Over the next few days, Taka quietly received treatment under the Kakushi members' arrangements and underwent a series of rehabilitation exercises he felt were unnecessary.
Sakae's condition was also much better than expected, and at this time, he had already regained consciousness.
However, that shadow figure's claw had injured his internal organs, so he might have some lingering respiratory issues in the future.
On this point, Shinobu admired Taka.
From the information she had gathered, this young man, two years her junior, had not suffered penetrating organ wounds for the first time, yet each time he recovered vigorously and returned to his former state.
'Perhaps, like Mitsuri, he's a child with a special constitution,' She thought.
Additionally, during treatment, she noticed that Taka maintained Total Concentration Breathing even while sleeping, which greatly aided his recovery.
Should it be said that Arasaki-san truly lives up to being the strictest instructor? His teaching was very solid. Taka had unconsciously mastered Total Concentration - Constant.
Orders from the Demon Slayer Corps arrived quickly as well.
The Kasugai Crow brought Oyakata-sama's recognition and rewards:
As a Kanoe-ranked member, Taka's feat of single-handedly engaging Lower Rank Two and forcing him to retreat was an unbelievable achievement.
Even Sanemi, who was at the Ubuyashiki Residence reporting on his mission to Oyakata-sama at the time, found it somewhat inconceivable upon hearing the news.
It should be noted that in the Demon Slayer Corps, killing fifty demons or subduing one of the Twelve Kizuki qualified one to become a Hashira-level swordsman.
Although Taka hadn't killed a Lower Moon this time, he had proven he possessed abilities far exceeding those of ordinary members.
Therefore, Oyakata-sama promoted Taka's rank to Kanoe. This meant that if he encountered Demon Slayer Corps' members of lower rank in the field, Taka could have them coordinate with his actions, temporarily forming a demon-slaying squad.
Furthermore, Oyakata-sama, having heard that Taka's clothes were torn and ragged during his fight with the Lower Moon, specially ordered a new set of Demon Slayer Corps' uniforms made for him.
Compared to the standard uniform, this one came with an extra grey-white haori.
He had already heard from Haganezuka that Taka's blade was an extremely special colorless blade, so he also prepared a colorless haori for Taka, hoping he would find his own color.
As for other monetary rewards, Taka didn't care and entrusted them all to the Kakushi members to forward to the Hayama training ground.
"Nanajuhachi Taka, you have done well. Rest and heal peacefully, await further orders!"
Having delivered all this, the cold-mannered Kasugai Crow flew off without another word to Taka.
"It seems Taka-san is disliked by his own Kasugai Crow."
Shinobu, who had also listened to the orders, smiled as she looked at Taka's equally cold and stern profile. "You need to get along well with your Kasugai Crow. They are important guides and partners in battle."
"...I am not disliked." Taka genuinely thought so. To some extent, he was quite satisfied with his Kasugai Crow's attitude.
No need for small talk, just deliver the orders and leave. Wasn't that good?
"Haha, is that so?" She let out a light laugh, full of skepticism.
…
Elsewhere, south of Sendai, Fukushima region, around midnight.
After several days of desperate fleeing, Rokuro had finally shaken off the aura of death behind him and escaped to a small rural town around Fukushima.
After he fled the shrine, the shadow puppets he left behind immediately sensed the presence of a Hashira-level swordsman, which made him somewhat relieved he hadn't stayed to tangle with that brat.
If he had delayed any longer, he might not have been able to escape at all.
"This damn mad dog! Next time I'll—"
He thought better of it and didn't issue any threats, merely pounding the tatami in frustration and taking another mouthful of flesh and blood from the owner of this house.
"Hehe, isn't this Rokuro-senpai? What are you doing having a picnic here all alone?"
Rokuro's body stiffened, his chewing movement freezing as he warily looked towards the source of the voice.
In the moonlight, a small figure had at some unknown time leaned against the doorframe of this thatched hut, smiling brightly at Rokuro.
She had the beautiful appearance of a young girl, with very soft and smooth short white hair. If not for the blood-red whites of her eyes and light purple pupils... and the pair of prominent, sharp horns on her forehead, one would truly mistake her for a young maiden.
She rolled her eyes, revealing the numbers within.
[Lower - Four]
Rokuro breathed a sigh of relief and continued swallowing his food:
"It's you, Mukago... Nothing much. Just occasionally changing my tastes."
"Is that so?" Mukago tilted her head, her small nose slightly twitching as if she could smell the guilt and concealment in Rokuro's words. She laughed like a little girl: "Senpai, you don't look like you're enjoying wild game. You seem a bit miserable..."
