Training with Shinobu Kochō

The sun was already beginning to set when Shinobu Kochō crossed the garden of the Butterfly Mansion. The orange sky contrasted with the purple petals falling from the trees, creating a peaceful scene. But the moment of calm would soon dissipate. The training was about to begin.

You were already waiting at the training grounds, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement. Ever since you became Shinobu's apprentice, the days had been challenging. Her combat style was unlike anything you had ever learned. While the other Hashiras relied on brute force and powerful cuts, Shinobu was light, agile and lethal, using her intelligence and poisons to eliminate demons. And now, she would try to teach you to follow that same path.

Shinobu stopped in front of you, smiling as always. "I see you're early. That's great. It means you're taking your training seriously."

You nodded, feeling her piercing gaze assess your posture. Despite her gentle expression, there was something sharp in the way she observed every movement, every detail.

"Today we will focus on your speed and accuracy." She twirled her sword lightly between her fingers, the thin blade reflecting the last rays of the sun. "I don't have the strength to decapitate a demon, so I need to compensate with quick movements and accurate thrusts. You will have to learn to do the same."

She took a step back and pointed to a set of targets scattered around the training field. Small wooden circles had been painted with specific red dots, simulating a demon's most vulnerable spots.

"I want you to hit each of these points without missing. Use the same lightness I teach in our exercises."

You took a deep breath, drawing your blade and preparing yourself. The challenge seemed simple, but you knew that hitting those targets accurately required much more than just technique. It required total control over your own body.

With a push, you advanced, trying to imitate the lightness of Shinobu's movements. Your first strike