NOVEL FROG [5] : Forging Strength: Mika’s Training Under Urokodaki
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The next day, around noon, Mika and Tanjiro went up the mountain again under the guidance of Sakonji Urokodaki.
Feeling the thin air and thick fog around him, Mika's mind immediately recalled the tragic experience of the night before. Due to a lack of physical strength, he couldn't avoid many of the traps he discovered and had to physically endure them, leaving him covered in injuries by the time he returned yesterday.
Even with the special medicine Mr. Urokodaki gave him, he still felt slight pain in his body today.
"For today and for a long time to come, your training will involve repeatedly going up and down this mountain. Only if you can complete the descent without a scratch will you move on to the next stage," Urokodaki said before his figure disappeared into the mist.
"Coming down unscathed, huh?" Even though Mika had expected this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. The descent had brought him his most painful memories so far. He didn't want to go through that pain again, but he knew it was inevitable. In order to learn the breathing techniques and the swordsmanship, Mika had to pass this test.
"Let's go, Tanjiro!"
"Yes, you be careful too, Mika!"
"Don't worry!" After exchanging a few words with Tanjiro, Mika ran resolutely into the fog ahead.
Unlike the previous day, Mika and Tanjiro did not take the same path downhill this time, which meant that no one could lead the way for Mika. Mika wasn't surprised by this, as Urokodaki had trained many swordsmen in the past, and it wasn't uncommon for several swordsmen to be trained at the same time.
Besides, without Tanjiro's guidance, Mika wasn't afraid. After all, he was here to train and improve himself. While Tanjiro had a strong sense of smell, Mika didn't have this ability. He had to develop his own sense of smell.
"Bam!" Struck by a flying log, Mika quickly got up and continued running. More and more mechanisms and traps followed. Unlike the traps from the night before, these were more hidden and perfect, making them difficult for Mika to detect quickly.
His experience was limited here and he felt targeted. Without Tanjiro's keen sense of smell, Mika could only detect the traps when they were close. The fog obscured his vision and made him feel like he was in the dark.
"I can't go on like this," Mika thought as he lay in a pit and looked at the darkening sky. "This test of descending through traps isn't just about training our strength, speed and agility, it's also about sharpening our perception of danger."
"Using the fog to obscure our vision is meant to train us to use other senses besides our eyes," Mika remembered Tanjiro's original training path and quickly understood everything.
Unlike Mika, Tanjiro didn't need to develop new senses because he had a natural sense of smell. His sense of smell was his perfect ability to perceive danger. He just had to improve it. But Mika was different; he was just an ordinary person without Tanjiro's talents. He needed to develop a new sense of danger perception.
"Among the five human senses, hearing is the most sensitive after sight. So I have to train my ability to locate through sound," Mika thought. "Can I do it?"
Looking at the stars above, Mika suddenly sat up and jumped out of the pit. "It's not about if I can, but if I do!" Climbing out of the pit, he closed his eyes and ran forward again. This time he fell even more miserably.
...
"Mika!" Seeing Mika crawling out of the forest again, Tanjiro, who was waiting in front of the house, quickly ran over to help him. "Mika, how did you get hurt so badly?" Tanjiro examined Mika's bruises and swelling. Even though there was no bleeding, it still looked terrible. In Tanjiro's opinion, Mika's injuries were worse than the ones he had received the night before.
Mika had been injured so badly the night before because he had exhausted his strength while running. After resting, with full strength, he should have found it easier today. But Mika's condition puzzled Tanjiro. Urokodaki, who was standing nearby, was also puzzled.
"I'm fine!" Despite her wounds, Mika smiled. On the trap-filled path, after closing his eyes halfway, he finally dodged a flying log after countless hits and falls. It might have been a coincidence, but it showed that Mika's idea was feasible. Even though he was immediately hit again, his smile never faded. Mika felt a burning determination inside of him.
"Mr. Urokodaki, I've found my way forward." Seeing Mika's eager eyes, Urokodaki, though unsure of what had happened, knew how to respond. "If you've found it, continue on this path."
