After seeing Haganezuka off, Asuka's expression grew even more complicated.
"The wind is light and flowing, an invisible hand brushing over the hills... the wind is violent and fierce, a heaven-bestowed blade that tears through clouds and air..."
"What kind of wind is this?! It's not even fire or rock either—why did it turn colorless?!"
"You little brat... what on earth are you?! What kind of Breathing makes a blade I forged with my own hands turn into this color?!"
"GAH—!! I'll kill you, you bastard!!!"
The swordsmith's furious outburst left Asuka deeply puzzled.
Could it be that he wasn't suited for Wind Breathing after all… to the point that his Nichirin Blade had faded?
"Master Haganezuka is just like that. Don't take it to heart too much." Watching the fuming swordsmith leave, Tetsushin Arisaki comforted him. "In his eyes there's only swords. He's blunt and hot-tempered, but his heart isn't bad."
"As for this color... it's certainly rare, but it's not a big deal."
Tetsushin Arisaki patted Asuka on the shoulder, his tone gentle.
"Asuka, a blade's color doesn't prove anything. As long as the one who wields it holds a heart devoted to slaying evil, any color blade can kill demons!"
Though Asuka wasn't good at social interaction, he could still hear the reassurance in his teacher's words.
A faded blade… hopefully it wouldn't bring any trouble.
Just as Teacher Arisaki was explaining how to maintain a Nichirin Blade and sharing some usage tips—
Whoosh!
A black blur shot past like lightning, catching Asuka's attention.
In the blink of an eye, a jet-black crow with half-lidded eyes suddenly landed on a nearby stone lantern.
"Oh? A Kasugai Crow." Tetsushin Arisaki introduced it. "Once you become an official Demon Slayer, you're assigned a crow partner. They're very smart—able to understand commands, communicate with people, and relay orders."
"Communicate with people… birds can talk?" Asuka asked in surprise.
"Naturally, kid." The Kasugai Crow replied coldly from atop the lantern.
It slightly raised its head, pointing its beak at Asuka as it spoke in a flat tone.
"Nanajūhachi Asuka, directive delivery!"
"Proceed immediately to the northeastern region, toward Sendai. Locate the demon and eliminate it!"
"Three swordsmen have already fallen. Exercise extreme caution!"
With that, without waiting for further questions, the crow took off—just as abruptly as it had arrived.
Asuka turned to his teacher. "Are all Kasugai Crows like this?"
"Mm… they each have their own personalities and thoughts. No two are the same." Tetsushin Arisaki nodded solemnly. "Asuka, this is your first official mission—and it's… unusual. You must be very careful."
"Unusual? Isn't it just finding a demon and killing it?"
"That's not what I mean." The old man added, "Normally, Wisteria-ranked slayers only deal with suspected disturbances or minor demons that have killed one or two people at most."
"But your very first mission is to hunt a demon that's killed three Demon Slayers. That means it's at least a Greater Demon-level existence…"
"It seems the Lord places great trust in you."
Tetsushin Arisaki didn't know whether to feel proud or worried. Being recognized by the Lord also meant handling incidents ordinary slayers couldn't—making it far more dangerous.
For Asuka, who had only just begun hunting demons, wasn't this too fast?
"I understand. When do I leave? And where is Sendai?"
Asuka himself didn't really mind. Having accepted benefits from others, it was only right to do the work. It was that simple.
"…Sendai is far, and the demon there is fierce. Rest well today. Set out tomorrow." Tetsushin Arisaki murmured calmly as he watched the crow disappear into the distance.
He had trained many disciples—some outstanding, some average, some hopeless.
But it had been a long time since a child had concerned him this much.
Even one more day would do. Let Asuka rest properly.
Turning away without meeting Asuka's eyes, he gently patted his shoulder.
"Slaying demons is our duty—and it's also to save the world of the living…"
"But if one day you're truly exhausted, come back."
"Hayama will always be your home."
With that, he said no more, quietly walking back toward the training grounds with his single arm, his figure tall yet desolate.
Caught off guard by this sudden warmth, Asuka felt at a loss. He stiffly turned around, inexplicably feeling a warmth spreading in his chest.
His throat bobbed once. In the end, he said nothing—only bowed deeply toward Tetsushin Arisaki's retreating back.
At noon the next day, Asuka finished packing—several changes of clothes, dry rations, a water flask, a whetstone, and most importantly, his twin blades.
Opening the door, the training grounds were unusually quiet. It seemed Teacher Arisaki had taken the disciples to another mountain for drills.
Asuka didn't feel disappointed. Instead, there was a strange sense of relief.
He truly wasn't good at handling scenes of sincere concern—it left him flustered.
After tying his pack, securing the twin blades at his waist, and stepping outside—
"Asuka."
A clear voice echoed from the corridor. It was Miss Rika.
Asuka stopped and turned to look at the senior sister who had always taken care of him.
"Come with me."
Rika didn't explain. She simply beckoned him over. Asuka didn't ask questions, quietly following behind her.
They didn't head toward the mountain road. Instead, they went behind the main hall of the training grounds, winding along a narrow path nearly swallowed by weeds, deep into a seldom-visited forest.
Sunlight struggled through the gaps between towering ancient trees, illuminating a small clearing ahead.
Two low graves stood side by side, covered in snow, resting quietly there.
Rika's expression turned solemn and sorrowful.
She walked to the grave on the left, gently brushing away the snow and wiping the plain gravestone, revealing deeply carved characters beneath:
Masachika Kumeno.
"This is Brother Masachika's grave…" Rika's voice was very soft, as if afraid to disturb the sleeping soul. "He… was a swordsman who left Hayama, and also the best friend of the current Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa."
"Sanemi Shinazugawa…" Of course Asuka knew that name.
He and Shinsuke had asked around. That man was known for his violent temper and for acting without listening to explanations. Even among other Demon Slayers, he was considered terrifying.
But according to Teacher Arisaki, his true nature wasn't bad—just rough in speech. Spend enough time with him and it would be fine…
That guy actually had friends… unbelievable.
"And this one…" Rika continued, "is Sister Suzune Arasaki…"
Arasaki? Asuka's pupils shrank slightly. "Teacher's child?"
"Yes… his only daughter. She was also Brother Sanemi's mentor."
"They were Teacher's and Brother Sanemi's… and also the most important people to me. For all these years, Teacher hasn't dared come here…"
"Teacher is strong, but also fragile. He must uphold a strict image, uphold the Hayama Training Grounds, and forge blades sharp enough to eradicate the demons of this world for the Demon Slayer Corps! Even if it means losing everything, he wouldn't hesitate!"
Tears shimmered in Rika's eyes. Her shoulders trembled, yet she remained strong and didn't let them fall.
"Asuka, I brought you here to tell you this—Teacher truly values you. When you're out there, you must take care of yourself. You must be careful!"
"Please don't… let this place gain another grave…"
Seeing Rika so sorrowful for the first time stirred something in Asuka's heart.
He was young, but the hardships and wandering he'd endured were no less than anyone else's. Though he wasn't good at heartfelt exchanges, he wasn't foolish.
Coldness. Distance. Vigilance. Unease.
If he could choose, he wouldn't want to live like that either. But before, he had no choice.
Now… he felt like he had a home.