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The Sound and Water Hashira are about to spar at the Butterfly Mansion training grounds.
Sanemi watches them face off from his second-floor room where he’s recovering from a severe concussion, a broken ankle, no less than three broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Ridiculous. There was an easy solution to not getting injuries like this: he shouldn’t have let himself be thrown over a damn cliff by a fucking demon.
There isn’t much to do while he recovers except read and observe. He probably shouldn’t be out of bed, but he forces himself to stand at the window and watch the masters of the Corps at work. This is a rare opportunity. He won’t be told to lie in bed while Hashira are right down there in the yard sparring.
They must have had a meeting, because other Hashira are in attendance as well, observing from the edge of the yard. Himejima Gyomei is the most notable, towering like a mountain above the rest. At his side, Rengoku Shinjuro, leaning down to speak to Kocho Kanae who stands with hands folded demurely. There should be one more, but with a grimace Sanemi recalls the news delivered by Sorai: the Thunder Hashira was recently defeated at the hands of an Upper Moon. The news was devastating, according to the Kakushi who were notorious for gossiping. There were no Thunder Breathers ready to fill the open spot, leaving a mere five Hashira to stand between Muzan’s strongest demons and the total annihilation of the Corps.
Then the fight between the two Hashira begins and all thoughts fly from Sanemi’s mind except for Holy fucking shit.
He can track the fight, but only just. The two Hashira move like nothing Sanemi has ever seen before, the Sound Hashira faster than should be possible for someone his size, twin blades made of polished wood and an array of glittering jewelry flashing in the sun. As for the Water Hashira…
Shit, Sanemi has to force himself to breathe watching the man move. He can’t drag his eyes off him. He barely seems human, more like some river spirit, the way he flows and twists, water dancing off his sparring blade, dark hair streaming around him as he spins, catching everything the Sound Hashira throws at him.
“He’s quite impressive,” a voice interrupts, and Sanemi jumps, heart suddenly thundering in his chest. He turns to see Kocho Shinobu, the Flower Hashira’s little sister and the one in charge of his care, standing at his side, looking out the window. He didn’t hear her come in, didn’t even notice her join him—too caught up in staring at the man in the yard below.
“He’s alright,” Sanemi gruffly says, folding his arms, pointedly watching the Sound Hashira now. He can feel warmth on his cheeks and hopes it’s not as obvious as it feels.
Shinobu laughs, a bright sound, a little sharp, a little incredulous. “Alright, Shinazugawa? Tomioka’s defensive technique is flawless.” She glances up at him, then looks back out the window. They watch the match in silence for a moment before she speaks again, softly, almost as if to herself. “Did you know he developed his own Water Breathing Form?” She doesn’t wait for him to answer before she’s musing, “Water breathing is fundamental, easy to learn. But mastering it? Expanding it?” She sighs, then shakes her head and turns to go about changing the linens on his bed. “Tomioka Giyuu is more than alright, Shinazugawa.”
Sanemi scoffs, but doesn’t try to double down on acting unimpressed. She can obviously tell that he’s full of shit. So he goes back to watching. Watching the match. Moreso, watching the Water Hashira. And now that she’s pointed it out, he can see she’s right. He’s doing well, holding his own on the offense. But his defense is flawless. He’s impassable. No matter what the Sound Hashira does, he can’t break through.
Someday I’ll be a Hashira, Sanemi thinks with a sudden fierce determination rising in his chest. When I am, I’ll take you on, Tomioka Giyuu. A smile pulls at his lips, though he tries to fight it, and his heart is still beating hard despite that Shinobu has long since left the room. As the Sound Hashira finally calls the match a draw, Sanemi’s gaze follows the Water Hashira’s return to the side of the yard, looking entirely unphased, hardly a single ebony hair out of place. He wishes he could have watched the spar from the field, that he could see him up close. He wishes he could see the look on his face right now. Silently he promises Tomioka Giyuu: When I face you on the training field, I’ll break through your defense.
When I fight you, I’ll win.