The Final Regimen: Waterfall, Log, Rock

Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of Breath of the Rifleman! First off, an apology for getting this out a bit late, I was busy pet sitting over the weekend and had family over. Hopefully this'll still have been worth the wait even if it is a bit shorter than some of the others. Now as per the usual I'd like to give a shout out to LoneTaker, groche9655 and Noble Eight for their contributions to this story. And in case I didn't say this in my other chapter, congratulations and I hope you're in good health DCDGojira.

Daytime: Training Ground of the Stone Hashira

"The most important thing about the body is it's core…...the limbs," said Gyomei, now sitting down with his Hashira coat on and his prayer beads in hand. He'd set down the stones and logs from earlier while also stepping out of the fire to make it easier to explain what was going on. "Stabilizing your body with strong, durable limbs will lead to much more accurate attacks and a defense that is indefatigable. In order to enhance your limbs, you will first train by having the waterfall batter your body, then carry three logs on your shoulders, and finally, pushing a large rock through town."

Tanjiro didn't answer right away as he was busy staring at the logs which were as wide around as an average tree, while Zenitsu and Subaru were busy examing the 'rock' which was not only taller than them but almost as wide as three people. "My training is relatively simple as it is only these three tasks which you must accomplish. I had wanted to add the training with flames below you but had to remove it upon discovering that it was too dangerous."

"You didn't start that standing in fire training after Hokkaido, did you?" Questioned Subaru with a raised eyebrow.

"I had done that training previously," replied Gyomei, "but I did intensify the flames a bit after our venture up North. I do not intend to let a demon escape with one of my fellow slayers riding on it the same way Aesir Reia did, you have my word on that, Subaru Genjirou."

"That's right, you two worked together up in Hokkaido," recalled Tanjiro.

"Yep," affirmed Subaru, "and you can rest easy. Sure, Gyomei's training is gonna hurt like shit, but he's not a total sadist like Obanai or Sanemi. But listen when he tells you something, there's a reason he's the strongest of the Hashira."

"No problem," said Tanjiro with a nod before looking down, "well there is one problem, Zenitsu just passed out." 'Just from the thought of doing the training,' observed Subaru, 'once again it's a miracle he's made it this far.'

"Dump him in the river," said Gyomei, his voice remaining even but his arms veined up slightly at Zenitsu's lack of backbone.

"Yes sir," said Subaru, not wasting a second as he picked up the Breath of Thunder wielder and threw him in the water.

"AWWWWWWWW, SHOOOOOO COOOOOOWWWLD!" Exclaimed Zenitsu as he shot out of the water like an overexcited fish.

"Well yeah, it's a mountain river," said Subaru as he and Tanjro got to removing the top parts of their uniforms and other equipment, "the really tall ones have an almost constant supply of melting ice, or at least cool temperatures. Because it's rushing down the mountain so fast, there isn't enough time for it to collect any heat from the sun and it remains freezing." The Matagi could've gone on, but it was clear his explanation was falling on deaf ears as Zenitsu kept on screaming while crossing the small river.

"I'm dying, I'm gonna hurl, I feel like my innards are rotting and screaming!" Exclaimed Zenitsu, "LAND, LAND!" He crossed the stream as quickly as he could with Tanjiro and Subaru close behind. But he quickly noticed that there was still a problem once he got out of the river. "AAAAAAAHH, oh shit it's too late, now that I'm out the air is freezing!" He looked over then and noted several slayers were hugging relatively large rocks while shivering.

"Hug the rock," said one of the slayers between chattering teeth, "it's really..….warm." That was all the motivation Zenitsu needed to grab onto the nearest large rock and hold on with all of his might.

"It really is warm," he said, "it's like I'm inside my mommy's arms *sniff* I miss mommy." 'We all do right about now,' thought Subaru as he and Tanjiro did their best to control their own shivering while wading towards the waterfall. 'But if Inosuke is working his tail off, no reason we shouldn't at least try….wait a moment?'

"Hey Tanjiro," said the Matagi, "all the other slayers are chanting, right?"

"Yeah they are," said Tanjiro until he noticed the same thing Subaru noticed, "everyone except…oh no, INOSUKE!" The two scrambled to their friend and noted that not only was he not chanting, he was completely unconscious from the strain of the waterfall beating down on him for so long. No one had noticed earlier because of the mask on his head. Thankfully Tanjiro and Subaru were able to drag him to shore and revive him after a few chest compressions, and Subaru slapping him once for good measure.

