As they arrived, Kagerou and Kanae noticed a few people already there, some familiar faces among them.
Unlike the first night, when more than fifty candidates stood beneath the moonlight, this quiet morning held only nine survivors. Including themselves, eleven people had successfully passed the Final Selection.
The nine others glanced toward them, bowing their heads slightly in gratitude for the help Kanae and Kagerou had given them.
The two returned the gesture with the same quiet respect. Words weren't needed, acknowledgment was enough. They all understood. From this moment on, they were comrades who would fight together. Today, perhaps Kanae and Kagerou were the ones offering help, but someday, the roles might reverse.
*Clap Clap Clap*
A soft applause echoed through the clearing, drawing all eyes toward the source.
There stood Kagaya, serene as always, flanked by two Kakushi.
"Congratulations on passing the Final Selection," Kagaya said after his deliberate, almost theatrical entrance. "From this moment on, you are officially one of us... Welcome to the Corps"
No one replied. Exhaustion, or perhaps silent reverence hung over the group after the life-or-death ordeal.
Except for one person.
Kagerou turned his head slightly, a hand covering his mouth as he tried to hold back a laugh.
After all, he was the one who'd taught Kagaya that "cool entrance" trick in the first place. He just never thought Kagaya would actually use it.
Kagaya, seeing no one respond, except for one person unsuccessfully suppressing a laugh... he cleared his throat softly.
"Ukhum'
With his usual calm restored, he began, "For starters, I'd like to explain the Demon Slayer Corps' ranking system. There are ten ranks in total: First through Tenth. All of you will begin from the lowest... Tenth Rank"
He paused briefly, letting the words sink in before continuing, "Before anything else, please proceed to pay for your uniforms, have your measurements taken, and your ranks engraved"
"And also…" Kagaya's tone softened, almost fond, "From now on, each of you will be accompanied by a Kasugai Karasu, a messenger crow used for communication within the Corps"
The moment he said that, the sound of cawing echoed through the clearing. A flock of black crows descended from the sky, circling once before swooping down gracefully. One by one, they perched upon the shoulders of the new swordsmen, as if acknowledging their bond and marking the moment they officially became Demon Slayers.
But even with that, something still felt incomplete. A quiet anticipation lingered among them, there was still one final step they awaited.
Sensing their restlessness, Kagaya smiled faintly. Then, with a calm motion, he turned toward the two Kakushi standing behind him and gave a slight nod.
The two immediately stepped forward.
"Follow us," one of them said. "It's time to select the ore that will be used to forge your Nichirin sword"
The mood shifted in an instant. The exhaustion that had weighed heavily on the survivors began to fade, replaced by sparks of excitement. The mention of the ore, their first true weapon as Demon Slayers, brought light and purpose back into their eyes.
One by one, they followed the Kakushi down the path ahead.
Everyone, even Kanae… except Kagerou.
He remained standing where he was, watching as the others walked away.
"Rengoku-san?" Kanae asked, pausing mid-step and glancing back at him, a note of confusion in her voice.
"Go ahead," Kagerou said, offering her a small smile. "I'll stay here for a bit"
Kanae hesitated, looking between Kagerou and Kagaya, who, she now noticed, hadn't moved either.
Kagaya met her gaze and returned a gentle smile, saying nothing.
Though curiosity flickered across her expression, Kanae didn't ask. She simply nodded, then turned and continued after the others, her figure slowly disappearing down the path.
Once she was gone, silence lingered between the two men. The wind brushed past softly, carrying the faint scent of ash and morning dew.
Kagerou reached into his haori, pulled out his kiseru, and with a motion born of habit, lit it with practiced ease. He took a slow puff, exhaled a thin stream of smoke, and finally looked toward Kagaya.
"…Some cool entrance there, huh?" he said, a teasing grin forming on his lips.
Kagaya's smile deepened, eyes half-lidded in amusement. "Do you think it was cool, Kagerou-kun?"
Kagerou shook his head. "No. It was funny"
"…At least lie a little, you idiot," Kagaya sighed, though a faint chuckle slipped through.
Then, unexpectedly, he bowed his head.
"Kagerou-kun… having you as a friend is truly the greatest blessing I've ever had," he said softly. "I already heard what happened inside that forest. Because of you, this Final Selection had the fewest deaths in our history"
Kagerou clicked his tongue in annoyance, smoke escaping the corner of his mouth. "If you still see me as your friend, stop doing that. Raise your head and thank me like one should"
Kagaya paused for a moment, then smiled and straightened up. "…Well, if you insist"
"Good," Kagerou muttered, flicking the end of his kiseru. "Anyway, I don't know if you've heard, but I think I killed the strongest demon in that forest, the one with all those hands." He exhaled slowly. "Not alone, though. That girl helped"
"You killed it?" Kagaya asked, his tone calm but genuinely curious. "And… with a woman? Are you really the Kagerou-kun I know?"
Kagerou gave him a flat look. "…That's the part you focus on?"
Kagaya laughed quietly. "Hahaha~ If that's true, then it's good news. That demon has been a nightmare since it was first imprisoned there. Thanks to you, future candidates will stand a better chance of surviving. Urokodaki-san will be very grateful"
"Now that you mention it…" Kagerou said, lowering his kiseru. "Who is this 'Urokodaki'?The demon mentioned his name too"
"He's the former Water Hashira," Kagaya replied. "After he retired, there hasn't been another. Most of his disciples were killed by that very demon. But…" His eyes softened with quiet certainty. "…I believe, in time, we'll see a Water Hashira again. And perhaps, a Smoke Hashira as well?"
Kagerou sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah. I know. I'll keep my promise." He started turning away, stretching his shoulders slightly. "Oh, and Kagaya, I leave the creation of my weapons to you. I want a Ninjatō, a Tanto, and…"
He looked down at the kiseru in his hand. The metal pipe was old, its body scarred, its mouthpiece dulled by time and battle. It was his first one, a gift from his mother. He had reforged it many times with steel so it could endure combat, but after the seven nights of the Final Selection, even he knew it wouldn't last much longer.
"…And one strong kiseru, please"
Kagaya's brows lifted slightly. "But Kagerou-kun, that-"
"I'll leave it to you, my friend," Kagerou interrupted softly, stepping away as the smoke from his pipe drifted between them. "I'll see you later. Goodbye"
He turned and walked toward the mist-covered path, his figure fading slowly into the morning light, until only the faint trace of smoke remained, lingering, then vanishing, like a breath carried by the wind.