I suppose she had eaten about seven pieces of jerky by then.
She gave a light cough, straightened her robes, and settled into a formal seiza posture.
"I am Amano Ruka."
"...."
"...."
She was trying her best to salvage her dignity, but it was already far too late for that.
The sheer audacity to act so brazen without even a blink! If I had a camera, I would have taken a picture right then and there.
As I grumbled internally, my gaze fell upon the Nichirin Blade resting at her side.
Unlike the blade I had received from Rengoku, her blade possessed a bluish-white hue.
"That Nichirin Blade... was your Cultivator perhaps the Flame Hashira?"
Amano Ruka spoke while staring at the sword in my hand.
The Flame Hashira... she must mean Rengoku Tenjuro. He did mention he was one of the 'Pillars' of the Corps.
"Yes. In a manner of speaking... I suppose he was."
I am his Tsuguko, after all, so it isn't a lie.
"How curious. The 20th Flame Hashira—the father of the current 21st—passed away recently. It hasn't been long since the current Flame Hashira took his place, and he stated that the 'Flame' lineage would not be training any successors for the time being."
What? That guy... he had such dark circumstances behind that bright, cheerful face?
I had planned to end my grudge over the 'Final Selection disaster' he dumped on me with a flying kick, but I suppose I'll have to postpone it.
"Regardless, thank you for saving me. Allow me to introduce myself once more. My name is Amano Ruka. The style I practice is 'Mist Breathing.'"
Mist?
Rengoku told me that the basic styles of the Demon Slayer Corps were five: Water, Wind, Thunder, Stone, and Flame...
Did that bastard leave out part of the explanation again?
"Hmm... Are the styles of the Demon Slayer Corps not limited to Water, Wind, Thunder, Stone, and Flame?"
"Mist is also one of the Corps' styles. Like the five basic branches, it is a lineage with deep history, dating back four or five centuries to the early days of the Demon Slayers. However, there are fewer practitioners compatible with this specific color of Nichirin Blade compared to other branches, so fewer people know of it."
I see.
Even so, why did he omit the supplementary information...?
"Because of that, the seat of the Mist Hashira is currently vacant. As far as I know, there are only five Hashira active right now. But... your style doesn't look like 'Flame' to me?"
"My Cultivator may be the Flame Hashira, but my style is different. I use Moon Breathing."
"Moon Breathing...? That is a style I have never heard of."
Naturally. I‘m the one who created it.
"Well, everyone has their circumstances. Regardless, I never expected to meet the protagonist of that great incident from seven years ago—the heir of the Tsugikuni clan who vanished. They even came to our family to look for you, you know. Lord Head of the Tsugikuni."
What was my old man doing back then? Rengoku, and now her... just how far and wide did he wander looking for us?
@@@
Seven days passed, and that gods-forsaken Final Selection finally came to an end.
Participants: 20. Deaths: 0. Survivors: 20.
The Ubuyashiki twins looked visibly shaken when they confirmed the results.
Watching their pupils dance a samba of shock as people emerged one after another—shattering their 'NPC' personas—was quite the spectacle.
Apparently, it‘s common for everyone to fail, or for only two or three to pass at most.
Of course that's the case, you lunatics.
Ah, damn, just thinking about it makes my blood boil again...
Amano Ruka and I parted ways there. She mentioned her Cultivator and Rengoku Tenjuro were close friends... If fate allows, we‘ll meet again.
"Michikatsu-sama? Are you thinking about that lady from earlier?"
Uzui Ei‘s voice suddenly whispered in my ear.
"Stop trying to read my mind. And don't whisper in my ear."
Even after seven days, I can't get used to Uzui‘s sudden whispering.
"But... Michikatsu-sama‘s reactions are just so entertaining. More importantly, were you thinking about her?"
Is this girl serious? And who is she even talking about? Does she mean Amano Ruka?
"No. I‘m worrying about how to forge my Nichirin Blade."
Yes, that was my primary concern. My very own dedicated weapon.