After that, Subaru and Tanjiro began their own mediation under the falls, fighting against the cold that seemed to pierce to the very core of their bodies and the weight of the waterfall itself. They quickly discovered that the chants the others were using were meant to not only help them focus, but also to let everyone know they were still conscious. Moreover, they had to keep their bodies tense or the waterfall would potentially crush their necks the moment they relaxed too much. Before long, the both of them were clinging to a couple of large rocks like everyone else.

"Man, just the training with the waterfall is really hard," said Tanjiro through chattering teeth.

"I'm sure I've said it before," replied the Matagi through slightly less chattering teeth, "this is Pillar training. If it were easy, there'd be a lot more Hashira running around."

"Still," said one of the Slayers who turned out to be Murata, "it took me until evening to get the waterfall training. I couldn't get used to the water, but you, that boar and your hunter friend are amazing."

"I have luck to thank for some of that," said Subaru, "I actually went up to Hokkaido for a mission and nearly got my ass frozen on more than one occasion. After all that, nothing seems quite as cold anymore."

"You'll have to tell me about it some time," said Murata, "I'm currently stuck on the log training right now. It's my tenth day, and the rest of us are too exhausted to attempt anything else right now. So I vote, we eat." There was no argument as far as that suggestion was concerned.

A Short Time Later

Everyone was now sitting around a fire, eating some cooked fish that Tanjiro and Subaru managed to catch. "The Ball Ball Old Guy is awesome," said Inosuke with his mouth full as he chomped on his tenth fish.

"Just call him Rock Pillar Himejima," urged Tanjiro, "please don't give him weird nicknames."

"But he's been giving me chills ever since I met him," said Inosuke, "no doubt about it, he's the strongest Demon Slayer in the Corps."

"Yeah, I kinda figured," said Tanjiro, "even if Subaru hadn't told me, his smell is different from the others. I wouldn't be surprised if he awakened his mark already."

"I don't believe it," said Zenitsu angrily, "he's big but I doubt that old man could actually push that rock around town. He's probably just having fun picking on us young people."

"Yeah I think the guy can push bigger rocks than that," said Subaru as he pointed at something a short distance away. And indeed, the Stone Hashira was pushing a boulder even larger than himself along the pathway towards town, still chanting his same Buddhist chant.

"See, Himejima is amazing," said Tanjiro, "maybe one day I can be like that."

"LIKE SHIT YOU CAAAAAAAN!" Yelled Zenitsu as he started hitting Tanjiro on the head, "that man is insane and big as a bear! People can be born giant or little, you know that-GAAAAH!" The blond slayer was quickly silenced by a pistol whip from Subaru.

"Other slayers have passed this training," Subaru pointed out, "Gyomei ain't stupid, he wouldn't set up a training regimen he didn't think we were capable of passing."

"Sulamu is right," said Inosuke as he put his mask back on, "so I'm gonna go push rocks and carry logs now and then eat more later."

"I have no place among you positive people!" Exclaimed Zenitsu.

Six Days Later

It was difficult, to say the least, but with a lot of time and effort, they were able to learn to withstand the force and cold of the waterfall and by applying a similar approach they eventually mastered the log-carrying training as well. But where they truly hit a wall, was the rock pushing training. Obviously Momiji pointed out that Subaru could just use his mark to move the rock, but Subaru was determined to accomplish it on the same level as Tanjiro, whose mark had yet to grow like it did before, though it had changed a bit. "Ah, nothing," said Tanjiro as both he and Subaru stopped pushing at about the same time, "six days and the only things we've accomplished in pushing is ourselves away from the boulders."

"Yet another reason to respect people like Gyomei," said Subaru as he and Tanjiro collapsed to a sitting position, "the amount of time and effort they put into becoming like that and still manage to not totally lord it over everyone else. It's honestly amazing."

"Yeah," breathed Tanjiro, "but you know, I saw you activate your mark on more than one occasion. Why aren't you using it now?"

