As the senior disciple, Sabito felt it was his duty to help his junior recognize his true strength. He didn't want Renzo to get overconfident and make a fatal mistake while fighting demons in the future.
Standing not far away, Tomioka Giyu also felt tempted to join in. However, after witnessing the transformation in Renzo earlier and sensing that eerie danger from him, Giyu decided to wait and observe first.
Perhaps due to Renzo's mischievous antics over the past few years, Giyu was much more open and expressive than he was in the original timeline.
Though still quiet and reserved, there were moments when he could be unexpectedly playful and cunning.
"I ac..." Just as Renzo was about to accept the challenge—
A loud gong rang from a distance.
"The exam has begun! Let's go. I'll remember to deal with you later!" Sabito shot Renzo a glare before calling everyone to head toward the main plaza.
Soon, all the examinees had gathered, whispering among themselves about the strange reaction of their swords earlier.
Seeing the commotion, Ubuyashiki Kiriya and Ubuyashiki Hinaki rang the gong once more.
The crowd finally settled down, and Kiriya announced, "The Demon Slayer Corps final selection exam officially begins now! All candidates must enter Fujikasane Mountain and survive for seven days and nights."
"Those who make it out alive will officially become Demon Slayers!"
"Now, the exam begins! Please proceed through the Wisteria flower path and enter the mountain!"
After the announcement, Sabito patted Renzo and Giyu on the shoulders, nodded to Makomo, and led the group into the mountain.
The other examinees followed suit.
Among them, a delicate-looking girl clenched her fists and whispered, "Sister, I'll prove that even without great strength, I can still pass the exam!"
"Heh heh, fresh humans have arrived! Excellent!"
"Your flesh and blood belong to me now! Hahaha!"
Just a few hundred meters into the mountain, eerie sounds filled the air. Shadows flitted through the trees, and soon, five demons of various grotesque shapes emerged ahead.
Their hungry, gleaming eyes locked onto Renzo and his friends, drool dripping from their sharp-toothed mouths.
"Each of you take one. I'll handle the two in the middle. No objections?" Sabito said calmly, unsheathing his sword.
"No..." Giyu and Makomo were about to nod in agreement when Renzo suddenly stepped forward. As he drew his sword and approached the demons, he turned back and grinned. "No need for that! I'll take them all. Let me show you my strength!"
Sabito was about to reprimand him when his expression suddenly changed. "Behind you!"
He immediately dashed forward with his blade, eyes full of urgency.
The five demons had lunged at Renzo the moment he turned around.
"Hahaha! What an arrogant little brat! You dare underestimate us?!" the demons sneered as they pounced.
Renzo smirked as he felt the demons closing in behind him. Sensing Sabito's alarm and rapid approach, he showed no sign of panic.
A faint sword aura flickered around him, and in the blink of an eye—
Only an afterimage remained where he once stood.
"Swift Sword: Five Slashes!"
Like a streak of lightning, Renzo flashed through the demons and returned to his original position in the blink of an eye.
It happened so fast that it seemed as if he had never moved.
He flicked his sword, shaking off a single drop of blood before slowly sheathing it.
The five demons stood frozen in place.
Sabito had just reached Renzo's side, ready to defend him, when five fountains of blood erupted into the air.
Five round demon heads rolled to the ground, their expressions still frozen in disbelief.
"Wh-what..." Sabito stared in shock, glancing between the severed heads and Renzo. "You did this?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Renzo shrugged. "I told you—I had a lucky encounter. I'm really strong now."
It was the only way to prove himself and change their perception.
Actions spoke louder than words.
"You little brat! You scared the hell out of me! I thought you were done for!" Sabito grumbled, elbowing Renzo in the ribs.
For a moment, he had really thought Renzo had let his guard down and was about to get himself killed.
"Did you really think I'd be that careless? Heh!"
Renzo rubbed his side and grinned.
"T-that was so fast!"
"How is this brat so strong?!"
"No! I don't want to disappear! I don't want to die...!"
The dying demons wailed as their bodies disintegrated into dust, vanishing into the night.
Renzo and Sabito watched them fade away, now completely assured that they were truly dead.
"Renzo! Are you okay?!"
Makomo ran up, her face a mix of shock and concern. She immediately started checking him over from head to toe.
It was a habit born from past trauma—someone dear to her had once hidden an injury, only to die right in front of her.
"I'm fine!" Renzo quickly grabbed her hands, making her blush as he reassured her. "Didn't I tell you? I'm really strong now! You all felt my sword aura earlier, right?"
"There's no way I'd lose to a few small-fry demons."
Maybe to truly gauge his strength, he'd need to spar with his teacher, Urokodaki Sakonji, or perhaps one of the current Hashira. That, or fight a Lower Moon demon to test himself.
"Geez!" Makomo huffed, pulling her hands away. Then, without warning, she grabbed his ear and scolded, "That was reckless! Don't you know how worried we were?!"
"Yes, yes! My bad!" Renzo quickly raised his hands in surrender.