Throughout the next few months the harsh training began. Aokime would be learning the "Breath of Ice" technique to give him a fighting chance in the final selection, as the next generation of Demon Slayers in the family. Kenichi continued to push his son to strengthen his core both physically and mentally.

First was using the skills he learned with the sword to now adapt the "Ice Breathing" techniques with it. This particular breathing style branches off the "Breath of Water" but has a heavy influence from the "Breath of Wind" as it borrows it's swift and destructive nature, blending it with Breath of Water's fluid motion.
"Again."
Aokime swings the wooden sword downward.
"1st form!" Kenishi ordered Aokime to preform the technique of the style as Aokime quickly swung horizontally. The swiftness of the swing caused a delay of pressure outward.
"2nd form! Now!"
Aokime quickly followed up with several slashes in quick succession.
"Finish it with 3rd form!"
After Aokime finished the 2nd form, he inhaled quickly as he set the sword at eye level with his left hand in front of him, before suddenly lunging forward with incredible speed. In that moment it felt like the air split in half at the point where the sword stopped. After that, Aokime was trying to catch his breath before suddenly collapsing on his knees from his overall exhaustion.
"Good. You've been improving on following up each technique without a gap in between. It's not perfect, but it's an improvement."
Kenichi began to walk back their home before looking back at his son.
"This breathing style is meant to be used as your strongest moves to end a fight as quickly as possible. Each of the moves will cost a lot of stamina to your own body. This Breathing Style focuses on using both your arms and legs in unison to deliver the maximum power to your enemy's weak points."

•••••••••

Focusing on strength of both arms and legs, Aokime needed to balance and strengthen his entire body all at once.
"Come on Aokime! Your body will be stronger than ever!"
"I feel my body is about to break into pieces!"
"You are a Nishikawa! This will be nothing to you in no time!"
This exercise was meant to apply pressure to your body and your mind as well. You are meant to hold it all together and concentrate on breathing to maintain full control of your body. All in unison.
After a few more minutes, Aokime collapsed with all the buckets falling over. Before they would fall over the floor, Anoki quickly dashed forward and caught all the buckets with ease.
"You're getting a lot better at this! I'm really proud of you!"
Anoki was smiling as she held the buckets on her head and hands, showing no sign of struggling.
"I thought I was going to be ripped in half."
Aokime said as he laid on the floor trying to catch his breath.

•••••••••

"Don't give up now. You still have 25 more reps to go."
"I've already done 50 already... I feel like I'm about to pass out."
"Control you breathing, maintaining concentration on your blood flow."
Kenichi said as he kept doing one arm Reps without breaking a sweat.
"Come on sweetie! You are doing great!"
As Anoki was cheering on her son to keep up with Kenichi.

Slowly approaching to the day of the Final Selection. Aokime was gifted a nichirin blade by his father. However it wasn't like the one he possessed himself, it was actually one that belonged to one of his long time friends that he lost years ago.
"I'm gifting you this blade specifically because I know that you will be able to fight back against the demons with the training you've been taught."
"Yes Father!"
Before Aokime walked away towards the selection, Anoki came up to he me son with a smile.
"Do you best out there and make sure to fight and protect those in need. You are about to become a demon slayer so don't give up ok? It's going to be scary but we believe in you."
"Brother!" Aokime's sister Nanami called out to him to give him a hug.
"You'll be back soon right?"
"Of course Nanami! I'll be sure to bring you back a souvenir."
"Yay! See you soon brother!" As Nanami went back inside.
Aokime smiled and hugged his mother and sister before setting off.

As Aokime began to fade away from his parents sight, Anoki began to cry.
"I know it was tough to hold that all in, Anoki. I'm certain our son will continue the legacy of our family name."
"I know he will... Kenichi. That's why I'm crying. I wasn't sure if I would want our son to be exposed to the things we have seen."
"It would be inevitable... the demon attacks have been growing and we need to teach our children to be strong and continue to defend themselves to the very end.

A few hours later...

[Wisteria Forest]

Upon approaching Mount Fujikasane, Aokime was looking around as the falling petals of the wisteria flowers. He was surprised to see that in the selection area, there was a lot kids around his age awaiting for it to start. It was very odd as the atmosphere was tensed as many of the kids were scared but some were quiet. However there was one particular girl with red hair that was meditating off to the edge. To think that there were more people like Aokime who are here to fight and become Demon Slayers.

