The morning in Obanai Iguro's mansion arrived quietly.
No flashy sunrise, no energetic crows — just a still, cool air that smelled like old wood and rain.
Tanjiro stood outside stretching, yawning softly. Jinwoo leaned against a pillar, eyes half-closed, listening to the wind.
Obanai sat across the courtyard, sharpening his sword with small, precise motions.
Not once did his eyes look away from them.
It wasn't hostility — it was observation.
Like a serpent studying two newcomers in its territory.
Kaburamaru lifted its head on Obanai's shoulder and stared at Jinwoo with unblinking eyes.
Tanjiro noticed first.
"Uh… g-good morning, Iguro-san!"
Obanai didn't answer immediately. He finished sharpening one last stroke, wiped his blade, then stood.
"Breakfast is over. Training begins."
The cold tone was not meant to be rude.
Obanai simply did not waste words.
Tanjiro bowed quickly and followed. Jinwoo walked behind him silently.
There was no funny moment.
No excitement.
Just pressure — like stepping into deep water.
---
🐍 SERPENT FOOTWORK — THE FIRST TRIAL
Obanai pointed to a narrow zig-zag path drawn on the dirt.
"This is Serpent Footwork. Demon Slayers must move unpredictably — fluid yet sharp.
You'll repeat until your body memorizes it."
Tanjiro nodded. Jinwoo examined the pattern carefully.
Obanai demonstrated once.
His body twisted and flowed — like he didn't step on the ground, but around it.
It wasn't beautiful like Mitsuri's dance.
It was precise. Controlled. Deadly.
Tanjiro swallowed. "That looks… really difficult."
Obanai: "Watch closely. Then try."
Tanjiro went first.
He stumbled on the third turn.
Not because he was weak — but because he hesitated.
Obanai didn't yell. Didn't insult.
He simply said: "You're thinking too much."
Tanjiro reset and tried again, repeating the pattern over and over.
Every mistake made him pant harder — but Obanai's tone remained level.
"You are improving. Keep going."
Jinwoo's turn came after.
He stepped onto the pattern — calm, steady.
But on the second turn he stopped himself.
He could have copied it easily.
But his body didn't move the same way as Obanai's.
Jinwoo slowly tried again — slower this time, studying each movement.
He wasn't trying to copy Obanai.
He was trying to understand Obanai.
After the fifth attempt, Obanai finally spoke:
"You don't imitate — you analyze."
Jinwoo didn't deny it.
Obanai wasn't angry — he was interested.
Because someone who thinks differently is more unpredictable than someone who is strong.
---
Obanai called for a brief rest. Demon slayers collapsed to the ground.
Tanjiro sat down breathing heavily, sweat dripping.
Jinwoo sat beside him, quiet as always.
Obanai stood nearby, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable.
Tanjiro forced a smile.
"Iguro-san… you're actually really good at teaching."
Obanai paused — almost confused.
Then he looked away. "…That is normal. Improving others makes the Corps stronger."
It was stiff, not because he was cold — because he wasn't used to compliments.
Tanjiro nodded with genuine warmth.
"And we're grateful."
For the first time, Obanai looked at Tanjiro like… maybe he wasn't so bad.
Jinwoo spoke next, voice low: "You care very deeply about everyone in the Corps. Even if you don't show it."
Obanai didn't move for a second.
Then his eyes narrowed — not angry, but defensive.
"You read too much."
Jinwoo didn't reply, and silence settled again — not awkward, but thoughtful.
No one rushed to the next scene.
The moment was allowed to breathe.
---
⚔️ SPARRING
Obanai finally stepped forward.
"Next is sparring. One rule — neither of you use your Breathing techniques.
No superhuman skills. No tricks.
Just pure swordsmanship."
Tanjiro froze.
"S-simply swinging? Without breathing… it's like cutting air with no edge…"
Obanai nodded once. "You rely on your techniques too much. If your breathing fails in battle — you die."
Jinwoo stared at his own hands.
No mana. No strength boosts. No monstrous fists.
Just a sword.
It felt almost foreign.
Obanai pointed to Tanjiro first. "You and I will spar."
Tanjiro panicked internally — not because he feared Obanai's strength, but because he didn't want to disappoint him.
He gripped his sword and bowed. "I'll do my best."
The duel began.
It wasn't flashy.
No sparks.
No explosions.
It was tense, technical, and exhausting.
Tanjiro lost repeatedly — but every time, he stood again.
Not crying. Not frustrated.
Growing.
Obanai noticed.
"You have strong spirit. When technique fails, your heart carries you."
Tanjiro gasped, eyes widening — because it was the closest thing Obanai had given to praise.
Then it was Jinwoo's turn.
He stepped forward silently, wooden sword in hand.
Obanai didn't attack first.
He waited.
Jinwoo didn't move.
The silence between them stretched — two predators watching for the slightest motion.
Then—
Tap.
Jinwoo struck first — fast yet controlled.
Obanai blocked with almost no effort.
Then they moved.
Not wild.
Not flashy.
Clean.
Each step calculated, each breath measured.
For the first time since his arrival in the Demon Slayer world… Jinwoo was not overpowering anyone.
He was learning.
And he liked it.
Obanai finally disarmed him with a sharp twist — but didn't humiliate him.
He simply said: "You adapt faster than anyone I've seen."
Jinwoo exhaled — not in exhaustion, but in satisfaction.
> [Training Complete — Hashira Progress: 4/7]
Reward Granted: 560,000 XP
LEVEL UP!
Current Level: 135→ 138
---
🌙 NIGHT — TALK WITHOUT RUSH
After dinner, everyone rested.
Tanjiro and Jinwoo sat outside again — same balcony, same moonlight.
Tanjiro spoke softly: "You know… I feel like Iguro-san isn't a bad person at all."
Jinwoo nodded. "No. He's strict because he wants people to survive."
Tanjiro smiled. "And you… You've changed a little, Jinwoo san."
"You're enjoying this. Training. Learning. Being around people."
Jinwoo didn't answer — but he didn't deny it either.
He looked up at the moon.
"People always called me a monster… even after I became strong.
But here… no one fears me. They just treat me like a person."
Tanjiro rested his hand on Jinwoo's shoulder.
"That's because you are."
Jinwoo closed his eyes for a moment — letting the words stay inside him.
No rush.
No big scene.
Just a quiet moment that mattered.
---
🐍 OBSERVING FROM THE SHADOW
Behind the paper door, Obanai stood quietly.
He wasn't spying — he just happened to be passing by.
He overheard Tanjiro and Jinwoo.
For a moment, a tiny smile formed under his bandages — but only for a second.
Kaburamaru nudged his cheek, sensing his softened heart.
Obanai whispered — barely audible: "Tanjiro… Jinwoo san… don't die."
Because losing strong comrades…
To be continued...
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