The air still smelled faintly of ash from the demons we had killed the night before. But no buildings had been damaged beyond repair. A few had been struck by Kokushibo's Moon Breathing + Blood Demon Art, but they still stood, just like the village.
The other Hashira had returned to HQ as soon as the sun had risen, mostly to report our massive win and to return to their respective regions. Just cause we had killed all the Kizuki didn't mean that we had wiped out all demons.
I sat on a fence post, a cup of tea cooling in my hand. The steam curling lazily into the pleasant morning breeze, quiet, fragrant. It was the kind of peace that came after a battle, when everyone realised they could still hear their own heartbeats.
Mitsuri sat beside me, her hair braided again. Still short but looking more like her old hairstyle, albeit with smaller braids. It looked cuter than ever, even if she didn't want to admit it herself.
She hummed softly, her legs kicking back and forth as we watched the trio training with Tanjiro taking the lead. They were currently on their final lap and had barely managed to finish the push ups, sit ups, and squats.
"Ne ne, Satoru-kun… they're like puppies." Mitsuri giggled behind her hand.
I glanced back over to where the Kamaboko squad was now arguing, probably about something fundamentally stupid. With my eyes I could read their lips, they were arguing about who would get the better bento.
"…rabid puppies." I muttered.
The swordsmiths had resumed their work, after having been interrupted by the sudden presence of Kokushibo and Gyokko last night. It was still funny to me to think that Gyokko, had been technically 'off screened' by Muichiro before I had arrived.
I could hear the rhythmic clang of hammers from where we were. No doubt, my sword and Tanjiro's new sword would be completed in the next few days or so. Tecchin, Tetsutaka, and Haganezuka were all hard at work.
For my new blade, Tecchin and Tetsutaka had called on me to pick a lump of ore. Before I gave them the lump of ore, I had infused it with a staggering amount of CE. I had told them what I did, and they had been excited to work with the new version of Nichirin ore.
In the meantime, there was no point in wasting daylight. The trio had clearly finished their 'warm up'. I got up from where I was seated and called out to them.
"Right, everyone line up in front of me."
Tanjiro arrived first, followed by Inosuke, lastly Zenitsue dragged himself over with a mournful look on his face.
"Starting today, Mitsuri and I will be training you until we leave this village."
"T-training?! But we just finished training! I'm so tired already!!" Zenitsu whined.
I glared at him making him jump behind Tanjiro, "As I was saying… Mitsuri will be training you in your flexibility while I will hone your reaction time."
Zenitsu brightened up at that, making me grin. He dint know what Mitsuri had in store for their flexibility training. I made a mental note to really start pushing him so that he'd overcome his cowardice.
"Sensei!" Tanjiro called out, his hand raised. I looked over to him, prompting him to speak, "is this part of the Hashira training camp?" He asked.
"Hmm," I cupped my chin, "sure why not, with all the Kizuki dead, it's just Muzan that's left, but there will still be plenty of demons until we manage to wipe them all out."
"All the Kizuki are dead?" Zenitsu asked from behind Tanjiro.
"Sure kid. I killed almost all of them." I nodded.
Zenitsu looked pensive, "Then wh-
"Because like I said. Just cause they're dead and Muzan is on his final leg, that doesn't mean the demon threat is over. There was also that 'strange monster' that you faced a while back that only Tanjiro seemed to be able to see."
I didn't mention that Mitsuri and I saw it too, no need to worry them with stuff that wasn't a potential world ending threat. Not yet at least.
"More monsters?" Zenitsu seemed to latch on to that specific thought.
"Yes, and Mitsuri and I will make sure you three will be the top of the top. You two," I motioned towards him and Inosuke, "will need a lot of training if you want to be in Tanjiro's level."
"Gahahaha! Let's go then, there's nothing Lord Inosuke can't handle!" Inosuke loudly proclaimed.
I smiled, "Hope you don't regret those words Boar Boy."
[Scene Break]
We decided to split them up, Mitsuri took Tanjiro and Zenitsu to train their flexibility as Inosuke was already disturbingly flexible for a boy. Meanwhile I took Inosuke to a clearing where I picked up a bunch of small pebbles and floated them around me with Limitless.
"Ready brat?" I called to Inosuke who had both swords drawn.
"It's Lord Inosuk- BONK
A pebble nailed him right on the forehead. His mask nearly flying off with how hard I launched it. He let out a grunt and glared at me.
"What? You clearly had time to talk… dodge the rocks."
"Gaaaa! Fine! Come at me! I'll dodge everything you can throw at me." He shouted.
