At the foot of the mountain.
A figure in the standard uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps appeared on the mountain path. He was wrapped up tightly from head to toe, with only his hands and a pair of sharp eyes exposed. He was a member of the Kakushi.
His name was Sato, and he belonged to the Demon Slayer Corps' Kakushi division. He had come to collect a little girl from the home of the former Wind Hashira, Kazeno Shoma, and take her to the Butterfly Mansion for training.
The assignment had been issued several days ago, but the Kakushi had been swamped with work lately. Since this task was not urgent, he had only come today.
He had heard that the former Wind Hashira had died in battle against Upper Rank Four just a few days ago. At the thought, Sato could not help sighing. The man had survived decades of hunting demons, only to encounter a vicious demon and die in battle while semiretired.
After a full hour of arduous hiking, Sato finally reached the little wooden house halfway up the mountain.
He stood outside the door, catching his breath. Once his breathing had settled, he gently knocked...
"Creak."
Footsteps came from inside, and with a creak, the wooden door was pulled open from within.
A little girl who looked like a sprite appeared before him.
Her hair was as light and flowing as mist, a pale shade of purple with a charming pink sheen at the tips;
Her face was so delicate that it made one want to protect her. Her skin was snowy white and translucent, as smooth and fine as mutton-fat white jade.
Sato stared at the little girl before him, momentarily dazed.
So cute!!!
The little girl blinked her large, curious eyes, looking at Sato with equal puzzlement.
"Who are you?"
Her words snapped Sato out of his daze. He hurriedly gathered his thoughts and answered politely:
"Hello. May I ask if this is Lord Kazeno Shoma's home?"
At Sato's question, Kanon's heart tightened. She immediately realized that this stranger was the Kakushi member Teiichi had mentioned. Disappointment and unease welled up inside her, and her spirits instantly sank.
Still, she nodded gently and murmured, "Yes."
Then she silently turned and walked back inside.
Sato froze in the doorway at the sight.
He did not know whether he should follow her in, filled with hesitation and confusion.
Just as he stood there at a loss, a low male voice came from inside. "Come in."
Hearing that voice, the Kakushi member breathed a sigh of relief and entered. A boy holding a cup smiled at him and said:
"Kanon's gone to get her bundle. Please sit down and have some water while you rest."
The Kakushi member bowed and said:
"Thank you very much!"
To a member of the Kakushi, even something as small as having someone pour him a cup of water made him feel overwhelmed by the favor.
Teiichi, on the other hand, felt a little embarrassed. He had merely lent a hand, never expecting such solemn thanks from the Kakushi member. He quickly waved his hand and said with a smile:
"There's no need to be so polite. It was nothing. You don't have to thank me."
Sato picked up the cup and drank deeply. The cool liquid flowed down his throat, easing his burning thirst a little.
After finishing the water, he raised his head and gazed at the straight-backed boy before him.
"You must be Lord Kato Teiichi, the former Wind Hashira's student?"
Sato asked softly, a trace of respect in his voice.
At Sato's question, Teiichi gave a slight nod and said:
"Yes, I'm Kato Teiichi, but 'lord' is too much. I'm not even as old as you. Just call me Teiichi."
Hearing Teiichi's reply, Sato bowed slightly and said:
"As the Wind Hashira's student, you will surely fight on the front lines against demons in the future. Unlike us, who can only provide support behind the lines, you deserve to be addressed as lord."
Teiichi did not know what to say.
Class consciousness was still deeply entrenched in Japan in this era. Teiichi did not think a few words from him could change someone's views, so he could only wave his hand again.
Neither of them dwelled on the subject. Sato continued:
"Besides taking Kobayashi Kanon to the Butterfly Mansion, I have another assignment: to check on your progress with your Breathing Style. How has your training been going?"
At Sato's question, Teiichi kept the Chinese cultural principle of moderation firmly in mind and answered in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing:
"Uh... fairly well, I suppose."
Hearing Kato Teiichi describe his own Breathing Style as merely "fairly well," Sato nodded and continued:
"The m-master specifically instructed me.
"If you feel your Breathing Style training has progressed sufficiently, you may decide for yourself whether to take part in the Demon Slayer Corps' Mount Fujikasane Trial in six months.
"Of course, that depends entirely on your wishes and abilities."
Worried that Teiichi might not know what the Mount Fujikasane Test entailed, Sato went on to explain:
"The Mount Fujikasane Test is the entrance test for members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Powerful Corps members capture relatively ordinary or even weak demons and put them there for new recruits to face in the test.
"Only by passing the Mount Fujikasane Test-that is, surviving on the mountain for seven days-can you officially become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Seemingly acting on specific instructions from the master, Sato continued to caution Teiichi:
"Although the demons on Mount Fujikasane are weaker, that is only relative.