"Yes!"
Seeing Mika's smiling face and Tanjiro's confused look, Urokodaki felt even more confused. "It's getting late. Mika, go inside and have dinner. After dinner, let Tanjiro apply the medicine for you and rest immediately. There's training tomorrow."
"Yes!" Mika replied seriously and returned to the house with Tanjiro's help.
...
The next day, although he still felt sore after waking up, Mika got up without hesitation, driven by his burning passion. After breakfast, he followed Urokodaki and Tanjiro back to the mountain. This time, he kept his eyes closed all the way down. As a result, his injuries were worse than the day before. But that day, Mika managed to avoid three traps.
In the following days, Mika repeated this training over and over again. Under the torture of various traps and mechanisms, his strength, speed, and agility improved significantly. More importantly, his hearing improved the most. After more than a month of constant injuries, Mika's hearing allowed him to avoid most of the traps. Although he wasn't as unharmed as Tanjiro, it was still impressive. Tanjiro's naturally keen sense of smell had become even more terrifying with training.
At this point, Tanjiro had entered the second stage of the downhill training, where he was faced with even more tricky, fast, and dangerous traps. In a way, Mika was left behind by Tanjiro. But Mika wasn't worried because he was getting better by the moment.
...
"Hah!" Standing on the fog-covered mountain, Mika took a deep breath. Then he closed his eyes and ran down the mountain. As he ran, various traps and mechanisms were triggered. Flying stones, logs, and various traps kept shooting at Mika, trying to impede his progress. But Mika's body seemed to anticipate everything and dodged them again and again. He avoided the ground traps perfectly and no attack could hit him.
At that moment, Mika had control over everything in the forest. "Swish!" Passing through the last forest, Mika slowly stopped. He opened his eyes and saw the small house in front of him. His calm expression changed to one of excitement. "I made it!" Mika jumped up excitedly and waved his arms. It had been three months since he started training as a demon hunter, and he was very pleased with his progress. Besides his improved hearing, his instincts had been sharpened by the constant beatings.
Perhaps due to his constant injuries, one day he dodged a flying stone at the last moment by sheer instinct. From then on, this mysterious ability began to grow in him. Mika was very happy with this new intuition. Even though he had fallen behind Tanjiro in training, he didn't mind. Mika knew that his real competitor was always himself.
"So, Mika, you've completed the first stage of the downhill training perfectly. Starting tomorrow, you'll move on to the second stage," Urokodaki said calmly, although he was actually very excited. He had been secretly watching Mika and knew what Mika was up to. Even though he thought that Mika might be thinking too much, he didn't interrupt his ideas. He believed that the training was possible. So he just watched and offered some help. Now that Mika had completed the training, Urokodaki was amazed. This child is a true genius.
"Yes, Mr. Urokodaki!" Mika replied loudly. Since he had been left behind by Tanjiro in the training process, he knew the second stage well. The second stage of the downhill training had two parts. The traps in the forest would become more dangerous. The flying stones would be replaced by flying knives, the trunks would be covered with blades, and the traps would be filled with iron spikes. Injuries would no longer be minor bumps, but serious wounds or even death. The second part was the sword training.
Mika was excited to learn swordsmanship. As a future demon slayer, he had to master swordsmanship. Even though the future training would be harder, Mika was passionate about this continuous improvement.
...
"995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000!"
After the last swing, Mika was drenched in sweat. As an experienced anime fan, Mika had his own understanding of learning. He swung each blow with all his strength. His other senses also improved due to his deliberate hearing training. While continuously swinging his sword,
Mika could feel the sword becoming a part of his body. This was a result of his improved touch.
With each swing, this feeling became more pronounced, showing that his three months of sensory training hadn't been in vain. This change could have profound implications. As the traps and mechanisms in the forest became more dangerous, Mika's intuition improved rapidly. Unlike before, any failure to dodge perfectly could result in serious injury or death.