Rengoku told me the Corps would forge a Nichirin Blade for those who passed the selection. Furthermore, it's a custom-order service where I can choose my own options.
A standard katana is fine, but for Moon Breathing, which doesn't prioritize mobility, an Odachi wouldn't be bad either.
A masterfully forged, custom blade... and it‘s for free!
I was also curious to see what color it would turn once I gripped the hilt.
Whether she was dissatisfied with my answer or didn't get the response she wanted, Uzui narrowed her eyes.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
What is wrong with her lately?
"Then, please choose the tamahagane ore over there for your sword."
The twins then began spreading out various ores on a table.
Wait, I thought they‘d just use the best materials and make it for me?
"You must personally choose the material for the blade that will slay Demons and protect your life."
It seemed I had to choose the material myself.
Damn, it's a gacha system.
•
•
•
•
•
"Congratulations, young Michikatsu!"
Rengoku greeted me at my house with a beaming smile.
Seeing that smile made a surge of heat rise in my chest.
I was going to hold back after hearing about his circumstances, but for some reason, I‘m just annoyed. Just take the hit.
"You crazy bastard! You dared to dump that pile of shit on me?"
I launched a flying kick using the techniques of Moon Breathing. Rengoku, startled, reflexively used Flame Breathing. He swung his hand in a broad arc, parrying my kick with a sweeping circle of flame.
My full-strength kick was swallowed by the vortex of fire and vanished.
"What is this for, young Michikatsu?!"
"Ask yourself. I'm finishing this in two minutes."
Just as I was about to prepare another strike—
"Wait! I have excellent news! Won't you at least listen to it before you beat me?"
Fine. Say your last words. I‘ll at least listen to your eulogy.
When I withdrew my foot, Rengoku let out a long breath and continued speaking.
"The other Hashira... they have all become capable of using Breathing!"
What?
My jaw dropped.
"Stone, Thunder, Wind, and Water! Every one of them! I explained the methods just as you told me, and they were all able to find their own specific Breath from the original Source and apply it to their styles! It's all thanks to you..."
I stopped listening after that.
It hasn't even been a week!
What, are the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps just a collective of monsters?
It took me three years to realize that!
You sons of bitches! If you take everything like that, what‘s left for me?!
Hoooooh.
"Calm down, young Michikatsu! That‘s a real blade in your hand!"
@@@
Fifteen days after that chaos.
Regardless of everything, Yoriichi, Uzui, Uta, and I moved into the mansion provided as a benefit of the Tsuguko rank.
Immediately after, a representative from the Corps arrived to take my measurements and ask for specifics regarding the Nichirin Blade to be forged.
Efficiency at its finest.
Uzui and I gave our required specifications, and the man nodded and left. A week later, our uniforms were delivered.
Rengoku told me that the leader of the Corps, whom they call 'Oyakata-sama,' wanted to meet me. He asked that once my Nichirin Blade was finished, I send word to his estate via Mikazuki.
For the record, Mikazuki was the name of the Kasugai Crow I received.
I had been itching to see the face of the commander who devised such an insane Final Selection, and I hadn't expected the opportunity to come so soon.
Rengoku had worn a somewhat hesitant expression behind his bright smile. Apparently, the Master of the Corps is someone whose days are numbered due to a curse. Between Demons and Breathing, I wasn't surprised by the existence of a curse, but... it was said to be because one of his ancestors became a Demon. I wondered if the god of this world was just that bored.
I suggested meeting right away, but Rengoku said that wasn't possible. The Master had declined, stating he couldn't take up a Slayer's time when they hadn't even received their full rewards for passing the selection yet.
Based on that Selection, I thought this was going to be a 'black company' that worked its employees to death for high pay, but perhaps that isn't the case.
This only made the cognitive dissonance worse. The CEO and the recruitment process are so wildly different; is this guy really the one condoning that insane exam?
Exactly what kind of group is this Demon Slayer Corps? Did I really get a job at a normal company?