After introducing Shinobu Kocho, the Storm Hashira presented Kuguruma Natsunishi to her.
"Miss Kocho, although I am unaware for the moment of what misunderstanding exists between you and Kugaruma..."
His voice was gentle and steady.
"His strength is beyond doubt."
"Should any oversight beyond my reach occur during battle, he is capable of protecting you."
"If Kugaruma was discourteous previously... I shall reprimand him properly after the mission."
Shinobu Kocho's mouth parted slightly, but she swallowed the words she was about to say.
What could she say?
Could she say that her sister, Kanae, clearly cared about him, yet he hadn't replied to a single letter?
Or that the moment she stepped off the train, she caught him embracing another woman in farewell?
Or perhaps mention his utterly blunt "Who are you?"
Seeing Shinobu at a loss for words, the Storm Hashira gently knelt down.
Only when his gaze was level with hers did he offer a friendly smile. "Kugaruma is indeed a blockhead. If he isn't spacing out all day, he's speaking as crudely as a commoner. No matter how well others treat him, he remains obtuse and indifferent to sentiment."
"Among my old acquaintances, I fear every one of them would find him disagreeable."
Hearing this, Shinobu actually became a bit restless.
While the man was indeed somewhat impolite and she certainly didn't like him... were the Storm Hashira's words perhaps a bit too harsh?
Kuguruma Natsunishi, standing to the side: (°_°)?
Senior brother, I'm right here. I can hear everything.
Igarashi completely ignored Kuguruma Natsunishi's expression and reached out to gently pat Shinobu's head. Her purple hair looked soft but felt surprisingly wiry, yet Igarashi didn't seem to mind.
Once the young girl sheepishly averted her gaze, he continued.
"However, even a Kugaruma such as this... remains an excellent swordsman."
"Resolute, decisive, and one who never flinches when facing demons."
"In fact, his determination to slay demons far exceeds that of the vast majority of swordsmen I know."
"Just like right now."
Right now?
Shinobu was somewhat puzzled.
"Yes, just like right now." He looked at Kuguruma Natsunishi. "Despite hearing the name of the Twelve Demon Moons, he shows not a shred of fear."
"On the contrary, he is even more eager to throw himself into this operation."
"So, Miss Kocho, could you set aside your personal prejudices for the time being... and temporarily acknowledge his heart as a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Kuguruma Natsunishi thought to himself: This senior brother of mine really knows how to coax children.
Sure enough, Shinobu hesitated. She stole a glance at Kuguruma Natsunishi. His face was handsome and his build was sturdy... he did indeed look like a formidable swordsman.
Only then did she say, somewhat reluctantly, "Since Lord Storm Hashira has put it that way, I shall temporarily entrust my back to you! Master Kuguruma Natsunishi Kugaruma."
Having said that, she pulled her head back and nimbly slipped away from the palm of the Hashira's hand.
She said a bit awkwardly, "Also, Lord Storm Hashira, I am no longer a child."
Honestly, whether it was Mr. Igarashi or Mr. Gyomei, why did they always treat her like a child? She was already a swordsman capable of standing on her own.
Kuguruma Natsunishi looked at Igarashi.
"Senior brother, is it really alright...?"
After all, the girl looked to be twelve years old at most.
Igarashi shook his head gently. His smile remained warm, but a sharp glint flickered in his eyes. "Kugaruma, your senior brother here is one of the 'Nine Hashira'."
The Nine Hashira.
The highest rank within the Demon Slayer Corps, far above the Kinoe level. It was both the pinnacle and the pillar. It represented the hundreds of years of Breathing Style heritage within the Corps and the authority and responsibility to command and deploy all swordsmen.
But at the same time, one could not forget its original meaning.
And that was "The Strongest."
Throughout history, the ranks of the Hashira often remained vacant or were marked by constant sacrifice. Vacancy represented a threshold—a barrier of strength that ordinary swordsmen found difficult to cross. Sacrifice meant the missions they executed were far more dangerous than those of average swordsmen.
Yet, it was undeniable. The Hashira were powerful.
