Demon Slayer: Guardian of the Forest

In the well-lit room, Master Moriki sat upright, his demeanor calm but imposing. Beside him, Chinatsu Ryukawa, adorned in an elegant kimono, was happily teasing a round, furry "meatball" with a strip of jerky in her hand.

Half a year had passed, and under Chinatsu's relentless feeding, Shinichi's Shiba Inu, Marumaru, had ballooned to an astonishing size. Its figure now resembled a fluffy ball more than a dog, to the point where anyone would struggle to recognize it as a Shiba Inu.

Master Moriki maintained his silence. For an entire hour since his arrival, he hadn't spoken a single word, only sat serenely, his gaze distant.

As dawn began to creep over the horizon, Shinichi pushed the door open, his wooden practice sword slung over his shoulder. Exhausted but alert from a night of rigorous training, he blinked at the sight of the solemn Moriki, the cheerful Chinatsu, and the oversized Marumaru. Plopping down casually on the floor, Shinichi greeted them nonchalantly.

"Old man, what brings you here so early? If it's important, shouldn't you be resting instead of stressing your ancient bones?"

Moriki didn't reply immediately. He remained lost in thought, his expression distant. Only when Shinichi asked again did the elderly master finally stir.

"It's you, Shinichi. Back from training already?" His tone was odd, carrying an almost eerie undertone.

"Isn't it obvious?" Shinichi replied, brushing off the concern. "Seriously, old man, take it easy. At your age, you should save your energy. Don't overdo it." Then, turning his attention to the oversized fluff ball at Chinatsu's feet, he called out, "Marumaru! Come here, boy!"

The "meatball" hesitated, casting a wistful glance at Chinatsu before waddling over to Shinichi.

As Marumaru approached, Shinichi couldn't hold back his irritation. With a sharp flick, he thumped the dog lightly on the head. "You gluttonous mutt! All you do is eat! Look at you—should I start calling you Shiba Pig instead?"

Marumaru whimpered in protest, his ears drooping as he let out a pitiful whine.

"Don't look at me like that! You've got no one to blame but yourself!"

Chinatsu quickly intervened, her voice soft yet pleading. "Shinichi-sama, please don't blame Marumaru. It's my fault for feeding him too much. If you must scold someone, let it be me."

Shinichi sighed, exasperated. "It's my dog, for crying out loud! Why does it feel like I'm the bad guy here?"

"Ahem!" Moriki's deliberate cough interrupted the banter, silencing the room.

All eyes turned to the elderly master.

Moriki sat still for a moment longer, his expression grave. Finally, he broke the silence. "Shinichi, from the day you began training in the Breath of the Forest, it has been over eight months. In this short time, you've mastered the first seven forms—a feat beyond remarkable. But now, I must tell you..."

The elder's voice dropped, his tone becoming razor-sharp.

"...It is time for you to leave."

Shinichi froze. Leave? His mind struggled to process the word.

In the months he'd spent at the Moriki estate, Shinichi had found peace and purpose. Here, he honed the Breath of the Forest, bonded with Marumaru, and even enjoyed sneaking off to the nearby village for occasional mischief. This place had become his sanctuary—a home in a world where he often felt out of place.

And now, Moriki's declaration shattered that peace.

But deep down, Shinichi understood. He wasn't just a young man. He wasn't even fully human anymore. As a demon wielding the Breath of the Forest, his mission was clear: to hunt and destroy the demons that plagued humanity.

Taking a deep breath, Shinichi met Moriki's gaze, his pink eyes burning with determination. "I understand, old man. Don't worry—I haven't forgotten my promise. I'll use the Breath of the Forest to hunt down demons and honor the Moriki lineage."

"Good." Moriki nodded, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.

The elderly master stood, moving to a small stand behind him. Reverently, he retrieved a blade housed in a jade-green sheath, its surface adorned with intricate engravings of vines and dragons.

"This blade is the Forest Dragon, passed down from the days of Shunichi, the founder of the Breath of the Forest. Today, I entrust it to you, Shinichi. You are now the new heir of the Breath of the Forest. Promise me you'll carry on this legacy."

Shinichi accepted the blade with both hands. The weight of the sword was significant, but even heavier was the responsibility it symbolized.

"I promise, old man. I won't let you down."

Moriki smiled faintly, his wrinkles deepening with a mixture of pride and sorrow. Returning to his seat, he added, "There's one final task left."

"What's that?" Shinichi asked absently, distracted by the gleam of the blade as he unsheathed it to admire the intricate carvings along its edge.

Before he could get an answer, an overwhelming stench of blood flooded the room.

Drip. Drip.

Thick crimson liquid splattered onto the tatami mat, soaking into Moriki's robes. The metallic tang was intoxicating, saturating the air with an allure so potent it made Shinichi's knees weak.

"What the..." Shinichi's vision blurred. His heart raced as a primal hunger seized him. His fangs extended, his once-gentle pink irises igniting into a fiery red. Black claws erupted from his fingertips.

The demon within him roared.

Shinichi's gaze locked onto Moriki, who now radiated an irresistible scent. It was intoxicating, maddening. Every instinct screamed for him to lunge, to devour.

"New blood... fresh... so good..."

Moriki remained calm, watching as Shinichi writhed in agony. This was the final trial. The blood covering Moriki was no ordinary blood—it belonged to a rare kekketshu human, whose blood was said to rival the allure of a hundred normal humans. For a demon, resisting such blood was nearly impossible.

"Shinichi, you are the most gifted of them all," Moriki murmured. "You must endure. Don't succumb to the monster within!"

Shinichi clawed at his own scalp, his body convulsing as he battled the urges threatening to consume him.

"No... I made a vow. I won't... I can't... I WILL NOT EAT HUMANS!"

His voice erupted in a guttural roar, the battle between his human will and demonic hunger reaching its breaking point.