Peach Mountain Town.
Tendo wandered leisurely through the town. With the Nichirin Blade and uniform taking over half a month to make, he had rare downtime.
Staying on the mountain without training would definitely earn the old man's scolding, so he came to town for some peace.
As he walked, a crying child suddenly ran past. Spotting Tendo, the boy froze momentarily before latching onto his leg, bawling snot and tears.
"Waaahhh!"
"Boss! You're finally back! Some outsider's been stealing our allowance—you gotta get revenge for us!"
"Stop stop stop!" Tendo pushed the child's head away in disgust. "Too close! Don't wipe your snot on me!"When the little boy finally calmed down, Tendo patted his head and said:
"Shota, if someone takes your stuff, you fight back!"
"A real man sheds blood, not tears!"
"What's with all the crying? You're acting like a girl!"
"But boss, we can't beat him!" Shota sniffled hard, looking helpless.
"What about all the moves I taught you? Aim for the lower body first—don't you know the 'monkey steals the peach' trick?"
"Whatever. Lead the way. Let's see which bastard dares to mess with my people!" Tendo waved his hand, exasperated.
Hearing this, Shota immediately straightened up with newfound confidence.
Tendo had been the leader of the kids in Mount Momo Town since childhood. Standing up for his underlings was just part of the job—after all, adults usually dismissed children's squabbles as trivial and rarely intervened.
Soon, the two arrived at a secluded alleyway where few people passed. The dim light revealed a shadowy figure inside.
The person sat against the damp corner wall, like a rat in the sewers, counting money while cursing:
"Damn it, these brats only had this much? I steal more than this."
"Word is there's an old man living on Mount Momo. Once I become his disciple and join the Demon Slayer Corps, I'll be rolling in cash."
Mount Momo... an old man... at this time... Could it be that bastard Kaigaku?
Listening to the boy's grumbling, Tendo made his guess.
"Hey!"
"What gives you the right to steal from my friend? Give it back!" Tendo shouted threats at the shadowy figure, convinced it was Kaigaku.
"Piss off!"
"Unless you want another beating, get lost!"
The voice from the shadows was icy, sharp as a blade. The figure pocketed the stolen money and stepped slowly into the light.
Tendo finally got a clear look at him—black hair, blue eyes, thick eyebrows, dressed in tattered coarse clothing.
Tch! (＊｀д′)
It really is that bastard Kaigaku!
Tendo didn't bother hiding his disgust. His expression was like he'd stepped in shit—all his good mood for the day was ruined.
Kaigaku was as much of a scumbag as Muzan.
One betrayed his master and ancestors, the other slaughtered innocents without remorse.
This man and demon shared one defining trait: selfishness.
Kaigaku sized up Tendo in return, eyes burning with anger and disdain. His jaw clenched so tightly it creaked, as if he might grind his teeth to dust.
His fists were balled, veins bulging, itching to lunge at Tendo and beat him senseless.
Have we met before?
Why's he looking at me like I'm trash?
You bastard, asking for death!
He muttered inwardly.
"Give the money back!" Tendo held out his hand, already scheming how to ruin this guy's chance at apprenticeship. No way would he let this scum tarnish the old man's legacy.
"Get lost. I don't want to fight." Kaigaku swatted Tendo's hand aside and barged straight toward him.
But the moment he collided with Tendo, all the ferocity on his face froze.
It felt like running into a brick wall. Was this guy even human?
Tendo shrugged him off effortlessly, grinning. "Return Shota's money. Last warning!"
"Screw you!"
"You wanna die?"
The instant Kaigaku spat those words, Tendo's fist slammed into his gut.
Blinding pain exploded through him, his mind going blank.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Kaigaku kept coughing, clutching his stomach as he collapsed to the ground, yet still glaring fiercely at Tendo.
"You bastard!"
Veins bulged on his forehead as he roared at Tendo, swearing to himself that once he mastered the Demon Slayer Corps' Breathing Technique, he would absolutely tie this bastard up and kill him in some deserted place.
"Shota, take back your money!"
"Got it, boss!"
Soon, Shota searched Kaigaku and pulled out a large sum of money.
He took what belonged to him and his friends, then disdainfully tossed the rest back.
"Thief! So disgusting!"
"Don't let my boss see you again, or you'll get beaten every time!"
With Tendo backing him up, the little brat threw out a vicious threat, feeling smug inside.
"Boss!" Shota turned to Tendo, grinning from ear to ear. "Let me treat you to something good! By the way, where've you been all this time?"
Tendo flicked Shota's forehead and said, "Haven't I told you since you were little? Your boss is destined to save the world!"
"Wow, amazing! As expected of you, boss!" Shota's eyes sparkled, instantly turning into an adoring fanboy.
"Boss is awesome! Boss is the best!"
Kaigaku clenched his fists, pounding the ground furiously as he stared daggers at Tendo's retreating figure.
Damn it, damn it, damn it...
I'll kill you. One day, I'll slaughter you!
I'll remember you, you bastard.
As the sun dipped westward, Kaigaku used the stolen money to buy himself a clean set of clothes and hurried toward Peach Mountain.
He knew about demons, and he knew the old man living there was a Breeder for the Demon Slayer Corps.
Most importantly, the Corps paid well.
As long as he could join, he'd never have to worry about making a living again—even if he started as the lowest-ranked Mizunoto.
Thinking this, he couldn't help but smirk.
Kaigaku climbed halfway up the mountain and looked down at the distant town, his face filled with arrogant disdain.
Those idiots probably haven't even heard of demons!
Hah!
Stupid ordinary people. I curse you all to be devoured by demons someday.
Realizing how different he was from those common folk, Kaigaku's sense of superiority swelled.
"Child, I don't recognize you."
"What brings you to Peach Mountain?"
Just as Kaigaku was basking in his pride, a stern yet kind voice spoke up.
He turned to see an old man leaning on a cane.
Huh...
This guy is a Cultivator for the Demon Slayer Corps?
Are they that desperate?
Disappointment flashed in Kaigaku's eyes, but the man matched the description he'd heard.
Quickly composing himself, he dropped to his knees before the old man, putting on a mask of sorrow and speaking with absolute determination.
"Master, I know you're a Cultivator for the Demon Slayer Corps. Please, take me as your disciple!"
"I've come from far away, seeking only to train and take revenge. My entire family was slaughtered by demons!"
Kaigaku wept and kowtowed, his attitude utterly sincere—especially the tragic tale of his family's demise, which deeply moved the old man.
As he sobbed, Tendo walked past him from behind and teased:
"That's rough, kid."