Rehabilitation Training, Part 2 (
Summary[]
In his first attempt at maintaining Total Concetration, Tanjiro quickly collapses as the physical toll proves too much; he is startled by a loud sound in his ears and believes his heart will pop from them. Seeing he has not recovered, he recalls the basics from Sakonji; the lungs are essential in breathing and he'll have to improve them to progress. The helpers of the mansion see him hard at work and decide to bring him rice balls and gourds.
While eating, Tanjiro observes the gourd they have brought, which he must blow into. One of them explains that Shinobu instructed Kanao to do the same as training. When he believes them to be an instrument, she instead tells him the objective is to make them burst, who surprises Tanjiro. He taps the gourd and notes the dried texture, to which she adds that as it is harder than normal gourds. Tanjiro is aghast to learn a petite girl like Kanao is capable of such a task, and the girls reveal the gourds Kanao is now able to break, which are as large as them. Both stunned and motivated, Tanjiro promises to try the new training method.
Fifteen days later, while sitting atop the roof of the Butterfly Mansion, Tanjiro remarks that he feels his strength returning; he can run for longer and his lungs are much stronger. During the day, he trains his lungs with fast movements, and at night, he trains by breathing slowly to circulate his oxygen to every part of his body.
Sakonji had taught him that meditation improves concentration, but he momentarily loses focus when he imagines Haganezuka, who would understandably be furious to learn his Nichirin sword is broken. Additionally, he may have fought one of the Twelve Kizuki but he failed to take their blood, noting that Tamayo's cat is looking at him disapprovingly. As he attempts to regain concentration, he is met by Shinobu, who is impressed by his dedication to train, whereas Zenitsu and Inosuke are doing something else. Initially blushing at the sight of her, he is put at ease when Shinobu sits beside him and asks if he is lonely training, to which Tanjiro reassures her that once he learns to maintain Total Concentration, he can teach it to Zenitsu and Inosuke.
She tells him he has a pure heart; when Tanjiro asks why she brought them to her mansion, she replies it is because they learned of Nezuko's true nature and his injuries. Additionally, she hoped to entrust her dream in him; to have demons and humans coexist peacefully. Tanjiro then asks if she is angry, which surprises her; he notes that despite her smile, she always has the scent of anger. Shinobu confirms this, explaining that it began with the death of her elder sister and that her anger has only grown from seeing the continual harm demons cause humans. It is an anger she cannot silence and she adds that the Hashira all feel the same way; even after seeing Nezuko show restraint, the Hashira will not attack her only because of Kagaya's wishes.
Shinobu mentions that her sister was kind like him and felt sympathy for demons, even pitying them as she died, while she herself could not feel sympathy to those who kill humans. Despite this, she believes she must carry out her sister's wish, and if there is a way to avoid killing pitiful demons, she must find it without losing the sunny disposition her sister enjoyed in her. Shinobu remarks she is tired of trying, seeing that demons are irredeemable, always lying to save themselves and killing without reason. As she stands up, the Insect Hashira tells the Demon Slayer to keep fighting and defending Nezuko, and when she believes he is succeeding at her sister's dream, she will be put at ease, before vanishing from view.
Seeing her trust in him, Tanjiro vows to do his best. He instructs the girls of the mansion - Naho, Kiyo, and Sumi - to help him train by beating him with carpet beaters when he fails to maintain Total Concentration when he sleeps, to which they oblige to. That night, while sleeping and breathing, Tanjiro begins to snore, causing the three to beat him awake. Ten days later, while training with the largest gourd, Tanjiro takes a deep breath and blows into it. With the girls' encouragement, he successfully breaks it open, much to their excitement.
In full-body training, Tanjiro chases Kanao and keeps up with her with his improved speed; while still not fully mastering Total Concentration throughout the entire day, it is a sign he is getting close and his body has changed, and he grows excited to swing a Nichirin sword with his new strength. Eventually, he successfully grabs her hand and wins.
Partaking in reflexes training, Tanjiro and Kanao trade blows at incredible speeds, seemingly neck and neck. Unwilling to lose, he perseveres and is able to grab a cup before she can block it, but realizes it would be rude to splash her with its unpleasant smelling contents. Instead, he taps her head with the cup, which Kiyo and Naho notes is still a successful victory. As the girls and Tanjiro celebrate his success, Inosuke and Zenitsu stare in disbelief at his improvement.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Events[]
- Tanjiro attempts to master using Total Concentration in a constant state, but struggles.
- The mansion's helpers, Naho, Kiyo, and Sumi, give him instructions to improve.
- Shinobu commends Tanjiro's persistence, before telling him about her elder sister and her trust in him.
- Tanjiro successfully defeats Kanao in Rehabilitation Training.