The Sapphire Star's resolute declaration, carrying the New World hunters' characteristic fierceness and pragmatic attitude of "well, I'm already here," sent an invisible ripple through the tatami room.
Velkhana Frost rose faintly as she stood.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki quietly regarded the imposing warrior from another world before him. The gentle, compassionate smile on his face melted like the first snow, giving way to deeper, purer gratitude and hope.
"Your resolve and courage are truly admirable!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice remained steady, but it now held an indescribable strength.
"The Demon Slayer Corps welcomes you, Sapphire Star. Your strength and conviction will surely become stars that light our path forward." He turned his head slightly and signaled to his wife, Amane, who stood beside him.
Understanding his intent, Amane silently rose and took a small token from a lacquered box nearby. Made of neither metal nor wood, it was carved with wisteria and flame patterns. She presented it to the Sapphire Star with both hands.
"This is the Wisteria Crest Token."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained.
"It identifies you as an honored guest and ally of the Demon Slayer Corps. Every member of our Corps will regard this token as they would a Hashira and offer their wholehearted assistance, providing whatever support and information you require. It should also make traveling through this world easier."
The Sapphire Star accepted it without hesitation. It felt warm and smooth in her hand and carried a faint woody fragrance.
"Thanks, Mr. Ubuyashiki."
She hefted it briefly, then casually tucked it into the hunter's pouch at her waist.
"Information and support are important. I don't know my way around here, and before I can hunt monsters, I have to find them."
"I will personally explain your identity and origins, as well as everything that happened on Mount Fujikasane, to the Hashira."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued.
"Your power and fighting methods differ greatly from Breathing Styles, which may draw some... attention. But please believe me when I say that the Hashira are all warriors who understand the greater good and devote themselves to slaying demons. They will understand and respect your presence."
"Attention? Understand?" The Sapphire Star waved dismissively.
"It's fine. I'm used to it. Back home, people often gather to watch when I hunt monsters, too. As long as they don't get in my way during a hunt, I don't mind." Thinking of her capable assistant, AIBO, she couldn't help grinning...
"By the way, do you have anything like... monster ecology reports or maps here? Information on that Muzan and the stronger demons under him, that sort of thing. Also, where can I get supplies? And where can I get equipment made?"
"I will have the Kakushi compile that information as soon as possible and deliver it to you, along with a basic map of this world and information on its currency, customs, and other essentials."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki answered patiently.
"As for equipment... the Demon Slayer Corps' Swordsmith Village may be able to offer some assistance, but your weapon..." His gaze swept over the frost-shrouded Fatalis Demolisher again.
"I fear... it is beyond the craftsmanship of this world..."
"Oh, this thing?"
The Sapphire Star patted the scabbard.
"It handles nicely. No need to replace it for now."
"Furthermore," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, his voice taking on a solemn note.
"The three boys, Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira, have passed the Final Selection and officially become Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen. They share a considerable connection with you, but our new swordsmen must follow tradition and hone themselves independently, grasping the true essence of their Breathing Styles through actual combat and finding their own 'blade' and 'path'! This is an indispensable part of their growth."
The Sapphire Star paused, then nodded in understanding.
"Got it! Just like our rookie hunters. They have to start practicing on Yian Kut-Ku themselves. They can't keep tagging along with veteran hunters, or they'll never grow up!"
She completely understood this approach to training newcomers.
"All right! Let them make their own way! Those three have a pretty solid foundation anyway, especially the boar kid. He can take a beating!" She remembered how Inosuke had still been full of life after taking a punch from her.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and nodded. "Thank you for understanding. Hinaki, Hika."
The twins stepped forward at his call.
"Escort the Sapphire Star to the courtyard where she can rest. Later, the new swordsmen will take part in the tamahagane selection ceremony. If she is interested, she may observe," Kagaya Ubuyashiki instructed.
"Yes, Father."
"Lady Sapphire Star, please follow us."
