Recap.

Tanjiro and Sabito were having their last duel with Makomo and Y/n watching. Sabito and Tanjiro went for the slash and Tanjiro split Sabito's mask showing a sad smile behind it. Sabito and Makomo disappeared and in his place was the the boulder that Tanjiro was suppose to split, split in two.

End Recap.

Tanjiro and Y/n shook hands and Tanjiro looked down.

Tanjiro: There is a reason I won.

Y/n: Huh?

Tanjiro: Because I learned how to detect the Opening Thread. As soon as I pick up the scent, I'm able to see the thread. It guides me. It connects my blade to any opening the enemy leaves me, and it tightens as soon as I see it. It quickly draws my blade forward, than I strike.

Y/n: Well, how you did it doesn't matter, what matters now is that you sliced the boulder so now we can take Final Selection.

Sakonji walked over to them and inspected the boulder.

Tanjiro: Urokodaki...

Y/n: You better have a good excuse for leaving Tanjiro the way you did, old man.

Tanjiro: Y/n.

Sakonji: To be honest, I never had any intention of sending either of you to the Final Selection. Because I didn't want to see anymore children die. I was sure you wouldn't be able to cut through this boulder, Tanjiro. Which ment Y/n wouldn't have gone either, but...

He patted both their heads.

Sakonji: Well done, Tanjiro and Y/n. Truly remarkable. I'm very proud of both of you.

Tanjiro began to cry and Sakonji embraced him and Y/n.

Sakonji: Make sure you both come back from Final Selection alive. Nezuko and I will be waiting for you.

Y/n: You have our word, old man Urokodaki.

Meanwhile at Sakonji's house.

Sakonji cooked fish and hot pot for them.

Tanjiro: There's so much food. What's the deal?

Sakonji: You have both finished your training, so we're celebrating. Time to eat. Don't be shy.

He gave Tanjiro and Y/n a bowl of hot pot.

Tanjiro/Y/n: Thank you for the food.

Tanjiro and Y/n ate as Sakonji watched.

Sakonji: (Thinking: Tanjiro, Y/n, I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for you. After today, you will both be facing unimaginable hardships. Your training pales in comparison. But at least for tonight, you both can rest well, and sleep soundly one last time.)

After dinner Tanjiro began to cut his hair.

Y/n: Hey, after you do your hair, Tanjiro, is there a chance you could cut mine?

Tanjiro: Sure.

Sakonji: Hey, Tanjiro, Y/n.

Y/n/Tanjiro: Yes?

Sakonji: What did you both think of the hot pot?

Tanjiro: Great! I haven't feasted like that in awhile.

Y/n: In the words of one of my former masters, it was tasty!

Sakonji: Two growing boys with appetites like yours will get bigger and stronger, the bigger their meals are. The same applies to demons. Remember that. The more humans a demon has eaten, the powerful he'll be.

Y/n: Well, that doesn't seem to be the case for me. No matter how much I eat, I can't seem to get any bigger than this.

Tanjiro : So, if they've eaten a lot, they'll be tough to defeat.

Sakonji: That's right. They get stronger, physical traits change, and some learn to use strange spells.

Sakonji started to go through a cabinet.

Sakonji: You'll be able to tell how much poor souls they've claimed, once your sense of smell is even more developed.

Y/n: To me, it doesn't matter how many humans they've eaten, I'll kill them either way.

Sakonji: That reminds me, do you eat humans Y/n, or do half demons not need to eat humans?

Y/n: Well, I'm not crazy about human flesh like other demons, but when I really get hungry I do things I'm not proud of.

Tanjiro: Have you eaten humans, Y/n!?

Y/n: Much worse. I defile Graves and eat whatever I can get from the corpse. I tell myself that it's okay, because it's not like they can feel it or anything. But it still feels wrong.

Tanjiro: Well, at least your taking full responsibility for your actions.

Sakonji gave them two mask. One was a fox mask like Sabito's and Makomo's, with a red sun on the same place as Tanjiro's scar. The other one was a plane white bird mask.