Mika never thought about whether Urokodaki would save him in a crisis. He plunged into the danger, forcing his body to grow faster. And he succeeded. In the midst of the dangers of the forest, Mika's sensory abilities continued to develop, allowing him to
to quickly complete the second stage of training. He also quickly completed the third stage of moving through the forest with a sword. His refined body was able to evade traps, even with a sword in his hand.
After six months, Mika completed all of the downhill training and entered the next stage of training.
...
"Tanjiro, has Nezuko's condition improved?" After finishing training one night, Mika asked Tanjiro, who was writing in his room. Because of Tanjiro's excellence, he had moved on to a more advanced training, and they no longer trained at the same place. So they only saw each other at breakfast and dinner.
"It's you, Mika. Nezuko is still the same, still sleeping," Tanjiro said sadly and looked at his sleeping sister. Shortly after arriving at Sagiri Mountain, Nezuko fell into a coma. Although Urokodaki brought a doctor, Nezuko's condition remained unchanged. Tanjiro worried daily, fearing that she might die quietly in her sleep.
"Do not worry. Nezuko will surely wake up. Remember, demons can only be killed by sunlight or special weapons that show their strong vitality. Nezuko won't die easily."
"Yes!" Tanjiro felt encouraged by Mika's words. Seeing Tanjiro's renewed spirit, Mika smiled. Then he said seriously, "Tanjiro, I've finished the downhill training. I'll catch up with you soon. Don't let me overtake you."
"Don't worry, Mika. I won't let you pass me easily."
Over time, Mika and Tanjiro, who were similar in age, had become competitive. Even though Tanjiro had left Mika behind, they both knew that the gap wouldn't last.
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After his exchange with Tanjiro, Mika began an even more rigorous training regimen the next day.
Although he had completed the downhill training, he still had to go up and down the mountain every day. But unlike before, when it took a full day, Mika could now make the round trip in just two to three hours. And that time was getting shorter and shorter.
The extra time was then used for other forms of training.
First of all, there was the sword training. In this training, Urokodaki-sensei taught Mika various knowledge about swords and how to use them.
According to him, swords were very susceptible to breaking. Even though they could withstand vertical force, they struggled against horizontal force. Therefore, when using a sword, the force must be applied straight. The direction of the force must be the same as the direction of the blade.
Besides that, there were many other sword techniques.
Mika quietly listened to Urokodaki-sensei's teachings, absorbing this knowledge that he had never understood before. As his understanding of the sword deepened, his sword training began to change.
Gradually, Mika's practice moves no longer consisted of just one type of swing. Even though they were only the basics of the basics, Mika immersed himself in them with joy.
The training time passed quickly.
Mika's speed up and down the mountain increased and his moves with the sword became more proficient.
Soon a new training began.
Wrestling training.
This kind of training was not unfamiliar to Mika. In this training, Mika had to hold a sword and face Urokodaki-sensei, who was unarmed. During the training, if Mika was knocked down, he had to quickly get up and return to the fighting state.
The purpose of this training was to ensure that no matter what position he was in, he could absorb the impact and quickly get back on his feet. This was to ensure his continuous fighting ability.
As for whether the sword in his hand would hurt Urokodaki-sensei, Mika felt there was no need to worry.
Who was Urokodaki Sakonji?
The former Water Hashira!
If Mika, a novice who hadn't learned breathing techniques yet, could hurt him, then there was no need to learn breathing techniques.
In fact, it was just as he thought.
Facing Mika, who was holding a sword, Urokodaki Sakonji could easily knock him down. Even with a weapon, Mika couldn't hurt him at all.
A master is indeed a master; there's still a long way to go before Mika can graduate!
Thus, Mika's life of constantly getting knocked down officially began.
...
"Total concentration breathing!"
When he heard what Urokodaki Sakonji said they would learn next, Mika's eyes lit up.
Breathing techniques!
The source of the Demon Slayer Corps' power.
This was what Mika really wanted to learn.
"Right, after that, I will teach you all ten forms of water breathing."
"Consciously breathing for a long time, allowing oxygen to reach every cell in your body, can enhance your body's natural healing ability, stabilize your mind, and activate your spirit."
"Relax your upper body and stabilize your lower body..."
