Chapter 7

(POV 3rd Person)

Four days have passed since Zenitsu killed those two Demons. He was now strolling around the forest, walking down by the paths that animals created. Why? Because he doesn't know what to do with himself.

It was a few hours after midday. The trees and plants were bathing in sunlight, with clouds occasionally interrupting their "bath". Zenitsu stopped and directed his face towards the sun, with his eyes closed. He enjoyed the warmth he felt on his face and couldn't help but smile slightly. He started to wonder how it would be if the sun one day would disappear behind the horizon and never come back again? Living in the everlasting darkness, such life would be... Sad.

He shook his head to drive away those thoughts. He resumed walking again, from time to time eating the blueberries he took from the small pouch he made out of the piece of cloth.

Zenitsu: "It's 4 days huh? I wonder, how many will pass? Somehow I feel like that red-haired boy will make it. Along with that pretty girl. And that mad dog... If he's not dead already, may he rest in peace. Hahaha, nah, just kidding. I hope many of them will survive. More Demon Slayers, less Demons."

He started to think about his situation right now. During that four days he met only 7 Demons. He didn't even use his Breath of Thunder as they weren't especially strong. Because of that, a small seed of arrogance started growing inside of him.

About Thunder Breathing, he still couldn't use other Forms except the 1st one, but instead of crying about that, he was training first form as often as he could. Currently he can use Thunder Clap and Flash 8 times in one go. Of course he won't stop on that, no. After he manages to squeeze absolute everything from 1st Form, if he still won't find a way to use other Forms, he'll create new ones, suitable for him. It's not like he didn't know how hard it is to create a new Form, but if there are people who can invent whole new Breathes, creating a Form shouldn't be more difficult than that.

Zenitsu wasn't satisfied with his abilities, not in the slightest. He beated Jigoro only once in their duel, just once since they met. Zenitsu knew that his teacher was a former Hashira (a Pillar) and not just a normal one, he was considered to be the strongest Demon Slayer in his times, The Roaring Hashira. And now, even when he is in advanced age and without a leg, Zenitsu still won only once. If someone who was once hailed as a Hashira is so strong despite his condition, then current Pillars in their prime are leagues above him.

Sighing helplessly at the thought of how long way he has to travel to become powerful, he started walking back to his camp. He has been awake since the dusk of the previous day so he wants to sleep while the sun is up.

°×°×°×°×°×°×°×°

Zenitsu: "Still nothing interesting happened. Damn, I should have joined that group I met earlier, I would have at least someone to talk with. Haaah..."

It was already dark. The sun disappeared from the sky a few hours ago, giving its place to the moon. Like Zenitsu said, he met a group of 4 Demon Slayers in the making and they offered him to join them, but Zenitsu refused saying that the big group would attract more attention so it's safer for him and them if they stay separated. Now he felt like he should have agreed back then.

'But what was that with that rumor? Someone is asking a Demons for a cure? I wonder who's that crazy man...'

Apparently, not only the group he met earlier, but participants who were walking alone said something similar when Zenitsu talked with them. First thought he had was that maybe someone went senile, but later he didn't paid much attention to this. 'In the end someone may have his reasons? Or he's really crazy...'

Zenitsu flinched suddenly and snapped his head towards the West. He stopped in his tracks and placed his hand on the handle of the sword, taking an iaido stance. He warily looked in front of him, focusing his hearing sense toward West. Just a moment ago he heard something from that direction, a Demon.

'It's a strong one... His vibes are much more clear and violent compared to the others. But there's something else... An animal? No... A human!'

Zenitsu dashed ahead, running towards noises. The sounds of the fight intensified the closer he got, they became much clearer.

'Huh? Another human?'

Just several meters from the fight, he almost bumped into someone. In the last second he stepped aside, avoiding the running boy who tripped over his own legs. Boy slowly turned his face, with an expression filled with terror and eyes with tears.

When the boy noticed that Zenitsu wasn't a Demon, he quickly stood up and said in a low, shaky voice.

Boy: "W-what are you doing here?! Hurry up a-and run! That guy won't last long!"

He didn't even look back again as he started running deep into the forest, as far from the fight as possible. Zenitsu narrowed his eyes at the running boy, 'Didn't he save you a moment ago?'.

*Bam!*

Sudden noise brought him back to reality. He walked towards one of the trees and took a closer look at the empty space where battle was occurring. Seeing a Demon, Zenitsu's eyes opened slightly wider. He never saw such a huge Demon! And disgusting as well. It looked like his whole body, except head, composed of arms, many arms.

On the other hand, the candidate for Demon Slayer who was facing that abomination wasn't a stranger to Zenitsu. It was the same red-head boy who exchanged few words at the very beginning of the Final Selection. His cloud patterned haori was dirty and ragged in some places. Also his forehead was bleeding, almost matching the color of his hair. The longer Zenitsu listened to their fight, the better he understood what was going on. It was obviously a personal matter.

