just like a blue gem shining

By: Aviantei

Part Four:

"Formation of a New Storm"

Kuwajima Jigorō has gathered an interesting collection of apprentices in the past few months—though to say that he gathered them makes it sound like he's responsible for them coming under his care, which isn't quite the case. Instead, they all appeared in front of him within the span of a few months, and each of them said the exact same words: "Please let me be your apprentice."

It was getting to be about time that he took more students on, so he granted their requests. As it were, they all had the potential for it, so there was no reason not to take them in. And that estimation of their capability isn't wrong. First Rairi, then Kaigaku after them, and lastly Zenitsu—all of them take to the lessons with absolute ease, picking up what they need to do with little to no explanation. He sees it more than once, when their bodies can't keep up with their brains, so he just continues to push them into training so they can become as capable as they all have the ability to be.

The three of them also have an awkward atmosphere around them that lasts for a while. Oh, sure, they get along well enough; Rairi is good at helping Kaigaku through whatever he went through before he arrived here, good with encouraging Zenitsu when he has trouble with the second through sixth forms, and Kaigaku and Zenitsu form a friendly rivalry to keep pushing the other to greater heights. But Jigorō has lived a long time, and he can tell there's a tension between all of them that sometimes sticks into the air.

On occassion, he'll notice Zenitsu touching the base of his left ring finger, Rairi doing the same or reaching for something around their neck that isn't there, Kaigaku watching the other two with guilt flickering in his eyes, and Jigorō will wonder what these children have gone through, what they can see that Jigorō cannot.

Whatever it is, it doesn't drag the three of them down in the slightest. Even when they pause, they all pick themselves up and charge forward with determination, and their swordplay improves with each day, with each practice, with each sparring match. And while Jigorō can't say for certain that's the result of his training or his students' natural capability and skill, there's no doubt that they all understand what it means to be a user of Thunder Breathing in the very deepest depths of their hearts.

"I have an important announcement to make."

It's dinnertime in mid-summer when Jigorō says this, not even a full year since Rairi first showed up on his doorstep and dropped down in a deep bow, begging to be under his tutelage. Though Jigorō expected them all to pay attention, he didn't expect the tension that slips into the air at his words. Rairi and Kaigaku's hands collide and tangle together on top of the tatami mats, while Zenitsu, sitting opposite, looks at them both with worry and concern etched in his expression.

(After one spring day, when the three of them came in for breakfast together, smiling with traces of tears still clinging to their faces, their group dynamic changed. It's a strange relationship, one that Jigorō doesn't fully understand, but, as with all of his apprentices, if they give their all to learning Thunder Breathing, then Jigorō couldn't ask for anything more.

And, in the case of these three, if they're happy, he couldn't ask for anything more.)

With three sets of expectant gazes on him—golden, turquoise, deep brown—Jigorō continues, "Under normal conditions, I wouldn't send out an apprentice to Final Selection before they've completed two years of training under me. However, the three of you have already proven that you're beyond capable of handling what comes next. I could continue to teach you, but it would only serve to hold you back." Though Zenitsu's execution of the second through sixth forms needs work, he's managed to develop a seventh that plays to his strengths. Kaigaku has never been able to execute the first, but he's polished the other forms to a level beyond what should be possible with the training he's received so far. And Rairi has a sharp enough eye that they find the errors in their own practice without Jigorō needing to open his mouth, one that they use to take their skills even further—and that's to say nothing of all the suggestions they've had about adjusting the Corps system from the ground up. Already, all of them have started to utilize Total Concentration: Constant, without any instruction. Like a wave, his students' apprehensive expressions melt away at their sensei's words. "I'll allow you all to come with me to face a demon tonight, just to be sure of it. But since it's all of you, I'm sure you'll succeed and become Demon Slayers. Be ready to go at dusk."

The resounding "Yes, Sensei!" that echoes out of their mouths is reassuring, as is the fact that the three of them move as a well-coordinated unit against the demon in the wild, their expressions shining with the excitement of success under the moonlight.

