Chapter 22: First Mission
Seeing Urokodaki Sakonji's unusual fascination with the blade, Tanjiro couldn't help but lean closer and ask, "Master, Haganezuka-san, is Hakuya-senpai's dual-colored blade special?"
"It's not just special—dual-colored blades have never existed before!" Urokodaki explained to Tanjiro.
Hakuya finally understood their shocked reactions. His dual-colored Nichirin blade was apparently one of a kind in the Corps' history.
But what made this dual-colored blade so significant? Was it simply aesthetically beautiful? Hakuya couldn't help but wonder about its practical implications.
"It's simply exquisite! The two colors blend seamlessly, perfectly harmonious without a single jarring transition. It's a masterwork!" Haganezuka praised Hakuya's blade with the same reverence one might show a priceless work of art.
"Since this dual-colored blade is unique, how does it differ from an ordinary Nichirin blade functionally?" Hakuya asked the practical question.
Hakuya's inquiry immediately stumped both Urokodaki Sakonji and Haganezuka.
Neither of them had ever used a dual-colored Nichirin blade, and since such a blade had never appeared before, there were no historical records to reference. No one could say for certain what differences might exist.
"Perhaps you'll discover the answer through use," Urokodaki offered the only reasonable response.
Haganezuka nodded in agreement. After all, a blade's color depends entirely on its wielder. Since Hakuya's Nichirin blade displayed two colors, it must relate directly to Hakuya's own nature and abilities.
"My theory is that the aqua blue, resembling water ripples, is probably connected to Hakuya's mastery of Water Breathing. After all, your blade is also blue, Urokodaki. As for the sudden appearance of emerald green, I cannot hazard a guess," Haganezuka offered his professional analysis.
Both Hakuya and Urokodaki nodded in agreement with this reasoning.
After speaking, Haganezuka carefully handed Hakuya's dual-colored blade back to him. Hakuya accepted it and sheathed the sword at his side.
Hakuya already had his own theories about the emerald green coloring. Perhaps this second color related to Wood Breathing, since wood is naturally associated with green hues.
"Then I'm also learning Water Breathing, so why is my sword black instead of blue?" Tanjiro asked, clearly puzzled by this discrepancy.
Tanjiro's question left both Haganezuka and Urokodaki unable to provide a definitive answer, forcing them to offer mere speculation.
"Perhaps you haven't fully mastered Water Breathing's essence!" Haganezuka said bluntly, showing no mercy.
"Perhaps it relates to your fundamental nature or personality," Urokodaki offered a gentler alternative theory.
Hearing Haganezuka's harsh assessment felt like a knife to Tanjiro's heart. He had trained so diligently, only to be told he hadn't grasped the core principles.
Urokodaki's explanation, however, made Tanjiro feel considerably better. He was more inclined to trust his master's opinion—that perhaps his own inherent nature had caused the blade to manifest as black.
As everyone discussed this phenomenon, two Kasugai crows flew into the cabin through an open window.
"Hakuya!"
"Kamado Tanjiro!"
The crows were the Demon Slayer Corps' primary messengers. As soon as they entered the wooden house, both birds called out the names of Hakuya and Tanjiro.
"Hakuya!"
"Kamado Tanjiro!"
"We will now convey orders from the Demon Slayer Corps!"
Tanjiro was visibly surprised to hear the crows speak fluent human language.
Hakuya, Urokodaki, and Haganezuka remained completely calm, showing no surprise whatsoever at the talking birds.
"Proceed to the town northwest of your current location! Young girls have been disappearing there, and investigation has revealed demonic involvement. Your mission is to locate the demon hiding in that town and eliminate it!"
"Hakuya! Kamado Tanjiro! Exercise extreme caution. This is your duty as Demon Slayers!"
After delivering these mission instructions, both crows flew back out through the window.
After receiving their first official mission from the Corps, Hakuya and Tanjiro rested for the remainder of that day. The next morning, they changed into their official uniforms.
Hakuya wore a blue haori with a flowing water pattern over his standard black uniform, while Tanjiro donned a black and green checkered haori.
Hakuya's haori had been specially prepared for him by Urokodaki Sakonji—perhaps the master viewed it as passing down his own legacy.
Tanjiro, however, wore the same checkered haori his late father had worn. Urokodaki had actually prepared a matching blue water-patterned haori for Tanjiro as well, but Tanjiro preferred wearing clothing that evoked memories of his family.
Before their departure, Urokodaki summoned both Hakuya and Tanjiro and offered final guidance: "Hakuya, Tanjiro, before you begin your careers with the Demon Slayer Corps, there's something important I must tell you."
"Regarding black blades, there's a longstanding rumor that swordsmen who never achieve greatness often wield black Nichirin blades. This may relate to the wielder's fundamental nature. Don't let such superstitions affect your judgment at critical moments."