'That would explain vicious vibes from Demon and anger from red-head. The Demon isn't a newbie either, his attacks are unpredictable and he's taking advantage of his longer reach. But the guy isn't worse, he's moves are nimble and he is firmly holding his ground.'

Demon was strong, really strong, his physical power was not to be underestimated. But at the very moment that thought passed through Zenitsu's mind, something unbelievable happened.

Zenitsu: "The hell is he doing?!"

_________________________

(POV Tanjiro)

Damn! No matter how many times I cut, his arms always regrow!

Demon: "You can't defeat me like that, hehehehehe."

Tch! I can't leave it like that! I can't let him go! I only need a Thread to appear, only then I have a chance!

*Swish*

*Plak*

I sewered another hand. But it's futile, they will regenerate. I need to go for his head. I need to get closer! Before more lives get sacrificed, I have to bring him down now! My hands gripped the sword's handle tighter.

I dashed forward, avoiding and cutting every attack. A bit more! With every step I'm closer! Huh? What is it? This scent... It's from below! I immediately jumped high in the air, barely avoiding a few arms coming from the ground.

He almost got me! Focus! I need to focus! Suddenly I felt something approaching from the front. Another attack! I can't avoid the air, I won't cut it in time either!

My body started moving on its own. I took a swing with my head at the incoming arm. Just when my head almost touched Demons arm, a yellow light flashed in front of me. I thought it was only my imagination, but Demon's arm that was about to smash my head a second ago, started falling towards the ground, cleanly sliced in two.

*Boom!*

Suddenly a loud thunder-like sound spread across the area, stunning me momentarily. The Demon seems surprised as well!

What happened? What was that?? Lightning?!

???: "Stop dozing off! Go for it!"

Familiar voice entered my ears, snapping me back to reality. That's right! I have a chance!

Holding my sword even stronger, I used the still stretched out arm of the Demon to run towards his head. He realized what's happening, but I'm too close now.

Suddenly, I noticed it, a Thread appeared! It's my chance!

Tanjiro: "Total Concentration. Breath of Water, First Form- Water Surface Slash!!!"

*Swish!*

I did it! I slashed through his neck!

________________________

(POV 3rd Person)

Zenitsu: "It looks like it's over."

Zenitsu looked at the slowly disappearing body of the Demon, looking at the fading ashes. He shoved the rest of his blade inside the sheath and sighed while walking towards red-haired. Mentioned person realized that someone was coming towards him and quickly turned toward Zenitsu.

Zenitsu: "Wow, It seems like you took down "the King of The Mountain", haha. What was that a moment ago? You tried to headbut a Demon?? You are crazy! Hahaha."

Tanjiro: "It was you who helped me? Oh, it's you! We met at the beginning of the Selection. " Zenitsu nodded, trying to find something in his pockets. "I'm truly thankful for what you did! My name is Kamado Tanjiro, nice to meet you."

Zenitsu: "Agatsuma Zenitsu, you can call me Zenitsu, nice to meet you too. Ah, here it is, take it."

Tanjiro: "Huh?" He took a piece of seemingly clean cloth from Zenitsu's hand, clearly clueless what was going on. Then he noticed him gesturing at the front of his head.

Zenitsu: "Your forehead is bleeding. Put it to the wound for now and clean the wound later."

Tanjiro: "Oh! Thank you!" He bowed in gratitude and pressed his wound with temporary dressing. "I didn't notice."

Yellow haired boy nodded in response and took a look around. The place of the recent battle was devastated.

Zenitsu: "You should rest, I hear your breathing is unnaturally uneven and the side of your body must hurt as well. By the way, are you using Water Breathing? You move nimble and swift, I saw how you avoided those attacks!" Zenitsu asked quite curiously, it was his first time seeing someone using one of the Big Five, as he used to call Five Main Breathe Styles.

Tanjiro: "Yes and thank you, to be honest I was really nervous. If it wasn't for you I don't know if I would succeed. Thank you once more." Both started walking among the trees, with Tanjiro walking beside Zenitsu.

Zenitsu: "Nah, you probably would. I feel you would pull out something. I only moved on instinct. Oh, I'm a Breath of Thunder user." 'He is a really nice guy. He gives off kind vibes.' He thought with a smile.

Tanjiro: "So that flash and 'Boom!' was yours? That was amazing! Urokodaki-sensei told me that Breath of Thunder is the fastest of them all! I didn't even notice what happened until that thunder struck."

Zenitsu: "Yaaaa~ I'm blushing! But I don't think..."

Both of them were chatting for some time until they decided to part their ways. Tanjiro left saying that he looks forward to the end of the Selection and he hopes to meet him again. Zenitsu said the same and wished him good luck saying he has to give him back that cloth so he better not die.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, without anything interesting happening. The Final Selection has come to an end.