LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 6: Tekeo's Resolve
The next day began with Urokodaki's loud voice echoing through the hut. Tekeo and Tanjiro, though still sore from their previous training, forced themselves out of bed. Tekeo, fueled by his newfound resolve and the discovery of his ambidexterity, felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"Today's training will be more intense," Urokodaki announced as they gathered outside. "You've just started to build your endurance, and you shall continue until you have absolute confidence, but now it's time to hone your skills further. Tekeo, you'll continue with your sword swings. Tanjiro, you'll practice your forms. We have no time to waste."
Tanjiro and Tekeo nodded in unison, their faces set with determination. Urokodaki watched them for a moment before leading Tanjiro to a secluded area for his form practice. Tekeo remained near the hut, his wooden sword in hand, ready to continue his sword-swinging practice.
Tekeo began his swings, each movement more precise and unwavering than the last. Urokodaki's advice echoed in his mind: consistency is key. As he swung, Tekeo could feel his muscles aching, but he pushed through the pain, driven by his desire to get stronger and support his family, never to be a burden.
After what felt like an eternity, Tekeo completed two thousand swings and collapsed to the ground, his body trembling from the exertion. As he lay there, panting, Urokodaki approached him.
"Good work, Tekeo. Your balance and control are even better than yesterday," Urokodaki said, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. "Rest for a moment, then join me for your next lesson."
Tekeo nodded weakly, grateful for the brief moment of rest. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart. After a few minutes, he forced himself to stand, wincing at the soreness in his muscles. Urokodaki was waiting for him, his expression serious.
"Today, we will begin your training with the Breath of Water," Urokodaki began. "This technique is fundamental to the Demon Slayer Corps. It requires precision, control, and a deep understanding of your own body."
Tekeo listened intently as Urokodaki demonstrated the first form of the Breath of Water. His movements were fluid and graceful, a stark contrast to the rigid training Tekeo had been doing. As he watched, Tekeo realized the importance of mastering this technique. It was not just about strength; it was about becoming one with his sword, moving with the grace and power of water.
"Now, you try," Urokodaki instructed, stepping back to give Tekeo space.
Tekeo took a deep breath and began to mimic Urokodaki's movements. At first, his actions were clumsy, but with each repetition, he grew more confident. Urokodaki corrected his stance and movements, offering guidance and encouragement. Slowly but surely, Tekeo's movements became more fluid, resembling the flowing water that the technique was named after.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Tekeo's confidence grew. He could feel the power of the Breath of Water, enhancing his strikes and giving him a sense of control he had never felt before. Urokodaki watched with approval, noting Tekeo's rapid progress.
By the time the sun began to set, Tekeo was exhausted but proud. He had made significant strides in mastering the first form of the Breath of Water. Urokodaki called for a halt, allowing Tekeo to rest.
"Good work today, Tekeo," Urokodaki said. "You've shown great promise. But remember, this is only the beginning. You must continue to practice and refine your technique. Compared to your brother Tanjiro, you have better control and power, but you still lack endurance."
Tekeo nodded, too tired to speak. He glanced over at Tanjiro, who was still diligently practicing his forms. Tekeo felt a swell of pride for his brother, knowing that they were both pushing themselves to their limits for the sake of their family.
As the brothers sat together, sharing a simple meal, Tekeo couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come. Despite the pain and exhaustion, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was truly becoming someone who could protect and support his loved ones.
That night, as Tekeo lay in bed, he thought about Urokodaki's words. Consistency and effort were key to becoming stronger. Tekeo made a silent vow to himself to continue pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey became. He would become a skilled swordsman, not just for himself, but for Tanjiro and Nezuko.
With that resolve burning in his heart, Tekeo drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges the next day would bring.