Tanjiro: What are these?

Y/n inspected the bird mask.

Y/n: They're mask.

Sakonji: Not just any mask. They are called "warding mask." They've been enchanted by a protection spell to keep you both from harm.

Tanjiro: Now it makes sense

Y/n: I like mine. Thanks so much, old man Urokodaki.

Sakonji: I made that one specifically for you, Y/n.

The next morning.

Tanjiro was putting on a cloud tunic like the one Sakonji wears while Y/n with shorter hair was replacing his white kimono with a square pattern tunic like Sabito's and wearing his F/c haori over it. The two went into Nezuko's room to see her still sleeping.

Tanjiro: Nezuko...

Y/n: We promise we'll come back to you.

They were now outside where Sakonji was seeing them off.

Sakonji: No need to worry about Nezuko. I'll take good care of her for you.

Tanjiro: Thanks for everything.

Tanjiro was wearing his fox mask like Makomo wore her's and Y/n covered his whole face with the bird mask.

Y/n: We'll be sure to come back as soon as we pass Final Selection.

Tanjiro: Guess we're off. See you later?

They started to leave and Sakonji waved bye. But Tanjiro got in one last word.

Tanjiro: Say hi to Sabito and Makomo!

Y/n: And tell Sabito to be a little less of a prick.

Sakonji: Tanjiro, Y/n... that's impossible... how do they know the names of the dead?

Later at night.

Y/n and Tanjiro were walking through a bunch of Wisteria trees.

Y/n: It sure was nice of old man Urokodaki to give us new clothes. I've been wearing that kimono for three years, and it was starting to look all beat up.

Tanjiro looked at the trees.

Tanjiro: Wisteria. It's all over the place. I thought it was out of season.

Y/n: Not around it isn't.

Tanjiro: So, why did you ask me to cut your hair, Y/n?

Y/n: Well, I don't remember who guides the Final Selection participants, if it's one of my former masters, these clothes, mask, and new haircut should make me harder to recognize.

They walked up some steps and were now in a big open area with lots of participants.

Tanjiro: So many people.

Y/n: Most of them don't look like much, but two of them look familiar.

Tanjiro: Which two?

Y/n: The guy with a scar over his nose over there. (pointed to the guy) And the girl in the pink tunic. (points to her)

Tanjiro: Hmm.

???: Good evening.

The guides for Final Selection were two little girls who looked exactly alike, except one had white hair while the other one had black hair.

White/Black haired guide: Tonight, you've come to enter the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection. Thank you all for being here.

White haired girl: Here on Mt. Fujikasane, there are several demons that were captured alive by Demon Slayer swordsmen, they're kept here for this event.

Black haired girl: The Wisteria blossoms prevent them from leaving, they bloom on this mountain all year around, and they cover everything from the base to halfway to the top.

White haired girl: But the Wisteria ends here, so demons abound from this point, and they're very hungry.

Black haired girl: In order to complete Final Selection, you must survive for seven days beyond the Wisteria's protection.

Black/White haired guides: Now, your trial begins.

Y/n and Tanjiro went into the mountain out of the Wisteria's reach.

Y/n: All right, Tanjiro. This isn't a test to see how many demons you can kill, it's a test of how long you can survive alone with these monsters. So, avoid any demon if you can, but if you can't use that sword of yours to kill any demon that gets in your way.

Tanjiro: I got it.

Y/n: Listen, I think we should split up so we can cover more ground. Try not to die until we meet again at the end of this test.

Tanjiro: You got it.

And with that, the duo split up. Y/n ran into some demons but defeated and killed them with ease.

Y/n: Demon Slayers actually brought these demons here? They must be ashamed that their demons are losing to children.

Y/n continued running until he saw a participant on the ground shaking in fear.

Y/n: What happened? A demon scare you?

Participant: I don't know what it was, but it looked like a guy with a boar head!

Y/n: A boar head?

He heard something charge through on the other side of the trees.

???: Boar rush! Boar rush!

