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Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
"CAW CAW! Mizunoto-rank swordsman Ryūjin Kaidō has slain Lower Rank Six! Minor injuries sustained!"
"Mizunoto Ryūjin Kaidō defeated Lower Rank Six! Minor injuries!"
"RYŪJIN KAIDŌ ELIMINATED LOWER RANK SIX WITH MINOR INJURIES!"
Kuroha circled above Corps Headquarters, broadcasting the news at maximum volume with obvious pride. His human had joined the Corps less than a month ago and already killed a member of the Twelve Kizuki. That was bragging rights for years.
After completing his announcements, the crow changed course and flew directly toward the Ubuyashiki estate.
...
Ubuyashiki Estate
"Is that so?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice carried warmth despite his perpetual illness. "My child has slain a Lower Rank demon. It seems Urokodaki-san's assessment was correct—this boy is truly exceptional."
He turned his blind gaze toward the crow. "How is the child's condition?"
"Minor injuries! Resting at Wisteria House! Minor injuries! Wisteria House recovery!"
"That's fortunate." Kagaya nodded slowly. "For someone so new to the Corps to encounter a Lower Rank and survive—let alone win—is remarkable. Tell him to rest and recover properly. We can arrange a meeting once he's healed."
"Understood!" Kuroha took flight again, wings beating hard as he headed back toward the Wisteria House where his master was recuperating.
...
Earlier—Shortly After the Battle
After decapitating Kamanue, Kaidō had sent Kuroha to summon the nearest Kakushi unit to handle cleanup. He'd waited at the massacre site for about an hour before they arrived.
The Kakushi wore distinctive black uniforms with the kanji for "hidden" emblazoned on the back. They covered themselves from head to toe—only their eyes visible through the face coverings—moving with the practiced efficiency of a specialized cleanup crew.
"Wait—it's you!"
One of the Kakushi stopped dead, voice thick with recognition.
Kaidō squinted at the figure. The voice was familiar... "Are you... Mimura Jiro?"
"You remember me!" Jiro practically vibrated with excitement. "That's amazing! And you're even more amazing—you killed a Lower Rank! I knew it the moment I saw you during the Final Selection. I knew you'd become an incredible swordsman."
His enthusiasm only grew. "Once you report back to Headquarters, you'll definitely be promoted to Hashira! I'll be able to brag about knowing you for the rest of my life!"
Becoming a Hashira required meeting two conditions:
First: mastering Total Concentration Breathing: Constant.
Second: killing fifty demons or eliminating a single Lower Rank demon.
Kaidō had just accomplished both.
"It's way too early to talk about that stuff," Kaidō said with a dismissive wave. "I'll leave the cleanup to you guys. I still need to get to Headquarters and meet the Master."
He glanced around the ruined village one last time. "I already checked the area—no other threats nearby. You should be safe."
Jiro's face heated up behind his mask as Kaidō smiled at him. Thank god for face coverings, or this would be really embarrassing.
Kaidō was male, sure, but those delicate features could easily pass for female. It was doing things to Jiro's brain that he really didn't want to examine too closely.
"Right! I'll handle things here. May fortune favor you in battle!" Jiro spun around and hurried away before he could make an even bigger fool of himself.
Kaidō watched him go with mild amusement, then turned and continued his journey.
...
"Kuroha, are you absolutely sure we're going the right way? This doesn't look like the route to Headquarters."
The crow perched on his shoulder ruffled its feathers importantly. "Injured! Wisteria House! Must recover! Wisteria House!"
"Ugh, fine." Kaidō rubbed his temples. "Guess my meeting with Ubuyashiki gets delayed a few days. Hope he doesn't hold it against me."
Following Kuroha's directions, they arrived at a large estate marked with wisteria flower crests. These families had been saved by Demon Slayers in the past and now dedicated themselves to supporting the Corps—planting wisteria trees around their properties and offering free lodging, food, and medical care to any swordsman who needed it.
A teenage girl—maybe fifteen or sixteen—stood waiting at the entrance. "Welcome. Please follow me."
Kuroha took flight again as Kaidō entered, heading back to Headquarters to file his official report.
The girl led him through the estate to a private bathing area. "Please wash up first. I'll prepare a room and meal for you while you bathe."
"Thank you. What's your name?"
"Matsuya Misa," she replied with a small bow.
"I'm Ryūjin Kaidō. Thanks for your help, Misa-san."
"You're too kind. Demon Slayers have saved my grandmother and me more than once. If not for them, we wouldn't be alive today. This is the least I can do." She bowed again before departing to make preparations.
