The next time Taka saw Shinsuke was fifteen days later.
The afternoon sun lazily shone on Taka, who was dressed in simple, worn cotton clothes, warm and comfortable.
Taka gripped the Nichirin Sword, exerting force evenly as he stretched, adapting to his continuously recovering body.
"By the Buddha, this child of yours really is made of iron..."
Aunt Matsumoto sat under the eaves, pounding medicine with a pestle as she marvelled. "My old man, when he got his leg gored by a wild boar back in the day, was laid up for three months. You're almost healed in just this short time!"
Taka slowly withdrew his stance, exhaling a long, deep breath.
Actually, he was also somewhat puzzled. Two weeks was indeed too fast.
Although he felt his life was indeed quite tenacious, it shouldn't be tenacious to this extent.
'Was it because of the essence of my Rukongai origins... or was it that Asauchi....'
The first time he released the Asauchi, and when he used it to wound Sanemi, he had noticed that his Reiatsu seemed to have a strong desire to plunder, seizing some of the opponent's energy to nourish himself.
'Could it be because it had seized power belonging to Akanuma?'
Taka shook his head, temporarily setting aside these thoughts, and said calmly, "It's because Aunt Matsumoto's medicine is good."
But the woman clearly wasn't fooled by this flattery. She clicked her tongue in wonder as she sized up Taka's solid body:
"Youth is wonderful, but don't you go pushing yourself just because you're healthy! You always need to be more careful in the future. Take care of your body, child!"
As she spoke, a familiar and slightly hurried footstep sounded from outside the courtyard gate, along with Rintaro's signature loud voice:
"Aunt Matsumoto! Taka-nii! We're back!"
Taka looked up and saw that the arrivals were Rintaro and Akemi, whom he had met once before, and Shinsuke, with whom he was more familiar.
They were travel-worn, their Demon Slayer Corps' uniforms dotted with mud and grass clippings, looking somewhat tired.
When Shinsuke saw Taka, his eyes lit up, his whole body radiating a sense of relief and excitement after completing an important mission.
He quickly approached with the other two, Rintaro carrying a bulging cloth bundle on his shoulder.
"Good day, everyone." Taka mustered his goodwill and greeted the three with an icy salutation.
"Looks like you've recovered well! Not bad, not bad! Didn't I tell you it was better to rest and heal properly!"
"....Hayama to here, you were a few days late. Did you encounter any trouble?"
Shinsuke scratched his head, a smile tinged with cunning and faint pride appearing on his face:
"No trouble, really... just took a small detour." He stepped aside, signaling for Rintaro to come forward.
Rintaro carefully set down the cloth bundle and unwrapped it layer by layer. Inside lay a neatly folded, brand new garment… the uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps!
The deep, night-like black fabric shimmered with a supple lustre in the sunlight, surprisingly cool to the touch.
On the back of the jacket, the eye-catching character [Exterminate] was embroidered with white linen thread. The cuffs and hem were woven with fine, dense wisteria patterns using a special stitching method, uniform and full of power.
Beside the uniform lay a quietly crest badge, symbolizing membership in the Demon Slayer Corps.
It was made of brass, heavy, its edges polished smooth and shiny.
"This is...." Taka was stunned. Of course he knew what this was… wasn't this the very uniform Shinsuke and the others wore?
According to Shinsuke, the Demon Slayer Corps' uniforms were specially made. Not only did they have excellent breathability, able to withstand heat and cold, but they could even prevent lower-ranking demons from injuring the wearer's body.
"For you, Taka!" Rintaro's voice boomed as he gave Taka a thumbs-up.
Akemi nodded vigorously beside him. "Oyakata-sama personally approved it! Rest assured!"
Shinsuke added, "After returning to Hayama and telling them about your situation, I took Arasaki-sensei's handwritten letter and these two on a special trip to Mount Fujikasane! And we submitted a detailed report to the Kakushi division in charge of Final Selection, as well as to the Ubuyashiki Residence!"