Spoiler alert, he wasn't able to dodge everything. By the end of five minutes he was knocked unconscious from all the pebbles I bounced off his head.
It was still impressive, being able to last that long with the amount of rocks I shot towards him. If anything, it said a lot about Inosuke's persistence and willpower to not give up after being pelted with dozens of pebbles.
Towards the end he was even able to dodge a few while deflecting some with his swords. Unfortunately his stamina gave out first and he took a combo hit to the nuts then to the head before crumpling to the ground unconscious.
I pulled a length of rope from my space pocket storage and tied him up to hang from a tree. I left his swords just within reach so he could cut himself down if he tried.
I tucked my hands into my pockets and walked back over to where Mitsuri was doing stretches with Tanjiro and Zenitsu. I chuckled to myself when I spotted the two boys dressed in bright pink onesies.
I had gotten them from the Entertainment District too, along with my Yoriichi outfit. I had handed them over to Mitsuri before taking Inosuke over to work on his reflexes.
"Gaaaaaaaa!"
I bit back a laugh as Mitsuri forced Tanjiro into the splits. Zenitsu was wide eyed and shaking in place. I sat down on a fallen over log and watched.
"Hai hai… your turn." She turned to Zenitsu who immediately tried to run, only to trip on a root.
"Yada! Noooo, Tanjiro help me!!!!" Zenitsu cried out as he was dragged back.
"Gabare Zenitsu-san." Tanjiro raised his fist.
Zenitsu didn't notice how much Tanjiro's legs were shaking, or the quick prayer Tanjiro muttered before the crimson haired teen collapsed backwards.
Mitsuri, paying no attention to Tanjiro who was now foaming at the mouth, pushed Zenitsu down and made him do the splits.
I finally lost it and started laughing loudly at Zenitsu's scream.
"Kyaaaa YAMETEEEEE!!!!"
[Scene Break]
A week passed by quickly, surprisingly the Kamaboko squad adapted to the training Mitsuri and I put them through faster than I had expected. Tanjro and Zenitsu showed increased flexibility while all three had gained impressive teamwork and reaction times.
I didn't even have to hit any of them with a good ol Kancho… or as it's known by it's more popular name, A Thousand Years of Death.
Currently we were at the gates of the village. My new weapon and Tanjiro's first officially issued nichirin blade had been completed the day before. Haganezuka had a wooden box in his hand, while Tecchin held a plain looking Katana.
Tanjiro and I stepped forward to receive our new weapons. Tecchin handed me mine and I respectfully handled it and waited for him to speak. He had mentioned that it would be a specialty blade, he had personally forged Mitsuri's whip sword after all. It was bound to have some unique quirk.
"She's a bit shorter than an Uchigatana, I've forged a shorter secondary edge on the spine closer to the point. The saya is carved from imported ironwood, and has a secret button that will reveal a hidden blade."
I slid my hand down the scabbard of the sword until I felt a barely visible recess in the wood. With a click a five inch blade, curved like a karambit unfolded from another well hidden slot on the scabbard.
Another press of the button made the hidden blade click back into its hidden position. Tecchin waited for me to finish inspecting the blade before continuing.
"…that's not all, Tetsutaka-san and I heard from your beloved that you like to fight up close. So we have hidden a second blade in the other end of the saya."
I hummed in appreciation, examining the second hidden blade without drawing it. Tetsutaka stepped forward, his arms crossed.
"Both blades, spare the smallest one, were forged with the ore you infused with your special energy. I don't know how your energy works brat, but I think it may have lent this weapon a will of its own."
'Huh… now that he mentions it, when I hold this sword I do feel a connection to it… maybe I'll get my own Zanpakuto.' I thought to myself with some amusement.
"Oi! Don't get too cocky brat… you break this blade and I'll…" Tetsutaka jammed a finger into my face, or at least, he tried to. Limitless stopped his finger from poking my cheek. "… I'll make you eat your stupid sunglasses."
I chuckled, waving him off, "Hai hai, just don't forget the sauce."
Tecchin chuckled at his apprentice who glowered at me and stepped back so that Haganezuka could present Tanjiro with his blade.
"Thank you, Haganezuka-san!" Tanjiro bowed low as he took his blade.
Haganezuka nodded, "It's an honour to forge a blade for a child of the light."
Tanjiro quickly drew the blade, his eyes sparkling even as the blade started shifting into a light crimson colour, not unlike my first blade.
Hanganezuka let out a satisfied chortle as he puffed out his chest in pride.
"Ah… it makes me so happy. To see such a beautiful colour on a blade I forged." The smith stated.
"Oi brat," Tetsutaka called to me, "draw your sword, what are you making everyone wait for?"
