The morning sun rose over Mount Fujikasane.
The sunlight pouring under the purple Wisteria was beautiful, but to Kanao's eyes, it felt like funeral light for the dead children.
After cutting down the Hand Demon in a single strike, she spent the remaining time quietly in the forest.
And on the morning of the seventh day of the test, she moved to the gathering place for the passers.
"I'm alive… I'm alive…."
"Ugh…"
The number of passers was pitifully small. Excluding Kanao's group of three, only two children had survived.
Even they were covered in wounds and sat collapsed, their legs giving way from fear.
Looking down at that horrific scene, a child guide in black and white appeared on the platform.
"Congratulations on passing."
"We're glad you returned safely."
A mechanical and dry voice. Kanao's eyebrow twitched.
"From now on, you will be assigned ranks. Starting from the lowest rank, Mizunoto (癸)."
As the guides continued explaining the ranks and Kasugai crows, Kanao quietly raised her hand.
"I have a question."
The guides' gazes focused on Kanao. A girl in clean kimono attire without a single wound.
Her presence was distinctly different from the other passers.
"Why do you insist on this test method? Driving children who don't even have the ability to subdue demons into a death trap, without any supervision… Isn't this meaningless slaughter rather than a test?"
Her voice was calm, but suppressed anger lingered within it.
The black-haired child answered flatly.
"This is a tradition of the Demon Slayer Corps that has been passed down for hundreds of years, and the most efficient way to experience real combat with demons. Only those who survive have the qualification to slay demons."
"Efficiency… tradition…"
Kanao bit her lip. Disgust surged at their attitude of轻视生命. The remark that Akira had called them a精神病群体 struck her deeply.
'Getting angry here is useless now. These children are just puppets.'
She suppressed the boiling anger.
'Someday, when I become a Hashira, I'll ask the Ubuyashiki family head directly. What exactly is your petty justice?'
She didn't exchange any more words, and when it was time to choose the ore for making the Nichirin Blade, she picked up any randomly.
After all, the weapon she would use was the enchanted sword with Tamamo's spell, so the Demon Slayer Corps issued items weren't important.
Kasugai crows flew to the three people.
"Caw! Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!"
Looking at the crows cawing noisily, Kanao whispered quietly.
"Tamamo-sama's spell, [Suggestion: Puppet of Silence]."
As her pupils glowed red momentarily, the crows' eyes became dazed and then quieted down.
Now these crows would become faithful tools to control and transmit information according to Akira's will.
Two weeks later. A swordsmith wearing a hyottoko mask visited the cultivator's隐居 where Kanao's group was staying.
"Here, here, I've brought the Nichirin Blades! Swords I poured my heart and soul into making!"
The swordsmith chattered explanations about the swords and handed over the Nichirin Blades.
First, Kanao drew the sword. The blade was dyed a beautiful light pink from base to tip. An elegant color fitting for a Flower Breathing user.
"Oh! A beautiful pink color! You're lucky!"
Next was Ushiwakamaru and Okita's turn. The two Servants recalled Akira's advice.
'Your grip strength surpasses humans. Carelessly, the sword might become a red-hot blade as soon as you hold it. That would draw too much attention, so hold it as gently as possible.'
Ushiwakamaru lightly gripped the sword with her fingertips. Then the blade turned a light purple. Okita also weakly grasped the sword, and a faint yellow light swirled.
"Hmm? The color is a bit light. You seem to have talent, but perhaps your体质 can't fully承载 the breathing?"
The swordsmith tilted his head regretfully, but the two let out sighs of relief.
Since they are Servants, breathing is just an imitation for them, so this was sufficient camouflage.
After the swordsmith left, this time the uniform delivery member Maeda Masao visited.
"I've come to deliver the uniform~ Hehe."
With a sinister look in his eyes, he handed the uniforms to the three and hurriedly left.
A moment later, Okita's scream came from inside the room where they were changing clothes.
"What is this?! Why does it show so much cleavage?!"
"The skirt length is too short too. It won't hinder movement, but… it's too revealing."
Ushiwakamaru also fiddled with the short skirt with a troubled expression.
It was a design that revealed cleavage and showed almost the entire thighs, like something women in a red-light district would wear.
But Kanao's reaction was unexpected. She nodded with a reddened face.
"Um… I think… it's okay for me."
"Huh?! Kanao-san, are you serious? Your butt will be visible!"
Okita was shocked, but Kanao fidgeted shyly with her fingers.
"But… Sister Shinobu and Sister Kanae sometimes wear bold clothes like this at home. Mitsuri-nee originally wears such loose clothing. If I wear this, Father… will probably like it."
