Did my master not teach the Breathing to anyone else besides me?
Or did he teach it, but the lineage was cut off in the middle?
I learned during the Tsukuru era how great a joy it is to have someone succeed after you. Kyūtarō and Ume taught me that.
So I can keenly imagine what regret it is for the lineage to be cut off.
For such a beautiful sword to disappear from the world, what would my master think if he knew? Just thinking about it makes me suffer.
Thinking that I'm the only one who knows Moon Breathing makes me want to cry. I hate my weak self who was killed by a demon that night in the Sengoku era.
Hmm, let me add one more goal for the future.
Let's find someone to inherit Moon Breathing.
Let's pass on my master's beautiful sword to future generations. Let's do that.
They say that to teach something to others, you need three times the understanding. So I devoted myself to training even harder than before at Urokodaki's mansion.
Although I ended up relying on the Water Hashira's mansion, my current status is merely that of a guest. I wasn't a disciple or a tsuguko, but I was grateful that Urokodaki occasionally recommended sparring.
At first, the tengu mask was scary, but he was a kind person who took good care of me in many ways.
By the way, mentioning his kind face is prohibited. If you touch on that, he gets explosively angry to the point where the tengu mask looks like a hannya.
Bringing up face talk seems like throwing a dragon roar into a minefield.
Next to the mansion where Urokodaki lives, there was a large bamboo forest. Yes, the Thousand-Year Bamboo Forest. That bamboo forest that I owed much to in the Edo era.
I miss my past life where I prepared medicine for Lord Kagaya, made incredibly well-flying bamboo dragonflies, or fed bamboo trap combos to Wind Hashira who picked fights for no reason and Thunder Hashira who stepped on my mines.
After somehow becoming friends, I stopped throwing Wind Hashira into the Thousand-Year Bamboo Forest, but Thunder Hashira kept stepping on mines, so I often made him prey for bamboo traps.
Whether in the Sengoku era or the Edo era, is it default for you, Thunder Hashira, to launch Thunderclap and Flash at other people's mines? I said I'm not a rabbit.
Anyway, perhaps because there's a bamboo forest imbued with the spiritual energy of Old Man Taketori nearby, I stopped being tormented by nightmares of my past life after coming here.
Bamboo therapy is amazing. Thanks to Old Man Taketori's psychoanalysis, I avoided a SAN point pinch.
As expected of the bamboo forest... nothing beats the bamboo forest...!
Even though the nightmares of my past life have stopped, my attachment to the Ayaki family doesn't easily disappear. The fact that I ran away from home without a farewell still sticks in my throat like a fish bone.
Even though I decided to cut ties for the sake of my family, when I think about it, it's really pathetic.
My uncle and aunt were kind people, so they must be sad that I suddenly disappeared. But someday, time will solve it.
I hope they consider me dead and give up. I can't recklessly show my face and put that house in danger.
Whenever I think of the Ayaki family, the fortune-teller's prophecy always flickers in my heart.
Not long after taking in Rei, my colleague Kuwajima came to the mansion. When asked about his business, he said he came to see the white-haired, red-eyed child, Rei, whom he had heard about in rumors.
In addition, Kuwajima──
"I was wondering if I could make him my tsuguko if you're not taking him as one."
…he also said.
Since among the Hashira, only Kuwajima and I have no tsuguko, we were worried about every time we met our senior, the Flame Hashira.
I know that training successors is also one of the Hashira's duties, but to take someone as a tsuguko, you need suitable talent. It's not something anyone can do, so to speak, it's fate.
Kuwajima probably thought it was a waste to leave alone someone with talent suitable to be a tsuguko.
Since I had told him that Rei is quick, he might have expected that Rei might have an aptitude for Thunder Breathing as well.
At Kuwajima's request, I let him meet Rei.
But at that moment, one fact came to mind.
──Thunder Hashira Kuwajima Jigorō is a genius at quickly stepping on others' sore spots.
"Oh, really white hair and red eyes. Like a rabbit!"
The moment he said that without any malice, a smell of volcanic ash brushed from Rei. To Rei, who was appealing with his gaze and smell, "Urokodaki, is it okay to kill this person?" I subtly shook my head.
I'll say something later, so bear with it. The other party is a Hashira.
"Your legs are quite trained too. Hmm, good endurance and jumping power. This is even more like a rabbit!"
"Urokodaki."
"Calm down, Rei."
Even though it looks like this, he's praising. This guy really has no malice at all. Not that it makes it forgivable. When I heard about my face, I also unleashed a bare-handed Droplet Thrust.
"I am Kuwajima Jigorō, the Thunder Hashira. How about it, kid, won't you become my tsuguko?"
