Chapter 116: Roy VS Giyu Tomioka x Beginner? No, Proficient!
The proof is in the pudding. No matter how much others talk him up, when it's time to perform, you have to see the real thing.
Roy wasn't opposed to joining the Demon Slayer Corps. In fact, to kill more demons and collect "Life Energy" after he graduated, he would need the intelligence network the Corps provided.
If Ubuyashiki wanted a show, he'd give him one. Of course... before that...
"Senpai, I have one condition." Roy looked at Giyu Tomioka calmly. "After I join the Demon Slayer Corps, I want access to the list and all available intelligence on every known demon."
Aside from the demons appearing in the original story—the Hand Demon, Swamp Demon, Temari Demon, Arrow Demon, the Spider Family on that mountain led by Lower Moon Five Rui, and the other Upper and Lower Moons—Roy wanted all intelligence the Demon Slayer Corps possessed.
His principle was to leave no stone unturned. Not a single drop of Life Energy could be wasted.
Giyu Tomioka fell silent. Sabito glanced at him, then asked quietly, "What are you planning?"
Makomo, Shinsuke, Fukuda, and all the other disciples looked over, followed by Sakonji Urokodaki, who sensed what was coming. The old man stared intently at Roy.
Roy caressed his training blade and smiled, showing his teeth. "To eradicate evil. To kill every demon I meet. I'm going to kill every last one of them and give the world back its safe nights."
Sakonji thought, 'Just as I expected.'
Sabito, Makomo, and the others exchanged glances, stunned.
Giyu froze, recalling the words "Slay Demons" (惡鬼滅殺) engraved on his own blade. He looked at the boy, a little dazed. Because of his sister, because of Sabito, because of all the tragedies he had witnessed, he too had once had such a thought. But after becoming a true Demon Slayer, Giyu realized just how absurd, how impossible, that idea was.
"It's difficult," Sakonji Urokodaki, the old Water Hashira and a veteran, understood the boy's ambition. But understanding was one thing, reality another. "The demons can't be wiped out. Not unless you kill Muzan Kibutsuji."
Sakonji was right. To become a demon, one only needed to withstand Muzan's blood. The more blood they withstood, the stronger they became. In contrast, to train a mature Demon Slayer capable of fighting an ordinary demon often took years—three, five, even ten.
Of course... "Eiichiro, it's good that you have this resolve," Sakonji added, worried he had dampened the boy's spirits.
Roy sipped his tea, saying nothing. He knew the real problem: they just weren't killing fast enough. If he slaughtered Muzan's most trusted Upper Moons, Roy refused to believe the demon king wouldn't start to panic.
"I can't make that decision," Giyu Tomioka replied honestly. "When I return, I will petition the Master. I will do my absolute best to make this happen for you."
"Your word is enough, senpai." Roy stood up. Power, ultimately, had to be earned through strength. He held his training blade, gave it a flourish, and smiled at Giyu. "No time like the present. After you, senpai."
Giyu Tomioka gave him a deep look, stood, gripped his Nichirin Blade, and pushed open the door, heading deep into Sagiri Mountain.
Whoosh! A ghostly wind followed. Shinsuke and Fukuda called back, "Eiichiro, hurry up! We'll be waiting at the usual spot!"
Roy smiled, turning to Sakonji Urokodaki. "Master, are you coming?"
"I'll stay here." The old Water Hashira drank his tea and picked up his carving knife. "I will wait for you both here." He went outside, sat on the tree stump, and began carving a mask. He was getting old, his eyes were blurring. He worried he wouldn't be able to finish in time to send his disciples off. 'I must at least finish this before Eiichiro leaves for the Final Selection.' Sakonji thought silently.
"Let's go," Sabito said, clapping Roy on the back. "We'll let Makomo stay and keep Master company."
"No, I'm watching too!" Makomo zipped past them, not looking back. "I'll come back after!"
Sabito: "..." He shook his head helplessly. This time, Roy clapped him on the back. "Don't worry. It'll be quick."
Sabito: "?" He looked at the boy seriously. Roy just tightened his grip on his sword, said nothing more, and walked away, looking completely serious.
"Honestly... this family..." The fox-masked boy flew after him.
Ten minutes later, on opposite banks of the waterfall, Roy and Giyu Tomioka stood on two large green rocks, facing each other.
Whoosh! Shinsuke, Fukuda, and the others found perches in the trees. Sabito arrived last, drifting on the wind, landing on the tip of a birch branch beside Makomo.
Just then, Giyu Tomioka spoke: "I heard you haven't learned a Breathing Style yet. To be fair, I won't use mine either." This "test" wasn't a life-or-death battle. Giyu didn't want to bully Roy with superior techniques. However...
"That was two days ago," Roy said, slowly drawing his training blade. He stroked the blade, his eyes fixed on Giyu. "Master taught me yesterday. Please, senpai, use your full strength. Don't hold back."
Giyu looked at the boy, surprised, then glanced at Sabito. Sabito nodded, still sounding incredulous. "It's true. Master taught him yesterday."
So, it wasn't that Master's letter was vague... it's that this new junior brother of mine changes daily, progressing too fast for a letter to keep up? Giyu suddenly remembered the detailed training log Sakonji had attached. His expression turned grave, and he slowly drew his Nichirin Blade. Clang. The sound of the blade sliding from the scabbard was crisp. The four characters "Slay Demons" (惡鬼滅殺) glinted with a cold light.
He spoke succinctly. "Good."
His gaze met Roy's. The boy attacked first with a flying slash. It instantly crossed the river valley, aiming straight for his chest! The valley was nearly thirty meters wide!
Giyu's pupils constricted. 'I thought the report said ten meters!' He was now certain: his guess was correct. In the time since Master wrote that letter, his little junior brother had improved again. A thirty-meter slash... truly astonishing!
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
Splash! Water erupted. Giyu's waist led his hand, his hand led his blade, the blade guided the water. He slashed horizontally, striking the center of the aura-slash, parrying it, and deflecting it harmlessly into the sky.
In that brief opening, his ears twitched. He heard the sound of someone running on water. He snapped his head to the side. Roy, using 'Shadow Step', had crossed the river and was attacking with the exact same "Water Surface Slash," aimed at his heart. The swordplay was fluid, practiced, showing no hint of a beginner. This didn't look like someone who had just learned it yesterday.
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