After seeing Haganezuka off, Taka's expression grew even more complex.
"Wind is light and flowing, it is the formless hand that brushes over the hills... Wind is violent and fierce, it is the heaven-given blade that tears through clouds and the atmosphere...."
"This is not wind?! It's not even fire, nor rock. Why did it become colorless?!"
"You brat.... What is your situation?! What kind of Breathing could make the blade I worked so hard to forge turn this color?!"
"Caw—!! I'll kill you, you bastard!!!"
The swordsmith's roar left Taka deeply puzzled.
'Was I unsuited for Wind Breathing... to the point that it made his Nichirin Sword lose its color?'
"Haganezuka-shi... he's just that kind of person. Don't take it too seriously." Walking with Taka, watching the fuming Haganezuka leave, Tetsushin comforted him. "His eyes are only for blades. He's outspoken and bad-tempered, but his heart is not evil...."
"As for this color... it is indeed quite rare, but it's nothing major."
Tetsushin patted Taka's shoulder, his tone gentle:
"Taka, the color of the blade means nothing. As long as the one who wields it holds a heart set on vanquishing evil, any color of blade can kill demons!"
Although Taka was not good at socializing, he could still hear the comfort in Tetsushin's words.
'A colorless blade... I hope it wouldn't cause any trouble.'
Just as Tetsushin was explaining to Taka how to maintain the Nichirin Sword and some tips for using it.
Shwoosh—!!
A dark shape, fast as lightning, flashed by, catching Taka's attention.
In the blink of an eye, a jet-black crow, its eyes slightly half-open, abruptly landed on a nearby stone lantern.
"Oh? It's a Kasugai Crow." Tetsushin explained. "Once you become an official Demon Slayer Corps' member, you receive the help of a crow companion. They are very intelligent. Not only can they understand your commands, but they can also communicate with people and relay orders."
"Communicate with people... Birds can actually speak human language?"
"Naturally, boy." The Kasugai Crow perched on the stone lantern coldly responded to Taka's question.
It slightly raised its head, pointing its beak at Taka, and spoke coldly:
"Nanajuhachi Taka, order relay!"
"Proceed as soon as possible to the Tohoku Region, Sendai direction, locate the demon and slay it!"
"Three swordsmen have already perished. Please be cautious!"
Having said that, without waiting for Taka to ask anything further, the crow flew off on its own, just as abruptly as it had arrived.
Taka looked at Tetsushin. "Are all Kasugai Crows like that?"
"Hmm... Kasugai Crows have their own personalities and thoughts. Each one is different," Tetsushin nodded, his expression turning serious. "Taka, this is your first official mission, and... it's somewhat unusual. Be extremely careful."
"Unusual? Isn't it just finding the demon and killing it?"
"That's not what I mean," the old man added. "Generally speaking, Kanoe-ranked members only deal with suspected demon hauntings or minor demons that have only killed one or two people..."
"Your first mission is to find a demon that has killed three Demon Slayer Corps' members. That means the opponent is at least a major demon-level existence...."
"It seems Oyakata-sama has great confidence in you."
Tetsushin didn't know whether to be happy or worried. Being acknowledged by Oyakata-sama meant Taka would have to handle incidents that ordinary members couldn't solve, and that meant greater danger.
'For Taka, who was just starting to hunt demons, wasn't this too soon...'
"I understand. When do I leave? Where is Sendai?"
Taka didn't mind. Since he had accepted benefits from others, it was only right to work for them. It was a simple principle.
"...Sendai is far, and the demon is fierce and stubborn. Rest well today and set off tomorrow." Tetsushin murmured, looking calmly at the departing crow.
He had trained many disciples. Some were outstanding, some ordinary, and some who never amounted to much.
But it had been a long time since a child had concerned him so much.
'At least, one more day, let Taka rest well.'
He turned around, not looking Taka in the eyes, simply gently patting his shoulder:
"Slaying demons is our duty, and it is also to save the world of the living..."
"But if one day you are truly tired, come back.... Hayama will always be your home."
Having said that, he spoke no more, silently walking back towards the training ground with his one arm, his figure appearing both tall and desolate.
Taka was caught off guard by this sudden display of warmth. He stiffly turned around, inexplicably feeling a warmth in his chest.
His throat moved, but in the end, Taka said nothing, only bowing deeply to Tetsushin's retreating back.
…
The next day at noon, Taka had already packed his gear… several changes of clothes, dried food, a water flask, a whetstone, and most importantly, his two swords.
He slid open the door. The training ground was unusually quiet today. It seemed Tetsushin had taken the disciples to other mountains for training exercises.
Taka felt no disappointment… instead, there was a strange sense of ease in his heart.
He really wasn't good at dealing with sincere displays of concern. It made him at a loss.
He fastened his bundle, tucked both swords into his waist, and pushed open the gate to leave.
"Taka."
A clear voice sounded from the corridor. It was Rika.
Taka stopped, turning back to look at this senior disciple who had always been so kind to him.
"Come with me."
Rika didn't explain. She simply beckoned to him. Taka didn't ask either, silently following behind her.
They didn't head towards the main road down the mountain. Instead, they circled behind the main building of the training ground, following a nearly vanished path, half-hidden by wild grass, winding deep into a secluded, rarely visited forest.
Sunlight struggled through the gaps in the tall, ancient trees, illuminating a small clearing before them.
Two low grave mounds, side by side and covered in accumulated snow, lay quietly there.
Rika's expression became solemn and sorrowful.
She walked to the grave on the left, gently brushing off the snow, sweeping the somewhat rough tombstone, revealing the deeply carved characters beneath:
[Kumeno Masachika]
"This is Masachika-san's grave..." Rika's voice was very light, as if afraid to disturb the sleeping soul. "He.... was once a swordsman who left our Hayama, and also the best friend of the current Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi-san."
"Shinazugawa Sanemi..." Taka knew him, of course.
He had also inquired with Shinsuke and the others. This guy had a violent temper and often acted without listening to explanations. Even among other Demon Slayer Corps' members, he was considered quite fearsome.
But according to Tetsushin, his heart wasn't evil… he was just rude in speech. Given time to get along, things would be fine....
'That guy actually had friends... unbelievable....'
"And this one... is Arasaki Suzune-nee...."
'Arasaki?' Taka's pupils contracted slightly. "Sensei's child?"
"Yes... she was Sensei's only daughter, and also once Sanemi-san's initial teacher."
"They were both important to Sensei and Sanemi-san... and to me, the most important people. For so many years, Sensei hasn't dared to come here..."
"Sensei is very strong, but also very fragile. He must uphold a stern image, uphold the Hayama training ground, and forge blades sharp enough to eradicate the world's demons for the Demon Slayer Corps! Even if it means losing everything, he will do it!"
Rika's eyes glistened with tears, her shoulders trembling slightly, but she resolutely held them back.
"Taka, I brought you here to tell you that Sensei really values you.... You must take care of yourself out there, you must be careful!"
"Never... let there be another grave added here...."
Seeing Rika so sentimental for the first time, Taka's heart was also somewhat touched.
He was not old, but the hardships and displacements he had experienced were no fewer than anyone else's. Although not good at intimate communication, he was not stupid.
Cold, distant, vigilant, uneasy.
If he could, he wouldn't want to live like this either, but before, he had no choice.
Now, he felt he had a home.