"They are still demons, after all, and are far stronger than ordinary people."
His tone was extremely earnest and solemn.
"Of course, if you feel you aren't ready yet and want to train for another two years before taking the trial, that's perfectly fine too."
"And if you need someone to offer guidance during your training, the master will naturally arrange for another cultivator skilled in Wind Breathing to teach you. You can continue your training with another cultivator then."
Hearing the Kakushi member's words, Teiichi understood that his teacher, Shoma, must have spoken to the master and mentioned him.
However, his teacher had not described his training progress in detail, leading them to misunderstand and assume his progress was merely unremarkable.
Though Teiichi felt somewhat helpless about this, he knew it was not something he could conveniently explain outright.
I can hardly tell them I'm incredibly good at it, can I?
So he could only say, "Don't worry. My Breathing Style training is going fairly well. I'll attend the Mount Fujikasane Trial in six months. Do you have a map?"
Once Sato heard that Teiichi intended to take the test, he asked no further questions.
He took a map from the pack on his back, murmuring in admiration as he did so.
Just what you'd expect of a Hashira's student. He looks so young, yet he already dares to take the Mount Fujikasane Test.
Thinking back, Sato himself had not dared to take the test until he was nearly twenty. During it, his encounters with vicious demons had terrified him out of his wits several times. In the end, he had been forced to transfer to the Kakushi division to handle logistics and intelligence.
Sato handed the map to Teiichi and pointed to a mark on it. "A few days before the test begins, a Kasugai Crow will come to remind you. Then you can follow this map to Mount Fujikasane."
"All right." Teiichi took the map and nodded gratefully, then began studying it intently.
While the two were engrossed in conversation, Kanon had quietly finished packing and stood silently to one side.
She clutched a bundle in her hands, holding the belongings she would take to the Butterfly Mansion.
Noticing Kanon, Sato turned toward her and respectfully said to Teiichi:
"Lord Teiichi, if there is nothing else, I will escort Kobayashi Kanon to the Butterfly Mansion now."
Teiichi slowly raised his head, shifting his gaze from Sato to Kanon.
He fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering something, before slowly saying, "Yes, all right. Thank you for your efforts. Please be sure to take good care of Kanon along the way."
At Teiichi's request, Sato immediately stood and gave him another deep bow.
Teiichi hurriedly stood as well and returned an equally respectful bow.
Such mutual respect was not uncommon among members of the Demon Slayer Corps, but each exchange was solemn and formal.
After bowing, Sato turned to Kanon and said with a smile:
"Kobayashi Kanon, if there's nothing else, let's set off now."
Kanon nodded gently, then stepped firmly toward Sato.
Sato turned and headed outside first, leading the way for Kanon to leave.
Kanon followed him, but her steps grew slower and slower, as though every one carried a heavy weight of emotion.
Finally, a few steps beyond the doorway, Kanon stopped.
She turned to look at Teiichi standing by the door, her eyes full of reluctance and worry.
Her lips trembled slightly, and her voice caught with sobs:
"Teiichi, I'm going to the Butterfly Mansion. I won't be able to stay by your side and take care of you anymore. Remember to cook for yourself, and don't stay up too late. Go to bed early. You need to rest well to have the energy to keep training. And remember to..."
Looking at the little girl whose face was already streaming with tears, Teiichi felt sorrow surge through him like a tide.
Teiichi walked over, forced a smile, and patted Kanon's head.
Kanon's words stopped as Teiichi's hand touched her head. Unable to hold back, she threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.
Teiichi looked at Kanon in his arms, letting her tears soak the front of his clothes. He comforted her softly:
"It's all right, Kanon. I'm a big boy now. Do you really need to worry about me? Go on. Study hard at the Butterfly Mansion. I'm sure that when I see you again, you'll have become an excellent swordswoman."
Hearing his words, Kanon raised her head with a sniffle, determination shining in her eyes:
"Don't leave it until then, Teiichi. You have to come visit me at the Butterfly Mansion whenever you have time."
Teiichi smiled and nodded. "All right, I promise. Whenever I have time, I'll come see you."
Still seeming a little uneasy, Kanon pulled out of his embrace, looked into his eyes, and said earnestly, "Teiichi, you mustn't lie to me."
Teiichi smiled at Kanon and said, "Go on. He's been watching us from over there for ages."
Kanon turned and saw Sato watching from a short distance away. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly turned back, wiped the tears from her face, and looked up at Teiichi.
"Teiichi, I'm leaving now."
Teiichi looked at Kanon and nodded.
He watched her turn and walk toward the Kakushi member.
The two receded into the distance, finally disappearing at the end of the mountain path.
Teiichi stood motionless for a long time, until their figures had completely vanished from his sight, then sighed.
He turned and headed up the mountain.