Kaigaku

Mount Peach Town.

Hiruma strolled leisurely around town. Since his Nichirin Blade and uniform would take more than half a month to make, he had been granted some rare time off.

If he stayed on the mountain without practicing his swordsmanship, the old man would definitely scold him, so he had come into town to take it easy.

As he walked, a child suddenly ran past him crying. The moment the little boy caught sight of Hiruma, he froze for a second before immediately throwing his arms around Hiruma's leg, sobbing as he complained through tears and snot.

"Waaah!"

"Boss, you're finally back! Some guy from outside town stole our spending money! You have to avenge us!"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Hiruma shoved the child's head away with a look of disgust. "You're too close. Don't wipe your snot on me!"

After the little boy calmed down, Hiruma patted his head and said,

"Shota, who stole your stuff? Beat him up!"

"A real man bleeds but doesn't cry!"

"What's with all the sniveling? You're acting like a woman!"

"Boss, we can't beat him!" Shota loudly sniffed up his snot, looking helpless.

"What happened to the moves I taught you? Hit low first when you fight. Don't you know the monkey steals the peach?"

"Forget it. Lead the way. Let's see which bastard dared to mess with my people!" Hiruma waved a hand, looking disappointed that Shota had failed to live up to expectations.

At those words, Shota straightened his back.

Hiruma had been the child king of Mount Peach Town since he was little. Sticking up for his underlings was only natural. After all, adults usually regarded children's squabbles as petty play and rarely intervened.

Before long, the two arrived at an alley hardly anyone passed through. It was dim inside, and a figure could vaguely be seen.

The person sat in a damp corner against the wall like a sewer rat. He was counting money while cursing under his breath.

"Damn it, those little brats only had this much money? I've stolen more than this before."

"I heard there's an old man living on Peach Mountain. Once I become his disciple and join the Demon Slayer Corps, I'll definitely have money."

Peach Mountain, the old man, at this time... could that be Kaigaku?

Listening to the teenager curse and grumble, Hiruma made his guess.

"Hey!"

"Why did you steal my brother's money? Give it back!" Hiruma shouted threateningly at the person in the shadows. He felt certain that guy was Kaigaku.

"Get lost!"

"Don't make me beat you up again. Are you sick or something?" The person in the shadows spoke coldly, his voice like a blade. He put away the stolen money and slowly stepped out of the darkness.

Hiruma finally saw the guy's face clearly: black hair, blue-green eyes, thick eyebrows, and ragged coarse linen clothes.

Tch! (＊｀д′)

It really was that bastard Kaigaku!

He did not bother hiding the disgust on his face. His expression was like someone who had stepped in shit, ruining his good mood for the day.

Kaigaku was as much of a beast as Muzan. One betrayed his master and ancestors; the other slaughtered innocents.

This human and demon shared one strikingly consistent trait: selfishness.

Kaigaku also sized Hiruma up, fury and contempt flashing in his eyes. He clenched his teeth until they creaked, as though he wanted to crush them.

His fists tightened, veins bulging as he wished he could rush forward and beat Hiruma senseless.

Have we met before?

Why is he looking at me with that kind of disgust and hatred?

Bastard, are you courting death?

He muttered to himself inwardly.

"Give the money back!" Hiruma held out his hand, already figuring out how to ruin this bastard's attempt to become Jigoro Kuwajima's disciple. He absolutely could not let this beast tarnish the old man's reputation in his later years.

"Get lost. I don't want to hit anyone!" Kaigaku slapped Hiruma's hand aside and charged straight at him.

But the instant he slammed into Hiruma, the viciousness on his face froze.

It felt like he had run into a wall. Was this guy even human?

Hiruma shrugged Kaigaku away and said with a smile, "Give Shota back the money. I'll say it one last time!"

"Get lost!"

"Do you want to die?"

Before Kaigaku had even finished speaking, Hiruma drove a fist into his lower abdomen. Excruciating pain rapidly spread through him, and his mind went blank.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Kaigaku coughed nonstop, clutching his stomach as he collapsed to the ground. Yet he still glared viciously at Hiruma. "You bastard!"

Veins bulged on his forehead as he roared at Hiruma. He swore that once he learned the Demon Slayer Corps' Breathing Style, he would tie this bastard up somewhere deserted and kill him.

"Shota, take your money back!"

"Okay, Boss!"

Very quickly, Shota searched Kaigaku and found a great deal of money. He took what belonged to himself and his friends, then tossed the rest back with a look of contempt.

"Thief. You're disgusting!"

"Don't let my boss see you again, or he'll beat you up every time he does!" With Hiruma there, the little brat immediately threw out a threat, feeling utterly delighted inside.

"Boss!" Shota looked at Hiruma, beaming. "I'll treat you to something good. By the way, what were you doing these past few days?"

Hiruma flicked Shota on the head and said, "Haven't I told you since we were little? Your boss here is destined to save the world!"

"Whoa, amazing! Just what I'd expect from Boss!" Shota's eyes lit up as he instantly turned into a devoted little fanboy.

"Boss is mighty! Boss is unbeatable!"

Kaigaku clenched his fists and repeatedly pounded the ground, staring fixedly at Hiruma's departing back.

Damn it, damn it, damn it...

I'll kill you. One day, I'll slaughter you!

I'll remember you, you bastard.

As the sun slanted westward, Kaigaku used the money he had stolen to buy himself a clean set of clothes, then hurried toward Peach Mountain.

He knew demons existed, and he also knew that the old man living there was a trainer for the Demon Slayer Corps. Most importantly, the Demon Slayer Corps paid very well.

As long as he could join the Demon Slayer Corps, he would never have to worry about making a living again, even if he only became a lowest-ranking Mizunoto member.

The thought made the corners of his mouth rise.

Kaigaku climbed halfway up the mountain and looked down at the town in the distance, his face full of lofty disdain.

Those idiots probably had never even heard of demons!

Heh heh!

Stupid ordinary people. I curse you all to be eaten by demons sooner or later.

The realization that he was different from those ordinary people filled Kaigaku with a sense of superiority.

"Child, you're new around here, aren't you?"

"What brings you to Peach Mountain?"

Just as Kaigaku was feeling pleased with himself, a stern yet kindly voice rang out.

He turned toward the sound and saw an old man leaning on a cane.

Uh...

Could this sort of person really be a trainer for the Demon Slayer Corps?

Was the Demon Slayer Corps so short on talent?

Disappointment flashed through Kaigaku's eyes, but the man before him matched what he had heard well enough.

He immediately composed himself and dropped to his knees before Jigoro Kuwajima with a thud. Wearing a false expression of grief, he spoke in an exceptionally resolute tone.

"Sir, I know you are a trainer for the Demon Slayer Corps. Please accept me as your disciple!"

"I traveled all this way only to take a master and avenge my family. My entire family was killed by demons!"

Kaigaku cried and kowtowed, his attitude utterly sincere. The tragic tale of his whole family being slaughtered by demons especially moved the old man's heart.

As he cried, Hiruma passed behind him and teased,

"Then you've really had it rough, young man!"