"Naruto, your training is complete, and your strength is sufficient. It's time to get down to business."
Shinazugawa Sanemi raised the envelope containing the intelligence and held it out to Naruto, speaking in a deep voice. "You've already heard what's recorded in this report. While applying for this intelligence on your behalf, I also requested a special privilege for you: before you officially become a Pillar, you are permitted to move freely within the territories under the responsibility of all Pillars and slay demons."
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, becoming a Pillar—one who stood above all other Demon Slayers—required not only overwhelming strength, but also the fulfillment of two essential conditions: slaying fifty demons, and killing one of the Twelve Kizuki.
Naruto's current strength was already sufficient. However, because he had joined the Demon Slayer Corps through unconventional means and had not yet carried out any formal demon-extermination missions, Shinazugawa Sanemi had dispatched his Kasugai Crow to headquarters even before Naruto began his third stage of training, requesting both the intelligence and the special privilege he had just mentioned.
Normally, each Pillar was restricted to their own assigned territory and could not leave it without orders.
The special privilege Shinazugawa Sanemi secured for Naruto was clearly intended to pave the way for him to become a Pillar as quickly as possible.
For this, he had even gone so far as to request permission from Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya to effectively "steal kills" from other Pillars.
"Oh!~"
Naruto nodded excitedly, then asked curiously, "Um… what are the Twelve Kizuki?"
Naruto had only been in this world for two months. The first month was spent traveling in search of the Demon Slayer Corps, and after joining, he had followed Shinazugawa Sanemi in relentless training. Aside from the first time he punched a demon's head off with his bare hands, he had not encountered any others, so his understanding of demons was still limited.
"The Twelve Kizuki are the twelve strongest demons under Kibutsuji Muzan, the 'King of Demons,'" Shinazugawa Sanemi explained.
His expression gradually grew ferocious as he continued, grinding his teeth. "They are completely different from ordinary demons. Numbers representing their ranks are carved into their eyes, and they are divided into Upper Moons and Lower Moons. Each of them possesses strength far beyond that of common demons.
"So far, even including myself, the Demon Slayer Corps has only ever encountered Lower Moon demons. No one has ever slain a Twelve Kizuki of the Upper Moon rank."
"I've decided!"
After hearing this, Naruto immediately declared excitedly, "I'm going to hunt the Upper Moon demons of the Twelve Kizuki!"
"Idiot, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Shinazugawa Sanemi tapped Naruto on the head, exasperated. "Do you think the Twelve Kizuki are that easy to find? Especially the Upper Moons—each of them is extremely well hidden. Even with the Demon Slayer Corps' intelligence network, their traces might not be discovered for decades."
He added silently to himself: If Upper Moons were that easy to find, I would have killed them myself long ago.
"I see…"
Naruto rubbed his head, sounding a little disappointed, then asked, "So when do we start hunting demons?"
"We?" Shinazugawa Sanemi shook his head. "It's just you."
He raised his chin proudly and continued, "As a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, I'm extremely busy. I've already delayed my duties for an entire month to train you. From here on out, your demon-hunting journey is something you must walk alone."
"Really? That's great!"
Naruto immediately became excited. "Can I start now?"
"Idiot, of course not!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi tapped him on the head again. "Your nichirin blade hasn't arrived yet. How are you supposed to kill demons without one? Smash them with your fists?
"Also, Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya has already prepared a dedicated Kasugai Crow for you. It will arrive together with your blade, which has already been completed and is on its way."
"Kasugai Crow?" Naruto asked curiously. "What's that?"
"Kasugai Crows are specially trained birds used by the Demon Slayer Corps to communicate between Demon Slayers and headquarters," Shinazugawa Sanemi explained. "Every Demon Slayer has one."
As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp caw echoed overhead.
"Caw!~ Caw!~"
Naruto looked up and saw a large crow wearing an orange-yellow vest flying straight down from the sky, a long blade clutched in its talons.
"Uzumaki Naruto! Uzumaki Naruto!~"
The crow released its grip above Naruto's head, dropping the blade toward him, then circled overhead, screeching excitedly. "Your nichirin blade is here! Caw! Caw!~"
"Oh—my blade!"
Naruto immediately caught the falling sword and impatiently drew it.
Clang!~
The blade rang crisply as it was unsheathed, its surface gleaming with a cold, razor-sharp light.
"Grip the hilt firmly and see what color it turns," Shinazugawa Sanemi said as he walked over. "A nichirin blade is also called a 'color-changing blade.' It changes according to the breathing technique of its wielder. For Wind Breathing users like us, it usually turns green."
"Oh!~"
Naruto nodded eagerly and tightened his grip on the hilt. In the next instant, the blade shifted into a vivid deep green.
"Whoa, it really changed!"
Naruto stared at the blade in delight, completely unwilling to let it go. Then he raised it, preparing to swing at a nearby rock.
"Stop—stop!"
An urgent voice shouted from afar.
Naruto froze mid-motion and looked toward the sound. He saw a swordsmith wearing a Hyottoko mask sprinting toward him, panting heavily. The man snatched the nichirin blade from Naruto's hands and scolded him loudly.
"Mr. Naruto! Even as the blade's owner, you must not deliberately damage it like that!"
This was Titanium, the swordsmith who had forged Naruto's nichirin blade. He had originally arrived together with the Kasugai Crow, but the crow, finding him too slow, had seized the blade and flown ahead. He had chased after it at full speed and was now nearly out of breath.
"Harm it? I didn't!" Naruto scratched his head in confusion.
"Blades must never be struck directly against rocks!" Titanium said sternly. He returned the nichirin blade to Naruto and began lecturing him earnestly. "Mr. Naruto, a sword is not merely a tool—it is a partner, a companion, a—balabalabala…"