The morning light finally dispelled the haze hanging over the town.
With the death of Mukago, the spores lurking within the patients' bodies quickly withered, gradually being cleared by their immune and circulatory systems. Even those who had not used Shinobu Kocho's inhibitor were no longer in mortal danger. While some severe cases would require time to recuperate, the fatal threat to the surrounding towns had been neutralized.
Currently, members of the Demon Slayer Corps' "Kakushi" unit, along with physicians and personnel from the Butterfly Mansion, were conducting final records and disinfection work in the area.
Meanwhile, Natsunishi's group had already returned to Yokohama.
In the training grounds of the Igarashi estate, Natsunishi leaned against a tree, staring down at the rank character newly updated on the back of his hand.
[Hinoe]
Since the completion of the mission against the Lower Rank, Kasugai Crow had brought news of a promotion almost immediately upon his return to the residence. In a mere two or three months, he had jumped five ranks, ascending from [Kanoe] to [Tsuchinoe], and now to [Hinoe]. Within the Demon Slayer Corps' notoriously rigorous promotion system, this was nearly unheard of.
"Think it's too fast?"
Igarashi's voice sounded from the side. He had changed out of the haori covered in wood chips and dust from the battle, opting for an ordinary kimono jacket. His gaze behind his glasses remained as gentle as ever.
"Suppressing and assisting in the slaying of one of the Twelve Demon Moons alone is an achievement worthy of the Hinoe rank."
Natsunishi rubbed the mark on the back of his hand without speaking. Rather than the rank increase, he was actually more concerned with the "remuneration" issued by the Ubuyashiki family. Counting the accumulated savings from several months of slaying demons—was he already close to being able to buy a mansion in Tokyo? He was truly curious about how much gold a Lower Rank would drop.
Naturally, Igarashi was unaware of Natsunishi's inner thoughts, assuming the boy was simply feeling the stirrings of emotion as their departure neared. In Igarashi's view, Natsunishi's "Final Task" had been completed perfectly. The previous battle had fully demonstrated Natsunishi's strength. Being able to defeat a Lower Rank demon—even with Igarashi providing backup and Shinobu providing inhibitors—was proof enough. After all, Natsunishi hadn't even gone all out.
In an era where manpower was tight, this level of ability was enough to be considered for a Hashira position. Even now, with a bit more experience, ascending to the rank of Hashira was a certainty.
It was time to set out for the Rengoku residence. He only hoped that Senior Shinjuro's condition had improved lately.
Igarashi turned his gaze to the daydreaming Natsunishi and the collection of "souvenirs" on his person. Kazami's pack, Urokodaki's mask, a cord of unknown origin, a hammer clearly belonging to Senior Oyama, and a sake gourd that likely belonged to Ms. Nikaido...
Igarashi's heart stirred. Since the previous cultivators had all left him a memento, as his senior brother, he naturally couldn't break this unwritten rule. With that in mind, Igarashi spoke up.
"Kuguruma, before you leave, is there anything you want? Consider it a reward for completing your 'Final Task.' As long as it is within my capability and does not violate the Corps' rules."
He paused and made a harmless joke: "Short of giving you a new Nichirin Sword, since you'd need to go to the Swordsmith Village to have a smith custom-make one for you. Besides, I don't think you're lacking in swords for the time being."
Even with Dual Wielding, carrying four swords at once would be a bit excessive.
Natsunishi snapped out of his trance. Oh?! Senior, are you a genie?
Thinking of the other's history of studying abroad, Natsunishi's eyes lit up. He rubbed his chin and flashed a tentative, slightly mercenary grin. "Senior Igarashi, well... do you have anything with a bit of 'kick'?"
"Hmm?" The Storm Hashira blinked, not understanding the overly modern slang. Why did it feel like this Kuguruma kid was thinking of something strange? "What do you mean by 'kick'?"
"Well..." Natsunishi gestured, trying his best to describe it using the language of the era. "It's not a conventional blade. It's high-powered, makes a loud noise, and ideally, it's one of those guns from overseas that are hard to come by. A flintlock, or perhaps a 'teppo'?"
If it were any other swordsman or a civilian from a small village, they likely wouldn't understand what Natsunishi was talking about. But Igarashi was different. The Storm Hashira pushed up his glasses and looked at Natsunishi thoughtfully for a few seconds.
"Follow me."
Leading the boy to his study, Igarashi fumbled around a section of his bookshelf for a moment before opening a hidden compartment. He took out an exquisite wooden box and handed it to Natsunishi.
"I traded for this last year at the Yokohama port from a destitute Western merchant. I heard it's the latest model from the New World."
Natsunishi opened it, and a somewhat familiar metallic creation met his eyes. It was a semi-automatic pistol with sleek lines and a bluish-black metallic luster. Two rows of brass-colored bullets were neatly arranged beside it.
"It's called a Colt... something or other. I don't know much about these, but I assume it's a decent handgun," Igarashi said gently. "There aren't many bullets, only these."
"It's a Colt M1903," Natsunishi said. He picked it up with practiced ease; it felt heavy in his hand. Although to him, it was a nearly two-hundred-year-old antique, to any gamer, the prancing pony logo on the firearm was an unmistakable mark. He had played with this plenty in other shooting games.
His senior brother actually had such good stuff?! As expected of a reward for the first mission to slay one of the Twelve Demon Moons. He skillfully ejected the magazine to check it and pulled back the slide to inspect the chamber. It was maintained as if it were brand new.
Natsunishi's fluid and practiced movements caused Igarashi to cast another look at him. Did his junior brother even know Western firearms this well?
"It seems you recognize this thing," the Storm Hashira remarked calmly. "It is not like a Nichirin Sword; it cannot truly kill a demon. But as a firearm, it might create unexpected opportunities. Just remember, though the Corps' rules do not forbid their use, do not rely too heavily on external objects. Perfecting your Breathing Style and combat logic is the true path."
Natsunishi nodded perfunctorily. Yes, yes, Senior is right. Against the Upper and Lower Ranks, the firepower of a Colt 1903 is naturally insufficient. One would need something at the level of a Malorian 3516 for that.
Seeing Natsunishi obsessed with playing with the pistol, occasionally dry-firing it toward the wall, Igarashi let out a rare sigh.
"Oh, Kuguruma... just hurry up and set out for Tokyo with Ms. Kocho. When you see Mr. Rengoku, remember to give him my regards." At this point, he hesitated for a moment. "If possible..."
"Never mind. You will understand when you see him."
What kind of cryptic nonsense was his senior brother muttering now?
On the train to Tokyo, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Shinobu Kocho sat across from Natsunishi, holding a pharmacology book and nibbling on konpeito from her train bento. She looked at the scenery rushing past the window, then at the boy across from her who was clearly dazed.
He couldn't focus on the book at all. She closed her pharmacology text. "Hey, Big—Mr. Kuguruma."
"Hmm? Why are we still on the train?" Natsunishi snapped back to reality, his gaze falling on Shinobu with slight confusion. "Oh, it's you."
Shinobu Kocho: ?
Didn't we board the train together and find our seats together? What's with that "Why are you here?" tone!
The girl suppressed her irritation slightly. "I say, Mr. Kuguruma. In the previous battle with the Twelve Demon Moons, you didn't use your full strength, did you?"
After all, he had only used Thunder Breathing; she hadn't seen the other breathing schools that others described as an encyclopedia.
Natsunishi nodded naturally.
"If you know so many other Breathing Styles..." Shinobu Kocho finally asked, "Mr. Kuguruma, what is your take on my 'Insect Breathing'?"
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