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A week had passed since Tekeo and Tanjiro started their rigorous training routine. They woke up early every day to run up and down the ominous mountain while carrying a basket filled with river rocks, improving their stamina and endurance. Master Urokodaki added more traps to make the climbs even more challenging. Along with stamina training, they performed five thousand sword swings before bed. Urokodaki taught them the Breath of Water stances and total concentration breathing, which Tekeo likened to a more stylish version of yoga from back on Earth. Breathing in through the nose, circulating the blood, expanding the muscles, and then slowly exhaling while relaxing every muscle. It took a while, but they understood the basics now.
Besides this, Urokodaki trained them to fall while taking the least amount of damage. Despite his age, Urokodaki was monstrously strong, lifting and throwing them down like bags of rice with minimal effort. Due to the presence of Tekeo, Urokodaki was much more stricter while training the two brothers. Slowly but steadily, their bodies adjusted to the training. In the blink of an eye, ten months had passed. Both Tanjiro and Tekeo had made significant progress. Their training intensified as their bodies adapted to better physiques. Within ten months, they had lost weight and developed lean muscles.
With the help of his gift, Tekeo's physique was getting stronger. His sword techniques had improved, and his hits were much harder. However, despite his perfect forms and balance he noticed a problem he faced, his moves didn't seem to connect. He approached Urokodaki with his concerns.
"It seems you have finally hit a limitation with your body type," Urokodaki said. Tekeo was confused, so he continued, "Many demon slayers learn one of the five basic sword styles: Water, Flame, Wind, Thunder, and Stone. Each having its unique perks. Water Breathing is nimble and mimics the movements of water, offering more options to its wielder and can defend or redirect force using its techniques. Thunder Breathing depends highly on speed and balance, they also focus highly on your lower limb to build speed and strength. Stone Breathing, the hardest of the five basic sword techniques, requires extreme body forging but offers strong attacks and an immovable body. Wind Breathing boasts power and aerodynamic ability, requiring strong core muscles and flexibility. Flame Breathing focuses on strong strikes, high endurance and one-shot kills."
Urokodaki took a break, lifting his sword. "I have been watching your training for the past ten months. Although you perform the moves well I believe you weren't suited to learn Water Breathing. Tekeo, it would be wise for you to choose a breathing technique that suits your body better."
Tekeo stood still, processing the information. He asked, "What do you suggest is the best breathing style for me?"
Urokodaki looked at him and said, "Your strikes are unusually strong, and your ability to adapt to different situations gives you an advantage in open spaces. I believe you are suited for both Wind and Flame Breathing."
Tekeo looked at his master and declared, "In that case, Master Urokodaki, I wish to learn Wind Breathing."
Urokodaki's expression had a hint of sadness but at the same time he felt a sense of pride from his student. "Prepare to set out; it's time you go to the place you truly belong." He went back to his room and started writing a letter to the Wind Breathing trainer, which he later sent using the kasugai crow. Tekeo told Tanjiro about everything and that it was time he went to train with a different master. Tanjiro had a sad expression but understood it was necessary for Tekeo to get stronger.
Urokodaki called the boys over for dinner. As they sat together, chatting about the future, Urokodaki got serious. "You are to depart in two weeks and go to Mount Tsukuba for further training."
Tekeo gulped and started to choke with a stupid face, and Tanjiro helped him by giving him water. It was the first time he was going to a place the manga never mentioned. Urokodaki continued, "For the next two weeks, you both are to focus only on your endurance training. I had wanted to do this much later once you were both proficient in Water Breathing, but we have to do it early so we don't lose this chance. For the next two weeks, you both are to keep sparring with each other."
Both Tekeo and Tanjiro smiled at each other and shouted, "Yes, Master!"
Urokodaki, for the first time in a while, felt the joy of being a master as he cheered them on as they finished their dinner.
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Author's Note: Hey everyone, it's the author here! I wanted to let you know that I'm aware there might be some mistakes in the chapters, so please point them out so I can fix them. I know this chapter was a bit long, but I'm working hard to keep the story exciting and engaging without dragging it out (I want you to have a great time, not a long and boring one, LOL). Please bear with me as I continue to send out more chapters. Your feedback and support mean a lot, so keep those power stones coming for regular updates! Thank you for reading!
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