"Because I 'can' activate my demon mark on command," said Subaru, "If I get into the habit of using it for everything now, I'll grow too reliant on it. Don't get me wrong these demon powers have been pretty handy but I gotta remember I'm also human. So, I figure I tackle this like any regular Hashira would and strengthen my body the normal way first. Besides, the mark on your head has gotten bigger too."

"Has it?" Questioned Tanjiro as he felt his currently sweaty forehead.

"He's right," said an unexpected arrival with a mohawk as he came and peered down at the swordsman.

"Oh, Genya!" exclaimed Tanjiro, "you're alright, I was starting to get worried when you stopped contacting me after that incident."

"I held myself back from doing so and then Gyomei sensei scolded me," said Genya as he sat down next to them, "and that was after I was told to never go near my brother again."

"No offense, but it might be for the better," said Subaru, "he couldn't even be bothered to take an interest in the life of his own brother despite a possible battle with Muzan himself looming. I know he believes he was protecting you by acting like that, but life's too short to go on letting your own family think you hate them."

"It's complicated," said Genya, "truthfully I'm sorry both of you wound up getting involved, and thanks for sticking up for me."

"Oh, it was nothing," said Tanjiro bashfully, "you just looked like you needed help was all, and I agree with Subaru that family shouldn't be fighting."

"Yeah, anyway about that mark," said Genya, deciding now was a good time to change the subject.

"It has gotten a bit thicker than it used to be," noted Subaru, prompting Tanjiro to rub his forehead once again.

"I guess if you say so," he replied, "it's just that no one's told me about it 'til now."

"Don't you have a mirror?" Questioned Genya before receiving an innocent shake of Tanjiro's head. "I'll lend you mine in a bit then. By the way, noticed you're both on the rock training, same as me."

"If you got any tips we'd love to hear 'em," said Subaru, "so far these things ain't budging at all."

"Has he not told you two about 'repetitive actions'?" Questioned Genya in mild annoyance. His answer was a pair of questioning stares. "So neither of you have. Alright listen up then, Himejima sucks at teaching so you got to watch him closely. You'll notice he's doing a predetermined set of actions which maximizes his concentration. When I do it, I chant prayers."

"That explains why he does that 'Namu-Namu' thing all the time," observed Subaru before shrugging, "sure, improving our concentration can only benefit us at this point."

A Short Time Later

According to Genya, 'repititve actions' is a type of technique meant to open all five of one's senses. Even someone like him, who can't use breaths, is able to achieve full focus and surpass his limits this way. In the case of both Genya and Gyomei, they recall memories that bring them anger and pain which greatly increases their heart rate and body temperature. In a way it sounded quite similar to how one would activate a demon mark, though they were shocked to learn that neither Genya nor Gyomei had gotten a mark despite said similarity. Subaru also noted the method generated a similar feeling to when he used his Domain ability.

"So these 'repitive action' things can raise our focus at any given moment," surmised Momiji from within his mind, "that'll be useful. If we can extend the time on our focus, then we can extend the time on our abilities as well. The domain, the demon mark, Willow's Windpath, all of it will last even longer."

"It does sound useful," admitted Subaru as he readied himself and began pushing against the rock, "but first we need to master using it. So put your own feelings into this and let's move this bastard!"

"You got it," said Momiji, grunting as if she too were pushing the boulder along with Subaru. In the case of the Rifleman, his 'repitive action' was remembering the faces of everyone he loved, living or dead, and the sight of the mountains he wished to return to. 'I started all of this because of some demonic bastard with no value for life,' he thought as his arms and body veined up with the effort he was putting into pushing against the boulder, 'and even if I didn't intend it, I found more people to protect and fight for along with Nezuko and Tanjiro. I both hate and love this ridiculous journey we've been on and I intend to see it through to the end!'

'Nezuko,' he continued to think as he put a lot more of his leg strength into the task before him, 'I intend to take you home and give you the happy life you deserve, whatever it takes. Until that moment comes when we're both watching the sun rise together on a snowy day in the mountains of your home, I WON'T GIVE UUUUUUUUP!' He'd failed the first couple of times while getting used to the new method of focus, but just like that time so long ago when he shattered a red oak board, he could feel something different with this attempt. And at first he thought he was being moved back, until he realized he was actually leaning forward. The boulder was moving!

