It was a somewhat battered Nichirin Sword. The scabbard was covered in scratches, looking as though it had been mauled and bitten by a wild beast.
Izumi Kiyokazu stared at the sword being handed to him by Rengoku Mujuro, a look of confusion on his face. "This is..."
"The relic of a fellow slayer who died in battle nearby. It is a Nichirin Sword capable of dealing effective damage to demons. It was handed to me by that slayer's Kasugai Crow while I was on patrol last night," Mujuro explained.
"The slayer died near a village about sixty li from here, having perished in a mutual kill against a demon capable of splitting itself. Ordinarily, this sword would be sent by the crow to a designated facility to be handled by the craftsmen of the Swordsmith Village. However, considering you are essentially a provisional member of the Demon Slayer Corps and possess the strength to slay demons, the Master has arranged for this blade to be entrusted to you temporarily. Rest assured, this sword will eventually be collected."
Mujuro continued, "In time, a specialized smith from the Swordsmith Village will find you to forge a custom Nichirin Sword tailored specifically to you—your hand size, the characteristics of your sword techniques, your personal preferences, and so on. Crafting a proper Nichirin Sword is a matter of great importance!"
Listening to Mujuro, Kiyokazu accepted the sword with a complicated swirl of emotions. The damaged parts of the blade felt rough to the touch, and the blood on it didn't seem entirely dry yet; if he caught a scent, he could still smell the faint metallic tang of gore.
"I won't bring shame to this blade's master," Kiyokazu said. "That is the least I can do."
Rengoku Mujuro smiled and nodded in approval. "I believe you. That is why I am giving it to you. But you must promise me one thing: until you officially become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I allow you to abandon this sword and flee in a life-or-death situation."
He corrected himself firmly, "No, I demand that you drop the sword and run when your life is on the line. This is not yet your duty; you should not have to shoulder this responsibility. Do not argue with me—listen to me on this!"
Kiyokazu did not answer. Instead, he slowly drew the blade out just a fraction.
As the steel cleared the scabbard by half an inch, it glinted coldly under the pale, bluish light of dawn. The lingering dark-red bloodstains seemed to wordlessly recount the fierce battle its previous owner had fought at the moment of their sacrifice.
Kiyokazu instinctively reached out to touch the blade. The icy sensation against his fingertips and the faint hum unique to forged steel caused his heart to tighten.
Instinctively, the Sun Breathing technique began to circulate within him. Under Rengoku Mujuro's stunned gaze, the Nichirin Sword in Kiyokazu's hand actually began to turn red!
Though the change was subtle, the vibrant crimson flowing over the silver-white blade was incredibly dazzling.
Even though the current Demon Slayer Corps had declined significantly compared to its peak, there were still scattered records regarding the phenomenon of a blade turning red. It was said that those who could turn a Nichirin Sword red were chosen by the heavens—swordsmen born for the sole purpose of slaying demons!
Another theory suggested that when a swordsman's resolve to kill demons reached a certain threshold, combined with a specific method of resonance, they could also turn the blade red.
Although the exact mechanics of the transformation remained a mystery to the Corps, these "Bright Red Nichirin Swords" possessed an exaggerated power to suppress demons. In the hunt for demons, the greatest headache for any slayer was the creature's infinite regenerative capacity. However, a demon struck by a red Nichirin Sword was unable to regenerate at all!
For demons accustomed to trading injuries for kills, losing their ability to heal meant that a slayer's refined sword techniques could drastically tilt the scales in the humans' favor.
Yet many years had passed since such a thing was last heard of. The last record of someone turning a blade red was from over a hundred and fifty years ago. Among the twenty-seven Hashira who had served since then, not a single one had achieved it.
But now... a youth who had only just gripped a Nichirin Sword for the first time was showing signs of the crimson hue! Even if it was only a little, it was enough to cause a shockwave!
If they could understand the principle behind it, the overall strength of the Demon Slayer Corps would ascend to a new level. If that happened, more slayers would be able to survive!
At that thought, Rengoku Mujuro suddenly stood up. He looked at Kiyokazu, his eyes filled with urgency. "Kiyokazu! How did you make the blade turn red?! If possible, can you tell me? Even a tiny clue would do! Please!"
Seeing Mujuro's intense excitement, Kiyokazu felt a bit awkward. He didn't actually know why Sun Breathing had automatically triggered the moment he touched the sword. However, looking at the reddening blade, he could logically connect the phenomenon to his breathing style.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps it's because of my Breathing Style?"
Hearing this, Mujuro's expression dimmed slightly. He had already tried to learn Kiyokazu's Breathing Style the day before. Unfortunately, Kiyokazu's style was impossible to mimic; he couldn't even manage a trial run of it. During the breathing process, it created an almost exaggerated burning sensation throughout the body—not even his own Flame Breathing felt like that.
It was likely a special Breathing Style restricted to a specific constitution. But if that were the case...
No, Mujuro thought. The predecessor from a hundred years ago who turned his blade red was the Wind Hashira of that era, and his Breathing Style is still used by many today.
After a moment of thought, Mujuro decided to leave this matter for the Master to ponder. He simply smiled and patted Kiyokazu on the shoulder, offering comfort. "It's alright. Being able to turn the blade red is a good thing. We can find the reason slowly. Setting that aside, did you take what I said to heart?"
Kiyokazu turned to Mujuro with a look of feigned ignorance and smiled. "Did you say something just now? I didn't hear a thing~"
Kiyokazu knew perfectly well that Mujuro's request came from a place of protection. He understood that this man, as warm and upright as a flame, did not want to see someone who wasn't even a member of the Corps dragged into the cruel war against demons simply because of a sword. He didn't want Kiyokazu to sacrifice himself for an obligation thrust upon him by a relic.
Kiyokazu appreciated and cherished that sentiment.
However...
Some things are more important than life itself.
Images flashed through his mind: Ume's face flushed with a shy blush, and the silhouette of Rengoku Mujuro walking alone into the darkness of the night. In that moment, a surge of courage welled up in his heart.
He sheathed the Nichirin Sword fully and gripped it tightly, letting the rough scabbard press firmly into his palm.
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Demon Slayer: Starting by Snatching Daki(89 Chapter- Ongoing)
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