Suddenly, all the slayers' attention was directed to the two girls standing at the main stand.
"Welcome to the final selection. This is a seven day trial to fight against the demons here on the mountain. Please be prepared for this challenge and do your best to survive."
The two girls were talking in unison which was a bit creepy, but the contestants were ready. Aokime was prepared for this trial as he knew what was coming and his training not only gave him an edge into this selection, but his body was able to endure the stress that will come with using the breathing style. That was when everyone was off.

Entering the forest, Aokime can already here the screams of the contestants and it was horrifying as it echoed in the air. Aokime knew what he was getting into so he took a deep breath and rushed forward. He was moving around and noticed he has yet to encounter a demon so instead of moving around, he decided to sit down on a rock and wait. Normally that would be suicide, but he wasn't afraid. However, while he was waiting he saw someone walking up to him.

"You're very relaxed for someone who is in the middle of a demon infested forest of their first day."

Aokime looked up and smiled.
"Well there's no reason to be freaking out. Might as well restrain my emotions to avoid losing my focus."
The other slayer chuckled and sat down next to Aokime.
"What's your name?"
"Nishikawa Aokime. What about you?"
"You can call me Mifune."
"A pleasure, Mifune."
As Aokime looked back around him to ensure they weren't going to be attacked.
"What made you want to be a demon slayer?"
"Huh? Oh I wanted to be demon slayer just like my parents were."
This response made Mifune's eyebrow raise in shock.
"You made the choice to put yourself in harms way to follow the path of your parents?"
Aokime nodded.
"I want to protect people from harm that the demons have caused, and I feel like my purpose is to do that."
Mifune was stunned for a moment but he smiled and placed his hand on Aokime's shoulder.

There was a pause before Mifune spoke up.
"It seems you have a heart of gold and it's very admirable, but it's clear that you haven't seen the worse that the demons have actually done. I pray you don't stray from your path, but be careful please... I don't want to lose a good slayer like you to these demons."
That's when Mifune got up and handed him a wrapped up package from his pocket.
"Take this onigiri. To keep you from staying hungry out here."
Aokime smiled and took the Onigiri.
"Thank you Mifune, please stay safe as well and I hope to see you at the end after this is all over."
Mifune smiled and walked off.

After some time of meditation, Aokime heard a voice behind him which made him wake up and place his hand on his sword. In the distance he saw two figures walking towards him and when it came into his line of sight, it was two grey skinned people with sharp teeth and horns.
"Ah yes! Some free food!"
"About time! I was wondering when a lonely slayer would appear so I can finally eat!"

Aokime took a deep breath stood in position. It was his first time encountering a demon up close and for a moment he was ready. However, the closer the demon got the more his heart rate began to spike up.
"This is a demon?! I've only heard of stories of them and I felt I was ready to take them on, but seeing it in person is a totally different experience! I can't loose focus!"
The demons lunged towards Aokime, prompting him to quickly prepared his sword and ready up his first attack.
"For the neck... aim for the neck! Like my father thought me!"

Ice breathing: Forth form...

"Time for you to serve your purpose! Our lunch!"
The demons outstretched their claws with the killing intent to swift end their prey's life.

...Frozen Tempest!

Aokime dashed forward to stand in between of the two demons, unleashing a swift 360 spin to strike both demons with precise and powerful attacks towards their necks.

The Fourth form from the Breath of Ice, Frozen Tempest, is a move that has the user do a 360 spin while striking their targets. As the user is spinning, they are pivoting their feet to position their next strike. It's a very fast motion that requires precise hand eye coordination to not miss a single strike within the spinning motion. To the untrained eye, it looks like a regular spin attack, but the user sees their targets frozen in their eyes, knowing where and how to strike their targets down.

The demons collapsed to the floor as their heads followed, disintegrating into flesh and ash. Aokime began to breath a bit heavily as the shock of killing his first demons were kicking in. No doubt about it... it felt off to Aokime because this was his first kill on something so close to a human. Despite the fact, what's done is done and there's no way back from it.
"Could this have been what Mother and Father felt when they slayed their first demons? I need to know. After I survive these 7 days, I will come back and ask them this question. I will not die!  I will continue onward!

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