Kaidō closed the bathroom door, stripped off his bloodied clothes, and eased himself into the large wooden tub with a groan of relief.
"Perfect timing." He summoned the Enhanced Body Reinforcement Serum from his system inventory, studying the small vial of deep blue liquid. "Let's see what this upgraded version can do."
He downed it in one gulp.
"Ngh—!"
Fire exploded through his veins. His entire body felt like it had been dunked in molten lava—every cell screaming as the serum rewrote his physical structure at the molecular level. He bit down hard on his knuckles to keep from crying out, not wanting to alarm anyone outside.
'Good thing I didn't use this back in that village. Would've been awkward explaining why I was writhing on the ground like an idiot.'
The burning sensation intensified, then slowly began to fade. When it finally stopped, Kaidō noticed something interesting—all his injuries from the fight had completely healed. Not a scratch remained.
"Well, that's convenient. But also problematic." He frowned. "How the hell am I supposed to explain having zero injuries when Kuroha specifically reported I was hurt? Whatever. I'll make something up. Not like it's a big deal."
After about fifteen minutes, the transformation completed. Kaidō flexed his fingers experimentally, feeling the difference immediately.
His strength, speed, reflexes—everything had been amplified significantly.
If I fought Kamanue again right now, I could probably one-shot him.
"Kaidō-sama, I've left clean clothes outside the door. Please let me know when you're finished bathing, and I'll show you to the dining area." Misa's voice carried through the door.
"Got it. Thanks."
...
After dinner, Misa guided him to his room. "You'll be staying here tonight. My grandmother will bring a doctor to examine you shortly. I'll be right next door if you need anything. Oh, and I've had your clothes washed—they should be ready by noon tomorrow."
"I appreciate it."
A short while later, an elderly woman with silver hair arrived with the doctor in tow.
The examination was brief. "No significant injuries detected. He appears to be suffering from exhaustion more than anything else. A good night's rest should restore him completely."
Misa's grandmother saw the doctor out, leaving Kaidō alone with his thoughts.
...
The Next Morning
"Kaidō-sama, breakfast is ready."
"Coming."
After eating, Kaidō headed to the rear courtyard to practice his sword forms. That's when Kuroha returned, landing on his shoulder with a proud flutter.
"Kuroha, where the hell have you been all night?"
"CAW! Reported to Headquarters! Announced Lower Rank kill! Big news!"
"YOU WHAT??" Kaidō slapped his forehead. "You told everyone at Headquarters??"
He'd planned to keep the Lower Rank kill quiet until his official meeting with the Master. Now the whole Corps probably knew.
Which meant the Hashira knew.
Which meant they'd want to meet him.
Which meant dealing with personalities like the Wind Hashira—a man whose default setting was "pissed off" and who only respected strength.
"Great. Just great." Kaidō sighed. "Well, I was going to have to face them eventually. Worst case scenario, I'll just have to fight and prove myself the hard way—"
[Ding! New Quest Available.]
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
[Quest: Defeat Any Three of the Nine Hashira to Prove Your Strength. Progress: 0/3]
[Rewards: Enhanced Mental Reinforcement Serum x1, Custom Demon Slayer Corps Uniform (Enhanced), Random Interdimensional Energy 1-10%]
[Failure Penalty: -5% to -15% Interdimensional Energy (Random)]
"Okay, actually, this works out perfectly." Kaidō reconsidered. "The quest basically forces me to do what I was planning anyway. And if I don't complete it or fail, I lose a chunk of Interdimensional Energy—which is not happening."
He examined the reward details more closely.
"Enhanced Mental Reinforcement Serum is probably similar to the body version—nice. But what's this about a custom uniform? I already have one."
[System Response: This Corps uniform is an enhanced version, including coat, undershirt, pants, and boots. Defensive capability is ten times greater than standard-issue gear. Can partially negate attacks even from Upper Rank demons.]
"Wait, seriously?" Kaidō's eyes widened. "So normal demons and Lower Ranks won't even scratch it, and Upper Ranks will have their damage reduced. That's actually amazing."
He cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Alright then. Time to beat up some Hashira."
...
After lunch, Kaidō changed into his dried clothes, strapped his greatsword across his back, and prepared to depart.
At the estate entrance, Misa's grandmother struck flint stones together in front of him—an old tradition meant to ward off evil and ensure safe travels.
"Thank you both for everything." Kaidō bowed respectfully, then waved goodbye as he started down the road.
"May fortune favor you in battle," Misa and her grandmother called after him, watching until his white hair disappeared from view.
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