couldn't help but recolled how Zenitsu was just couple years ago. That small, fearful, weak-minded brat, turned into this tall, strong and fearless young man. And its all thanks to that lightning. If he knew Zenitsu would end up lik this, he would made him climb on the highest tree in every single storm from the beginning. He started to wonder what his disciple will achieve if keep growing strong at the pace he currently is.

Jigoro: "Call me Master, you damn brat!! You think this is some kind charity help place?! Make your own food and you will make for me too, you disrespectful brat!!" - he screamed at Zenitsu and run after him throwing insults here and there. Yup, he still can't just praise him.

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Later in the house

Zenitsu: "Haaaah, it's good to eat something different than grilled fish and wild berries. Not mention warm bath. Haaah so good~." - he said while lying on the floor and looking at the ceiling.

Jigoro: "Now that you finally done, I can tell you that I nominate you to participate in the Final Selection. You should be grateful that I took the gamble and nominate you beforehand. If you didn't back in equally a year you would missed it and have to wait another year. Don't even mention the embarrassment I would have to endure if you wouldn't make it. ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME BRAT?!! "- he couldn't help but yeld in annoyance when he saw that Zenitsu wasn't listening but started to playing with his hairs.

Zenitsu: "You think I should cut them a little?"- he asked while grabbing between two fingers some of his hairs. They become longer to the extent where some strands reach his shoulders and his bangs covered his eyes.

Jigoro: "Well, I think you should a little but not to much, just as much that they wouldn't obscure your vis- Wait! That's not important Damm kid!!"

Zenitsu: "Haah, it's okay Gramps. I'm more than ready to take a part in the Selection, trust me. You said yourself that there aren't any strong Demons so my raw speed, strength and swordmanship would be enough. In any case of emergency I have First Form which, in my opinion, I mastered perfectly. And also I have a thing or two hidden in sleeve so it's okay, Gramps."- he said after tired sigh and half smile when he saw worried Jigoro. It's not that he is arrogant... Maybe a bit. But he is confident in his own abilities and also he know Breathe of Thunder, the fastest of Breathe Styles so he can run away when he needed to. Jigoro looked at Zenitsu seriously, and the young man looked at him whe he sensed change in the atmosphere.

Jigoro: "Listen, Zenitsu. You are NEVER fully prepared for what can happen to you. If you are to full of yourself you tends to make a mistake, and making a mistake can cost you a limb or even life. So remember to never underestimate enemy and don't neglect any possibility, even the most crazy one you can imagine."- he said with serious look while looking at his lost leg and clenching his fists.

Zenitsu looked at his master and pondered at his words for a couple of seconds.

Zenitsu: "..... You are right. I'm sorry. It's just.. after beating you for the first time in my live, I felt like know I'm strong enough to overcome any obstacles. I will be more cautios. But hey, beating living legend mean something right?"- he said that in rather serious voice and expression, but that fade away at the last sentence when he smiled with closed eyes.

Jigoro:" It was one time! ONE TIME!! I made mistake and underestimated you but that won't happen again so stop bragging you damn cocky brat!!"- he shouted annoyed and slightly embarrassed.

Zenitsu: "Hooh? And who said that we should never ever underestimated our opponents, Gramps~? "- he replied with fake wondering expression and finger on his chin. At the last sentence he showed him a half smile.

Jigoro: "Y-you!! I'm your Master! Disciple can't talk like that to his Master!! Pay me more respect!!!" - now totally embarrassed Jigoro used classic move, which all adults use when they haven't any arguments. The "Status" difference. Zenitsu looked at his embarrassed face and couldn't help but laugh.

Zenitsu: "hahahah okay okay, sorry Gramps. But you shouldn't call me 'Brat' or 'kid' anymore. I'm 16 so I'm an adult right now."- what he said is true. He turned 16 this year and by Japanese law he is an adult right now- "Now that I think about it. I'm an adult and I haven't even girlfriend that I could marry in the future. SHIT!! I don't even know any female!!" - he shouted in realization.

Jigoro: "And what about it? Is this kind of things really important? And anyway, didn't Lady Maharu count as a female you know?" - he asked clearly confused. Lady Maharu is eldery woman who has shop in nearest small city where Zenitsu often jog to bought supplies needed in house.

Zenitsu: "You kidding me?! Oba-san doesn't count, she is over sixty!! I'm healthy, handsome, young man and I prefer cute girls with kind personalities!! And if you ever want to play with your great-grandchild then Yes! This things matter!!"

Jigoro looked unfazed but when he heard mention of him playing with his great-grandchildren he felts something warm in his heart and when he imagine little kid calling him "Grandpa" he swear he felt like he would melt. He suddenly looked at Zenitsu and showed him thumb up.

Jigoro: "Work hard Zenitsu!!"

Zenitsu: "Hai, Gramps!! By the way, where this whole selection will take a place?" - he asked now really courious.

Jigoro: "Ah, it's at the Fujikasane Mountain"

Zenitu: "Hmmm.... Quite a distance I would say."- he clasped his hands and asked Jigoro- "So when it all started?"

Jigoro: "Tomorrow afternoon."

Zenitsu: "What?! It's a day and half distance while walking!! I would have to depart early in the morning to barely make it on time!!" - he looked in disbelieve at his master who only shrug his shoulders.

Jigoro: "You are Demon Slayer who is learning the fastest breath ever created. This small distance should be easy for you, considering distances you made while training even with 50 kilograms of extra weight."

Zenitsu: "Fuck.. And I thought I would have finally some good sleep in comfy bed.. Fuck.." - he mumbled really annoyed.

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Next day at the afternoon, Fujikasane Mountain

Fujikasane Mountain is vere beautiful and breath taking place. Wisteria flowers bloom every season from the mountain's foot to its slope. The area around the mountaintop does not have any Wisteria flowers and is infested with Demons, which were caught alive and placed on the mountain by existing Demon Slayers. Since Wisteria is poisonous to Demons, the Demons remain trapped on the mountain top and cannot leave. It's their prison where sooner or later they will die.

A group of people gathered in front of some kind of stage, where two kids, one with black and other with white hair, stand and were calmly looking at the group while smiling kindly.

???: "Hey can we fucking start already?!" - shouted one of participant with scar on his face and angry look on his face.

White haired one: "Please, remain calm. One of the participants will arrive here in a moment" - responded kid with same facial expression.

???: "Huh!? You kidding me?! We're waiting for some fucker?!! Cut the crap and start already!!!" - young man shouted furiously and started walking in fast steps toward the stage. He suddenly stopped when teen in blue, cloude-pattered jinbei, with red hairs and scar on his forehead blocked his way.

???: "Please, don't make any ruckus here. You should be polite when other side is kind towards you." - he said towards the man looking in his eyes.

???: "Huh?! Are fuc-" he was cut off in mid sentence when behind the group a loud gasp wah heard.

Zenitsu: "O my God!! This stairs are horrible! I barely make it" - he saw that the all attention was on him, which make him little embarrassed- "oh.. Emm.. I.. I sorry for being late. I hope I didn't couse any trouble because of that."

???: "You stupid fu-" - angry man was again stopped mid sentence by surprisingly loud and clear voice.

Black haired kid: "No problem but please, be more punctual in the future. Now that everyone are here, please calm down so we can start the Final selection."