Chapter 19: The Root of Creation

"If you are bewildered as to why I am giving it to you, I will be explaining it"

"You know that our style is something we made on our own, we may have the same roots but are paths are divergent from each other, it was like how my style focuses on human emotions and you focused on the elementals of the world to display your intentions" Kenji concisely explained.

"That sword may have been one of the strongest swords there is in existence, but I have my own companion and direction" Kenji continued.

"Your self-made Death's End is your roots after all, and wasn't the Life's Origin Style just a support to sustain your creation?"

Tanjiro understanding the underlying concepts, deeply offered his gratitude to Kenji-nim, a father figure, a friend, a companion, and also a teacher.

"You can go practice on your own now, that Sanemi you are talking about is a high-tiered Hashira, and about the consequences, your master here is strong, isn't it?" Kenji casually promised.

Tanjiro's cold heart warmed, thinking that even without Nezuko, he still have friends and other people caring about his being.

Picking up the two swords with each of his hands, he simultaneously used two forms from each of the breathing styles he uses.

"Death's End Second Form, Blood Waterfall!"

"Life's Origin Second Form, Arrival of the Rain!"

Using two different styles at the same proved to be a difficult task, communicating with his demon counterpart, the burden eased for quite a bit.

"Your ideas always tend to be crazy" Demon Tanjiro's voice sounded in Human-Tanjiro's mind.

Demon-Tanjiro obviously helped, letting Human-Tanjiro use his consciousness to quickly master dual-wielding.

Demon-Tanjiro in the middle of the forest was situated meditating, he was a bit different from the time he parted ways with his human counterpart.

Tanjiro's signature look was the scar on his left forehead, on which the scar that Demon-Tanjiro possesses is slowly vanishing.

"It must have been because of your Demon Blood Awakening that the Demon-Slaying Mark is being erased, you do know that the mark intended to help its host slay demons, but you are a demon," Kokushibo from the sword said.

"My demon-slaying mark is not vanishing was because I am one of the originals with Yoriichi as the other one" Kokushibo continued with his statements.

"But as a demon that conquered the sun, it is to be expected that you will have stronger potential, even when compared to Muzan, the ancestor of all demons" Kokushibo marveled with the innate talents of his disciple.

Demon-Tanjiro shared the memories he have about Kokushibo's teachings, letting him finally know what was the mysterious state he entered once, the Transparent World.

Human-Tanjiro's eyes in Kenji's shop gleamed with wisdom, apparently knowing the direction he could use without the Demon-Tanjiro's consciousness.

"If I could muster that state and enter it again, I can perfectly wield the two swords as if they are my hands!" Remembering how mystical that Transparent World was, he touched the scar on his left forehead.

Trying to exert the same feeling that activated the Demon-Slaying Mark, he found the reaction between him and that mysterious state, but he was unsuccessful.

Stubborn as he always has been, he tried to enter it, again and again, many times, signifying the difficulty of reaching that level.

"I needed to accumulate battle experiences and master my styles further, with that I can reach the mid-rank tier Hashira stage, mastering the simultaneous wielding of the two blades with their contrasting styles, that will be the time that I can reach the level of high-tiered Hashiras"

"Entering the Transparent World will speed up my growth, it's a must"

Determined to shorten the time period of his training efficiently, he worked out to activate his Demon-Slaying Mark.

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A simple hut in the middle of the mountains accommodated an old and a young man.

The young man's countenance could only be described as someone full of valiance, as bravery and determination were carved in every detail of the young man's being.

"You have changed after these two past years, you became more staunch," the old man said to the youngster.

"It was thanks to your teachings" the young man replied calmly.

"How about your training?" the old man asked.

"I mastered up to the ninth form" the young man replied concisely.

"Yes that is right, actually there is no next form after the ninth, maybe one day you can complete it"

The young man was Zenitsu, the cowardly boy in the past, became an unbothered king, no one can destroy that calmness even when death is approaching him.

"Grandpa, thanks for all of your guidance, the destined time is approaching, I needed to leave" Zenitsu kneeled with his two knees.

"Young man, you do not need to prostrate, you are my inheritor, this may be an arrogant notion of mine, but no one can make you kneel, even me" the old man helped Zenitsu to get up.

Zenitsu as if it did not hear the old man, bowed deeply, as appreciation welled up in his heart.

"Go warrior to your adventure, remember that if you get tired in the workings of the world, you can come here to find peace," the old man said his goodbye words.

"Grandpa, I will surely come back, unscathed," Zenitsu said, full of pride.

"HAHA, yes you are, you embody the light, who can catch you in their sight?"

Zenitsu stood up and walked towards the foot of the mountain, not looking back anymore as he already said anything he wanted to express to his Grandpa.

The old man quietly glanced at Zenitsu going downwards the mountain, bottling up his sentiments on this grandson of his.

"May we meet again, Zenitsu" the old man stretched his back carefully.

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In an enormous castle rising to the skies, the Crown Prince of Japan is holding two hiltless blades, with each of them having eight jagged edges.

"There are only two remaining but the time is already up, such a pity" Inosuke with his royal Sokutai.

[Sokutai is a formal Kimono that aristocrats and Emperors of ancient Japan wear]

Going towards his wardrobe, he picked one of the Kimono that looked comfortable and tied his long hair with a ribbon.

"I'm really so handsome"

The Inosuke we knew have already disappeared.