"No."
"Hey, being invited as a tsuguko by a Hashira is a rare thing. Don't answer immediately, think about it more carefully."
"……Then, please have a match with me. If you win, I'll do as you say."
"Oh, good, good. What will it be? You can choose what you're good at."
The moment Kuwajima readily agreed, a smell like a snake constricting its prey wafted over. With his red eyes gently curving, Rei wore a sweet smile.
The child's hand, hardened by training, pointed to one place near the mansion.
"How about tag in that bamboo forest? If you catch me, it's Kuwajima's victory."
Today is cloudy weather. Thick dark clouds hung low, and a humid sensation prickled the tip of my nose. The Thousand-Year Bamboo Forest, hidden from sunlight, was gloomy and held an ominousness like a demon realm.
Kuwajima, led by Rei's faintly smiling gesture, followed to such a place, smiling brightly and carefreely.
Kuwajima, who seemed already confident of victory. I silently clasped my hands towards his back. Praying for good luck or safety would be in vain, so I could only offer condolences.
I know because I sparred with him once when Rei pleaded.
That the boy in the bamboo forest is strong enough to completely avoid a Hashira's sincere attack.
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"My, I heard thunder sounds well today, perhaps it's Kuwajima?"
One shichen after Kuwajima and Rei disappeared into the bamboo forest.
Just as the tenth thunder sound was shaking the bamboo, a new visitor came to the mansion.
"Rengoku."
"Excuse me, Urokodaki."
The one sitting on the veranda with a bright smile was our senior, the Flame Hashira.
"I came to meet the rumored boy, but is he not here now?"
"……If it's Rei, he's in that bamboo forest. Kuwajima is with him."
As I pointed to the bamboo forest, the eleventh thunder sound shook the ground. The Flame Hashira blinked, then tilted his head.
Even though he should be older than me, when he makes such movements, the Flame Hashira seems somewhat boyish. It's hard to believe he's the father of two children.
"What are they doing there?"
"Tag."
"Who's the demon (it)?"
"Kuwajima is."
"Playing the role of it with the momentum of chasing a demon?"
"Chasing a demon would actually be easier."
Rei in the bamboo forest is that fast. Freely weaving through the bamboo, it's common for the child who was clearly in front to be standing behind your back in no time.
Like a fish in water, Rei with bamboo. To the extent that such a proverb comes to mind, Rei, excited in the bamboo forest, showed strength beyond the norm.
When I asked how he can move like that, the incomprehensible answer came back, "Bamboo can be used for ten thousand things!"
…Well, he certainly was using it for ten thousand things, like traps, weapons, or footholds.
"To hear such words from Urokodaki. Rei, was it? He seems quite a promising boy. A guy who can escape Kuwajima's fierce pursuit is rare even among demons. ……But Urokodaki. Why aren't you taking such a child as your tsuguko?"
"So that's the matter after all?"
"If you've taken him in, wouldn't it be better to raise him as a tsuguko? What are you hesitating about?"
The Flame Hashira's words weren't wrong. If you take in excellent talent and don't make them your tsuguko, there's no excuse even if you're asked what you're thinking. I would have been puzzled if another Hashira did the same.
The Demon Slayer Corps always craves excellent swordsmen. There was no room to leave even one person carelessly.
"Is he perhaps such a rascal that even you can't handle?"
"No. He's definitely a lively child, but not to the point of being problematic."
"Then what's the reason?"
"……Rei has a master. A master who taught him Breathing and swordsmanship. It seems he passed away a long time ago."
Moon Breathing, and the techniques to fully utilize that Breathing.
I don't know who the master was that taught that to Rei.
But watching Rei swing his sword as if dancing, I could guess how much he revered his master. At the tip of his sword, there was solemn reverence and beautiful faith.
In Rei's heart, the master is still alive. He holds a reverence that will never disappear in his lifetime.
The moment he swings his sword with Moon Breathing, a dazzling smell wafts from Rei. I felt an envy-inducing earnest longing.
As someone who merely picked him up, I had no place to intervene.
"Rei is already that master's tsuguko. I can't just take that away, can I?"
"……Urokodaki, should I say you're truly upright? You're a man who takes losses."
The moment the Flame Hashira laughed as if incredulous, the twelfth thunder sound erupted. It was real thunder accompanied by lightning, not caused by Kuwajima. From the hanging dark clouds, raindrops began to fall, soon to become a heavy rain.
Before the rain started pouring in earnest, Kuwajima returned alone with a sulky face. In a truly messy state, covered in muddy bamboo leaves.
