"Caw Caw!"
It's been a few hours since we finished the mission, when we returned we were met with the bloodied corpses of our teammates. Except Raiji who was covered in wounds from exposed broken bones and a piece of his shoulder chewed out.
He was protecting Ozaki, who was behind him shivering. Thankfully whatever demons were attacking them had to run away as the sun slowly came up as we arrived.
Kakushi were on their way, and if it weren't for Ozaki bandaging Raiji he would have bled out by now.
But despite his injuries Raiji still had the strength to smack both me and Kaigaku at the back of our Heads.
"You two are irresponsible kids, what gives you the right risking your lives like that!"
I couldn't exactly blame him, we did say that we fought a Lower Moon and in his eyes we were just naive children.
It didnt exactly take long for the Kakushi to arrive and take care of Ozaki and Raiji, they also asked us for a report and we gave it in full detail. They expressed their shock that we were able to push back a Lower Moon but before Kaigaku could get his Ego all high and mighty they gave us some information regarding the Lower Moons.
Apparently the one we fought was the weakest and it was normal to see a new Lower Moon after a month or two, as Hashiras could easily deal with them.
But for our tag team efforts we were given the promotion to Kanoe, we would have been promoted to Tsuchinoto but the Kakushi Captain said being promoted isn't just about killing demons but as well as doing other missions and contributing to the Corps and that included a good reputation withing your team.
(A few days later)
After a few days of resting and traveling I finally arrived at the mountain Kaigaku told me to go for our Duel, it was a mountain covered in peach trees, rivers and waterfalls.
And right now I was sitting across the man who once held the title of the strongest of his generation, Jigoro Kuwajima The Retired Thunder Hashira.
"It's nice to see the young man who gave Kaigaku the humbling he needs!" He said as he placed down a small plate of slice peaches in front of me.
"Shut it old man!" Kaigaku who was across me sitting beside him yelled as he ate his own peach.
"I heard from this young deciple of mine that you got yourself a nifty breathing technique, Moon Breathing was it?"
"Mhm, it's a Style meant to overwhelm and decapitate the opponent quickly." The last part got his attention as he looked at me then at Kaigaku with a wide grin.
"Quickly you say?, no wonder Kaigaku wants to duel with you!. He wouldn't stop complaining back when you first defeated him Bahahaha!"
"As if!" Was all that Kaigaku could say as he threw a peach skin at Jigoro.
"I believe it's time for our Duel, I need to go back to performing missions soon Inadama-kun." I say as I look at him, I was curious how far he's come since we last fought.
"Tsk, Impatient bastard. Fine let's head outside!" He replied as he got up and went out of the little house we were in.
[Demon Slayer: The Moon]
Despite being old and frail, Jigoro Kuwajima still has the strength and stamina to fight demons. But any prolonged fight could exhaust him and lead to his death.
[Demon Slayer: The Moon]
"When this leaf falls to the ground, the duel will begin!"
I nodded as I gripped my Bokken firmly, across me was Kaigaku who's own Bokken was already generating sparks of his lightning.
The silence between us was deafening as Jigoro released his hold on the leaf, it fluttered down from side to side and as soon as the tip reached the ground we were at it.
Kaigaku disappeared from his spot as he dashed around me before performing multiple slashes.
'His Third Form, Good for overwhelming an enemy but he's defenseless when doing so.'
I dodged the first two strikes before parrying the next three with my Bokken, creating small shockwaves with each parry.
I twisted my body low before taking a deep breath and locking in towards him.
"Moon Breathing..."
I took a step forward cracking the ground below my feet as I swung my Bokken towards Kaigaku.
"First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace-"
But instead of hitting him and ending the duel quickly like last time, he managed to dodge.
"Impressive." I said but before he could reply I kicked him with a back kick to his diaphragm causing all the air in his lungs to be expelled.
"Moon Breathing...Seventh Form: Lunar Halo, Sky Breaker"
I moved in closer as he was stunned swinging my Bokken in an Arc, It hit him directly at his chin causing him to be knocked back.
But before he could fall to the ground he landed on his left hand as he spun before doing a backflip facing me again.
He took a low stance positioning his Bokken to his side as he looked straight at me with a smirk.
'Hm?, he's never used this one before...'
I took a deep breath as I went into another low stance, prepared to counter whatever form he had.
But what I didn't anticipate was for Kaigaku to appear Infront of me as I blinked, His Bokken inches away from my neck. But just in time I was able to counter with my own form.
"Fifth Form: Drifting Moon, Swift Current."
The clash rang out. My strike redirected his, flowing into two quick counters that struck across his wrists. His Bokken slipped from his hands, clattering to the dirt. He dropped to one knee, clutching them—yet when I reached for my own throat, I froze.
A sting. Heat. My fingers came back red.
The wound wasn't clean, but it was real. His strike had grazed me, searing like lightning instead of cutting straight.
"…That was unexpected."
I extended a hand, pulling him up. His grin broke wide despite the ragged rise and fall of his chest.
"I finally landed a hit on you. I'm closer to beating you, bastard."
I allowed the faintest nod. "I apologize for kicking you earlier."
He snorted, half a laugh, half a cough. "I'll just make sure I don't get hit next time."
My lips curved ever so slightly. "I'll be looking forward to that."
The wind carried peach blossoms across the clearing, settling between us as Jigoro watched in silence.
But I didn't notice it at the time but far from us behind the house was a small Yellow haired Figure who had watched our duel.