"From now on, it's up to you to take what I've taught you and push it further," Urokodaki Sakonji said seriously.
"Your senior brother Shin doesn't need any more instruction. His talent surpasses even Giyu's—and yours. If he hadn't waited for you, he would already be a powerful member of the Demon Slayer Corps, like Tomioka Giyu."
"As for whether you can take part in the Final Selection… you'll need to pass one last test."
—"Follow me."
With those words, Urokodaki Sakonji vanished in a flash.
"Let's go," Shin said to Tanjiro and immediately followed after him.
Tanjiro hurried to catch up. The three of them moved quickly—Urokodaki Sakonji in front, Shin behind him, and Tanjiro taking up the rear.
Eventually, they arrived at an open clearing on Mount Sagiri. After a full year of training, snow had begun to fall once again on the mountain.
In the middle of the clearing stood a huge round boulder, thick rope wrapped around it. It must have been dragged there by Urokodaki Sakonji himself.
"Tanjiro," Urokodaki Sakonji said, turning to face him, "if you can slice this boulder in two, I will permit you—and Shin—to take part in the Final Selection."
Without another word, Urokodaki Sakonji turned and left.
"Master Urokodaki!" Tanjiro called after him several times, but the old man didn't stop.
Left alone with the boulder, Tanjiro stared at it in disbelief. Can this really be cut with just a sword?
He turned to Shin, who was calmly standing nearby. "Senior Shin… can you cut this boulder?"
Shin nodded. "Yes."
"Really?! Senior Shin, can you show me how?" Tanjiro asked, full of anticipation.
"No," Shin replied immediately.
"Why not?" Tanjiro was confused.
"This is the final test Master Urokodaki gave you. I can't interfere," Shin said firmly.
But there was more to it than that. The boulder was one of a kind. If Shin cut it, there wouldn't be another for Tanjiro to train with. And more importantly, Shin didn't want to rob Tanjiro of the opportunity to grow through his own effort.
"Think about what the old man said. Use your head. Don't waste too much time here."
With that, Shin turned and walked away, leaving Tanjiro standing alone.
"Senior Shin…" Tanjiro murmured, feeling lost.
Now, the only sounds on Mount Sagiri were the cold winter wind and the soft patter of falling snow.
Tanjiro sat in silence, Urokodaki Sakonji's and Shin's words echoing in his head.
Sublimation? Are all the things I've learned just the basics? Is there something deeper?
Driven by determination, Tanjiro gripped his sword and swung it at the boulder. The blade struck hard, letting out a sharp clang as it bounced off. The impact sent a jolt through his whole body.
Still, he didn't give up.
Six more months passed.
Without Urokodaki Sakonji's guidance, Tanjiro repeated his training day after day, desperately trying to split the boulder.
Shin occasionally sparred with him, but Tanjiro lost every single match.
One evening, Tanjiro sat down in front of the boulder, exhausted and disheartened.
"Senior Shin… am I really that useless? Half a year has passed, and I still can't cut this rock…"
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