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Chapter 18: Water Walking X A Leap of Faith
🕑 Added 2025-10-19 10:27:07 +0000 UTCChapter 18: Water Walking X A Leap of Faith
"Bro, are we going to Sagiri Mountain to learn how to kill demons?"
Tanjiro's voice was a mix of excitement and apprehension. "I remember Old Man Takeya from town talking about it once. He said there are real demon slayers there."
Takeya was a friend of their father's, a portly man with a magnificent beard who ran a clothing shop. He'd moved away years ago, but his stories had clearly stuck with Tanjiro.
"I am," Roy replied, not breaking his stride. They were walking alongside a wide, fast-flowing river. "You are not."
The river was called the Stillwater. Following it west was the fastest route to the town at the mountain's base.
"Why not?" Tanjiro's voice cracked. He scrambled in front of Roy, blocking his path with outstretched arms. "You promised you'd train me! You can't go back on your word!"
I said I'd train you, Roy thought. I never said I'd teach you a Breathing Style.
Tanjiro's physical conditioning was still far too poor. By Zoldyck standards, he was practically useless. Mike the beast hound probably wouldn't even consider him a snack. Before he could even think about learning something as demanding as a Breathing Style, he needed to build a proper foundation. Roy would train him the only way he knew how: the Zoldyck way.
"Alright," Roy said.
The foolish little brother had no idea what he was in for. Seeing Roy agree, he started beaming, practically dancing with excitement.
His joy was short-lived.
"Bro... are you serious?" Tanjiro's face had gone pale.
Roy's first training assignment was simple: reach the town at the foot of the mountain before the morning rush ends. It was a journey that normally took four hours. Roy was demanding they do it in two.
"How is that even possible?" Tanjiro stammered.
"Run."
It was the only answer. They would run the entire way, with full baskets of charcoal on their backs. There was no better way to build his stamina and strengthen his body.
Roy did a few quick ankle rotations. "You run on the bank," he said, turning towards the rushing river. "I'll run on the water."
He didn't look back. "We have to make it on time."
"Run on the... water?" Tanjiro stared, certain he'd misheard. Then he watched in horror as Roy, basket and all, took a running leap towards the river.
"BRO!" he screamed, lunging forward to grab his arm. "I take it back! I don't want to train anymore, okay?! Just come back!"
Tears streamed down the boy's face. A single, horrified thought repeated in his mind: It's my fault. I pushed him too far. This is all my fault.
Tanjiro's kindness was his greatest strength and weakness. It was the same quality that would later make him hesitate to kill the demon attacking his sister, a hesitation that nearly cost him everything.
Crying?
"Just so you know," Roy's calm voice cut through his panic, "crying counts against our time."
"Huh?" Tanjiro looked up from his despair.
And then he saw it.
Roy had landed on the surface of the river. He wobbled for a second, then stood firm, the water rippling under his feet but not breaking.
It was "Water Walking," a small trick for mastering shape transformation detailed in Zzigg Zoldyck's notes. By imagining his Nen spreading out like the webbed feet of a duck, he could create a solid platform just beneath his soles.
And it worked.
The boy with the deep crimson hair and sun-patterned earring stood on the rushing water, a faint shimmer of aura visible around his feet. He left a stunned Tanjiro on the bank and shot forward, carving a thin, straight line across the river's surface.
"BRO! WAIT FOR ME!" The iron-headed kid finally snapped out of his trance. Laughing and crying at the same time, he didn't even bother to wipe the tears from his face, letting the wind dry them as he sprinted along the riverbank, chasing after the impossible figure.
[Alert: 'Nen Shape Transformation' training activated.]
[Shape Mastery +0.05...+0.05...+0.05...]
The system notifications were a welcome bonus. According to the book, Roy thought, there are other exercises. Cliff Walking, Hookless Fishing... the goal is always the same. To use the shape of your Nen to overcome the limitations of the natural world.
In other words, to impose your will on reality.
With that thought, he pushed off, incorporating Shadow Step into his movements. He became a blur, leaving a trail of after-images on the water's surface, startling a flock of egrets into flight.
Tanjiro watched, panting, a new fire in his eyes. I want to be that cool, too! He let out a determined yell and pushed himself to run even faster.
Soon, through the trees, they could see the rooftops of the town below. The sounds of merchants calling out their wares and the braying of mules drifted up to them.
With a final, graceful leap, Roy landed silently on the riverbank. Tanjiro collapsed behind him, his chest heaving like a broken bellows.
"Here," Roy said, tossing two rice balls to his brother. He was still his brother, after all. Even in a dream world, you couldn't work your family like a pack mule.
After a short rest, they entered the town. Thanks to their father's good reputation, they sold both baskets of charcoal in no time. They used the money to buy new kimonos for Nezuko, candy for the younger boys, and a small rattle for Hanako. The afternoon passed quickly.
Tanjiro stopped in front of a blacksmith's shop, his eyes lingering on the swords displayed inside. "Bro, maybe we should use some of the money to buy you a proper sword?"
The image of Roy fighting the demon was still fresh in his mind. He couldn't help but think it would have been easier if his brother had been holding a real blade instead of an axe.
"Don't bother," Roy said, pulling him away. He'd already gotten directions to Sagiri Mountain from a friendly shopkeeper. "Normal blades can't kill them."
Tanjiro's face fell, but he followed without another word. "The mushroom lady said Sagiri Mountain is just over that southern ridge," he said, his optimism returning. "She said there's a shrine up there where we can spend the night!"
Yes, Roy thought, a grim smile touching his lips. A shrine that just so happens to be a demon's personal hunting blind. This should be interesting.
He could already smell the faint, coppery scent of old blood on the wind.