Listening to Urokodaki-sensei's instructions, Mika began to breathe as instructed. But since Mika had never practiced this breathing technique before, how could he learn it all at once?
Under Urokodaki Sakonji's scrutinizing gaze, Mika's breathing became visibly more chaotic and did not meet the standard he spoke of.
Urokodaki Sakonji was not surprised.
For people who had to breathe constantly, it was extremely difficult to change their breathing rate.
But as a teacher, Urokodaki Sakonji had his teaching methods.
Seeing Mika's increasingly erratic posture, he extended his fist and swung it directly at him.
"Ah!!!"
...
Under Urokodaki Sakonji's fist, Mika quickly grasped the initial rhythm of the breathing technique. However, he still had a long way to go before he could master this breathing rhythm perfectly.
After all, he was fighting against his body's ingrained muscle memory that had merged with his mind and physique!
Unlike Tanjiro, who was unaware of the importance of the breathing technique, Mika, who knew its significance, made it and the upcoming ten forms of water breathing his main focus.
Without Urokodaki Sakonji's urging, Mika was very proactive in practicing the breathing technique.
Experiencing the feeling of "merging with water" under a waterfall was something Mika was very enthusiastic about.
After all, training under a waterfall seemed incredibly cool to him.
Besides the breathing technique, Mika also focused on the ten forms of Water Breathing.
First Form, Water Surface Slash.
Second Form, Water Wheel.
Third Form, Flowing Dance.
Fourth Form, Striking Tide.
Fifth Form, Blessed Rain After Drought.
Sixth Form, Whirlpool.
Seventh Form, Puncturing Raindrop Thrust.
Eighth Form, Waterfall Basin.
Ninth Form, Splashing Water Stream.
Tenth Form, Constant Flow.
These ten forms were the essence of Water Breathing.
Ever since Mika had been taught these ten forms, he had been practicing and studying them continuously.
Mika poured all his enthusiasm into the breathing technique and these ten forms of Water Breathing.
Sometimes, he would even practice at night when he got up to go to the bathroom because he hadn't practiced enough during the day.
Due to his passion for sword training, Mika naturally fell behind in other areas of his training.
As a result, by the time he finished all the training exercises in the thin air of the mountain, it had been a year and a half since he had started his training.
"I have nothing more to teach you! From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself to refine what I've taught you."
When Mika heard this, he froze, then bowed deeply to where Urokodaki Sakonji was standing.
"Thank you for your guidance during this time, Master Urokodaki!"
Mika's gratitude to Urokodaki Sakonji was heartfelt.
As the saying goes, "Once a teacher, always a father.
Respect for his master was in Mika's bones.
"Hmm, follow me!"
Seeing Mika's actions, Urokodaki Sakonji was deeply moved, but he did not forget today's task.
"Yes!"
Following Urokodaki Sakonji, Mika knew exactly where they were going.
There was no other possibility than this place.
Soon, as they passed through a forest, Mika saw Tanjiro's figure.
At the same time, Tanjiro naturally saw Mika and Urokodaki Sakonji.
Looking at Urokodaki Sakonji, Tanjiro clearly wanted to ask him something, as could be seen from his expression.
But when he saw Mika, he hesitated.
Led by Urokodaki Sakonji, Mika arrived in front of a massive boulder.
This boulder was taller than Mika and its surface was covered with sword marks.
"Just like Tanjiro, if you can cut through this boulder, I will allow you to participate in the 'Final Selection'!"
With that, he turned around and quietly disappeared into the forest.
Looking at the massive boulder, Mika's eyes showed a "as expected" expression.
Since all the swordsmen Urokodaki had trained had died in the final selection, he couldn't bear to see Mika and Tanjiro die there as well. So he chose a rock that was almost impossible to cut through.
Although his attitude had always been calm, Mika could still feel his unique concern.
Mika couldn't help but smile.
Turning around and looking at the dejected Tanjiro, Mika smiled and called out, "Yo, Tanjiro, it looks like we're on the same track again!
"So, how about a competition?"