Tanjiro, hearing Xander's words, thought about his goal.
"To ask a demon how to turn Nezuko back into a human," ran through his mind.
After some consideration, Tanjiro understood and agreed with Xander's idea to act separately.
"I understand, Senior Xander," he replied.
Xander nodded and disappeared from sight. Tanjiro, staring at the empty space where Xander had just stood, scratched his nose.
"Senior Xander doesn't have a scent, but if you get close, there's a slight chill. Could he have mastered Ice Breathing?" he wondered.
Tanjiro smiled slightly and set off.
Meanwhile, Xander, moving through the forest, quickly drew the attention of demons. He easily dispatched twelve demons, not even needing his Breathing technique to behead one of them. At the same time, his number of treasure chests reached sixteen.
Xander watched as the demons he killed turned to ashes and dispersed into the air, but none of their treasure chests exploded. Perhaps he knew which demons were capable of exploding.
"It seems the stronger the demon, the higher the likelihood of the treasure chest exploding," he thought.
The sky gradually brightened, and the demons watching Xander from the depths of the forest were forced to retreat.
Seeing the rising sun, Xander smiled slightly.
"It looks like I have some time to rest," he whispered.
Until evening, when the sun set, the demons of mount fujikasane became active.
A demon with long hair quietly approached the resting Xander and suddenly attacked.
Xander slightly opened his mouth and drew air into his lungs.
"Breath of Ice! First Form! Icy Blade!" he shouted.
The cold blade swept across the neck of the long-haired demon, severing it. The demon's head and body instantly turned into two pieces of ice, which exploded in the air, scattering like stardust.
"Here comes the night. Let's continue," said Xander, stretching his shoulders and moving further into the forest.
Throughout the night, he killed more than a dozen demons and found several wooden treasure chests.
On the fourth night of the final selection, Xander saw a familiar figure.
"Breath of Flowers! Fourth Form! Crimson Dress!"
Kanao's blade described a strange arc from below upwards, leaving a trail of red petals. With one strike, she cut off the demon's arm, and with the second, its head.
Xander stepped out of hiding. He planned to claim the demon's head, but Kanao didn't give him the chance. He could only sigh mentally.
— What a pity.
However, Kanao only glanced briefly at Xander, whose face was hidden by a fox mask, and, ignoring him, slowly walked away.
Seeing Kanao's reaction, Xander helplessly removed the mask and said:
— Kanao, we haven't seen each other for a year, don't you remember me?
In those years when Xander was adopted by Urokodaki, they would leave home every two years at the beginning of winter; no one knew where they were heading. Once, Urokodaki took Xander with him, and he learned that Urokodaki was going to the Demon Slayer Corps to meet its leader, and those with him were former pillars. After that, Xander accompanied Urokodaki almost every time, until he discovered that the Butterfly Mansion was built, and he started visiting it, which, of course, left an impression on Kanao.
Hearing the familiar last name, Kanao turned and looked at Xander's face, and soon his appearance matched the one she remembered. Kanao was silent for a few seconds, then she took out a coin and tossed it into the air.
Xander, being quick and agile, caught Kanao's coin and said:
— Why are you still tossing a coin to make decisions? Didn't I tell you to speak your mind?
Seeing Xander take her coin, Kanao was momentarily confused.
Noticing this, Xander patted Kanao on the head.
— You're here to participate in the final selection. I think your sister Shinobu doesn't know about this.
Kanao lowered her head, saying nothing. She felt Xander constantly watching her, so she had to say:
— Sister Shinobu doesn't know I'm participating in the final selection. I came here secretly.
Kanao thought that Xander would scold her, but she didn't expect him to pat her on the shoulder and praise her:
— I knew it! Kanao, well done! Is this the first time you've made a decision on your own?
Kanao seriously pondered, looked at Xander, and said:
— I believe I didn't flip a coin to join the final selection. It was my own decision.
— That's wonderful! Keep it up! But remember, when you return, you must explain everything to Shinobu; she worries a lot about you, — Xander smiled.
Seeing Xander's radiant smile, Kanao slightly nodded.
— Okay, I understand.
In the following three days, Xander mostly acted alongside Kanao. Naturally, the demons defeated by Kanao didn't yield any treasure chests, which slightly upset Xander.
Moreover, on the last day, he barely noticed any traces of demons.
Xander looked at the more than 40 wooden treasure chests in the system space and wondered if he had killed all the demons on Mount Fujikasane.
Time flew by unnoticed, and the seven days of the final selection passed.