Upon hearing this, Tanjiro felt no negative emotion whatsoever. Whether or not he achieved recognition within the Corps didn't particularly concern him—he simply cared about finding a way to turn Nezuko back into a human.
"Master, I don't know what kind of Demon Slayer I'll become, but I will definitely work alongside Hakuya-senpai to transform Nezuko back into a human," Tanjiro replied with absolute conviction.
After hearing Tanjiro's determined words, Hakuya glanced at Nezuko, who was huddled under blankets in the corner, peeking out at him and Tanjiro with curious eyes.
Urokodaki expressed his complete confidence in both disciples: "Yes! I believe in both of you!"
"Hakuya, your talent is beyond question, so you must be careful and thoughtful in your decisions. Your choices may directly affect whether Tanjiro lives or dies," Urokodaki added, specifically addressing Hakuya.
Hakuya nodded solemnly, acutely aware that his existence and choices were constantly influencing this world's development.
"Finally, take this!"
Urokodaki pushed a small wooden box forward, placing it before Tanjiro.
"This is the box you'll use to carry your sister during daylight hours. It's made of extremely lightweight Cloud Mist Bamboo. The surface has been treated with Rock Lacquer, which greatly improves both its sealing properties and structural strength."
"Thank you so much, Master!" Tanjiro bowed deeply to Urokodaki in gratitude, then picked up the special box.
Upon lifting it, Tanjiro was shocked by how light it felt.
"It's so light! Incredibly light!" Tanjiro exclaimed in amazement.
Holding the box, Tanjiro approached Nezuko and gestured for her to climb inside.
Nezuko obediently wriggled into the box, making herself surprisingly small to fit comfortably.
"We're ready, Hakuya-senpai!" After securing the box on his back, Tanjiro announced their readiness.
"There is one more thing—a potential clue for turning your sister back into a human," Urokodaki said seriously.
"Over a thousand years ago, the first demon was born. As the progenitor of all demons, its blood possesses the power to transform humans into demons. Your sister's transformation was likely caused by exposure to this demon's blood, and your family was probably killed by this same creature."
"Perhaps this demon knows the method to reverse the transformation—to turn demons back into humans."
After hearing Urokodaki's explanation, Hakuya immediately understood that the demon being discussed was none other than the Demon King—Kibutsuji Muzan.
As Urokodaki spoke, Tanjiro couldn't help but interrupt: "Over a thousand years old and still alive? Then where is this demon now?"
"As the progenitor of all demons, how could its whereabouts be easily discovered!" Urokodaki raised his voice, clearly dissatisfied with Tanjiro's naive question.
"In fact, the Demon Slayer Corps was founded specifically to eliminate this creature. For over a thousand years, Demon Slayers have been searching for any trace of it."
"That time when Giyuu was pursuing leads on this demon—that's when he encountered you, Nezuko, and Hakuya on the mountain."
"Remember this demon's name well—Kibutsuji Muzan!"
After hearing Urokodaki's final words of warning, Hakuya and Tanjiro truly embarked on their new journey, heading northwest toward the town mentioned in their mission briefing.
Hakuya had a strange premonition that after this departure, they might never see Urokodaki Sakonji again.
After a full day and night of travel, Hakuya and Tanjiro finally spotted a town in the distance from their vantage point on a mountainside.
Tanjiro stood at the mountain's edge and pointed toward the settlement located on the flatlands below. "Hakuya-senpai, that should be the northwestern town, right?"
"Most likely," Hakuya replied with slight uncertainty, not being particularly experienced at navigation.
Afterward, Hakuya and Tanjiro didn't linger, descending the mountain until they reached flat ground. They continued along a dirt path that bordered cultivated fields, eventually reaching a river crossing that led into the town.
A small dock stood by the river, with numerous boats moored nearby and cargo piled high along the waterfront.
Tanjiro, on his first journey away from the mountains, surveyed everything with wide-eyed curiosity. This was his first time seeing a town of this size and activity level.
After all, Tanjiro had grown up in an isolated mountain village—he was essentially a country boy with limited worldly experience.
Hakuya found nothing particularly surprising about the town, having memories of living in a modern metropolis in his previous life. Naturally, he had far more exposure to urban environments than Tanjiro.
After observing the town's layout, they crossed a wooden bridge spanning the river. They continued walking along the town's main streets, observing shops lining both sides, listening to men and women chatting among themselves. The atmosphere was lively and bustling with activity.
"Hakuya-senpai, how do you plan to find the demon hiding somewhere in this town?" Tanjiro asked, realizing the challenge ahead.
Hakuya paused, his attention drawn to a man walking with an unnaturally stiff, zombie-like gait.
Several people on either side of the street seemed to recognize this man, and concerned murmuring rose from the gathered crowd.
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