Her judgment criterion was solely whether Akira would like it. Having seen the Kocho sisters wear平时的 attire and sexy underwear to seduce Akira at his mansion, this uniform seemed like clothes a loved woman would wear to her.
"If I stand before Father in these clothes… will Father look at me with hot eyes like he does with the sisters?"
Kanao's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Ah… well… Master would definitely like it. He has firm tastes, after all."
Okita nodded awkwardly. Ushiwakamaru also accepted it with the logic that the master's joy is my joy.
When they finished changing clothes and preparing, Okita's body suddenly twitched.
Soon, Okita's pupils turned into Akira's characteristic red. Akira had temporarily descended into Okita's body through telepathy from afar.
"Good work, all of you. I heard the news of your passing."
Akira's voice flowed from Okita's mouth. Kanao's face instantly flushed.
"Father!"
Akira (in Okita) smiled and approached Kanao. And gently stroked her head.
"You worked hard, Kanao. You must have been scared, but you endured well. The uniform too… suits you very well. I didn't know my daughter was this pretty. As for the outfit, hmm. I'm sure you'll handle it well later."
At his praise, Kanao's heart raced as if it would burst. Of course, regarding her outfit, he thought she had been tricked by that pervert glasses member. After all, since Kanao, Okita, and Ushiwakamaru have common sense, he figured they would naturally get new uniforms.
"I should give you a reward."
Akira (in Okita) lightly kissed Kanao's forehead.
Chu.
It was a brief contact, but to Kanao, it felt like an eternal sweet moment. Her face turned as red as a ripe apple.
"Take care of yourself from now on. I'm always watching over you."
After speaking, Akira's consciousness faded, and Okita returned to her original eye color.
"Waaah~ I'm jealous! Master possessed you directly!"
Ushiwakamaru couldn't hide her envious eyes, and Okita hugged her own body, writhing in ecstasy.
Kanao clasped the warmth of the kiss left on her forehead with her hand.
'Father… said I'm pretty. That he's watching over me…'
In her chest, her love and loyalty towards Akira grew uncontrollably. This twisted affection was now becoming the only driving force moving her.
"Well, from now on, we'll be active as Demon Slayer Corps members. Let's do our best together. So that we can receive more praise (love) from Father."
""Yes!""
Then, someone's presence was heard outside the隐居.
"Excuse me! I've come to deliver orders from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters!"
The door opened, and a girl with hair tied in two buns and butterfly ornaments walked in briskly.
Her blue eyes held a firm, senior-like determination.
"I am Kanzaki Aoi. Rank is Kanoe (庚). It's been a little over a year since I joined. I've been assigned to lead your first mission as new recruits."
Unlike the original work, she was still active as a fairly experienced senior member.
She placed her hands on her hips and spoke clearly, as if to压倒 the newcomers.
"I've heard the rumors. Amazing newcomers who swept through the demons in the Final Selection… Huh?"
As Aoi continued speaking, her gaze fixed on the three people's outfits. Instantly, her eyes widened roundly, and a voice filled with shock burst out.
"W-wait a minute! You, what on earth is that outfit?!"
Aoi pointed at the three with trembling fingers.
The top open wide to reveal cleavage, the skirt short enough to show the thighs. It was something far beyond her常识 of Demon Slayer Corps uniforms.
"That pervert glasses did something strange again! No, but who actually wears that?! You should immediately go and protest to change it! Aren't you ashamed?!"
At Aoi's reaction, her face bright red and firing off, the three looked at each other and tilted their heads.
"Huh? Isn't this the latest流行 design?"
Okita innocently fluttered the hem of her short skirt. Since they decided to wear it as Kanao said, for now.
"It's comfortable to move in and cool, so it's good. Well, it's a bit revealing, but if it's Master's taste, it's only right to follow."
Ushiwakamaru also added with a serious face. After all, her original outfit was more erotic.
"If the master sees it, he will surely be pleased. That is sufficient value for this outfit."
Finally, Kanao shyly blushed and delivered the finishing blow.
"Um… I like this outfit too."
At the trio's overly confident and natural attitude, Aoi was at a loss for words.
"Sigh…"
Aoi let out a deep sigh and held her forehead. She had only heard rumors of their excellent skills, not that they were eccentrics lacking common sense.
'I was expecting amazing newcomers, but… I have a预感 that only tiresome things will pile up. Do they really like such clothes?'
Aoi already held her aching head.
The strange and perilous journey of three problem child newcomers and the strict but sensible senior Aoi was about to begin.