After returning from Mount Fujikasane, Sasuke did not go back to Mount Momoyama.
The Demon Slayer Corps had arranged for him to stay at a mansion bearing a wisteria family crest, waiting for his own Nichirin Blade.
Fifteen full days.
Aside from the most basic chakra cultivation and taijutsu training, he spent most of his time meditating.
In his mind, he constantly reviewed his battle with the Hand Demon.
He reviewed the absolute control over the battle that the Two-Tomoe Sharingan had given him.
And the terrifying destructive power displayed by the rudimentary Chidori Sharp Spear.
[Ding.] [Volume One: Child of Lightning, core mission completed.] [Sasuke template proficiency increased to 15%.] [Reward settlement:] [1. Total chakra increased by 20%.] [2. Physical capabilities enhanced across the board.] [3. Ninja Tool Summoning Technique (Beginner): Consume a small amount of chakra to summon basic ninja tools such as kunai and shuriken anytime, anywhere.]
Sasuke slowly opened his eyes, feeling the more abundant chakra within him.
He raised his hand and willed it.
A cold kunai appeared out of thin air in his palm.
"Much more convenient."
He murmured to himself.
Just then, a burst of quick, energetic footsteps approached from the distance.
Accompanying them was a man's extremely distinctive, boisterous shouting.
"Uesugi Sasuke! Where is Uesugi Sasuke?"
"Come out! Come see the peerless blade I've forged for you!"
Sasuke's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He pushed open the door and saw a man wearing a conical hat hung with wind chimes, his face wrapped in bandages that obscured his features.
Hotaru Haganezuka.
A swordsmith of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Seeing Sasuke emerge, he immediately rushed over excitedly and thrust a long, cloth-wrapped object in front of him.
"Quick! Open it and take a look!"
His voice was full of anticipation and pride.
"Your request was strange, though. You actually wanted a wakizashi instead of a standard katana!"
"But my craftsmanship is absolutely the best! I painstakingly selected the tamahagane for this blade! It'll definitely turn into a beautiful Bright Red Nichirin Sword!"
Sasuke ignored his incessant chatter.
He took the blade and undid the wrapping.
A wakizashi with a blade considerably shorter than a regular Nichirin Blade lay quietly within.
The tsuba was the token engraved with a lightning pattern that he had received from Master Kuwajima.
The hilt was dark blue.
And the blade...
Was pure, fathomless black.
Not even a trace of a temper line could be seen.
Everything fell silent in an instant.
Hotaru Haganezuka's body began to tremble slightly.
"A black... black blade?"
His voice was filled with disappointment and frustration.
"Why... why is it a black blade..."
According to legend, swordsmen who wielded black blades could never reach the pinnacle of any Breathing Style.
Often, they did not live long, either.
Sasuke paid no attention to his reaction.
To him, the blade's color did not matter at all.
He gripped the hilt and slowly fed a thread of lightning-nature chakra into it.
Bzz-
The jet-black blade gave a faint hum, like the cry of lightning.
"Good conductivity."
Sasuke nodded, offering his assessment.
To him, this blade was not for performing Breathing Styles.
Instead, it was a medium for channeling chakra, using Chidori Sharp Spear, and performing more ninjutsu in the future.
As long as it was sturdy enough and conducted electricity well, that was enough.
His assessment, however, was like a fuse, instantly setting Hotaru Haganezuka off.
"What do you mean, good conductivity?!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?! A blade is for cutting demons' necks! Not for conducting electricity!"
Like a child, Hotaru Haganezuka lunged at him, flailing his arms and legs as he tried to tickle him.
Sasuke's brow furrowed more deeply.
He took a step back, easily evading Hotaru Haganezuka's "attack."
Just as he grew somewhat impatient and considered whether to knock this noisy fellow unconscious.
A loud, piercing eagle's cry rang out from the sky.
A giant crow, a size larger than an ordinary crow, with feathers glossy as black jade and eyes sharp as a hawk's, descended from the sky.
It did not caw like the other messenger crows.
Instead, it spoke in a cold, emotionless tone.
"Orders."
"Orders."
The giant crow landed steadily on Sasuke's shoulder, its sharp eyes sweeping over Hotaru Haganezuka, who was still throwing a tantrum beside him.
That icy gaze made even Hotaru Haganezuka pause.
"Uesugi Sasuke."
"Proceed immediately to Northern Town and investigate the series of disappearances involving young girls."
"This is your first mission. You must complete it."
With that, the giant crow shut its beak, like a silent statue.
At last, a flicker stirred in Sasuke's eyes.
A mission.
It meant he could slay demons.
It meant he could earn revenge points.
It meant he could grow stronger.
He sheathed the jet-black wakizashi at his waist.
He said goodbye to no one and did not even spare another glance at the still-dazed Hotaru Haganezuka.
He simply determined which way was north.
Then he set off, walking out of the mansion.
His departing figure was aloof and resolute.
Before you continue