Demon Slayer: My breathing technique went awry after Nezuko pushed me down.

On this day, Tanjiro finally figured out his own unique killing move during his battle with Sabito.

The line of weakness!

Listen to the sound of huge rocks collapsing on the mountaintop.

Urokodaki Sakonji, who was sitting cross-legged in the small storeroom, opened his eyes, which were filled with both relief and reluctance.

it's time!

Chapter 19 Three days later, the final selection!

Two figures walked down the mountain path, one after the other.

Tanjiro's face still had the flush of excitement from splitting the boulder, but he looked more exhausted.

Two years of intense training erupted at that moment, only to quickly subside, leaving behind aches and pains all over the body.

"I'm starving..." Tanjiro muttered to himself, rubbing his stomach. "I think I can smell food."

Shirakawa Yu: "Don't look at me, it's your turn to cook today."

Tanjiro pointed at the hut, "No, brother, I meant Master!"

Shirakawa Yu then carefully sniffed, and sure enough...

A faint fragrance wafted from the direction of their hut.

The broth is savory, mixed with the charred aroma of grilled food, and the slightly complex flavor of the sauce.

The two exchanged a glance and quickened their pace without prior arrangement.

The moment the wooden door was pushed open, a wave of heat and fragrance rushed towards you.

Tanjiro was stunned.

Inside the house, the stove was burning brightly.

A large pot sat atop the fire, its milky-white broth bubbling and churning. Beside it, on a small charcoal stove, several golden-brown, crispy fish glistened enticingly.

The table was filled with ingredients: bright green wild vegetables, plump mushrooms, tender white tofu, neatly cut radishes, and even two small dishes of fresh meat slices.

Urokodaki sat by the fireplace, his tengu mask placed aside, revealing his deliberately serious yet unusually gentle face.

He looked up when he heard the door open.

"Success?"

"It's a success!" Tanjiro immediately stood up straight and nodded vigorously.

"I...I split it! Master! I split that rock!"

Urokodaki's gaze lingered on his face for a moment before turning to Shirakawa Yu.

Shirakawa Yu raised his hand with a grin: "I can vouch for you, it cuts perfectly in two, smooth as a mirror!"

Urokodaki remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, he nodded slightly.

"...Tanjiro, you did a great job."

Tanjiro stood there somewhat awkwardly; in two years, he hadn't received much praise.

Shirakawa Yu then patted Tanjiro on the shoulder to help him relax.

“Now that you have split the stone,” Urokodaki said slowly, “then... both of you are qualified to participate in the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps.”

Tanjiro's eyes widened instantly, and he held his breath.

Shirakawa Yu raised an eyebrow, his expression showing no surprise.

"The selection will take place in three days," Urokodaki continued. "The location is Mount Fujikasa. I will tell you the specific route."

He beckoned the two of them to sit down, his voice softening slightly.

"Let's eat first."

"Hehe~ hot pot."

Bai Chuanyu had already taken off her shoes and entered the house, her eyes sparkling. "There's grilled fish too! Master, you've finally decided to show off your skills today!"

"Stop talking nonsense and wash your hands." Linlong pointed to the basin of water in the corner of the room. "Sit down and eat."

"Yes!" Tanjiro nodded vigorously, his eyes slightly red.

The two quickly washed their hands and sat down by the fire.

The warmth and aroma enveloped them, dispelling the chill of the mountains and the fatigue of training.

"I'm starting!" Tanjiro clasped his hands together, his voice so loud it almost lifted the roof off.

Shirakawa Yu had already picked up a grilled fish and taken a bite: "Five ants!!!"

"Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the chef's skills are amazing!"

"Delicious!" Tanjiro's cheeks were bulging as he ate, his eyes shining with happiness. "This grilled fish is so delicious!"

"Master's skills are a hidden talent," Bai Chuanyu mumbled, munching on a grilled fish.

"For the first eight months, I really wanted to learn, but I burned it five times in the end!"

Urokodaki snorted: "That's because you're stupid."

"Yes, yes, I'm clumsy, I'm clumsy," Shirakawa Yu replied with a grin, placing a piece of tofu on Tanjiro's plate.

"Brother-in-law, eat more to nourish your brain and try not to hold us back during the selection process."

"I won't hold you back!" Tanjiro immediately retorted, but still honestly ate the tofu.

As a result, it was so hot that it was "stirred up" twice in my mouth.

Urokodaki watched the two wolf down their food, then picked up a soup spoon and ladled a spoonful of hot soup into each of their bowls.

"Eat slowly, there's plenty more."

The warm broth, fresh, fragrant, and rich, warms you all the way to your stomach.

Tanjiro took a big gulp and let out a long sigh of relief: "I'm alive again..."

Steam rose from the pot, and the aroma of the food and the warm atmosphere made the little house feel especially cozy.

Tanjiro described his feelings at the moment he split the stone, while Shirakawa Yu occasionally chimed in with teasing remarks. Urokodaki mostly listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

At this moment, there are no ghosts, no rare blood, no heavy fate.

Only the master and his two apprentices sat around the steaming hot pot, like the most ordinary family members.

As dinner was drawing to a close, Urokodaki put down his chopsticks, got up, and walked toward the cupboard.

A moment later, he turned around with two things in his hand.

Those were two fox masks.

One has a sun painted on its forehead, while the other has smiling, squinting eyes.

Tanjiro's eyes were immediately drawn to it.

"This is..." he asked softly.

"A protective mask." Urokodaki handed the Sun Fox Mask to Tanjiro. "I've put a spell on it to protect you from misfortune."

Tanjiro carefully accepted it, holding it in both hands, his crimson eyes filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Master!"

Urokodaki nodded, then picked up the squinty-eyed mask and turned to Shirakawa Yu.

"Here, take this."

"Master, I don't need it."

Shirakawa Yu suddenly spoke, interrupting Urokodaki.

Urokodaki's hand froze in mid-air, somewhat taken aback.

Tanjiro looked at Shirakawa Hajime with a puzzled expression.

Bai Chuanyu smiled, reached into his robes, and slowly pulled out something.

That was also a fox mask.

But it's different from the two that Urokodaki has—

On the left side of the mask, two delicate blue flowers are carved, adding a touch of liveliness and gentleness to the originally smiling fox face.

This is!!!

Urokodaki's pupils suddenly contracted.

He recognized the mask.

I recognize him too well.

—That's Makomo's mask.

Chapter 20 will ensure you never lose another disciple!

[Three days ago, at the summit of Saguri Mountain]

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the ground.

Shirakawa Yu sat cross-legged, with a slender black-haired girl nestled beside him.

Makomo tilted her head, her light green eyes full of curiosity: "Shirakawa-kun, you seem... preoccupied today?"

Shirakawa Yu poked Makomo's forehead. "Silly girl, how many times have I told you? My surname isn't Shirakawa, it's Shiro."

Makomo stuck out her tongue. "Okay~ then, Kawaba-kun, can you tell me what you're thinking?"

Upon hearing this, Shirakawa Yu did not laugh as usual.

He stared at Makomo quietly for a long time, so long that Makomo began to nervously twist her fingers.

“Makomo,” he finally spoke, his voice soft, “would you… stay by my side for the rest of your life?”

Makomo was stunned.