A Place to Be (
Summary[]
Special organized preparation known as Hashira Training commences, and all those ranked below the Hashira will be trained by them. While the Hashira usually do not train anyone but their Tsugukos, due to their many responsibilities, ever since Nezuko Kamado has been revealed to be resistant to sunlight, demon attacks have halted completely. Knowing the worst was to come, the Hashira have instead devoted themselves to performing their roles as security in the night. and training during the day.
Tanjiro and Zenitsu discuss the latter's time in Hashira Training, which he calls an awful experience, mentioning how he was forced to spar with someone stronger than himself. On the other hand, Tanjiro is excited at the prospect of becoming even stronger, causing Zenitsu to angrily gnaw on his forehead while screaming that they are not friends at this current moment. He bemoans that the only reason Tanjiro can imagine it as a helpful tool is because he is lying in a comfortable bed healing, whilst he must train now.
Before leaving, Zenitsu hears Tanjiro thank him, recalling his battle with Upper Four and how a technique he taught him had helped defeat the demon. Tanjiro uses this to motivate him into seeing Hashira Training as beneficial, but Zenitsu instead uses his words to make himself feel good about being skilled. A Kasugai crow then pecks Tanjiro on the head and gives him a letter.
At Hashira Training, Tengen yells at the trainees on the ground to keep running, despite them all being exhausted. Training begins with Tengen's basic stamina training, which is then followed by Mitsuri's lessons in enhancing flexibility, and then accompanied by Muichiro's teaching in high-speed movement. After this comes swordsmanship training with Obanai, lessons with Sanemi to survive an onslaught of attacks, and completed with strength training with Gyomei. Furthermore, sparring against the trainees for hours on end gives the Hashira the chance to improve their own strength, and it can also be beneficial when training is able to raise both the heart rate and body temperature to unlock the Mark. Those who have manifested it must also train to maintain it, and amongst the Corps, sharing the knowledge helps to boost everyone's abilities overall. However, one person is not training.
Giyu surpised to see Tanjiro enter his mansion.
Alone in his mansion, Giyu suddenly hears Tanijro's voice from outside. He lets himself in and explains what Hashira Training entails, to which Giyu mention he is already aware of what it is. Mentioning he can resume active duty in a week, he asks Giyu for lessons but is denied. Tanjiro notes that he smells angry, to which Giyu answers that he is angry at him for not mastering Water Breathing, believing he was supposed to be the next Water Hashira. Tanjiro notes that Sakonji had told him it wasn't unusual to switch one's own style into something new since Water Breathing is a rather basic style, but Giyu denies this and says that someone must take up the mantle, flatly denying he is the Water Hashira. He orders him to leave and walks away, leaving Tanjiro dismayed.
Giyu being followed by Tanjiro as he walks.
In a previous meeting with Kagaya, Tanjiro is told by the Oyakata to convince Giyu to join them all in training, asking that he talk to him. Giyu had always been one to turn his back and act solitary, asking that he be persistent in his efforts. Tanjiro, taking this at face value, accomplishes this by speaking to Giyu endlessly throughout the day, even waiting outside the bathroom to speak with him. After four days, Giyu gives in and tells Tanjiro that he did not finish Final Selection. Tanjiro asks if he means the selection at Mount Fujikasane and he confirms it. During his selection, there was a boy who lost his family to demons, like himself; Giyu tells him his name was Sabito, which shocks Tanjiro. They were both thirteen when they met and they bonded quickly. During Final Selection, Sabito was the only one to die, despite the fact that he killed all the mountain's demons almost singlehandedly.
Giyu adds that he was injured by the first demon he fought and Sabito ordered him to go to safety as he continued fighting. A week later, the selection had concluded. He questions if he can really be considered someone who passed the selection if he was saved and says he isn't worthy to be a Hashira. He believes he cannot stand beside his peers and that he doesn't deserve a place in the Corps, bringing Tanjiro to tears. Giyu tells him to have lesson with a true Hashira, believing that unlike himself, Sabito could have manifested the Mark, and asking Tanjiro to not waste time with him.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Murata
- Giyu Tomioka
- Nezuko Kamado
- Akaza
- Kokushibo
- Doma
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Tengen Uzui
- Muichiro Tokito
- Mitsuri Kanroji
- Obanai Iguro
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Gyomei Himejima
- Amane Ubuyashiki
- Kagaya Ubuyashiki
- Sabito
- Kyojuro Rengoku
- Shinobu Kocho
Events[]
- Hashira Training is underway
- Giyu, having distanced himself from the Hashira, is confronted by Tanjiro on Kagaya's behalf.
- Giyu reveals why he doubts his title as the Water Hashira.
Trivia[]
References[]