"Don't let up," exclaimed Momiji in his mind, "keep pushing and get this son of a bitch all the way across town!" Subaru's response to that was to grit his teeth and plant his feet even more firmly as he pushed the boulder farther and farther. First one step, then another, and another, and another until he lost count. In fact, he was so focused on his task that he completely lost track of time while moving the boulder across town, not daring to stop and rest until at last the task was complete.

And the moment he made it alongside Tanjiro and Inosuke, he collapsed on the ground in a literal puddle of his own sweat. 'I….did it,' he exclaimed internally, finding it difficult to even form a coherent thought at the moment, 'I completed Gyomei's training…..and perhaps the rest of the pillar training. Now I just need…water….I need some water!' Thankfully, he'd thought to keep a thin canteen on him during training, choosing to be cautious when he didn't know what the regimen would do to his body negatively. Though there was one problem, he couldn't stop his weakened hands from shaking enough to get the damn cap off!

"Here, let me get that for you," said an unfamiliar female voice as a girl entered his vision. She seemed to be close to his age, maybe a year older at worst. Her hair was mostly black and short, though there was enough to tie up in a small ponytail that she currently had. She wore the traditional slayer uniform, but she made it distinctive by wearing a black and yellow sleeveless hakama that went slightly past her waist. Though the most striking features about her were her piercing yellow eyes and blond streaks in her hair that seemed to resemble lightning bolts.

"Who.…..are…..you," questioned Subaru between sips of his water. He'd learned long ago that trying to drink too fast when you're dehydrated could wind up backfiring slightly. And he was in no mood to be throwing up.

"My name is Jinora Kuwajima," she replied in introduction, "good to see there are other slayers completing the Stone Pillar's training."

"Subaru Genjirou," said the Matagi as he shook her hand from his position resting against the boulder, "and before I forget, are the other two doing okay?"

"Your friend with the mark on his head and the boy with the boar mask," said Jinora as she glanced in their direction, "Gyomei is tending to them now, and he brought plenty of water."

"Whew, that's good," said the Rifleman in relief as he managed to adjust himself to a proper sitting position, "anyway, I get the feeling you aren't here just to do a progress report on other slayers."

"Personally, I hope I'm in the right place," said Jinora as she pulled a rolled-up letter out of her pocket, "the Corps said they could send it by Kasugai crow, but this is something I felt needed to be delivered in person. Plus, I have a task of my own I need to complete once the letter get's where it needs to be. Only problem with that, it takes a little longer because I can't fly and I've never been good when it comes to navigating the mountains. Tell me, is Zenitsu Agamatsu here right now?"

"Just to be clear," said Subaru, "you're looking for a short, blond, whiny yellow pansy who shamelessly hits on women and can only fight when he's sleeping, right?"

"Yep, that's the one," said Jinora with a light smile, "you sound like you know him pretty well."

"Tanjiro's the one who let him be our friend," said Subaru, "if anyone asks me, I'll probably deny knowing him, especially if I'm sending a woman his way. Though you can probably kick his ass so I guess I got nothin' to worry about. Just follow the paths made by the boulders back across town to where they start. He should be cowering behind a tree or something right about now."

"Appreciate the help," said Jinora with a quick nod before turning and leaping away with incredible speed. 'A Breath of Thunder user,' he realized, 'though she moves with a bit more grace than Zenitsu.'

"She seems nice," commented Momiji, "wonder if she knows about Nezuko?"

"We can always ask later," said Subaru as he struggled to a standing position, "for now, we need to get back and rest up a bit befo-THWOOOOSH." For whatever reason, Jinora had returned, her breath style making it seem almost like she'd appeared in a bolt of lightning.

"I almost forgot," she said as she handed him another rolled up letter she had, "I was given orders directly from Oyakata to give this letter to you. Apparently, he'll be requesting your presence very soon." Subaru could only tilt his head in confusion as Jinora sped off again as question after question piled up in his mind. 'Why in the world does the head of the Demon Slayer Corps want to see me now of all times, and why just me?' He'd soon find out, and he would not be overly fond of the answer.

And so the training is complete! Or at least the main parts of it are. But what could Ubuyashiki want with Subaru? Also, I hope you liked the introduction of our latest OC, Jinora Kuwajima. Hopefully you'll like her pretty well despite the late introduction and as always feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chaptes. Be sure to stop in next time as final preparations, of all kinds, begin for the battle against Muzan! 'Til then.