The morning sun filtered through the trees as you stood at the base of Mount Sagiri, your breath already labored from the grueling hike. Urokodaki had led you and Tanjiro to a secluded clearing, the air filled with the faint scent of sakura blossoms and pine.

"This is where your training begins," Urokodaki announced, his deep voice cutting through the stillness. He gestured to the steep incline of the mountain above. "If you wish to become Demon Slayers, you must prove you can endure the harshness of the path ahead. Climb this mountain without stopping. Do not return until you reach the top."

You glanced at Tanjiro, whose jaw was set with determination. Swallowing your nerves, you nodded.

"Go," Urokodaki commanded, and with that, the two of you began your ascent.

The climb was far more punishing than you anticipated. The air grew thinner with each step, and the uneven terrain was littered with jagged rocks and tree roots that threatened to trip you at every turn.

"How...how are you still moving?" you panted, glancing at Tanjiro, who was a few steps ahead. His breath came in ragged gasps, but his pace never wavered.

"I'm not stopping," he replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "Nezuko's counting on us. We can't let her down."

His words spurred you on, and you pushed past the burning in your legs. The forest grew denser as you climbed, the sunlight fading into a dim glow beneath the canopy. The sound of rustling leaves and distant bird calls accompanied you, but there was an eerie stillness that kept you on edge.

Hours passed—or maybe it was days; you couldn't tell anymore. Your muscles ached, your hands were scraped raw from grabbing onto rocks and branches, and your vision swam with exhaustion. But finally, just as you thought you couldn't take another step, the trees thinned, and you emerged onto a flat plateau at the mountain's peak.

Tanjiro was already there, doubled over and gasping for air, but a triumphant smile spread across his face when he saw you. "You made it," he said, his voice hoarse but warm.

Barely able to speak, you nodded and collapsed beside him, staring up at the clear sky above. For a moment, the two of you simply lay there, the weight of the climb lifting as the cool breeze washed over you.

When you returned to the clearing, Urokodaki was waiting. His expression was unreadable as he inspected you and Tanjiro, but a faint nod of approval told you he was satisfied.

"You've completed the first step," he said. "But this was merely a test of endurance. Your true training begins now."

He led you to a small, secluded training ground surrounded by sakura trees in full bloom. The sight was breathtaking, the soft pink petals contrasting starkly with the harshness of the training equipment scattered around—a series of wooden posts, boulders, and various weapons gleaming in the sunlight.

"For the next few months, you will train your body, mind, and spirit," Urokodaki explained. "You will learn to wield a sword, hone your reflexes, and master the art of breathing. Only then will you be ready to face a demon."

Tanjiro stepped forward, determination blazing in his eyes. "We're ready."

You swallowed hard but nodded, your resolve matching your brother's.

"Good," Urokodaki said. "Then let us begin."

The days that followed were brutal. From dawn until dusk, Urokodaki pushed you and Tanjiro to your limits. You ran laps up and down the mountain, carried heavy stones across streams, and practiced sword techniques until your hands were blistered and your arms felt like lead.

"Keep your breathing steady!" Urokodaki barked one afternoon as you struggled to hold a stance. "If you cannot control your breath, you cannot control your blade!"

"Easy for you to say," you muttered under your breath, but you adjusted your posture nonetheless.

Tanjiro, ever the diligent student, seemed to thrive under the pressure. You admired his perseverance, even as you fought to keep up.

At night, the two of you collapsed in your shared room, your bodies aching but your spirits unbroken.

"How do you do it?" you asked one evening, staring at the wooden ceiling above.

"Do what?" Tanjiro replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

"Keep going. No matter how hard it gets."

He was quiet for a moment, then said, "I think about Nezuko. About how much she's sacrificed. And I think about our family. I want to make them proud."

His words settled deep in your heart, and you nodded. "I do too."

Weeks turned into months, and slowly, you began to see the fruits of your labor. Your movements became faster, your strikes more precise. The once overwhelming weight of the training sword now felt like an extension of your arm.

One day, Urokodaki presented you and Tanjiro with real blades.

"These swords are not yet nichirin blades," he said, placing the hilts in your hands. "But they will serve you well in your training. Treat them as an extension of yourselves."

The weight of the blade in your hand felt natural, almost comforting. You exchanged a look with Tanjiro, and a spark of excitement passed between you.

"Now," Urokodaki said, his tone turning grim, "there is one more test you must pass before you can move forward."

He led you to a hidden part of the mountain, where a massive boulder sat surrounded by sakura trees. The boulder was rough and jagged, towering above you like an insurmountable wall.

"Split this boulder," Urokodaki commanded, his voice unyielding.

Your jaw dropped. "You're kidding, right?"

He shook his head. "Only those who can cut the boulder will be ready for Final Selection. Until you succeed, your training will not progress."

You turned to Tanjiro, who was already gripping his sword tightly, his expression set with determination.

"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us," he said with a wry smile.

You sighed, gripping your own blade. "No kidding."

As the sakura petals swirled around you, you took a deep breath and prepared to face your next challenge.