30 Minutes Later
After days of travel, Akira and Shinobu finally arrived at Fujikasaneyama, the infamous mountain where the Final Selection for the Demon Slayer Corps would take place. The air was thick with tension as aspiring slayers gathered at the base of the mountain. The forest ahead loomed large and menacing, its trees twisting like claws of demons waiting to ensnare the weak.
Akira glanced over at Shinobu, who was studying their surroundings. The slight breeze stirred her raven hair, and her deep, violet eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Akira, what do you think the test will be like?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with anxiety.
Akira smirked. "Surviving in a demon-infested forest for seven days sounds about right," he replied, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. His brow furrowed slightly when he saw only one person he recognized from his past life. 'Just one. The rest are all cannon fodder,' he thought to himself.
His eyes flickered back to Shinobu, noticing her slightly worried expression. He softened. "Don't worry. I'll stick with you the whole time."
Before Shinobu could respond, a figure stepped to the front of the gathering crowd, his presence silencing everyone. The man wore a stoic expression, his eyes hardened from years of battle.
"Welcome, aspiring Demon Slayers," the man began, his voice deep and authoritative. "Your task is simple: survive in this forest for seven days. There will be no food, no water, and you will face countless demons. If anyone wishes to back out, now is your chance."
At his words, several participants exchanged nervous glances before retreating, leaving the crowd nearly halved. Akira watched them leave, sighing softly. 'Good riddance. They were never going to make it anyway.'
"Well," Akira said with a grin, turning to Shinobu, "looks like it's time to start. Do you want to stick with me?"
Shinobu smiled, her tension easing slightly. "Of course, Akira. I trust you."
"Then let's go."
The moment the instructor shouted, "Begin!" Akira grabbed Shinobu's hand, and together they darted into the dense forest.
In the Forest
The towering trees loomed over them as they ventured deeper into the forest, their twisted branches casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. Akira's sharp senses were on full alert, anticipating the dangers lurking around them.
"Seems like the outskirts are too quiet," Akira muttered, his gaze darting to every corner.
As they ventured deeper, Akira felt a demonic presence closing in on them. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, and he prepared for the inevitable attack.
Without warning, a demon sprang from the underbrush, claws extended toward Shinobu. In a graceful display of agility, Shinobu dodged the attack effortlessly, her movements light as air, as if she were dancing through the demon's strikes. Akira watched from a distance, his eyes glinting with admiration for her speed and precision.
'She's quick, but she's taking too long with this one,' Akira thought, watching as Shinobu weaved through the demon's attacks.
After a few moments, he called out teasingly, "Need any help?"
Shinobu shot him a defiant look, refusing to ask for assistance. But in the midst of her next movement, she slipped slightly on a hidden rock. In that brief moment, her balance faltered. Just before she could fall, Akira was at her side, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground.
He held her close in a gentle, protective embrace, her small frame fitting perfectly in his arms. She blinked up at him, surprised by how fast he had reacted.
"Are you alright?" Akira asked softly, his face close to hers. His voice carried genuine concern, but also a hint of playfulness as he leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.
Shinobu's face flushed with embarrassment and something more. She quickly pouted, trying to cover her emotions. "You're just trying to take advantage of me," she muttered, but her voice held no anger, only flustered affection.
Akira chuckled softly, releasing her gently and turning to face the demon. It was now charging at them, its grotesque figure screeching as it prepared another attack. Without hesitation, Akira unsheathed his sword, preparing to unleash his power.
"Sun Breathing: First Form—Dance of the Fire God!" Akira roared, his sword igniting with the brilliant flames of the sun. With a single, swift strike, the demon was cleaved in two, its body disintegrating into ash before it could even scream.
The fiery blade lit up the surrounding trees, the sheer heat and power of Akira's strike leaving the forest momentarily silent. As the ash faded into the air, Akira sheathed his sword, his gaze returning to Shinobu.
"Hungry?" he asked with a smirk, his voice casual as if he hadn't just incinerated a demon.
Shinobu, still slightly flustered from their earlier encounter, nodded, her cheeks still tinged with pink. "A little…"
Akira smiled and mentally called out to his system. 'System, buy me two healthy bentos.'
In an instant, two neatly packaged bento boxes appeared in his hands. He handed one to Shinobu, who had long since grown accustomed to his bizarre but useful abilities. She accepted the meal with a soft smile, grateful for the moment of peace.
They sat together in the forest, eating quietly, the tension from the battle slowly fading. The surrounding woods were calm for the time being, though Akira's senses never fully relaxed.
Later That Night
As the sky darkened and the moon rose high, casting a pale glow over the forest, Akira decided it was time to rest. He raised a protective barrier around their small camp, one that would keep out any lurking demons.
"Shinobu, you should rest," he said gently, pulling a soft bed and pillow from his inventory. "I'll keep watch."
Shinobu, her body weary from the day's events, nodded and lay down on the bed. "Thank you, Akira," she whispered, her eyes closing as sleep quickly overtook her.
Akira sat by her side, watching her peaceful expression as she slept. He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her forehead. "I'll protect you, no matter what," he whispered, his voice filled with resolve.
Once he was sure Shinobu was fast asleep, Akira quietly rose and stepped out of the barrier. He had sensed another familiar presence deeper in the forest—a person he knew would be important for the future.
In the Depths of the Forest
Akira moved swiftly through the forest, his senses sharp and focused. Suddenly, he felt the presence of five demons closing in on him from all sides, their bloodlust palpable. With a calm yet deadly expression, he drew his sword once again.
"Sun Breathing: Fourth Form—Burning Bones, Summer Sun!"
Akira's blade ignited in a fiery explosion of sunlight as he twirled in place, creating a vortex of scorching flames around him. The five demons charged toward him, but before they could even reach him, their bodies were caught in the blazing inferno. With a series of rapid strikes, Akira cut through each demon's neck, their heads flying off in a brilliant arc of flames.
The demons disintegrated into ash, their bodies consumed by the heat of Akira's Sun Breathing technique. As the ashes settled around him, Akira calmly sheathed his sword, his breathing steady. 'That should buy me some time.'
His mind briefly wandered back to Shinobu. She was safe for now, resting in the protective barrier he had left behind. But he knew the forest held greater dangers, and he would need to return to her side soon.
The Next Morning
The following day, Akira and Shinobu continued their journey through the forest, encountering more demons along the way. Each time a demon appeared, Akira dispatched them with swift and decisive strikes, his Sun Breathing technique scorching the air with its fiery brilliance.
"Sun Breathing: Ninth Form—Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance!" Akira shouted as he obliterated a particularly large demon, his sword leaving behind a trail of flames shaped like a dragon. The demon let out a final, agonized scream before vanishing into a cloud of ash.
Shinobu watched in awe as Akira moved through the forest with the grace and precision of a seasoned warrior. His mastery over Sun Breathing was undeniable, and every battle seemed like a dance—fluid, powerful, and awe-inspiring.
"Akira, you're incredible," Shinobu said softly, her admiration clear in her voice.
Akira smiled at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "I promised I'd protect you, didn't I?"
To Be Continued...