A large platform covered in dark velvet had already been set up in the center of the ceremonial courtyard at the wisteria house estate.
Dozens of pieces of ore of various sizes and shapes lay on the platform, gleaming with a subdued metallic luster. They were tamahagane, the essential material used to forge Nichirin Blades.
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke had changed into clean Demon Slayer Corps uniforms, with Tanjiro wearing his checkered haori over his. They stood solemnly before the platform, their faces filled with the nerves and anticipation of newly appointed swordsmen.
Several others who had passed the selection stood nearby. Their wounds had been treated, but their faces still showed the exhaustion of fighting for their lives on Mount Fujikasane, along with a trace of relief at having survived.
The Sapphire Star had been seated beneath the veranda to observe. She still sat cross-legged, with her Fatalis blade leaning against a pillar. The cold it gave off had coated several nearby wisteria petals in white frost.
She studied the ore curiously.
"Oh? So these are the stones they use to make weapons? They look... hmm, their energy signatures are pretty subdued. Not as shiny as Dragonite Ore." Habit made her instinctively assess the material.
Hinaki calmly announced the start of the ceremony.
"Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, step forward and choose your tamahagane. It will determine your future Nichirin Blade's 'character' and its compatibility with your 'breathing.'"
Tanjiro took a deep breath and stepped forward, his expression focused and reverent.
He carefully examined each piece of tamahagane, reaching out to brush his fingertips lightly over their cool surfaces, as though sensing the "breath" within the ore.
At last, his hand settled on a medium-sized piece with a mellow sheen and soft markings like flowing water. It seemed to faintly resonate with the rhythm of his Water Breathing.
"I choose this one!" he said firmly.
Zenitsu, on the other hand, looked terribly nervous and muttered to himself.
"Which one should I pick... which one won't get me struck by lightning... which one will keep me alive..."
His gaze darted among the pieces of ore, his fingers reaching hesitantly toward one after another without any apparent method.
Finally, with his eyes practically closed, he grabbed a random, smaller piece of tamahagane with a somewhat dull, even unremarkable appearance.
"Th-this one!" He let out a long breath, as though he had completed some arduous task.
Inosuke was the complete opposite. He strode forward without even looking, guided by his beastlike instincts and the conviction that he wanted the biggest and strongest. He snatched up the nearest piece of tamahagane, which was also the largest and most angular on the platform, dark as a beast's fangs and even slightly rough.
"Ha! This one's the biggest! The hardest! It's gotta be the strongest!" He waved it triumphantly, as though he could already see a massive blade capable of cleaving through anything.
The Sapphire Star watched with keen interest from the veranda, offering quiet commentary.
"Tsk, Tanjiro's got a good eye. That stone feels pretty smooth, a nice match for that breathing thing of his. The blond kid's luck isn't so great. He picked a lifeless-looking one, but... hmm, maybe there's something special hiding inside?" She remembered what Zenitsu had looked like when his power erupted.
"The boar kid... yeah, reckless enough! Wild enough! And the stone's big and rough enough, too! Suits him! Just don't know whether the swordsmith can turn it into what he wants." She was purely enjoying the show.
Members of the Kakushi stepped forward and respectfully wrapped each boy's chosen tamahagane in specially prepared cloth, carefully labeling it with his name.
"The tamahagane has been selected and will be sent to the Swordsmith Village," Hinaki announced. "Next, please receive your Kasugai Crows."
Three jet-black Kasugai Crows swooped down like arrows, landing precisely on the three boys' shoulders.
"Tanjiro Kamado! Tanjiro Kamado!" The Kasugai Crow on Tanjiro's shoulder spoke loudly and clearly.
"Chirp, chirp! Chirp, chirp, chirp!" The Kasugai Crow on Zenitsu's shoulder made incomprehensible, rather adorably vacant calls.
"Caw! Idiot! Moron! Mountain King!" The Kasugai Crow on Inosuke's shoulder launched straight into a lively string of insults.
