"Journey to Mount Fujikasane"
Aoki's eagerness to reach Mount Fujikasane ahead of schedule stemmed from Urokodaki Sakonji's mention of numerous low-level demons captured there by Demon Slayer Corps members. Aoki believed that devouring them all could propel him to A-level strength.
Before Urokodaki Sakonji could fully explain things, Aoki left the mist-shrouded mountains for Mount Fujikasane. The demon he'd just slain was a victim of unfortunate timing, encountered on his way.
If that demon knew Aoki's thoughts, it would likely claw its way back from the grave to tear him apart.
I was just passing by, and not only did you capture me, you casually killed me? What kind of joke is this? You don't even treat me like a person—no, you don't even treat me like a demon?
However, even ten demons of that strength wouldn't stand a chance against Aoki, a testament to his growth over the past two years.
Moving swiftly through the forest, Aoki soon reached the foot of a large mountain, where a forest of purple blossoms greeted him. This was Mount Fujikasane.
Mount Fujikasane earned its name from the vast field of wisteria trees at its base, their blooms unaffected by the seasons. Wisterias are abhorrent to demons, which explained why some demons, imprisoned on the mountain for decades, never escaped.
This, combined with the presence of only low-level demons (those who had consumed only one or two humans), made Fujikasane the ideal location for the Demon Slayer Corps' annual final selection. Those who passed became official members.
For Aoki, becoming a Demon Slayer was secondary. His primary goal was to devour the demons on the mountain. Becoming a member would also grant him access to numerous demon-slaying missions, providing further opportunities for consumption.
In short, the final selection, both the process and the subsequent membership, offered significant advantages.
Donning the tengu mask provided by Urokodaki Sakonji, Aoki began his ascent.
"Get out of my way!"
Before he'd taken two steps, an irritable voice boomed from behind. Before he could turn, a hand landed on his shoulder, and he was flung aside.
Regaining his balance, Aoki felt a surge of annoyance. He looked up to see a young man in purple clothing, a dark pompadour hairstyle, a scar running from his left cheek to his nose, and an aggressive glare.
"Who the hell is this punk?" Aoki muttered under his breath.
Noticing Aoki's gaze, the young man glanced back. The tengu mask obscured Aoki's expression. After a brief appraisal, the young man's eyes flickered with disdain before he continued his ascent.
"Was I underestimated?" Aoki thought, deciding to ignore him.
As he was about to continue, the system's voice interrupted.
"Ding!"
"Genya Shinazugawa:"
Identity: Younger brother of the current Wind Hashira
Skills possessed: Consumption
Personality: Irritable, arrogant
Combat Power: 131 points
Overall Rating: Level Two
Favorability towards host: -5
"What the hell? What did I do to deserve -5 favorability? Old Man Urokodaki was only -1!"
Seeing the system's analysis of the young man, Genya Shinazugawa, especially the negative favorability, Aoki felt a wave of indignation. He had once been known as a social butterfly in school.
Yet, in the world of Demon Slayer, no one had a positive first impression of him. It was always negative.
A dark line appeared on Aoki's face, but he ignored it and continued his climb.
Meanwhile, on a nearby country road, a young man in a blue haori, a tengu mask slanted across his forehead, ruffled black hair with red tips, and a flame-shaped scar on his forehead, was making his way towards Mount Fujikasane.
If Aoki were here, he would recognize him: his junior, Tanjiro Kamado, another disciple of Urokodaki Sakonji, arriving just days after him.
During their year and a half of training, Aoki had completed all the trials in a single year. The remaining six months were spent sparring with Tanjiro under Urokodaki's orders.
Aoki hadn't enjoyed acting as Tanjiro's sparring partner, and during that time, he had shown his junior considerable, albeit harsh, "care."
Tanjiro now felt a sense of awe towards Aoki, believing his senior to be even more ruthless than Urokodaki Sakonji.
Despite this, under Aoki's tutelage, Tanjiro's strength had nearly doubled.
According to the Universal System, Tanjiro's combat power was now 186 points, Level Two, with 11 points of favorability towards Aoki—three points higher than towards Urokodaki Sakonji.
Besides his beloved sister, Aoki was now Tanjiro's closest friend. He wasn't as rigid as Urokodaki Sakonji, and his sense of humor was quite unique. He often used phrases like "I gyao," "No way, Sir," and called Tanjiro "my foolish Nezuko," phrases Tanjiro didn't always understand.
"Senior Aoki's already gone ahead to Mount Fujikasane. I wonder where he is now," Tanjiro murmured, his face lighting up as he thought of his sister. A resolute expression settled on his features.
"Don't worry, Nezuko. I'll definitely turn you back into a human!"
Meanwhile, in a small hut on the mist-shrouded mountains, Urokodaki Sakonji, wearing a red tengu mask, sat at a table, his fist clenched.
Urokodaki Sakonji muttered, "Aoki… protect Tanjiro… If it's you, you should be able to pass the final selection. I don't want to see another child die there."
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