Y/n: Was that the boar?

The participant nodded.

Y/n: All right, I'll follow after him.

Y/n ran and tried to look for the boar headed guy but couldn't see him.

Y/n: Damn, must of lost him.

He continued running through the mountain until he saw a male participant with yellow hair along with a yellow tunic with white triangle patterns shaking like a coward.

Cowardly Swordsman: What was that!? Oh, I never even wanted to come here!

The bushes shook and the cowardly swordsmen ran off screaming but the thing in the bushes turned out to be a small mouse.

Y/n: That coward, he wouldn't even be worth killing.

He started running again and stopped by a river with a small waterfall.

Y/n: Better collect some water if I'm going to be stuck here for a few days.

Y/n got out a flask and collected the water from the waterfall and that's when he saw the scar guy.

Y/n: Oh, hey there. How's hell been treating you so far?

Scar swordsmen: Screw off!

He walked away.

Y/n: Fine. It's not like I wanted to be your friend anyway, jerk.

Y/n got done filling his flask and went back on the move.

Y/n: It's strange I haven't ran into any demons other than those ones I defeated earlier. Maybe some of these rejects are somewhat decent after all.

He ran until he saw the pink tunic girl safe a participant from a demon and she didn't even get a scratch on her.

Y/n: Definitely got some competition.

Participant: Thank you.

The girl didn't say anything and just walked away and almost walked past Y/n until he spoke up.

Y/n: That was impressive. I'm surprised you didn't come here sooner.

The girl flipped a coin and it landed on heads.

Girl: My master didn't think it was a good idea until today.

Y/n: A coin? I wouldn't even think of deciding that way, when it really gets to it, the only thing you can rely on is yourself.

The girl walked away but she saw four demons jump at Y/n, she was about to help him but Y/n killed them so fast that no one even saw him unsheth his sword leaving the girl in shock.

Y/n: I'll be on my way.

Y/n walked past her and just talked with himself.

Y/n: I do feel like I've met that girl before. Whatever. I wonder how Tanjiro's doing right now.

Y/n felt something in the air and he gained his psychotic grin under his mask.

Y/n: Oh, I feel a strong bloodlust somewhere. It will be so fun to rip that demon to shreds!

He ran to where he was sensing the bloodlust and saw Tanjiro in front of a participant face to face with a green demon made of hands.

Y/n: Tanjiro, what that hell is that?!

The hand demon looked at Tanjiro and Y/n's masks.

Hand demon: Well, would you look at that. It's another one of those sweet little fox, and this time he working with a little chick.

Tanjiro: "Another"?

Hand demon: Say, fox cub, the year, are we still in Meiji?

Y/n: The Meiji Period ended years ago.

Tanjiro: Yeah, it's the Taisho Period!

Hand demon: Taisho?

The hand demon started screaming and tearing off its skin.

Hand demon: Already? We have passed into a new period? Again! And I'm still stuck inside this Wisteria prison! Unforgivable! Unforgivable! Damn you, Urokodaki! Damn you, Damn you, Damn you!

Tanjiro: You know Urokodaki?

Hand demon: Of course I do. Urokodaki's the one who captured me and brought me here!

Y/n: No wonder I can sense a strong bloodlust coming from era.

Hand demon: But that was 47 years ago now. Back when he was still hunting demons like me. The Edo Period during the Keio era.

Tanjiro: No way. Edo Period?

Participant: You lie! No demon can ever live that long in here! Besides, all these demons have only eaten two or three humans! They died during Final Selection. In fact, they even eat their own kind.

Hand demon: And yet, I've managed to survive here all this time. Trapped in this flowery cage, I've managed to devour at least fifty of you brats.

Tanjiro: Fifty people?

Y/n: Yeah, well, I've heard of demons that have eaten four times that amount.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: How was this kid raised?)

The hand demon pointed at Tanjiro.

Hand demon: You're number 14 and 15.

Tanjiro: What are you talking about?

