Sakonji Urokodaki lived in a small hut at the foot of Mt. Sagiri, where he trained candidates for the Demon Slayer Corps. A tengu mask always concealed his face.
He was standing quietly in front of his hut, lost in thought.
His eldest disciple had died a week ago… in a confrontation with an Upper Moon.
'Even Akihito fell…'
'Can we ever win?'
'How many more lives… will be lost?'
His fists clenched unconsciously.
He remembered another disciple—one who had gone to the Final Selection.
'Makomo… please come back safely.'
For a moment, the former Hashira looked… tired.
Not physically.
But something far deeper.
He had reached his limit.
He couldn't endure another loss.
"Sensei."
A voice broke through his thoughts.
Urokodaki turned—
—and froze.
At the end of the narrow path stood a familiar figure.
"Ma… Makomo…"
His voice trembled.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'm glad… you came back safely…"
His grip tightened slightly, as if afraid she might disappear.
Makomo smiled softly and hugged him back, gently patting his back.
After a few moments, he slowly pulled away.
Only then did he notice—
She wasn't alone.
His gaze shifted… and landed on the silver-haired boy standing behind her.
The boy was already looking at him.
Calm.
Observant.
"Sensei, meet my friend—Jin."
"And Jin, this is my master… a former Hashira."
Urokodaki glanced back at Makomo.
There was something different.
A faint light in her eyes.
'She never smiled… after Sabito's death.'
'It's good…'
'She's finally returning to herself.'
"Nice to meet you, sir. I am Kawahire Jin."
Jin bowed slightly.
Polite.
But not submissive.
"Good to see you safe, young one. Passing the Final Selection is already a great achievement."
"I survived because of him," Makomo added quickly. "He's very strong… and he wants to train. So I brought him here."
Makomo explained everything, and Urokodaki just stood there and listened to her report.
Urokodaki listened quietly.
Then gave a small nod.
"You are welcome here, Jin."
"And… thank you for protecting my disciple."
"No problem, sir. Anyone would've done the same."
A simple reply.
No arrogance.
No false humility.
Urokodaki turned his gaze back to Makomo.
She immediately lowered her head, bracing herself.
"And Makomo…"
"…from now on, you will focus more on mental training than physical."
"YES!"
Her response was instant.
Satisfied, Urokodaki turned and walked toward the hut.
Both of them followed.
Exhaustion quickly caught up—
—and before long, they were asleep.
-
Next Day
The sun had just begun to rise.
In an open clearing, surrounded by tall trees—
*Clack!
*Clack!
Wooden swords collided.
Jin and Makomo were sparring.
"So… Giyu left after Sabito's death?"
Jin sidestepped, narrowly avoiding her strike, and countered toward her torso.
Makomo blocked smoothly.
"Yes… he was very close to Sabito."
"…even though he had more talent."
'More like… extreme talent.'
Jin thought silently.
'Sabito's death just… pushed him further.'
They exchanged a few more blows—
sharp,
precise,
controlled.
Then—
Both stepped back.
They understood.
Next strike decides it.
"Water Breathing: First Form—"
"Water Surface Slash!"
They lunged simultaneously.
*Clash!
Their wooden swords shattered upon impact.
Momentum carried their bodies forward—
—and they crashed into each other.
Rolling across the ground.
'…This cliché situation…'
Jin lay flat on his back.
Makomo… was on top of him.
Trying—and failing—to get up.
For a few seconds—
awkward silence.
Then—
she scrambled up, face completely red—
—and dashed toward the hut.
Jin just stared at her retreating figure.
'…My back hurts like hell.'
A pause.
'But…'
He recalled the moment.
'…Worth it.'
-
20 Days Later
Jin had already told Urokodaki about his special physique.
His Water Breathing had improved significantly—
…but compared to Makomo, he still lacked refinement.
*tingtingling
Two figures entered the hut alongside Urokodaki.
They wore spotted robes, with faces hidden behind Hyottoko masks, and hats adorned with wind chimes.
"Hello, young slayers. I am Rokuro… and this is my younger brother, Haruto."
"Likewise, Rokuro-san, Haruto-san."
"I've forged Miss Makomo's blade… and my brother has forged yours."
"He doesn't speak, so I'll answer your questions."
Rokuro set down a wooden box and opened it.
Inside—
a beautifully crafted sword.
Blue hilt.
A rose engraved at its center.
He handed it to Makomo.
"This is a Nichirin Blade."
"It changes color… according to its wielder."
"Please, draw it."
Makomo unsheathed it.
Held it firmly.
Moments passed—
Then—
a soft glow.
The blade began to shift.
Blue…
then deeper—
until the edges shimmered with a clear sky-blue hue.
"Ah… beautiful."
"An azure blade."
Makomo smiled, lightly swinging it.
"It feels perfect. Thank you, Rokuro-san."
"No need for thanks."
"We simply forge blades… to destroy demons."
"It's our duty."
He turned.
"Haruto."
Haruto stepped forward, placing another box down.
He opened it—
and presented Jin's sword.
Jin accepted it quietly.
All eyes were on him.
He slowly unsheathed the blade.
Silence.
One second.
Two.
Five minutes passed.
Nothing.
No glow.
No change.
"…Impossible."
Even Urokodaki muttered.
Jin frowned slightly.
'What's missing?'
He could feel his energy entering the blade—
—but it returned.
Rejected.
'…Then let's try something else.'
Without hesitation—
He ran his fingers along the blade.
*Slice.
Blood dripped onto the steel.
"JIN—!"
"What are you doing?!"
Makomo stepped forward—
—but stopped.
Jin ignored her.
Focused.
'I can feel it…'
'A connection.'
'Now—'
He channeled his energy again.
This time—
The blade responded.
A blinding light erupted.
Everyone instinctively shut their eyes.
When the light faded—
Silence.
A pure…
snow-white blade.
"…A white blade?"
Rokuro whispered.
"Like mist users?"
Urokodaki shook his head slowly.
"No."
"Mist blades only turn white at the edges…"
"This…"
"…is something else."
Haruto stood still—
But his body subtly trembled.
Excitement.
Even through the mask.
"Master Jin…"
Rokuro spoke again.
"This is… a remarkable color."
"It represents what we fight for."
"Peace."
Jin looked at the blade.
Then quietly sheathed it.
Both he and Makomo bowed.
"Thank you."
"We will do our best."
That evening, the swordsmiths left.
Urokodaki prepared dinner.
Jin and Makomo sat nearby.
"Now that you both have your blades… your missions will arrive soon."
"Be ready."
"Makomo."
"Yes!"
"Trust your abilities. And never lose your composure."
"I will remember, Sensei."
He nodded.
Then looked at Jin.
"You are… exceptional."
"Your versatility makes you dangerous."
A pause.
"But never underestimate demons."
"Especially the Demon Moons."
"They always have… something hidden."
"HAI."
-
One Week Later
The forest echoed with the sound of sparring—
when suddenly—
*Caw!Squawk!
A crow…
and a parrot…
landed before them.
Jin narrowed his eyes.
Makomo straightened.
"…A mission."