Chapter 33 — The Unpopular Asuka
Over the next few days, Asuka quietly underwent treatment under the arrangements of the Kakushi.
He also had to participate in a series of rehabilitation exercises that, in his opinion, were completely unnecessary.
Asano Mori's condition had also improved far more than expected.
He had already regained consciousness.
However, the claw strike from the shadow demon had injured his internal organs. Even if he recovered, he might suffer from lingering respiratory problems in the future.
In that regard, Shinobu Kochō couldn't help but admire Asuka.
According to the information she had gathered, the boy—who was two years younger than her—had already suffered multiple penetrating organ injuries before.
Yet every time, he somehow managed to recover completely, returning to full strength as if nothing had happened.
Perhaps he's like Mitsuri… a child with an unusual physique, she thought.
While treating him, Shinobu had also noticed something else.
Even while sleeping, Asuka continued to maintain Total Concentration Breathing.
That alone greatly accelerated his body's recovery.
It seemed Mr. Arasaki truly lived up to his reputation as one of the strictest trainers.
His instruction had been extremely thorough.
Without even realizing it, Asuka had already mastered Total Concentration Breathing — Constant.
Not long after, orders from the Demon Slayer Corps arrived.
The Kasugai Crow delivered both recognition and a reward from the Master.
Asuka, who was only a Mizunoto-ranked swordsman, had managed to fight Lower Rank Two alone and force it to retreat.
Such an achievement was almost unbelievable.
Even Sanemi Shinazugawa, who happened to be reporting on a mission at the Ubuyashiki Estate, was stunned when he heard the news.
After all—
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, a swordsman becomes eligible to attain the rank of Hashira only after:
Killing fifty demons, or
Defeating one of the Twelve Kizuki.
Although Asuka hadn't managed to kill the Lower Rank demon this time, he had already proven that his abilities far exceeded those of an ordinary Demon Slayer.
Because of this, the Master promoted his rank to Kanoe.
This meant that if Asuka encountered Demon Slayers ranked below Kanoe in the field, he could temporarily command them and organize a small demon-hunting squad to assist him.
Additionally, the Master had heard that Asuka's uniform had been completely torn apart during his battle with the Lower Rank demon. As a result, a brand-new Demon Slayer uniform had been specially tailored for him.
Compared to the standard uniform he had worn before, this one included an additional gray-white haori.
Haganezuka had already reported that Asuka wielded an extremely rare colorless Nichirin blade. Because of that, the Master prepared a colorless haori as well, hoping that one day Asuka would discover the color that truly belonged to him.
As for the other monetary rewards, Asuka had no interest in them.
He entrusted everything to the Kakushi members, asking them to deliver the funds to the Hayama Training Facility.
After relaying the message, the Kasugai Crow spoke one final line:
"Seventy-Eight Asuka. You've done well. Focus on recovering and await further orders!"
Once the instructions were delivered, the crow—cold and businesslike—flew away immediately without saying another word.
"It seems your Kasugai Crow doesn't like you very much, Asuka,"
Shinobu Kochō, who had been listening to the announcement beside him, turned toward him with a gentle smile as she looked at his equally expressionless profile.
"You should try to get along with your crow. They're very important guides and companions during battle."
"…I'm not disliked," Asuka replied sincerely.
In fact, to a certain extent, he quite appreciated his crow's attitude.
No unnecessary chatter.
Deliver the message and leave.
Wasn't that perfect?
"Haha, is that so?" Shinobu laughed lightly, her tone full of doubt.
---
Meanwhile — South of Sendai, Fukushima Region, Midnight
After several days of fleeing with everything he had, Rokuro had finally shaken off the terrifying presence that had been chasing him.
He escaped into a rural town on the outskirts of Fukushima.
After leaving the shrine, the shadow puppet he had left behind immediately sensed the aura of a Hashira-level swordsman.
That realization made him secretly relieved he hadn't stayed to keep fighting that boy.
If he had delayed even a little longer, he might not have escaped at all.
"That damned mad dog! Next time I—"
He paused, swallowing the rest of the threat.
Instead, he slammed his fist angrily against the tatami floor and stuffed another chunk of the house owner's flesh into his mouth.
"Hehe… Isn't that Senior Rokuro? Why are you having a midnight snack all by yourself?"
Rokuro's body stiffened instantly.
Even his chewing stopped as he cautiously turned toward the voice.
Under the moonlight, a petite figure was leaning casually against the doorway of the grass hut, smiling at him.
She looked like a beautiful young girl.
Her short white hair was smooth and neat, and if not for the blood-red sclera, the pale violet pupils, and the pair of sharp horns on her forehead, she might easily have been mistaken for an ordinary maiden.