"Hey, Urokodaki! I hadn't heard that he's such a brat!"
"What, did you lose? You were so confident."
"How can I win against that! He's flying around here and there, is that guy some youkai born in the bamboo forest?! Isn't he a youkai bamboo tengu or something!"
"He's a proper human. That aside, where is Rei?"
"He said he can't send a guest back covered in mud, so he went to heat bathwater. Anyway, because of whom did I end up like this……."
"If you trace the root, it's your fault. Because you said rabbit or whatever."
"It was a compliment!"
Kuwajima brushed off the bamboo leaves stuck to his body and clothes, getting angry.
A Thunder Hashira with mud even on the tip of his nose, like a child engrossed in playing with dirt, is not a common sight. If an ordinary corps member saw the Thunder Hashira like this, they would surely turn their head five times.
The Flame Hashira looked at the pitiful state of the active Thunder Hashira as if impressed.
"This is something, to be this much against Kuwajima. Urokodaki said so, but I want to make him my tsuguko to this extent."
"Don't joke. Rengoku, you have a son, don't you?"
"Having several tsuguko isn't a problem. I heard he's the same age as Shōjuro, so they'll be good stimulation for each other. ……Is he appearing in the next selection?"
"That's the plan."
"Indeed, then he'll be a colleague of Shōjuro. I'm looking forward to it!"
Already speaking as if he has passed the selection that hasn't even started yet—is it because he's simply a doting father, or is it the attitude born from the pride of the Rengoku family as demon slayers?
There's less than a month left until the final selection.
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"Come he─re──!"
After suffering a crushing defeat in the bamboo forest, Kuwajima would barge into the mansion whenever he had the chance, saying he wanted a rematch. As a kind of consideration for Rei, he always chose cloudy days.
Because of this stubborn side, I can't hate this man.
"Kuwajima, you came again?"
"I won't give up until I win!"
"Are you the embodiment of childishness?"
"Shut up, let's go to the bamboo forest right away. You can only afford to be leisurely now."
"I have to train from now on, so please go back."
"Why are you like that, let's go together! If you win, I'll buy you something you like!"
"Thank you! Buy me ten viper powder medicines!"
"Don't talk as if you're going to win! And choose something more childlike!"
Noisy and bustling.
Even though the two of them disappeared into the bamboo forest making such a racket, Kuwajima had never returned intact even once so far.
Even though he's a Hashira with a busy schedule, what on earth is the reason he spends all his precious holidays only at the Water Hashira's mansion?
Lately, even if Kuwajima is at the meal table, I don't feel any discomfort anymore. The tableware set prepared for guests was practically becoming Kuwajima's exclusive use.
He probably doesn't even sleep over, but if this continues, it seems only a matter of time.
"Take it easy, Kuwajima. You have your own training too, don't you?"
Feeling it couldn't go on like this, I firmly made up my mind and immediately took action. Even though I knew he would make a displeased face, I gave him a harsh word, but contrary to expectations, Kuwajima had a serious expression.
Of course, his face and whole body were still covered in mud and bamboo leaves. What on earth is a guy approaching thirty doing?
"Don't interfere, Urokodaki, this is a matter of my pride. Not being able to catch a kid who isn't even a corps member is a matter of a Hashira's dignity."
Right after saying that grandly, Kuwajima recorded a monumental tenth consecutive loss.
And the next day.
Swish swish swish──
"Kuwajima, what's that?"
"A lasso. I trained all night."
"Where did you throw the Hashira's dignity?"
"Is it time to care about face or what?"
"Care a little."
"Shut up!! Winning is all that matters!!"
Kuwajima, swinging a lasso over his head and charging into the bamboo forest with Thunderclap and Flash footsteps.
Since he kept challenging to rematches at every turn, Rei, tired of moving the location each time, gave up and started training in the bamboo forest outright.
Come if you want. I'll face you anytime—that kind of mindset of always being stationed on the battlefield. Good resolve.
A short while later, the loud shouting of Kuwajima coming from the Thousand-Year Bamboo Forest changed into loud screams.
Hmm, should I go chop some firewood? I need to heat bathwater too. After all, the ensuing development is obvious.
"Hey, Urokodaki! Where's Rei?"
"He went to the final selection."
"Has it already come to that time?"
"By the way, Kuwajima, is it okay for tomorrow's Hashira meeting?"
"Huh?"
"At the last meeting, you promised Lord Kagaya that you'd take a tsuguko by the next meeting."
"Oops!"
"I won't cover for you."
"……If I use Breathing right after the meeting to execute the thirty-six stratagems…… might it be possible……?"
"Please don't just run away to my house."
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