Recalling certain tragic events from the original story, Horitake couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation born of embarrassment. He conveniently vented this anger onto Zenitsu, who was sitting beside him.
Frowning, Horitake spoke up to refute Jigoro:
"Old Man, I'm none too pleased with how you're coddling Zenitsu.
If you spoil him like this, you're harming him.
Don't forget, this kid is destined to join the Demon Slayer Corps. He is destined to kill demons in the future.
Yet, up to now, he has never faced a demon head-on. With a heart as timid as his, if we don't temper him a bit, how will he ever kill demons later on?
Although he currently only knows the First Form, Thunderclap and Flash, that one move is enough. It's sufficient to deal with ordinary, small-fry demons. It won't be a problem!"
Hearing the sternness in Horitake's tone, Jigoro found it hard to argue.
Although Jigoro was the elder and ostensibly the head of the household, when Horitake truly asserted himself and became strict, even Jigoro couldn't shield Zenitsu.
Moreover, Horitake made a very valid point. It simply wouldn't do if the child wasn't toughened up.
Ignoring Zenitsu's desperate, pleading eyes, Horitake continued:
"As it happens, when I came to Momoyama last night, I passed through the town at the foot of the mountain and spotted two demons.
They are two very ordinary, low-level demons. They seem to be Hantengu's subordinates.
They were likely waiting for news from Hantengu and haven't eaten anyone yet.
Now that Hantengu has fallen, those two demons will sooner or later realize that he has disappeared on Momoyama. We cannot allow them to remain in the town.
Therefore, Zenitsu, your mission for tonight is to go down to the town and slay those two demons!
I estimate that they won't be able to hold back tonight. Either they will come up Momoyama to investigate, or they will start eating people in the town tonight.
Zenitsu, you must stop these two demons. Do you hear me?"
Zenitsu pursed his lips, his face a mask of reluctance. He sat there silently, looking like he wanted to cry but had no tears left.
Seeing him like this, Horitake felt very dissatisfied.
"Zenitsu, why aren't you speaking?
Is your silence an agreement, or a silent protest?
Give me a straight answer. You are going down the mountain tonight to kill demons in the town. Do you hear me!?"
Zenitsu was most afraid of Horitake. Hearing that Horitake seemed on the verge of losing his temper, the boy quickly straightened his back, widened his eyes, and nodded furiously to show he understood.
"I heard you! I'll go to the town tonight to kill demons!"
"Good. That's more like it."
Poor Zenitsu sighed. He began to gauge Horitake's mood, then tentatively tested the waters:
"Um... Big Brother."
"What now?"
"You just said there are two demons in the town below, and you want me to slay them, right?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"Um... aren't two demons a bit much? Couldn't we cut it down to one? I only need to kill one to prove myself, right? Look, if I can kill even one demon, doesn't that prove I can do it?"
Horitake looked at Zenitsu with a deeply "benevolent" expression.
"Zenitsu, killing one demon is killing; killing two demons is also killing. Why would you want to leave one alive instead of solving the problem all at once?
Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Those two demons move together. They haven't separated.
In other words, you have to face both of them at the same time. You must slay them together. You don't have the luxury of picking and choosing."
Zenitsu's expression grew increasingly despairing, and he pleaded once more:
"But... Big Brother, facing one demon is already risking everything for me. Asking me to face two at the same time—isn't that a bit too hard? I'm going to get eaten."
"Save it. Stop playing the victim with me.
Don't you trust my judgment? If I say you can handle those two demons, then you can definitely handle them!
Relax. Those two in the town are just the most ordinary of demons. Your current strength isn't as poor as you imagine. Would it hurt to have a little confidence? As long as you are serious and don't get careless, you will definitely be able to slay them both."
Zenitsu agonized over this for a long time before cautiously making another request:
"Then, Big Brother, will you go with me tonight? If something unexpected happens, I'd hope for your help."
"What? You only dare to kill demons if I'm there to protect you? Keep dreaming!
When you join the Demon Slayer Corps later, you will inevitably have to go out alone to kill demons and execute missions. Do you expect me to dangle behind you in the shadows, protecting you every time you go on a mission?
I am your Big Brother, not your nanny!
Tonight, you go to the town to kill demons alone. No one else!
If you can kill them, you kill them. If you can't, you get eaten. There is no second option!"
Seeing Horitake so strict, Zenitsu was truly on the verge of tears.
Beside them, Jigoro felt a bit of heartache. He looked at Zenitsu, who seemed about to cry any second, then cast a worried glance at Horitake.
Horitake, of course, understood what Jigoro was worried about. He subtly gave the old man a reassuring look.
The look conveyed: I will secretly follow Zenitsu tonight, but I can't tell him, or he won't get any training out of this.
Jigoro understood and said no more, allowing his eldest disciple to discipline the youngest.
As the saying goes, "If one cannot play deaf and dumb, one cannot be the head of the household." This perfectly described Jigoro's attitude at that moment.
Seeing Zenitsu still tangled in despair, Horitake felt a flash of frustration at his lack of backbone. Furious, Horitake decided to play his trump card against Zenitsu.
What trump card?
Moral blackmail! Moral pressure!
Zenitsu was truly a kind child, so Horitake would use his kind nature to force his hand.
Horitake narrowed his eyes and spoke unkindly:
"Zenitsu, it doesn't matter if you don't go tonight.
Anyway, I won't be going, and the Old Man won't be going either.
So, let's just let those two demons stay in the town.
There is absolutely no one in that town who can defeat two demons. Who knows? Maybe tonight, rivers of blood will flow through the streets. Who knows? Maybe everyone in the town will become food for those two demons.
Zenitsu, if you want to leave them to die, that's fine too. After all, every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost, right?
Oh, by the way, I recall you know quite a few people in that town, don't you? Is it really okay to leave them to die like that?
Forget it. Decide for yourself. I'm washing my hands of it, and I'll stop the Old Man from interfering too."
These words pushed Zenitsu completely to the edge of the cliff. A wave of despair washed over him, followed by a surge of anger. The anger rushed to his head, blinding him to the fact that Horitake was goading him.
Angry, Zenitsu stood up, burning with indignation.
"I won't leave them to die! It's just two demons, right? I'll kill them tonight for you to see!"
With that, Zenitsu stormed out with his sword in a huff to continue his training, preparing for the night's demon slaying.
Watching Zenitsu storm off in anger, Horitake nodded with satisfaction. He took a sip of tea, sitting there in leisurely comfort, and sighed:
"Alas... A gentleman can be deceived by righteousness.
Good thing I'm not a gentleman."
Beside him, Jigoro looked at his eldest disciple with a speechless expression.
How in the world did I end up accepting a rascal like this as a disciple back then?
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