"Huh… me?" I pointed at my chest.
Tetsutaka clenched his fists, "Yes you."
I chuckled, "Fine fine, I supposed I owe everyone a show."
I drew the main blade first, I didn't expect much, I already knew I had a blood red blade. Only, to my shock, the blade shimmered before turning into a royal purple hue. The smoky hamon line and edge had also taken a crimson hue.
'Two tone sword? Ngl… the colour scheme is pretty fucking sick.'
"This… this is unheard of." Tetsutaka muttered.
Tecchin glanced over to him, "What has happened? Swords with two colours are pretty normal."
"Hai… but his sword used to be a uniform colour. A red as deep as freshly spilled blood." Tetsutaka responded.
"I see." Tecchin hummed. "Boy… draw the tanto."
I shrugged and sheathed the longer blade before drawing the hidden tanto at the end of the scabbard. I don't have to wait long, the second the tanto was exposed to the air, the blade rippled too.
Soon I was holding a pale blue tanto with gold ripples along the edge. Tetsutaka nodded appreciatively.
"Another unique colour…" he hummed, "perhaps they match your soul."
I sheathed the tanto and tucked the sword into my belt before dropping my haori over the whole thing. Everyone looked a little disappointed at not being able to see my sword anymore, just like the first time.
Inosuke scoffed from the side, "Tsk… too bad it wasn't red too… red looks so delicious. Oi Kentaro… lemme see your blade, I wanna see if I can eat it… gahahaha."
Mitsuri took my arm and held it as she smiled at me. "Your new swords look so beautiful Satoru-kun… much more than your old one."
I smiled back at her, "Mmn, not as beautiful as you are thou—
"Ga! Inosuke don't lick my sword!" Tanjiro shouted.
'Pffft… that sounded so wrong.' I mentally chuckled despite my slight annoyance.
Mitsuri just giggled behind her hand as the trio descended into chaos with Inosuke chasing Tanjiro and Zenitsu chasing Inosuke for some reason.
After wrangling the Kamaboko squad, we thanked the smiths for their hospitality and for forging our blades. They in turn, thanked us for protecting their village.
Mitsuri waved them off stating that it was part of our jobs. While Tanjiro exchanged some parting words with Haganezuka, I got busy drawing a ritual circle on the ground. I finished the circle just as the Kakushi arrived to take us back.
After everyone finished up their goodbyes, I dragged everyone inside the ritual circle. Mitsuri looked at me curiously. I simply responded;
"Trying something new, don't worry it's safe."
Tanjiro looked at me curiously, he looked like he had an idea where this was going. Especially when I clapped my hands. Inosuke was sniffing one of the symbols i had scratched into the ground. While Zenitsu was clinging onto Tanjiro's haori.
"Alright everyone, take a deep breath and close your eyes."
"Huh? What for?" Zenitsu asked.
"Sensei wait!" Tanjiro called.
Unfortunately it was too late. My cursed energy pulsed as I teleported everyone. This was something new I had been testing. A multi target, multi location teleportation method.
Something that would let me teleport a bunch of people to different locations with the same ritual circle. I dumped Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu back to the Butterfly Mansion, specifically, on the roof of the mansion.
Mitsuri and I ended up in the courtyard of my own estate. The Love Hashira was already used to my teleportation method, but she was surprised when she noticed that we were the only ones in the courtyard.
"Satoru-kun, where is everyone else?" She asked.
"The Butterfly Mansion… they still have training to complete."
"Oh… I hope they got there safely." Mitsuri hummed.
I nodded, "They did, I made sure to teleport them somewhere they wouldn't collide with anything."
Mitsuri's stomach growled, and she blushed cutely. I grabbed her hand and chuckled.
"Let's go get some sakuramochi… I think that shop by the ramen stand is still open."
Mitsuri happily nodded as we dashed out of my estate and ran towards Kyoto. As we ran, I sneezed and looked around.
'Is someone talking shit? Hmmm, maybe… I do feel like I'm forgetting something.'
[Scene Break] (POV Shift)
Back in the Swordsmith village, a group of Kakushi was standing shocked after the Hashira and Slayer's they were supposed to be escorting back vanished into thin air.
"Damn it!!! That white haired bastard left us hanging again!"
"Goto-san! Calm down." A female Kakushi spoke, "maybe he forgot about us?"
"Damn it, that doesn't make it any better!" Goto cried out.
They had a long walk back to the Butterfly Mansion.
———————————————————-
Omake: "The Trials and Tribulations of Being a Kakushi"
(Goto's POV)
I hate my job.
