(Extra chapter)
I published the chapter before reaching the issue because I'm busy, so please continue to support me with energy stones.
300 Energy Stones - New Bonus Chapter
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Kiyokawa Izumi often worried because he wasn't special enough.
No joke,
he really couldn't push a giant boulder.
He really had no way to jump higher than a tree.
Thinking about how he might be insta-killed even with his Sharingan active felt strangely comical, but he wouldn't laugh out loud in front of the Master—that would be far too rude.
Facing Ubuyashiki Kagaya's inquiry, someone with low emotional intelligence would say directly: "Sorry, I'm too weak and don't fit in with the Nine Hashira."
Kiyokawa Izumi, possessing average emotional intelligence, said this instead.
"I am not as good as the Flame Hashira."
"Nor am I as good as the Insect Hashira."
Kiyokawa Izumi spoke softly, but his words came to an abrupt halt before he could finish.
Because those were the only two Hashira he had ever met.
Continuing further would be inappropriate.
In his mind, Kiyokawa Izumi thought: I am not as good as the Water Hashira, and though he has a knot in his heart, his excellence is beyond doubt.
Nor as good as the Mist Hashira, who is so young yet possesses extraordinary talent and unimaginable potential; he was still quite young during the Final Battle, and if he were given another ten years, how strong would he have become?
Nor as good as the Stone Hashira, who stands firm like a mountain with palms pressed together; his tall and brawny physique always brings a sense of security to everyone, and he is recognized as the strongest of the Nine Hashira.
Whether it was the battle against upper rank one Kokushibou or the final confrontation with Muzan, his performance was absolutely brilliant.
Transparent World, Demon Slayer Mark, and Scarlet Blade—he had mastered them all by the time of the Final Battle.
Compared to these Hashira, what was he, Kiyokawa Izumi?
Others thought about defeating Muzan, while he was thinking about how to deal with Douma; the gap between them was simply too large.
"Do not belittle yourself. In my eyes, you are also an excellent swordsman with infinite possibilities in your future."
"There might be a misunderstanding..."
Kiyokawa Izumi hesitated.
Because he knew very well why the Master thought he was excellent.
Not long after passing the Final Selection—less than half a year, not even three months—he was already able to slay lower rank six.
Even if it was one that had just been promoted and hadn't mastered its Blood Demon Art yet.
Still, his improvement was rapid.
It was as if he were another Muichiro.
But there was a misunderstanding here.
Kiyokawa Izumi had taken plenty of shortcuts along the way.
Muichiro was the true Genius; he picked up a sword for the first time while suffering from amnesia and became a Hashira shortly after.
He, on the other hand, had the foundation laid by the original owner of this body and relied on these eyes to imitate everything.
How could he be qualified to be called a Genius?
"Do you have some concerns?" Although Ubuyashiki Kagaya was blind, he still smiled at him.
I do have concerns!
He felt his strength was insufficient and that he was unfit for the role.
"Cough—"
Unable to hold it back, he coughed lightly again.
Kiyokawa Izumi suddenly looked up and spoke very seriously.
"If I become a Hashira, can we make some adjustments to next year's Selection?"
"Regarding the Final Selection, there are some things I really need to get off my chest."
"When I participated in the Final Selection, I encountered a demon from the Meiji era that was captured by the Former Water Hashira in his youth; it was older than my father.
Surviving for so many years, through Selection after Selection, the number of people it has eaten is nearly fifty, many of whom were talented young people."
Kiyokawa Izumi's expression was calm, but he was truly daring enough to say anything—this guy had harbored strong opinions about the Final Selection for a long time.
It wasn't because he had almost died during the Final Selection.
It was because such a Selection method was unreasonable!
It was cruel and a waste of talent.
Perhaps some might think: if it weren't so cruel, would the selected swordsmen really have the ability to deal with demons?
If unqualified swordsmen who had never seen such brutality were selected, wouldn't they just die at the hands of a demon during their first mission?
Wouldn't the casualty rate of the first few missions be ridiculously high?
These problems were all possible.
But it's undeniable that the Final Selection is too primitive and cruel. Many talented young people die just like that; some of them, if not becoming Hashira, could at least become the mainstays of the Demon Slayer Corps, right?
And others, who might indeed lack combat talent, could still join the logistics department and become members of the Kakushi.
"Not only that, but I also believe there are major issues with the Demon Slayer Corps' follow-up training for swordsmen who pass the Selection.
Perhaps due to a lack of manpower or other reasons, the swordsmen who pass are basically left to their own devices.
No one tells them how to improve their strength, no one teaches them, and no one trains them.
Over time, only a few swordsmen with good talent can stand out."
"I know about the Successor system, and it's quite good, but couldn't it be done better?
For example, if experienced swordsmen summarized their own experiences, could that knowledge be of great help to new swordsmen?
Or, adopt a mentor-apprentice model where high-Rank swordsmen lead newcomers for a period to pass on their experience.
And organize regular training. The current Hashira might not have time, but what about those who have already retired?"
Former Water Hashira, Former Flame Hashira—aren't the first two also Trainers? It shouldn't be difficult for them to come to the Headquarters and guide the training of the Official Members, right?
And then there's a certain decadent middle-aged man who slacks off every day; it would be better to drag him out and put him to use.
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