Hand demon: That's how many of Urokodaki's students I've eaten. I promised myself I'd kill every single one of them. You know. The ones who stood out to me the most were those two. Ah yes. The boy's hair was an unusual shade of pink, a scar by his mouth. He was the most powerful of the lot. The other one was a girl who wore a flowery kimono. Small, not much power, but awfully agile.

Tanjiro's eyes widened.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: So, they were dead? Killed by this demon? But me and Y/n were with them!)

Y/n: (Thinking: So, they were ghost? That explains why I could never feel their presence.)

Hand demon: Your masks. Those are what give you away as one of Urokodaki's brats. Easy to spot the texture of the masks he's carved. They always match the style of the tengu mask he wears. He calls them Warding mask, right? Except, that's how I pick out who to eat. They're all inside my belly. It's as if he's guided them to their deaths! When I told the girl, she started crying and fell into a rage. But it wasn't long before she lost all control of her movements. I ripped her limb from limb and feasted.

Tanjiro lost all control and ran right for the demon. The hand demon shot some hands at Tanjiro which he easily cut through until one got his ribs, sending him towards a tree and braking his mask.

Y/n: Tanjiro!

The participant ran off.

Y/n: Coward.

Hand demon: There goes another one of Urokodaki's brats. I wonder, how will he feel when another one of his children doesn't make it back. I wish I can see the look on his face.

Y/n: Hey, ugly!

The demon turned to Y/n.

Y/n: My friend over there isn't Urokodaki's only student around here.

Hand demon: It seems your more eager to die than the brats that came before you. Don't worry, you're right behind them!

The hand demon shot a bunch of hands at Y/n who was ready for them.

Y/n: Total Concentration. Wind Breathing, Third Form: Clean Storm Wind Tree.

Y/n made the hurricane pattern slashs to defend himself from the hands, shocking the demon.

Hand demon: Wind breathing? But Urokodaki teaches Water Breathing.

Tanjiro woke up and ran to Y/n's side.

Y/n: Glad you're awake, Sleepyhead.

Tanjiro: Thanks for stalling until I woke up.

Y/n: All right, here's the plan. I'll fight it for a bit, you use your nose to sense if a surprise attack is coming. Than I'll weaken it with a strong attack and you go in for the kill.

Tanjiro: Sounds like a good plan.

Y/n started fighting the hands with Wind Breathing attacks until Tanjiro picked up a scent.

Tanjiro: Y/n, from below!

Y/n jumped and avoided the hands that were coming from under ground. The hand demon shot a hand at Y/n while he was mid air.

Y/n: Blood Demon Art: Wind Wheel.

Y/n made a wheel of wind around himself and used it to glide him towards the demon.

Hand demon: A Blood Demon Art? What are you?!

Y/n: I'm Y/n L/n, that's what. And this is, Wind Breathing, Tenth Form: Wind Sword Slash!

Y/n slashed the demon and the slash turned into the little swords, cutting off some of its arms in a big chunk of its neck.

Y/n: Now, Tanjiro!

Tanjiro jumped at the demon.

Tanjiro: Total Concentration. Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!

Tanjiro slashed the demon's neck horizontally and decapitated it.
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Preview.

Tanjiro: Water Surface Slash! And you were all, "Wind Sword Slash," Y/n! What did you think, Nezuko? Pretty cool, huh?

Nezuko muffled something.

Tanjiro: You think Sabito and Y/n are cooler than me?

Y/n: (blushing) It was nothing really.

Tanjiro: But, Nezuko I'm your brother! Oh, by the way. Me and Y/n saw some beautiful Wisteria flowers that I'd love to show to you some day. Maybe when you turn back into a human.

Nezuko liked the sound of that.

Tanjiro: Now, it's time for another Taisho-era secret! The blonde boy, Zenitsu... I heard he refused to enter Final Selection, but his master slapped him and brought him anyway.

Y/n: Yeah, I honestly hope he dies the end of all of this.

Tanjiro: That's really cold, Y/n. Next, Chapter 5, "My Own Steel"!

To be continued.