Demon Slayer World, Momoyama backyard.
His consciousness returned from the Mist Space, and Leo pushed open the door to step outside.
Not far away, a short old man leaning on a cane stood under a peach tree.
As if hearing the sound of the door closing, he turned and cast his gaze toward Leo.
"You woke up too late."
"Don't be so strict, Master," Leo waved his hand.
"Today is the day I leave for the Final Selection. I need to sleep in a bit longer to build up energy for the journey."
"Did you sleep well then?"
"Slept well. In my current state, I could even slaughter Kibutsuji Muzan if he showed up."
"I think you haven't woken up yet, starting to daydream first thing in the morning."
Jigoro Kuwajima turned and walked to the side: "Let's eat, breakfast is ready."
"Got it."
Leo followed behind Jigoro and sat down in another house nearby.
The breakfast wasn't lavish—just a bowl of plain noodles with some flowering cabbage.
As a modern person who had transmigrated, this bowl of noodles meant nothing to Leo.
With the cooking skills he shared, he could easily make food that tasted better than this.
But...
"I'm full."
Placing the gleaming, clean bowl on the table, Leo smiled.
"Master, your flowering cabbage clear soup noodles are as delicious as ever."
"I'm glad you like it."
Looking at the black-haired youth before him, Jigoro Kuwajima vaguely recalled the day several months ago when he rescued the boy from an evil demon.
At that time, Leo looked like he had just crawled out of a garbage heap, reeking all over and too weak to even stand steadily.
Yet, even so, Leo had clung tightly to his arm, begging to become his disciple.
In the blink of an eye, several months passed. The youth who nearly died in the slums had transformed, learning the complete Thunder Breathing from him.
And now, the only thing he could still do for the boy was one thing.
"Leo, this is my nichirin blade. Take it to the Final Assessment."
Jigoro took a sword from a rack nearby and placed it on the table.
"I've told you everything that needs to be said many times; I won't waste time on it now."
"Remember, prioritize safety in everything you do. Coming back alive is the most important thing."
"Don't worry, Master."
Leo picked up the nichirin blade from the table, and a terrifying aura slowly rose around him.
"My strength isn't so weak that I can't even pass the Final Selection."
...
After bidding farewell to Jigoro Kuwajima, Leo left Momoyama and hurried west.
As the location for the Final Selection, Fujikasane Mountain was not far from Momoyama.
Traveling at a normal pace, it took Leo two days to reach Fujikasane Mountain.
On the stone square at the entrance, only a few people stood in a corner, meditating with their eyes closed, adjusting their condition.
Mimicking their actions, Leo found a wisteria tree in the corner and lay down.
Time passed, and new Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen arrived from afar. The desolate square gradually became lively.
Just then, a woman with snow-white skin wearing a beautiful kimono appeared on the square.
Her temperament was very special, radiating a dignified aura like nobility, drawing attention.
"Welcome to Fujikasane Mountain, all you prospective Demon Slayer Corps members."
The kimono-clad woman walked to the very center of the square, attracting the gaze of everyone present.
"My name is Ubuyashiki Amane, wife of the Demon Slayer Corps Leader, Ubuyashiki Kagaya."
"Furthermore, I am the examiner for this Final Selection, responsible for announcing the rules for this round of assessment."
It was like the prelude to an approaching storm.
As soon as Ubuyashiki Amane's voice fell, the atmosphere in the square instantly became heavy.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Ubuyashiki Amane, waiting for her to announce the rules.
"The Final Selection will last for a total of seven days."
Ubuyashiki Amane turned around, gesturing toward the passage behind them connecting the square and Fujikasane Mountain.
"During these seven days, you will need to enter the interior of Fujikasane Mountain to fight evil demons."
"When the sun rises on the eighth day, the assessment will conclude."
"At that time, everyone who returns safely will be considered to have passed the assessment."
"..."
The atmosphere in the square grew even heavier.
Although they had learned the general rules from their trainers before setting off, hearing them directly from Ubuyashiki Amane was a different feeling.
The thought of spending seven days in a mountain full of evil demons made everyone present feel a sense of pressure.
But just then, a black-haired youth stepped through the outer crowd and onto the square.
"Excuse me, I have something to ask."
"Please speak."
"Can I enter Fujikasane Mountain first, and let the others depart half an hour later?"
"... If I recall correctly, you are the disciple of the former Thunder Hashira, Mr. Jigoro Kuwajima. What is your reason for requesting this?"
Ubuyashiki Amane pondered briefly, confirming Leo's identity while asking the question.
Having presided over the Final Selection for so many terms, she had seen all sorts of people.
But someone like Leo, requesting to go in alone first, was truly unprecedented.
"The reason is very simple. I plan to clear out all the evil demons in this mountain range."
Leo patted the nichirin blade at his waist: "Once I start, it will cause quite a large commotion."
"Simultaneously attacked by a large number of demons, the others present are very likely to be implicated."
"Compared to causing unnecessary sacrifices, I think it would be better to let them depart a little later."
"Friend, please wait a moment!"
Before Ubuyashiki Amane could reply, another new voice came from behind.
It was a sturdy young man with long yellow hair, the edges of which were covered in red, making it as striking as a flame.
After stepping out of the crowd, the young man walked up to Leo and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Since you are going to clear out Fujikasane Mountain, I cannot stand idly by!"
"Count me in on this matter. Two people acting together will surely be safer than one!"
"I'm fine with anything."
Looking at the somewhat familiar face opposite him, Leo showed a thoughtful expression.
"What is your name?"
"Rengoku Kyojuro!"
As expected, it was the Flame Hashira from the original story.
"You can call me Leo."
"Leo! That's a good name!"
Rengoku Kyojuro broke into a cheerful smile.
Although it was their first meeting, he had a good impression of Leo.
The other party, while eager to hunt demons, also considered the safety of others and proposed entering early.
This unassuming gentleness, in Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes, was an extremely precious quality.
Shifting his gaze from Leo, Rengoku Kyojuro looked towards Ubuyashiki Amane standing before him.
"Lady Amane, I request permission to enter Fujikasane Mountain half an hour early with Leo."
"...Half an hour is acceptable."
Ubuyashiki Amane paused for a moment, then nodded slightly in agreement.
As the son of the Demon Slayer Corps' Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro naturally held some privilege.
Since the other party wished to enter early, a little leeway could be granted.
As for whether this action would have any impact...
The demons within Fujikasane Mountain were all captured by Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen across generations.
Their sheer number far exceeded ordinary imagination.
Although she didn't know Leo's plan, merely entering half an hour early—could they really wipe out all the demons?