The clash of steel, the sharp crackle of electricity, and the dull thud of fists hitting the ground filled the air as the sparring battles raged on. Gon's fist connected with the ground where Tanjiro had just stood, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. Despite Gon's immense strength, Tanjiro's movements were fluid, calm, and precise—like the water he channeled through his Breathing Techniques.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!" Tanjiro called out, his blade tracing graceful arcs through the air as he weaved through Gon's attacks. His Nichirin Blade moved as though it was part of him, deflecting the force of Gon's strikes while delivering swift counterattacks.
Gon, grinning with excitement, barely felt the sting of Tanjiro's blade as it grazed his arm. The thrill of fighting someone as skilled as Tanjiro only fueled his desire to push himself harder. His aura flared to life, and his eyes narrowed with determination. "You're really strong, Tanjiro!" Gon shouted, his voice full of admiration. "But I won't hold back!"
Without warning, Gon shifted into his next attack. "Jajanken: Scissors!" He formed a blade of nen around his hand, slashing toward Tanjiro with impressive speed.
Tanjiro barely had time to react. His eyes widened as Gon's nen blade closed in on him, but his reflexes kicked in, and he twisted his body just in time to avoid a direct hit. The force of Gon's attack ripped through the air, slicing cleanly through the nearby trees, leaving Tanjiro breathless.
Tanjiro landed lightly on his feet, his heart pounding. He wasn't used to facing opponents who wielded abilities like nen, and Gon's relentless energy was both exhilarating and overwhelming. But he couldn't let himself falter—not with so much at stake.
In the meantime, Killua's battle with Giyu raged on, a blur of lightning and water. Giyu moved like a shadow, his sword flowing effortlessly from one strike to the next. Each of Killua's lightning-fast movements was met with a calm, deliberate counterattack, as Giyu blocked or redirected his strikes with precision.
"You're fast," Giyu said, his voice steady and composed as his blade met Killua's claws. "But speed alone won't win you every fight."
Killua's eyes narrowed as his body crackled with electricity. "Good thing I've got more than just speed," he shot back, disappearing in a flash of lightning and reappearing behind Giyu in an instant.
"Godspeed: Whirlwind!" Killua's attack came in a blinding rush, his claws slashing toward Giyu's back with the power of a storm.
But Giyu wasn't caught off guard. His senses, honed by years of battling demons, were sharp. In one smooth motion, he shifted his body, his blade moving with the grace of flowing water. "Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
Giyu's sword met Killua's claws, and for a moment, the air was filled with the clash of their powers. Lightning crackled against the current of water, and the force of their collision sent a shockwave rippling across the training grounds. Killua gritted his teeth as the impact reverberated through his body, but Giyu remained calm, his expression unreadable.
"You're strong," Giyu said quietly, "but you rely too much on power. You need to control your attacks, not just overwhelm your opponent."
Killua's frustration flared, but he forced himself to stay focused. He had always relied on his speed and raw strength to win fights, but against an opponent like Giyu—someone whose movements were calculated and precise—he realized that brute force wouldn't be enough.
He smirked, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Then I guess I'll have to control myself a little more, won't I?"
Gon and Tanjiro: The Clash Continues
On the other side of the training grounds, Gon and Tanjiro's fight had intensified. Gon, never one to back down from a challenge, had fully unleashed his nen, and the air around him crackled with energy as he pushed forward.
Tanjiro's breathing remained steady, his mind focused on the rhythm of his movements. He had fought demons with overwhelming power before, but Gon's raw strength was different. It wasn't fueled by malice or hunger like a demon's—it was pure determination.
"I can feel your strength, Gon," Tanjiro said, his eyes narrowing as he prepared his next move. "But strength alone won't be enough to protect the people you care about."
Gon's grin widened. "Then I'll get stronger!" he shouted, his voice filled with conviction.
Tanjiro's eyes softened for a moment, and in that instant, he saw a reflection of himself in Gon—someone who would do anything to protect those he loved. But he knew that power had to be tempered with control, or it would consume them both.
"Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought!" Tanjiro's blade cut through the air in a single, graceful arc, aiming for Gon's shoulder. The attack wasn't meant to kill, but to disarm.
But Gon was ready. He leaped into the air, his body spinning as he brought his nen-infused hand down toward Tanjiro. "Jajanken: Paper!" A wave of pure nen shot out from his open palm, surging toward Tanjiro with immense force.
Tanjiro's eyes widened, and for a moment, he felt the full weight of Gon's power bearing down on him. But his mind remained clear. In a swift, practiced motion, he redirected his blade, channeling the force of the attack away from his body.
The impact of Gon's nen collided with the ground, sending shockwaves through the training grounds and causing several nearby demon slayers to stop and stare in awe.
"That kid…" one of the slayers muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. "His strength is unreal."
Rengoku watched the battle with a wide grin on his face, his fiery aura flaring with excitement. "Gon and Killua—those two are incredible! They've got so much potential!"
Tengen Uzui, standing beside Rengoku, crossed his arms, his usual flamboyant grin replaced by a look of quiet appreciation. "They've got flash, that's for sure. But can they keep up with the demons when the real fight starts?"
Rengoku's grin widened. "We'll see soon enough, won't we?"
As the sparring matches continued, both Gon and Killua pushed themselves to their limits, testing their skills against the seasoned Hashira. Sweat poured down their faces, and their bodies ached from the strain, but neither of them showed any signs of giving up.
Killua darted toward Giyu once more, his claws crackling with electricity as he closed the distance between them. But this time, he was more controlled, more focused. His movements were sharper, and he used his speed to create openings rather than simply relying on overwhelming force.
Giyu's eyes gleamed with approval as he parried Killua's strikes, recognizing the improvement. "You're learning quickly," he remarked, his voice steady.
Killua smirked. "Told you I could keep up."
At the same time, Gon and Tanjiro's battle had reached its peak. Both fighters were breathing heavily, their bodies pushed to the edge, but the intensity of the fight only fueled their desire to keep going.
Tanjiro's mind raced as he calculated his next move. Gon's attacks were powerful, but there was a rhythm to them—a pattern that he could exploit. With a deep breath, he centered himself, focusing all of his energy on the next strike.
Gon, sensing the shift in Tanjiro's stance, grinned. He could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of the next clash, and his heart raced with excitement.
Without warning, both fighters moved at the same time. Tanjiro's blade flashed through the air, his Water Breathing technique flowing with deadly precision, while Gon's nen surged around him, his fists ready to deliver one final blow.
The impact of their attacks sent shockwaves through the training grounds, and for a moment, the air was filled with the crackle of energy and the roar of power.
But then, as the dust settled, both Gon and Tanjiro stepped back, panting heavily but smiling.
"That was incredible!" Gon exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "You're amazing, Tanjiro!"
Tanjiro smiled, though his chest rose and fell with exhaustion. "You're strong too, Gon. I've never fought anyone like you before."
Killua, his battle with Giyu finished, walked over to join them, his usual smirk firmly in place. "Not bad, Gon. Looks like you didn't blow up the training grounds this time."
Gon laughed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Yeah, I guess I'm getting better at controlling my nen."
Rengoku and the other Hashira approached the group, their expressions filled with approval. "You've done well today," Rengoku said, his voice booming with pride. "But remember, this was just a test. The real fight is yet to come."
Giyu nodded, his gaze shifting to Gon and Killua. "You've shown great potential. But the Upper Moons… they're beyond anything you've faced."
Tengen crossed his arms, his expression serious. "When the time comes, you'll need more than just raw power. You'll need to fight as a team."
Tanjiro's eyes hardened with resolve. He knew the truth in their words. Nakime had been a taste of what was to come, and the next time they faced an Upper Moon, it would be for real.
But despite the challenges ahead, Gon and Killua stood tall, their determination unwavering.
"We'll be ready," Gon said firmly, his fists clenched.
"Yeah," Killua added, a grin spreading across his face. "We've got a lot more to show."
As the sun set over the training grounds, casting long shadows across the earth, the group stood together, knowing that the battles to come would test them like never before.
But together, they would face whatever lay ahead.