As a Cultivator, Jigorō has certain privileges to help with his training. In addition to receiving funds to help pay for food and clothes, he can also request for low leveled demons to administer his last test before Final Selection. At least here, he'll be present to ensure his students can survive—though that doesn't seem like much of a concern with these three. Rairi, Kaigaku, and Zenitsu all show no concern whatsoever, confident in their skill to defeat a single demon as a unit.

But this isn't a simple three-on-one fight. Jigorō may care for these students a bit more than usual, but that is all the more reason not to go easy on them. They'll be facing much stronger opponents—if not in Final Selection, then in later fights. If they're all going to reach their full potential, Jigorō needs to be beyond certain that they'll survive.

"There are enough demons for you each to kill one," Jigorō says, leading the way to where the Corps has released the testing demons. None of his students falter behind them, though their footsteps remain silent with training. "You must each defeat one for me to pass you. I don't want any one of you to overpower the others. You lot are strongest as a team. Make the best use of that."

"Right!"

Jigorō hums, spinning around to look his students over. "If you understand, then you are ready to begin."

In most cases, Jigorō will bring his students right to a demon, then test their battle capability, but that doesn't seem like much of a challenge for these three. He's seen them all in action before, and he's more than certain that they'll be able to face an opponent with no issues. No, there are other skills that are necessary for the survival of a Demon Slayer, and finding the opponent before they find you is a critical one.

Rairi, Kaigaku, and Zenitsu all set off, blasting away with the speed of Thunder Breathing students—but they're not going so quick that Jigorō can't keep up with them, even with his leg as it is. He expected something a little more level-headed from Rairi, who's chosen to take point—except he can hear their voice as they say, "Zenitsu."

"The closest one is up ahead, in about twenty meters," Zenitsu says, making full use of his ears. "Then about…twenty-two meters, northwest. Last one is kind of high up, so I think it's in the trees…east, about fifteen meters."

"I'll go east, then," Kaigaku says, already pulling ahead. Rairi and Zenitsu exchange short glances then split off in the remaining two directions with precision, picking up their speed as well. It's impossible for Jigorō to follow them all, to observe what's going on—except the boom and flash of yellow light that follow soon after are telling enough.

The first comes in the direction Zenitsu chose, despite him having the most ground to cover. Even the most basic Hekireki Issen is a powerful tool in his hands, and that speed serves him well, despite his potential limitations. The massive boom from Kaigaku is a clear indication of a successful Netsu Kairai, which he tends to favor over the other forms, its power more than enough to topple a tree in its wake. And then is Rairi's own technique, the flashing strikes of Inadama sending up several successive bursts of light in what should be the finisher to this test.

Except—

"Fucking hell!" Rairi's shout snaps through the air. They set off an Enrai, the ranged attack a signal to let the others know where they are. Jigorō kept up behind them for a reason, that reason being that they'd wandered closest to the nest of the fourth demon. It's a bit more powerful than what he'd consider appropriate for an entry-level test, and it has enough of an ability to keep its presence hidden that even Zenitsu wouldn't be able to hear it. Jigorō arrives in time to watch Rairi dodge out of the way of the demon's claws, a scowl on their face. "That was super fucking rude, Sensei!"

"Don't talk to me about manners with that mouth of yours, Child!" Jigorō has a sword at his hip if necessary, but he hasn't drawn it yet. "You've already made waves by insisting on rebuilding the structure of the Corps. If you're going to insist on taking that path, you need to be stronger than the others, need to be able to back up your words with power as well. If you want to save as many people as possible, then you shouldn't set your sights on anything less than becoming a Hashira!"

He shouldn't put so much pressure on just Rairi, not whenever he's chosen all three of his students to become his successors. But while all of them have great drive to become stronger, it's obvious that Rairi is carrying the strongest ambition. A rebuilt Corps structure is long overdue—but that's not something any Mizunoto can do from their first day. It's impressive enough that they've managed to influence the current Corps leader as is—but that sort of favor will lead to complications.