She lightly hopped forward, drawing near Rokuro's body, her big eyes unabashedly scrutinizing Rokuro's tattered, dark-patterned kimono.
"I heard you've been cooperating with humans to have stable meals. How did you get hurt? Did those humans betray you?"
'Tch... This is why I say, kids are the most annoying...'
Mukago's bouncing around irritated Rokuro, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Demons cannot kill each other. Even if he made a move, it would be pointless.
Plus, this Mukago was a bit innocently airheaded, so perhaps from her perspective, it was purely curiosity and concern...
Rokuro helplessly put down the chunk of meat and looked seriously at Mukago:
"Hmph... You could say you're right. I am a bit miserable, but not because of betrayal by my cooperation partners!"
He pointed north towards Sendai and said seriously: "I was careless... I didn't expect a Hashira to be hiding there! If it weren't for my solid strength, engaging him for a few rounds and then fleeing, my position might have been up for grabs!"
As an adult adept at bluffing, Rokuro naturally wouldn't tell Mukago that he was being chased by a mere kid. So he exaggerated his experience.
However, to Mukago's ears, this was no different from a thunderbolt.
"A Hashira! A real Hashira!" Mukago exclaimed, covering her mouth with both hands, her big eyes instantly filled with genuine fear.
Just hearing the word made her body involuntarily cower:
"No wonder, no wonder! Senpai, you're truly amazing! To have actually engaged a Hashira!"
Mukago looked at Rokuro with a hint of admiration and understanding, even some closeness in her eyes: "I get it, I get it! Of course you run when you encounter a Hashira! Run as far as possible! Staying alive is what matters most... After all, those guys, every single one of them is terrifying!"
As she spoke, Mukago nodded repeatedly, as if she had found a kindred spirit.
Two cowards, unexpectedly brought closer by a shared miserable escape.
Rokuro sighed. He had concealed the matter of Taka, also afraid of losing his dignity in front of a junior.
'Luckily, this kid was easy to fool...'
He sized up Mukago and asked curiously: "What about you? What are you doing here? Not staying in Hokkaido anymore?"
Mukago smoothed her crimson kimono with black fur trim, recovering that slightly innocent excitement, as if she had already put the fear behind her:
"Me? I'm thinking of heading south! I heard from travelers that the Osaka area is very chaotic lately! Lots of refugees and restless types. Feels like there'll be plenty of opportunities for a good meal!"
She licked her lips and looked at Rokuro. "Senpai, want to come with me? It'll surely be lively over there!"
"I'll pass."
Rokuro refused almost without thinking.
Not to mention his current poor condition and utter unwillingness to get caught up in those chaotic vortices.
Plus, he had already been targeted by that detestable brat. Who knew if there were other means of tracking him? Better to lie low for a while...
Seeing Mukago's slightly disappointed little face, out of a subtle sense of fellowship, like two suffering comrades, Rokuro decided to warn this coward, as a small, insignificant help:
"Mukago, since you're heading south, after passing through Fukushima and going further south, you might pass a mountain called Mount Natagumo."
"Mount Natagumo? Is there some special delicacy there?"
"Delicacy? No, you'd better stay far away from there!"
Rokuro let out an ambiguous cold snort, his tone becoming more serious:
"That's the territory of Lower Rank Five, Rui. That kid... is a bit twisted."
"Whether human or demon, going there brings no benefit. Plus, that lord is quite partial to him... Trust me, if you provoke him, your fate won't be much better than provoking a Hashira."
"Rui..."
Mukago repeated the name. She didn't know much about this reclusive, mysterious Lower Rank who didn't interact with others.
But since her Rokuro-senpai had kindly warned her, perhaps she should be careful and avoid getting caught up in it...
"I understand! Thanks for the warning, senpai! I'll avoid Mount Natagumo, steer far clear!" She patted her forehead, as if trying to knock this troublesome place name out of her mind.
"Better to go to Osaka, free and easy, eat whatever I want! Since senpai needs to recover, then... Mukago will continue on her way! Hope you recover soon, senpai!"
She waved at Rokuro and disappeared into the moonlight, as easily as if she had just been discussing where to go for fun.
But after she had run far away, walking alone under the moonlight, her mischievous eyes rolled again:
"What's that about? There must be something good there! That old guy is definitely trying to hog all the good stuff without me!"
"Lalala, I should go take a look~ So what if it's Lower Five's territory? I'm Lower Four!"