Whether it was the older Shinjuro Rengoku and Sakonji Urokodaki, or the young Gyomei Himejima and the fallen Mr. Fudo. Even himself, who could still be considered young. They all possessed strength that stood above all other swordsmen.
A Lower Moon demon? It wasn't as if he hadn't slain one before. If they encountered one this time, he would simply slay it again.
And if it were an Upper Moon? If one lost confidence or shirked their duty before even clashing... then they likely had no business being a Hashira, or even a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Kuguruma Natsunishi naturally understood the weight behind those words. This "cheap" senior brother of his was not just a refined scholar. In his bones, the spirit of a powerhouse and a swordsman still flowed.
He checked the status panel again:
[Uzen Igarashi (Energy Level: 361)] Storm Breathing LV.6, Wind...
In terms of energy level and the number of Breathing Styles, he was roughly equivalent to two Master Kazamis. Furthermore, compared to their first meeting, his energy level had quietly climbed by several points. This senior brother had never stopped his pace toward becoming stronger.
Kuguruma Natsunishi replied, "Yes, Senior Brother."
Since you've put it that way, what else can I say? I'll just focus on protection and support.
The corner of the Storm Hashira's mouth seemed to twitch upward slightly. He lifted his slender, elegant Nichirin Sword. "In that case, pack your gear. We depart as soon as possible."
Thus, a peculiar three-person squad was formed.
In the lead was the Storm Hashira, refined in temperament and composed in stride. In the middle was Kuguruma Natsunishi, carrying a multitude of accessories and already entering his "spacing out" state. Bringing up the rear was Shinobu Kocho, following closely while occasionally sweeping a probing and critical gaze at the back ahead of her.
...
The distance from Yokohama to Gunma was not short. If they were to travel those nearly two hundred kilometers of mountain paths and ancient roads on foot, the missing Rank-B swordsmen would likely be long dead even if they weren't already.
The three naturally took an emergency scheduled train pre-arranged by members of the Kakushi.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle. Kuguruma Natsunishi leaned against the window with glazed eyes, seemingly immersed in the flowing scenery. But in reality, the train had already stopped at a small town platform. He was clearly "spacing out" again.
Shinobu Kocho sat opposite him. At only eleven years old, she already carried the calm demeanor of a young adult, with a heavy notebook on pharmacology resting on her lap. However, she occasionally glanced sideways at the two men across from her.
Igarashi was rarely without a book, nor was he gazing into the distance. His eyes were fixed on the scene outside the platform where several children were chasing a leather ball. Their laughter drifting through the window seemed to trigger some of his past memories.
"Mr. Igarashi? Mr. Igarashi?!"
Shinobu's call brought him back to reality.
"The question I just asked... you didn't seem to hear it."
"My apologies, Miss Kocho. I was a bit distracted just now."
Shinobu's voice was crisp, filled with her characteristic childish curiosity as she asked, "You seem to... care a lot about that town?"
She had noticed it long ago. Although both men were looking out the window, unlike Kuguruma Natsunishi's hollow, vacant stare, Lord Storm Hashira had clearly been looking out and feeling sentimental.
The young swordsman pushed his glasses up. The warm smile at the corners of his mouth carried a hint of melancholy. "It's just... I remembered some things from the past."
Shinobu tilted her head, becoming curious about what he was going to say next. Although she admired every Hashira, she—and most other swordsmen—knew very little about their pasts.
The Storm Hashira let out a soft sigh. Just as he was deliberating on how to change the subject, he saw Kuguruma Natsunishi suddenly snap back to reality.
Kuguruma Natsunishi turned his head and cut in with a serious face: "Tell us about it, Senior Brother Aizen. I brought melon seeds."
Shinobu Kocho: (#▼皿▼)
Why did you stop spacing out at a time like this, you big philanderer!
Kuguruma Natsunishi's internal monologue: The travel montage just ended, and in the blink of an eye it's Senior Brother's gossip time. Why would I skip this?
The Storm Hashira burst into a helpless laugh. Since his junior brother was here, there was no harm in speaking.
"The Igarashi family started in this very town. It was only later that we gradually made a name for ourselves in the business world of Yokohama..."
His voice was very calm, as if he were telling someone else's story.
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