Her eyes shifted slightly, revealing the number engraved within them:
Lower Rank — Four
Rokuro let out a quiet sigh of relief and resumed eating.
"Oh… it's you, Mukago. Nothing special. Just felt like changing my diet."
"Is that so?"
Mukago tilted her head, her small nose twitching slightly, as if she could smell the hesitation hidden in his words.
She giggled like a curious little girl.
"Senior, you don't really look like someone enjoying a wild meal. You look… kind of miserable."
She skipped forward lightly and approached him, openly examining his torn dark-patterned kimono.
"I heard you've been cooperating with humans to secure a steady food supply. So how did you get injured? Did those humans betray you?"
Tch… kids really are the most annoying.
Mukago's cheerful, bouncing manner irritated Rokuro.
But there wasn't much he could do.
Demons couldn't truly kill each other anyway, so attacking her would be pointless.
Besides, Mukago seemed a bit… simple-minded.
Maybe, in her mind, this really was just innocent curiosity.
Rokuro reluctantly set down the piece of flesh and looked at her seriously.
"Hmph… I suppose you guessed part of it right. I am in a bit of a sorry state—but it wasn't because my partners betrayed me."
He pointed toward the north—toward Sendai.
"I was careless. Turns out there was a Hashira hiding there! If I hadn't been strong enough to exchange several rounds with him before retreating, I might've had to give up my position among the Twelve Kizuki!"
As someone skilled in bluffing, Rokuro naturally wasn't going to admit he had been chased away by a mere boy.
So he exaggerated his story.
But to Mukago, it sounded like a thunderclap out of the blue.
"A Hashira?! A real Hashira?!"
She gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, genuine fear filling her eyes.
Just hearing the word made her shrink slightly.
"No wonder! Senior, you're amazing! You actually fought a Hashira!"
Her gaze toward Rokuro suddenly held admiration—and even a sense of kinship.
"I understand! Of course you run when you see a Hashira! The farther the better! Survival comes first! Those people are terrifying!"
She nodded repeatedly, as if she had found a kindred spirit.
Two cowards, strangely brought closer together by a shared story of desperate escape.
Rokuro sighed in relief.
He had hidden the truth about Asuka to save face, and thankfully this girl was easy to fool.
After studying her for a moment, he asked curiously,
"But what about you? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be staying in Hokkaido?"
Mukago adjusted her crimson kimono trimmed with black fur and returned to her lively, innocent demeanor, as if her earlier fear had vanished completely.
"Me? I'm planning to travel south!"
"I heard from merchants that Osaka has been extremely chaotic lately! Lots of refugees and troublemakers running around. Sounds like plenty of opportunities for a good feast!"
She licked her lips and looked at Rokuro.
"Senior, want to come with me? It'll definitely be lively there!"
"I'll pass."
Rokuro rejected the idea instantly.
Not only was he still badly injured, he had no interest in throwing himself into another chaotic situation.
And that annoying brat had already targeted him.
Who knew whether there were other methods tracking him?
Better to hide for a while.
Seeing the disappointment on Mukago's face, Rokuro hesitated.
Out of a strange sense of camaraderie between fellow cowards, he decided to offer a small warning.
"Mukago, if you're heading south, you might pass a mountain after Fukushima."
"It's called Mount Natagumo."
"Mount Natagumo?" she asked curiously. "Is there some special delicacy there?"
"Delicacy? No. You'd better stay far away from that place."
Rokuro snorted quietly, his tone turning serious.
"That's the territory of Lower Rank Five — Rui."
"That kid… there's something wrong with him."
"Whether human or demon, nobody leaves that place unscathed. And the Master favors him greatly… Believe me—if you provoke him, it won't end much better than provoking a Hashira."
"Rui…"
Mukago repeated the name.
She didn't know much about this mysterious Lower Rank who kept to himself.
But since Rokuro had kindly warned her, perhaps she should avoid the place.
"I got it! Thanks for the warning, Senior! I'll go around Mount Natagumo—far around it!"
She tapped her forehead as if trying to knock the troublesome name out of her head.
"Osaka sounds better anyway. Freedom! Eat whatever you want, whenever you want! Since you're recovering, Senior, I'll keep traveling! Hope you recover soon!"
She waved cheerfully before disappearing into the moonlight, as if their conversation had been nothing more than discussing a sightseeing trip.
But after she had run far away and was walking alone beneath the moon, her mischievous eyes rolled thoughtfully.
"Hmph… That place must have something good there."
"That old guy is probably trying to keep it all for himself!"
"La la la… I'd better go check it out."
"So what if it's Lower Five's territory? I'm Lower Four, after all!"