After killing the demon I came across three newbie slayers, Kamdo Tanjiro, Agatsuma Zenitsu, and finally a wild boy named Hashibara Inosuke.
With the help of Tetsu and Tanjiros own crow we gave the children they rescued from the apparent other demons that inhabited the house a Wisteria bag and the location of the nearest village.
As for us we were now on our way to the nearest Wisteria house, but instead of walking I was pulling the boys with a makeshift Sled Cart I made as they couldn't exactly as after fighting a horde of demons they decided to fight for whatever was in that box.
And I had a feeling it was a Demon from the way it felt.
"Sooo Tsugikuni-san you must be really strong!"
Ever since I introduced myself Tanjiro wouldn't stop trying to make small talk with me, I appreciated the boys Kindness but I felt that it would have been best if he kept quiet and took a nap.
"Oi,Tall-Long Haired guy. Fight me!"
While the other boy, Inosuke. Kept trying to fight me as he would pathetically grasp his sword jagged swords by his toes to try and swing at me.
I was glad the Yellow haired boy, Zenitsu. Was quiet.
After a few more minutes of pulling then with the Sled we finally reached the Wisteria House, and as we arrived the doors opened and we were met with and old lady.
"Welcome Young Slayers..."
[Demon Slayer: The Moon]
Despite being the direct descendants of Yorichii Tsugikuni, there has never been one who could ever use Sun Breathing. But instead the Son of Yorichii Tsugikuni was taught Moon Breathing by Michikastu Tsugikuni His Older Brother in hopes that it would be enough to protect their lineage as they pass it down.
[Demon Slayer: The Moon]
"Thank you Tetsu."
I grabbed the small letter Tetsu handed to me as I gave him a small nut to snack on, unlike the trio I was barely I jured thus I didn't need that much medical attention.
So after a day of rest I was able to continue going on missions, and from what I'm reading the first mission I'm gonna be taking as a newly ranked Kanoe wasn't a good one.
"Sixty confirmed missing person cases in the past two weeks, mostly consisting of Officers sent by the nearby city to assist In looking for the victims and an extra Ten slayers with the rank of Mizunoto to Mizunoto..."
"Yes, That's why they're making you join a team consisting of 8 other Kanoes with a Tsuchinoyo Captain" Tetsu said as he was still picking his feathers with his beak.
"So that's Corps decided I can finally join actual team missions now huh..." Placing the Note in my pocket I turned to see the old lady that has been taking care of me and the three boys with a Medium Sized sack.
"This is for you Slayer-Sama..." I grabbed the sack while opening it slightly to take a peak and it was filled with ratios the corps would hand out to slayers, they were highly compact rice cakes that could feed a slayer and keep them full for a whole day
Along with a small Wisteria bag, a sleeping bag and from the looks of it a flute.
The corps would sometimes give it's slayers instruments to play during long missions so they wouldn't get bored, it also contained each corps members name for identification.
"Thank you, please tell the boys to rest well I'll be heading out after I finish my lunch."
"Of course..."
A few hours later...
Tak-
I bowed down as the old woman proceeded with the ritual for my safety, behind her was the waving figure of Tanjiro. The other two boys couldn't come as they apparently got into another fight regarding food and manners.
"Stay safe Tsugikuni-san!" Tanjiro said still waving.
"Mhm." I replied simply as I turned around and walked away following Tetsu who was flying high above me to the direction of my mission.
For some reason ever since we met the boy would look at me strangely, as if he was looking at a familiar figure. I couldn't help looking at him myself as his Earrings were oddly familiar, not to mention the mark on his forehead looked very similar to my deceased cousins if it weren't for the fact the I've confirmed that it wasn't a birthmark but an odd scar.
"I wonder who my team members will be..."
[Demon Slayer: The Moon]
Michikastu would always have a small bag of nuts and dried berries with him to feed his crow Tetsu with, the corps had to notify him to stop feeding him too much as Tetsu was gaining too much weight.
[Demon Slayer: The Moon]
Arriving at the small cabin that was used as a checkpoint for slayers I was met with the person assigned as one of my teammates, and it was someone I was very familiar with. As I've already defeated them in a duel.
"What the hell are you doing!?"
"It's good to see you too Inadama-kun."
I said greeting one of the disciples of the Former Thunder Hashira, Kaigaku Inadama.
"Don't you be smug about me you red-tipped haired bastard!"
He was obviously still upset about me beating him in a duel, but I didn't get why he couldn't accept an honorable defeat and move on with his life.
"As much as you disagree with it Inadama-kun, we need to work together as the mission were going on isn't a pleasant one."
"Tsk, I can't believe I'm agreeing with you...but at least I know one of my teammates aren't weak."
He may have said that last part unde this breath but I heard it clear as day.
"It's nice to know you see me so highly Inadama-kun." I said not looking at him directly, still focused on the road of where our fellow slayers would most likely appear in soon.
"You shut your mouth!"
After that last tell from Kaigaku we sat on the bench outside the cabin for an hour where we were finally met with the rest of our team, our Leader was a man in his Thirties named Raiji. He had many scars riddled across his body clearly a mark from many different demons.
The rest of our Seven team members consisted of Five men that seemed to be in their early twenties, and the Two women seemed to be just around our age.
Raiji stood tall at the center, his scarred face unreadable as he looked over us one by one. He carried himself like a soldier who had walked through too many battlefields and come out half-alive each time.
The first of the men was named Suda, quiet, broad-shouldered, with a scar running along his jawline. His grip on his sword was steady, the kind of man who probably followed orders without question.
Beside him was Fukuda, lean, with sunken cheeks and restless eyes that darted from tree to tree. He carried his blade too tightly, like he was afraid of losing it.
Takemura was the third, slightly taller than the rest, his hair tied back in a loose knot. He had the posture of someone who trained harder than he fought.
Next came Hino, sharp features and sharper tongue I could tell by the way he whispered complaints under his breath, though never loud enough for Raiji to hear.
Okabe was built like a farmer more than a slayer, his hands rough, his frame stocky, his eyes dull with exhaustion. He reminded me of men who swung axes more often than blades.
The two women stood close together. Sakai, slim with short hair and a calm expression, eyes forward and steady. Her presence was quiet, but grounded.
The last was Ozaki, with longer hair tied back and a look that suggested she had something to prove, though the way she shifted her footing betrayed her inexperience.
Raiji looked over us again, then finally spoke.
"Eight Kanoe under me. Orders are clear we move tonight. Stay sharp, follow formation, and don't waste strength. If you falter, you'll die."
None of us answered. We all knew.
I adjusted the strap on my uniform my blade resting silently at my side. I glanced briefly at Kaigaku who still had unspoken irritation, and then at the others.
This didn't look like a squad of swordsmen. This looked more like herd thrown to the wolves.
Still, orders were orders. Despite how ridiculous they were.