Demon Slayer: Starting with the Great Swordmaster System, My Master Tsugikuni

In my view, Master, your beliefs and Uncle Katsumi's thoughts are both expressions of your own personal will.

Those who follow different paths cannot make plans together.

Even if I am but a single star in the boundless sky of history, I will strive to become the most dazzling among them!

Among those who exhaust the pursuit of their path, I alone am unique!

After hearing Scribe's words, Yoriichi fell silent, staring blankly at the drawing.

Then, all at once, it seemed as though he understood.

Just as Scribe had said, both he and Elder Brother had been guided by their own consciousness.

Everyone had their own thoughts. There was no need to force himself or others to understand one another.

Really, I surrender to you.

Yoriichi rose to his feet, walked over to Scribe, and crouched before him.

Just as the latter was wondering what Yoriichi intended to do, he reached out and embraced Scribe.

In those seven years, this was the first time Scribe had felt Tsugikuni Yoriichi's embrace.

Master~

Murmuring softly, Scribe did not resist. He simply quietly felt Yoriichi's embrace.

Instinctively reaching out, he hugged Tsugikuni Yoriichi as well.

His disciple's hands were so warm that, in an instant, that warmth rushed into Yoriichi's heart.

It was truly wonderful that I met you back then.

Yoriichi's body trembled slightly, and Scribe felt his shoulder becoming damp.

No, meeting you was my greatest fortune.

Silently answering Yoriichi in his heart, Scribe held him tightly as well.

Master and disciple did not say much, yet it was as if they had said everything.

That night, after dinner, Scribe and Tsugikuni Yoriichi returned to their rooms to rest.

When the moon hung high and the night had grown still, the sound of a flute suddenly rang out.

The tune was terribly awkward, even somewhat unpleasant to hear.

Yet within that off-key melody, Scribe heard the flutist's heart.

He knew that his master had already overcome this knot in his heart and was no longer lost.

Early the next morning, Scribe and Tsugikuni Yoriichi received a summons from Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

The one who delivered the message was Kagaya's wife, Ubuyashiki Amane.

Somewhat puzzled, Scribe asked Amane.

Why has Master suddenly summoned us?

Shaking her head, Amane indicated that she did not know Ubuyashiki's intentions either.

Kagaya said that the details would be discussed once the two of you arrive at the estate.

Moreover, this is a confidential mission.

Their doubts only deepened, but Scribe and Tsugikuni Yoriichi still secretly made their way to the Ubuyashiki estate.

Upon entering the room, the first thing Scribe saw was Ubuyashiki Kagaya lying on the bed.

Compared to the last time they had met, he could not even sit up on his own now.

Most of his body was wrapped in bandages, and the gaps were filled with the scent of medicinal liquid.

He had already reached the end of his life, as though he might die at any moment.

At his side, a child who looked only four or five years old was caring for him.

Cough, cough. You've come.

The one exposed eye turned, and Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze seemed to brighten slightly.

Waya, help me up.

Ubuyashiki Waya helped his father sit up and placed several pillows behind him.

Yoriichi, Scribe, I am very glad you could come.

As you can see, I have little life left.

The moment he finished speaking, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's chest suddenly heaved violently.

Urgh, cough, cough, cough—

He suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of black congealed blood, and his breathing grew even weaker.

Master, you should conserve your strength.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi nodded as well. He too hoped that Ubuyashiki Kagaya would take better care of his own health.

Since that was the case, I would speak plainly about this mission.

After resting for quite a while and coughing up another mouthful of blood, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's breathing finally steadied somewhat.

You should all know that demons are solitary creatures.

If one demon appeared within a certain area, the chances of a second appearing there were extremely low.

The Scribe and Yoriichi both nodded in agreement.

Even among demons, there was competition.

There was only so much food in any one area. If two demons met, the weaker one would most likely be driven away.

But this time was different. The Kakushi had discovered a large number of demons gathered in a single town.

By conservative estimates, there were no fewer than thirty of them!

The moment he heard this, the Scribe could more or less guess what Ubuyashiki Kagaya was thinking.

I imagine you have both guessed as well. I hope you can take action and eliminate all those demons.

Within the Demon Slayer Corps, only the two of you, who can use Sun Breathing, can accomplish this.

So, I beg you.

As he spoke, Kagaya lowered his head.

This was the greatest gesture of respect he could offer.

Father!

Seeing this, Ubuyashiki Waya moved to pull Kagaya back up.

But no matter how he tugged, his frail father seemed rooted in place, completely unmoving.

Tears welled in Waya's eyes. He knew that for his father to make such a gesture, he had to endure unimaginable pain.

Ding. Ubuyashiki Kagaya has made a request of you. Do you accept?

The system's voice suddenly sounded in his mind, leaving the Scribe somewhat surprised.

For the system to recognize it as a mission, Kagaya's request was clearly a grave one.

Perhaps several dozen demons were nothing to Yoriichi.

But for the Scribe, who was taking part in such a large-scale battle for the first time, this was a fight that could cost him his life.

Turning his head slightly, the Scribe saw Yoriichi nod.

As expected, Master Yoriichi had made the same choice as him.

Accept.

After making his choice in his mind, the Scribe spoke to Ubuyashiki Kagaya again.

Master, please raise your head.

Hearing that the Scribe and Yoriichi had accepted the mission, Kagaya lifted his head, surprise in his eyes.

Though he had never slain a demon himself, he knew full well that this would be the Scribe's most difficult mission yet.

Even so, the Scribe had accepted without the slightest hesitation.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi rose to his feet and left the room first.

Then can we depart now?

With a faint smile, the Scribe helped Ubuyashiki Kagaya back onto the bed.

Cough, cough. I'll have someone make arrangements for you immediately.

Unable to hide the delight in his eyes, Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked visibly excited.

Just as the Scribe pushed open the door and prepared to leave, three voices suddenly rang out from within the room.

May victory be yours.

We will not disappoint you.

With a thud, the door shut behind him, and the Scribe headed toward the outside of the estate.

At the same time, the detailed notification for the mission sounded in his mind.

Mission: Travel to Youshui Town and slay the one hundred demons entrenched there.

Note: This mission carries an extremely high danger rating. Proceed with caution.

The instant he heard the notification, the Scribe blinked several times.

Thirty demons? One hundred demons?

He began to wonder whether the Demon Slayer Corps' intelligence was wrong, or whether he had misheard.

Only after listening to the notification again did he realize that it really was one hundred demons.

For a moment, it felt as though a stampede of wild horses had thundered through his mind.

He really wanted to ask the Corps member in charge of this intelligence just how he had come up with thirty demons.

This was no longer a matter of one or two—it was three whole times as many!

Tch, no wonder the system classified this as a mission. I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

Though he felt helpless, since it had been his own choice, Scribe would see it through.

Besides, he wasn't alone.

Perhaps to demons, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was a death god in every sense of the word.

But for humanity, there was no more dependable companion than him.

No matter what, they should first take a look at that town.

Led by a Corps member, Scribe successfully met up with Yoriichi.

Concealing their tracks and ensuring no one knew of it, Scribe and Yoriichi left the Demon Slayer Corps.

After several days of travel, they arrived at their destination.

Youshui, a town at the foot of a high mountain.

"Youshui Town is just ahead. I'll see you two off here."

By the moonlight, Scribe and Yoriichi could make out the town not far ahead.

"Mm. You be careful too."

After the Demon Slayer Corps member who had led them away, Scribe and Yoriichi headed toward Youshui.

According to the intelligence they had received, Youshui was a town known primarily for tourism.