At six o'clock in the morning, Qin Zi, who had not slept all night, finally finished reading the entire Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
"F**k! You told me this is Demon Slayer? Isn't this Pillar Slayer Blade?!"
"The Water Hashira and the Wind Hashira who managed to survive will also die at the age of 25 due to their Demon Slayer Marks."
"In the end, the only one who truly survived was the retired Sound Hashira?!"
Suddenly, Qin Zi remembered that that guy had three wives. His vision went black, and he collapsed onto the bed, not knowing whether he was dead or alive.
***
"Hey, he finally woke up. That's great!"
"Yes, yes, but about the rabbit…"
"Hiss!" Qin Zi instinctively clutched his temples. He felt as if his head were filled with a thick paste.
"Damn, I can't stay up late anymore. Otherwise, I'm going to drop dead one day…"
Halfway through his complaint, a flood of memories surged into his mind like a tidal wave, replaying themselves as if he had personally experienced them.
"This is… Father… Mother… Sister Tsutako… Master… Mitsuri?!"
Qin Zi looked at his hands, which had shrunk by a size or two, in disbelief. He finally realized he had transmigrated—into a book.
And he had become none other than Tomioka Giyu, the strongest Water Hashira in a hundred years!
"How did I suddenly end up in a book? Just because Tomioka Giyu and I both have a sister? That can't be it…"
Thinking of this, Qin Zi re-examined himself—and then his expression froze.
This was when Tomioka Giyu was 13 years old, had just been saved by Urokodaki Sakonji, and had successfully passed the Final Selection.
"Damn it. If only I had arrived earlier…"
Qin Zi sighed and had no choice but to accept the fact that he had become Tomioka Giyu.
To be honest, he had longed for this world when he was watching the anime. He was tired of the monotony of real life.
Now that he was really here, excitement outweighed all other emotions.
"I'm sorry, Sabito. I couldn't save you before… but I know the future now. I'll do everything I can for you!"
Qin Zi's eyes grew resolute as he whispered to himself, "From today on, I am Tomioka Giyu."
One of the boys near him wiped his tears and stammered, "There's one more thing… about Sabito…"
The other boy also looked saddened but was relatively composed as he recounted everything that had happened on the mountain.
Basically, Sabito had single-handedly defeated nearly all the demons on the mountain and saved many of the other examinees.
But in the end, he remained on that mountain—forever.
If he hadn't exhausted his strength and worn down his Nichirin Blade from saving so many people, there's no way the Hand Demon could have killed him.
Tomioka Giyu raised his hand and said, "I understand. Thank you for telling me. Someone will avenge him one day."
"Yes, someone definitely will!" the two boys replied in unison, their voices full of determination.
Then, the boy in the striped kimono calmed down and reminded him, "Oh, by the way, Tomioka, those who pass the Final Selection will each be assigned a Kasugai crow."
"You also need to choose a piece of ore to forge your Nichirin Blade."
"Someone should be coming by soon to bring it to you. Take care of your injuries—we'll be heading out first."
Tomioka Giyu thanked them again, and once they left, he began to organize his thoughts.
"Even though I know the ten forms of Water Breathing, I haven't mastered any of them yet. I can't even maintain Total Concentration Breathing consistently."
"It's a little frustrating, but to be fair… for a 13-year-old Giyu, this is already pretty impressive."
"It should take me three or four years to become a Hashira. This time, I'll do everything I can to strengthen myself."
"Before the plot begins, I need to get stronger!"
Boom boom boom ————
Hearing a knock at the door, Tomioka Giyu reined in his drifting thoughts and answered calmly, "Come in!"
The door opened, and a man in a black outfit resembling a samurai uniform entered. His face was obscured, and his true appearance was hidden. Only his relatively young voice was audible.
"Please follow me. The Master wishes to see you."
Tomioka Giyu froze, clearly caught off guard. At this point in time, he was just a newly selected Demon Slayer.
It should have taken another year or two before he would be summoned.
Although confused, he was still carried by the Kakushi to meet the Master.
After leaving the Butterfly Mansion, Tomioka Giyu felt awkward being carried like this. In truth, he could already walk just fine.
But clearly, the Kakushi didn't see it that way.
Soon, they arrived at a beautiful courtyard adorned with flowers, rock gardens, and small streams.
Inside, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had been waiting quietly. He sat calmly on a tatami mat, a gentle smile on his face.
At the same time, a little girl with snow-white hair stood beside a table where several pieces of ore were laid out.
"My Lord, the boy has arrived. I'll take my leave."
"Thank you."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice was so gentle and calm that one couldn't help but feel at ease.
Upon seeing him, Tomioka Giyu knelt on one knee, lowered his head slightly, and said softly, "My lord."
He truly admired Kagaya from the bottom of his heart—the man who remembered every fallen Demon Slayer, who insisted on visiting their graves, who could foresee danger, and who ultimately sacrificed himself and his entire family to give the Demon Slayer Corps a fighting chance.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled gently and said, "There's no need for such formality. Stand, child."
Tomioka Giyu shook his head and slowly rose. "You're worthy of my respect."
Kagaya was momentarily surprised—he hadn't expected such sincerity from a boy who had just passed the Final Selection.
"I've already heard about Sabito. Don't blame yourself. That child made the right choice."
"You must live on in his place, with unwavering resolve."
"My lord, I understand. Thank you for your guidance." Giyu smiled faintly and bowed again.
Seeing this, Kagaya nodded in satisfaction. He then pointed to his daughter and said:
"Go on. Choose the steel that will become your sword. That blade is your life—and your duty."
"And that black crow…" As he spoke, a Kasugai crow fluttered down and landed on Tomioka Giyu's shoulder.
"It will follow you from now on. It's used for communication and will inform you of your missions."
Tomioka Giyu patted the crow's small head and thought, If only this were a summoned beast…
He walked to the table and examined the dozen or so pieces of ore—scarlet iron sand and scarlet ore, the materials used to forge a Nichirin Blade.
They all looked similar, but eventually, he chose the largest-looking piece and told the white-haired girl, "I'll take this one."
Seeing that he had made his choice, the girl said softly, "Very well. But the forging process will take ten to fifteen days."
"The swordsmith will deliver it to you personally. Please be patient."
Tomioka Giyu expressed his understanding, then bowed once more to Ubuyashiki Kagaya. "Then, I'll take my leave, my lord."
Leaving the courtyard, Tomioka Giyu decided to return to his master first.
Sabito's death must have dealt a heavy blow to Urokodaki… after all, it was because of him that the Hand Demon had been imprisoned on the mountain.