Don't get me wrong — serving the Demon Slayer Corps is an honor. Helping Hashira and Slayers recover, carrying them back from battle, patching wounds — all that's fine. What I hate is dealing with him.
The "Wandering Hashira."
The "White Reaper."
The "Strongest."
That smug, lazy, sweets-devouring menace in sunglasses.
I swear on my uniform, that man causes more paperwork and migraines than Muzan ever did.
It all started the day after the Swordsmith Village incident. Me and my squad were supposed to escort him, Mitsuri, and the rookie trio back to the Butterfly Mansion. Simple job. No demons, no emergencies. Just a peaceful trip.
Except the moment I showed up, he smiled — that insufferable, too-handsome smile that practically said, 'Ah, Goto! Good timing. We'll be home in a flash.'
That should've been my warning.
Next thing I know, he claps his hands, mutters something about "trying a new technique," and poof… he and everyone else vanish into thin air. No smoke, no dramatic lightning, no bird to send a message. Just gone.
And there I was, standing in the middle of the village, holding the travel papers like an idiot.
He forgot about us.
Forgot.
Do you know how hard it is to explain to the Corps Commander that your entire escort mission was teleported out from under you by a man who thought, "Oh yeah, maybe I'll experiment with mass teleportation today"?
We had to walk back. Two days. Tanaka-senpai fell in a hole half way through. Mizuki-san stepped in animal poop. Then I fell face first into some stinky mud.
And then, when we finally made it back to the Butterfly Mansion, what do I find?
Satoru and Mitsuri, sitting on the engawa, drinking tea, feeding each other sakuramochi like they're in a world of their own!
"Ah, Goto!" Satoru called, grinning like a cat that just got the cream. "You're back! I was wondering when you'd show up."
"YOU FORGOT ABOUT US!" I yelled.
He just blinked. "Oh… right. My bad."
"Your—!?"
He tilted his head and handed me a skewer of dango. "Here, have some. It'll calm your nerves."
It did not calm my nerves.
And Mitsuri, bless her heart, just smiled sweetly, patting my shoulder. "Gomen ne, Goto-san. Satoru-kun gets carried away sometimes~."
Carried away?! The man reinvented the concept of irresponsibility!
But here's the worst part — and I hate myself for admitting this — they're adorable together.
Like, disgustingly adorable. They share snacks. He carries her shopping bags. She plays with his hair sometimes. And once, once, I caught him carrying her bridal style across the training grounds just because she tripped over her own sword.
The entire Butterfly Mansion staff nearly died from the collective nosebleed.
And don't even get me started on how jealous everyone is.
Slayers talk about it when they think I'm not listening. "Did you see the Love Hashira and Satoru-sama yesterday?" "He bought her dango again!" "They're so perfect together, it's unfair!"
Meanwhile, I'm just trying to do my job without vomiting from how sweet they are.
But it's not just that they're affectionate… it's how comfortable they are with each other.
Satoru teases everyone, sure, but with Mitsuri? He's soft. He'll listen, he'll laugh, and when he looks at her, it's not that cocky, smug smirk, it's that quiet, rare smile that makes everyone else feel like background noise.
…Okay, maybe I get why people envy them.
Just a little.
Still doesn't excuse the dango incident last week.
He bought every skewer from the local vendor.
Every. Single. One.
And then sat there in front of the Butterfly Mansion, munching happily while the rest of us watched from the shadows like starving peasants.
When I asked him if he planned to share, he tilted his head, chewed slowly, and said, "Oh? You wanted one? You should've said so before I bought the last twenty."
Mitsuri giggled, holding one up. "You can have mine, Goto-san~"
I took it. I hated myself for taking it. But it was really good dango.
So here I am now, nursing my tea, writing this log while Satoru and Mitsuri are feeding each other mochi again. He's probably about to vanish halfway through his dessert and forget something important.
…Actually, there he goes. He just teleported away mid-bite.
Mitsuri sighs softly, sets the mochi down, and looks over at me. "He probably went to buy more dango."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. "He could've just… walked."
She smiles fondly. "That's not his style."
No. It really isn't.
I take another sip of tea and stare out at the setting sun. Sometimes, I wonder if he does this stuff on purpose just to keep us on our toes.
Then again, with the Satoru, chaos probably is the point.
…Still, if he forgets about us one more time, I'm swapping his dango for wasabi balls.
——————————————————
[AN: This Omake goes out to TheFallen, wrote you into this Omake as 'Tanaka', a Kakushi who falls into a hole, lmao get it? Cause your name is 'The Fallen'… badum tisss I'll show myself out.]