"Pfft!" The Sapphire Star couldn't help laughing.
"Talking birds! And they can swear! Interesting!" She stared with fascination at the ill-tempered Kasugai Crow on Inosuke's shoulder.
"Can you keep these things as pets? If you train them properly, can they help find monsters? Like that thing the Great Western King from the neighboring village uses..."
Seemingly intimidated by the faint aura of an apex predator surrounding the Sapphire Star, Tanjiro's Kasugai Crow fluttered its wings and called out uneasily.
"Danger! Powerful! Unknown person! Report! Report!"
The Sapphire Star paid no attention to the Kasugai Crow's warning. Her gaze had been caught by something Hinaki had just presented to her: another Wisteria Crest Token, this one given to her separately.
"Lady Sapphire Star, please keep this token as well."
Hinaki said calmly.
"The Master has instructed that, as a special adviser, you will act independently. The most experienced member of the Kakushi, Kasumikusa, will serve as your dedicated liaison, responsible for passing on intelligence and providing logistical support. She will report to you shortly. You may requisition resources within the Demon Slayer Corps through Kasumikusa or by presenting this token."
The Sapphire Star accepted the token, then looked at the Kasugai Crows on the three youngsters' shoulders and understood.
"Thanks for your help! Got it! I've got a new 'AIBO'! Nice!" She was pleased with the arrangement and felt it would save her plenty of trouble.
With the ceremony over, the three youngsters prepared to leave on their first missions.
Tanjiro gathered his courage, walked over to the veranda, and bowed deeply to the Sapphire Star.
"Lady Sapphire Star! Thank you again for saving our lives! We... we're going on our missions now! Please take care!" His eyes were clear and resolute.
Zenitsu hurriedly bowed as well, his voice trembling.
"T-take care! Lady Sapphire Star!" All he wanted was to get away from this "big sis" who could send someone flying with a single punch, but his gratitude was sincere.
Inosuke gave the Sapphire Star a complicated look and snorted.
"Woman! Next time we meet, I'll be stronger! Then we'll fight again! And I'll beat you!" His tone was still aggressive, but compared with his earlier hostility, it now held a measure of recognition and an intense desire to challenge her.
Looking at the three boys about to embark on their respective journeys, the Sapphire Star grinned and waved.
"Go on, get going! Make sure you value your lives! Don't die! Especially you, boar kid. Use your brain more when you fight! And you, blond kid, work on your courage! Tanjiro, keep an eye on those two! Remember, you only get to eat grilled meat if you come back alive!" Even at the end, she didn't forget to mention food.
She watched the three leave the courtyard amid their Kasugai Crows' urging, cries, and insults, their figures disappearing deep into the wisteria-lined path. Her smile faded a little, and her golden eyes turned toward the distance, holding a barely perceptible trace of a veteran's hopes for the next generation.
"All right, the kids are off making their way in the world..."
She stretched, her joints cracking softly as Velkhana Frost rose faintly around her.
"Now it's time for big sis to get to work, too."
She stood and loosened her wrists, her gaze sharpening like a blade as she refocused on her own objectives.
"My dedicated liaison, Kasumikusa, huh? Hope she's reliable. I need to get those maps and that intel fast..."
She patted the Fatalis Demolisher on her back. Its scabbard gave a low hum, as though it, too, longed for a new battle.
"Where the hell did that bastard Dire Miralis go? And then there's Muzan... ugh, one's more trouble than the next."
"Lone Bird, oh, Lone Bird..."
She muttered under her breath, her smile carrying a hint of gritted teeth.
"You're probably lounging around some village, enjoying a Purr-fect Platter! You'd better fucking pray I find a way home soon, or that the big problems here get solved quickly. Otherwise... once I finish dealing with things here, you're next! You're not getting away!"
Far away in the wilderness, a certain hunter sneezed several times and rubbed his nose. "The weather in this lousy place sure changes a lot... gotta spend some money and get some sleep in a tent... achoo!"
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