章 26: Duel Tsuguko
"Mission from Ubuyashiki. You are to travel to the north and find the object that Muzan wishes to obtain. This mission shall continue until told otherwise."
Realizing that Ubuyashiki was serious about searching all of Japan for what Muzan was looking for, I look at the person in my embrace who looks back at me with saddened eyes.
"Where?" Kanao asks me.
"Well, I was told to travel to the North, but I honestly have no idea as to where I'll go specifically. And no, I don't know for how long I'll be gone for this mission."
Watching as the emotion in Kanao's eyes grows stronger, it all suddenly disappears, like it had never been there in the first place. Standing up abruptly, Kanao proceeds to leave the room, allowing for a confused and refreshed Shinobu to enter.
"Where's she going in such a hurry?" Feeling the words of Shinobu slowed, I respond by shrugging my shoulders.
However, when I notice that Shinobu hadn't moved from her spot when she had first entered the room, I turn my head and stare her directly in the eyes to find them brimming with tears.
"So, you're going to go away?"
Finding the situation would become rather troublesome if I allowed for Shinobu's dark thoughts to fester for longer, I extend my arm out and pull Shinobu down into my lap, causing her to squeal in surprise.
"Hey what was that for?" Shinobu "angrily" asks.
Not answering her, I instead begin to caress her head. After a while of just sitting there in silence, I finally spoke up.
"If you're so worried about me disappearing from your life for a while, then why don't you come with me?"
This breaks Shinobu from the trance that I had placed her in. Seeing the befuddled look on her face, I explained.
"Since I've become a Hashira, I've gained privileges that few others possess. And with these privileges, I can make an offer to Ubuyashiki to allow you to become a Tsuguko to me."
"And I know you want to become stronger." I continue, silencing any words that were to come from Shinobu. "I see that there is a fire lit in your eyes to relieve yourself of what had occurred previously, so what better option is there than to learn under a Hashira. This both allows you to become stronger and to stay with me."
"But isn't the whole point of a Tsuguko to inherit the abilities of the Hashira, that's teaching them so that in the case they die, they can replace the position they left open?"
"That may be the general rule, but that is just what's been practiced since in the entirety of Demon Slayer Corps history, there has never been a Demon Slayer that wield more than one form. So, in terms of teaching you, I can decide to teach you anything I want, even allowing me to teach you to form a brand-new Demon Slaying Art."
Having her mouth held open by the air, Shinobu only lets out a huff and turns her head away from me.
"What's to say I want to stay with you?"
Laughing at Shinobu's reaction, I give her a quick kiss on the forehead, which causes her face to burn red and for her to run out of the room. Glad that Shinobu was able to return to her former self even in such a short period of time, I enter my room to find my crow sitting on my nightstand. Running my index finger gently across the top of its head, the crow puts itself further into my pet.
"You know what, I'll call you Silvia." Hearing a chirp of acceptance come in response, I turn my head around to look at the presence that had just entered my room.
Noticing that my eyes were on her, Shinobu begins to nervously shuffle before dropping her hands and bowing her head to me.
"If you could, please take me with you."
Smiling brightly, I turn back to Silvia and relay that I would like to take Shinobu as a Tsuguko. Silvia then proceeds to fly from the room. Feeling that Shinobu was still in the room, I stare at her, to find her then hugging me and whispering a thank you before rushing out of the room.
With the appearance of morning, I begin to pack my very few belongings. Nodding my head in satisfaction at my bag, Salvia proceeds to fly into the room, perching itself on my nightstand.
"Ubuyashiki has accepted your proposal. You are hereby now the Tsuguko of the students Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri."
Surprised with the sudden addition of Kanao, I look at Salvia confused, but it offers no response. However, the one who would answer my question enters my room.
"It was a decision made by both Master and me. I had thought of this before, but I didn't know if you were ready to take a disciple under your wing. It was rather lucky that your crow came in and informed us that you wanted to take Shinobu as a Tsuguko."
"But why would you put Kanao under me? I thought you said you would train her to take your position."
"I'll say this simply." Kanae begins. "The entire reason behind why Kanao trains in the first place is because of you. If I were to suddenly remove her motivation, what do you think would happen? And you are more than qualified to take the position of teacher over her. I want Kanao to get stronger as well as remain happy. She personally came to me to ask if she could travel with you. And as her mother, I decided to forego training her and give you that ability instead. So, please, I beg of you, take her with you." Staring at the prostrated Kanae, I am quick to lift her from the floor.
"I would've accepted the proposition, but I just wanted to know why." I state.
However, when I look at Kanae's face, I can see a smug smile plastered onto it. Leaving my room, I prepare to head out to both inform Shinobu of Kanao's addition and to tell Kanao to pack, but it turns out to be unneeded.
Standing in front of my room door, the stands both Shinobu and Kanao with packs on their backs that hold their possessions. Raising an eyebrow, Shinobu lets out a huff.
"There was absolutely no possibility that Kanao wouldn't come with us. One because she's overly attached to you and two because you're attached to her. And she also seemed to know she would go with you as she already had her back packed before I did."
"Oh." Is the only thing that I can say in response before stepping in front of them, straight backed, and emotionless. "The training you shall receive will be a difficult and treacherous path, but it will be worth it. And as your teacher, I'll turn you rugged so you can be birthed anew. And I hope you try your best."
"Yes, yes Sensei. We'll follow your teachings without question." Shinobu sarcastically states while deadpanning at me.
Giving a smile in response, I walk out of the room with Shinobu and Kanao following close behind me. Upon entering the main room though, I see every other resident of the Butterfly Mansion standing there with tears threatening from their eyes.
Oh, scratch that, the three toddler servants were already bawling their eyes out.
Being tackled down by the three of them, they only separate after I reassure them multiple times that I'd be coming back. Looking at the remaining two, Aoi gives me a very short hug while Kanae gives me a very long one.
While embraced in Kanae's hug, she whispers in my ear. "I give you, my blessings."
Releasing me, Kanae gives me a victorious smile before sending me off. As we reach the border of the Demon Slayer Headquarters, I hear Kanae yell out.
"Good luck on your journey! Make sure to come back alive!"
Once out of sight of the Demon Slayer Headquarters, I suddenly stopped. Looking at me questionably, both Kanao and Shinobu peer over my shoulders. Not minding them, I place my bag down and pull the flap open. Grabbing two pairs of weight that I had "borrowed" from the Butterfly Mansion, I hand them to the persons behind me. Releasing the weights into their embrace, Shinobu's arms instantly give out and Kanao barely manages to hold out.
"Um, what are these for?" Shinobu asks while sweating nervously.
"Like I said before, I'll be training you. And becoming a good Demon Slayer all lies in having a well-built base, so we'll start building that as we travel."
"But these weights are so heavy, won't this slow us?" Shinobu asks.
"Of course, but I am more than willing to sacrifice time."
Uncertainly, Shinobu hoists hers up of the ground and begins to wrap the weights around her body, followed by Kanao. Nodding my head approvingly, I pick my bag back up and we start to walk again.
Hearing grunts come from mainly Shinobu as our trek continues, I make sure to take constant breaks, not wanting to destroy their bodies just to speed up our time of travel.
Our first destination to find the object that Muzan wishes to hold begins first with travelling back to Sagiri Mountain.
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