"We reported everything that happened by the stream, especially the fact that you single-handedly slew the major demon named Akanuma, exactly as it happened!"
He held up the black uniform, his tone filled with respect:
"You were able to kill a major demon possessing a Blood Demon Art that had devoured over fifty people. Your strength far exceeds that of ordinary trainees! Coupled with your courage to face the enemy alone, and your determination to fulfill your promise even when severely injured, there is simply no need for you to prove anything by participating in the Mount Fujikasane Selection!"
"Taka! Oyakata-sama has issued a ruling, granting you a special exception to join the Demon Slayer Corps. You are now a qualified Demon Slayer!"
As he spoke, he handed the uniform representing Demon Slayer Corps membership to Taka and pinned the badge onto his chest.
'Oyakata-sama....'
'This person had been mentioned many times by Shinsuke and Arasaki-sensei, seeming to be a wise and tolerant leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.'
He hadn't expected the other party to make a special exception for a trainee he had never met. This was beyond Taka's expectations.
'What kind of person was he...'
Taka weighed this seemingly light uniform, heavy with the responsibility it represented, strange emotions churning in his heart.
'Did I now have an organization, a backing?'
Taka had once joined a thug gang in Rukongai, but either he was forced to do evil things against his nature, or he was driven away by the equally cruel exploitation within.
'Would this Demon Slayer Corps be a good place to settle down...'
"...Thank you." Taka's voice was somewhat hoarse. He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the sincere and encouraging faces of Shinsuke, Rintaro, and Akemi. "Thank you all."
"Heh, what's there to thank!" Rintaro vigorously slapped Taka on the shoulder, grinning. "We're comrades now! Remember to look out for your brother when we're cutting demons!"
"Hey! Rintaro! Taka's body!" Akemi shot him a displeased glare.
"Ah! Sorry, sorry!"
The four of them bantered for a while, then Shinsuke told Taka that Demon Slayer Corps' members also needed to choose their own Scarlet Ore for forging their Nichirin Sword. So, although it was a bit troublesome, he would have to make another trip to Mount Fujikasane to see if he could find suitable steel after the trial ended.
Taka nodded, pulling the Demon Slayer Corps' uniform on over his coarse clothes.
He turned back and bowed deeply to Aunt Matsumoto, who was sitting under the eaves, continuously nodding at him:
"Aunt Matsumoto, thank you for your hospitality and care over these many days of troubling you."
Taka's words were sincere. Seeing this, Aunt Matsumoto wiped the corner of her eye, her face showing both relief and reluctance. "Good child... Now that you're wearing this uniform... be even more careful! Come back to visit when you have time!"
Taka nodded firmly.
A few days later, Hayama, before the mountain gate.
Twilight had gathered. The last rays of golden sunset spilled onto the training ground, spreading a layer of warm afterglow.
The trainees had long dispersed. Now, only Tetsushin stood with his back to the courtyard gate, wielding a heavy wooden sword with his remaining right arm, slowly adjusting his breathing facing the distant mountains dyed by the evening glow.
Footsteps stopped outside the gate.
Tetsushin did not turn around. His face, marked by wind and frost, was indistinct in the shadow of the sunset. Only his deep and robust voice sounded, his emotions indiscernible:
"You're late."
"Sensei, I'm back."
Tetsushin finally slowly turned around, his deep eyes sweeping inch by inch over the newcomer.
His gaze passed over the brand new black uniform, signifying official membership.
It passed over the shining crest badge on his chest.
Finally, it landed on his face… that young face, having shed some of its gloom and vigilance, now gained a measure of composure and restraint.
"Is your injury better?"
"Yes, thanks to Aunt Matsumoto's care, it's no longer a problem."
"Hmm.... It's good that you're back."
Tetsushin's stern gaze softened. He walked slowly towards him.
Before Taka could react, this iron-willed old man pulled him into a one-armed embrace.
"....You really are... a troublesome kid."