Rairi—Jigorō's child—needs to be strong enough to blow any complaints out of the water.

I know you lot can pull it off. Now stand proud as students of Thunder Breathing!

"Oi, oi, Sensei," comes Kaigaku's drawl, "don't go ignoring us while you're at it. Roku no Kata: Dengō Raigō!"

While it's not as anywhere near as refined as Rairi's control, Kaigaku has enough precision in the ranged technique to give Rairi an opening to escape from the demon, scoring some glancing blows while he's at it—and that just gives Zenitsu enough time to blaze in with his Shinsoku variation of the Hekireki Issen. The demon is tough, so it doesn't score the kill, but one of the demon's legs goes flying upsetting its balance enough to send it toppling.

"Aniki's right, Jī-chan!" Zenitsu says. "All of us are going to give this our very best!"

The demon's regeneration rate is quick enough that it's back on its feet before long—but now it's surrounded by Jigorō's three students, each of them at the ready with their swords. Even Rairi has regained their composure, their expression set with a determined grin. "Man, who would have thought being an overachiever would have you raise your standards so much, Sensei? Alright, if that's what you want, we'll give it a shot. Zenitsu, Kaigaku!" And then, all of them drawing in breath—

"Kaminari no Kokyū—"

"Ni no Kata: Inadama!"

"San no Kata: Shūbun Seirai!"

"Shichi no Kata: Honoikazuchi no Kami!"

Their timing is impeccable. Rairi's opening assault causes several more injuries, redirecting the demon's regeneration, while Kaigaku closes it in further the moment Rairi is out of the way. With the Shūbun Seirai complete, Zenitsu is there in the next second, the shape of the thunder behind him securing the kill. For a moment, they all wait, confirming the demon's defeat, and then the tension bleeds out of them all, Jigorō included.

I don't know why I bothered to worry about them all. They're more than capable of handling what's needed of them.

Slowly, Rairi, Kaigaku, and Zenitsu all come to stand before Jigorō. They're children, yes, but there's a clear look of determination in each of their faces—but there's also a sense of expectation, waiting for approval, though the results are more than obvious.

"You three have done nothing but surpass my expectations since you've arrived. I'm more than honored to be your teacher." Zenitsu sniffs loudly, already crying; Rairi's expression breaks into a sad sort of smile; and Kaigaku looks away, but not fast enough to hide his blush. "You three are my pride and joy. I have no problem sending you out to Final Selection and beyond."

That said, passing the first test isn't enough to guarantee survival. Nothing is, not in this line of work. But what Jigorō has just witnessed is more than proof enough that these three will support each other, that together they'll be able to accomplish great things.

Rairi is the first to dip into a bow, their braid slipping over their shoulder and almost reaching the ground. "Thank you, Sensei," they say, and then the others also bow and echo them. When Rairi stands back up, their expression has finalized into one of pride. "If that's what you want from us, we'll be sure to do it. We'll become the next Roaring Hashira."

Zenitsu and Kaigaku nod behind Rairi, and whenever he sees them all like that, Jigorō can't help but believe them. But saying that seems too fragile, too breakable, so all he does is strike his cane against the ground and turn around. "I'll hold you lot to that," he says. "Now let's go home, you brats."

[Author's Notes]

And so we accelerate the timeline a bit here, which is half the fun of doing a time loop. Thunder Trio is a bit more skilled and coordinated, so they get to be in Final Selection a year earlier. Good job, team!

Thanks to ToonyTwilight, baptuste420, and NeonSilhouette for the for the comments on the walk steady series! It always feels wild to me that this series is still seeing attention, so I appreciate you all.

Sensei, as always, has a handful with these three. But at least they're not all bickering this time. Not sure that makes it any easier to teach them, though.

I am still hashing out my exact posting schedule for next month, but I do have one more blue gem piece coming up next. I don't have a date settled just yet, but I'll be posting that in May. Please look forward to it!

-Avi

[20 April 2024]