Ten days later.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
With Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke's faces flushed red from effort, they in turn blew up three huge gourds!
This was the final lesson of Total Concentration - Constant. Achieving this meant their physical constitutions had greatly improved.
"Congratulations. It seems you have fully recovered."
Taka stood not far away, addressing Tanjiro and the others. "Since your bodies are fine now, we'll depart today."
"Depart? Go where?"
"Eh!!! We're going on a mission already? I suddenly feel a bit dizzy...."
"Gah! Finally getting out of the nest! I'm gpomg raise hell!"
The previous night, Taka had been learning simple and effective emergency medicine from Shinobu, and how to more effectively use Breathing Styles to stop internal bleeding.
Caw—!!
A Kasugai Crow flapped its wings and landed outside his door.
"Good evening, Kocho Shinobu, Nanajuhachi Taka. The moonlight is quite beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
Taka turned his head and saw it wasn't his Kasugai Crow, but one with a purple scarf and a voice full of intelligence.
Before Taka could reply, Shinobu smiled and greeted it first: "Good evening, Messenger-sama."
The crow nodded, looking at Taka: "Nice to meet you, Taka. I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya's Kasugai Crow. You may call me Messenger."
'Messenger? Oyakata-sama's?'
"Although I would like to enjoy the moonlight with you two, business must come first. Nanajuhachi Taka, order relay:"
"The number of victims on the Mugen Train has increased. Over forty people have gone missing, including Demon Slayer Corps' members."
"Proceed west to Saitama Prefecture, rendezvous with Rengoku Kyojuro on site, locate the demon, and subjugate it!"
"Above, decree."
'Mugen Train…'
Taka looked at Shinobu and asked seriously: "Shinobu, what is a train?"
This wasn't him messing around. Taka really didn't know.
Since leaving the mountains, he had always traveled on foot for missions, rarely even taking a cart, let alone a... train?
Seeing the crow's puzzled expression, Shinobu covered her mouth and chuckled lightly: "Messenger-sama, don't be surprised. Taka has been training in the mountains all along and hasn't encountered many things."
"I see. My apologies for the presumption." Messenger used his wing to smooth the fine feathers on his head and continued: "In short, we hope you will proceed quickly to Saitama to rendezvous with the Flame Hashira, investigate the ins and outs of this matter, and be careful in all things."
"Oh, Messenger-sama, could we add a few people to join?"
"Eh? Does the Insect Hashira also wish to participate in the mission? Three Hashira-level might be a bit..."
"Not me. It's Tanjiro and the others." Shinobu explained: "These three children have recovered. Their growth rate is very fast. Perhaps they can do some more difficult missions to improve themselves."
"Plus, Tanjiro once mentioned that their family passes down a Kagura dance similar to Flame Breathing. I thought Rengoku-san might be able to give him some guidance."
Hearing the words [Flame Breathing], the crow's eyes narrowed slightly. "....Is that so. I understand."
It nodded, responding on behalf of Oyakata-sama: "Taka, as a Kinoe-ranked swordsman and semi-Hashira, you are already qualified to lead Demon Slayer Corps' members on missions. Then, we'll entrust Kamado Tanjiro and the other two to you."
"Understood. Leave now?"
"Of course, the sooner the better. After all, Mugen Train runs every day. No one knows how many more might disappear."
"Alright. I'll—"
Shinobu pulled Taka back, stopping him from rushing off to find Tanjiro and the others. "Wait a moment, Taka."
She looked at Messenger: "Let them depart tomorrow. Taka doesn't even know how to get to Saitama Prefecture. It's better to prepare first."
"Yes, you have a point. Then I'll take my leave. Good night to you both."
Messenger was merely delivering orders, not forcing Taka to execute them immediately. After a polite farewell, it flapped its wings and left.
The Butterfly Mansion fell silent again.
"Taka, this is your first time leading a squad. Remember to..."
The night wind rustled. Partings eventually come.
This time at the Butterfly Mansion was one of the rare, peaceful moments in Taka's life.
This kind of warm coexistence, occasionally engaging in meaningless small talk with others, wasn't so bad either.
Taka listened intently as Shinobu explained the route to Saitama Prefecture, the local customs to be aware of along the way, and the details of how, as a leader, he should organize his squad members....
Especially when Shinobu mentioned that, having become a leader, he couldn't just focus on his own fighting.
He had to protect his subordinates, protect the ordinary people around him. This was the obligation of a leader.
Seeing Shinobu's serious expression, Taka suddenly felt a little melancholy.
'If there were no demons in the world, no fighting, no evil beings using power for wrongdoing, and everyone could live out their lives in such peace and tranquility, how happy that would be.'
…
The next morning, after Tanjiro and the others completed their final test, Taka informed them of the mission's details.
"For this mission, I am the squad leader. If you encounter danger, you do not need to fight. Wait for me to handle it." Taka commanded calmly. "I will protect you. Don't worry."
"Huh?! I don't need anyone's protection!" Inosuke was clearly unconvinced.
Although he knew Taka was quite a formidable character, he hadn't witnessed it firsthand, so he dismissed the so-called semi-Hashira with contempt.
In his view, he was probably only a little bit stronger than Kamaboko Dengoro, but compared to a fully committed Inosuke-sama, he probably still fell short!
Taka nodded. "Yes. There will be many ordinary people on the train, Inosuke. You also need to take responsibility and protect the weak civilians."
"Hmph, of course!"
"Taka-san, could the demon on this train be a Kizuki?" Zenitsu asked worriedly. "Over forty people missing. It doesn't seem like an ordinary demon at all...."
"I don't know. But I will kill it."
Taka tightened the Asauchi at his waist, looking at the brightening sky. "Let's go. We need to reach Saitama as quickly as possible."
"Yes!" Tanjiro replied seriously, tightening his checked haori.
Before leaving, the group said their goodbyes to everyone at the Butterfly Mansion.
Tanjiro looked towards Kanao, encouraging her energetically: "Hang in there, Kanao! The human heart is the driving force! The heart can become infinitely strong!"
"Always follow your heart, and take good care of yourself!"
".....You too. Safe travels."
'Eh? Kanao-nee actually spoke to an outsider?'
The members of the Butterfly Mansion didn't understand what was happening and looked incredulously in their direction.
"I told you, don't just eat anything randomly. You'll ruin your health."
"Haha! I'm the king of the mountain. How could I get a stomach ache?"
"Less talk. Here."
On the other side, a girl from the Butterfly Mansion with twin tails and a blue butterfly hair ornament helplessly shoved a lunch box into Inosuke's arms:
"Inside are normal rice balls. Eat these when you're hungry. Don't just pick wild fruit!"
She was Kanzaki Aoi, one of the Butterfly Mansion's members responsible for Tanjiro and the other two's recovery training during this period.
Although she looked cold, she was actually very warm-hearted and had always been concerned about their physical condition.
"Wah! I'm gonna eat it now!"
"No! You idiot!"
Watching them quarrel, Shinobu laughed.
This smile wasn't forced. Taka could feel the happiness radiating from her.
"I'm going now, Shinobu."
"Yes. Be careful."
Shinobu handed Taka several test tubes filled with a brown liquid:
"Inside are some herbal sleeping aids. If your nightmares get worse, drink one before bed. It should temporarily alleviate them."
"Thank you. I'll be careful."
"Taka...." Shinobu withdrew her hand, a hint of worry in her gaze. "Be careful. Remember our promise."
Taka nodded solemnly and extended his pinky finger towards her.
Although nothing was said, they both understood.
The four of them hurried down the mountain, heading west.
In the distance, darker clouds were gathering.