Anime/Manga: Bankai Starting with Demon Slayer

The birds listened quietly.

Of the children around his age, he had only met Kenichi and Rika before.

It was the first time he had ever realized that even the powerful Demon Slayer Corps members had such helplessness and limitations, and that breathing techniques were such difficult to learn.

"I'm not a genius, and I have nothing to envy..." he said calmly, his tone much gentler. "I'm just trying to survive."

Shinsuke looked at his calm face and nodded. "Yes, we survived..."

"What are your plans after this? Once you're healed, will you go back to Hayama, or...?"

The bird's gaze fell upon the distant sky, and it remained silent for a long time.

Going back to Hayama...Won't Arasaki-sensei be disappointed?

He promised to return alive, even if it was in this humiliating way... but he did survive...

"Nosuke."

"Ok?"

"Please pass on a message to Arashi-sensei in Hayama for me..." Asuka turned her gaze to Shinsuke, her usually wary eyes now showing a rare hint of apology and unease.

"I'm so sorry that Asuka couldn't participate in this year's selection and disappointed him."

Chapter 17 Special Quotas

It was fifteen days later when Asuka saw Shinsuke again.

The afternoon sun shone lazily on the bird, which was dressed in coarse old clothes, making it feel warm and cozy.

Asuka gripped the Nichirin Blade, extending it evenly to adapt to her recovering body.

"Buddha above, you're truly made of iron..."

Aunt Matsumoto sat under the eaves, pounding medicine with a pestle and sighing, "Back then, my husband was gored in the leg by a wild boar and couldn't get up for three months. You've recovered almost completely in such a short time!"

The bird slowly came to a stop and exhaled a long, turbid breath.

He was actually a little puzzled; two weeks had indeed gone by too quickly.

Although he felt that he was indeed a bit tough, he shouldn't be tough to this extent.

Is it because of the nature of my wandering soul... or is it because of that sword...?

When he first liberated his spiritual pressure, he discovered that his spiritual pressure seemed to have a strong predatory desire, taking some of the other person's energy to nourish himself.

Is it because it stole the power that belonged to the Red Swamp?

Asuka shook her head, temporarily setting aside these thoughts, and said calmly, "It's Aunt Matsumoto's medicine that's good."

However, the woman was clearly unmoved by such flattery, and instead looked at the bird's sturdy body with amazement:

"It's so good to be young, but don't take your good health for granted! You must always be more careful and take care of your health in the future, my child."

Just then, a familiar, slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, along with Rintaro's signature loud voice:

"Aunt Matsumoto! Asuka brothers! We're back!"

Asuka looked up and saw that the people who came were Rintaro and Akemi, whom he had met once before, as well as Shinsuke, whom he knew better.

They looked travel-worn, their Demon Slayer uniforms stained with mud and bits of grass, and appeared somewhat exhausted.

When Shinsuke saw Asuka, his eyes lit up, and he exuded a sense of relief and excitement after completing a great mission.

He led the two of them over quickly, with Rintaro carrying a bulging cloth bag on his shoulder.

"Good day, everyone." Asuka puffed out her cheeks and gave the three a cold greeting.

"Looks like you're recovering very well! Great, great! I told you you should just focus on getting better!"

"...Hayama, you're a few days late. What trouble did you run into?"

Shinsuke scratched his head, a hint of slyness and a touch of pride in his smile:

"There wasn't any trouble, it's just... we went in a little roundabout way." He stepped aside, gesturing for Rintaro to come forward.

Rintaro carefully took off the cloth bag and peeled it open layer by layer. Inside was a brand new piece of clothing that was folded neatly—the Demon Slayer Corps uniform!

The deep black fabric, as dark as night, gleamed softly in the sunlight, and felt unexpectedly cool to the touch.

The back of the top is embroidered with the striking character "滅" (destroy) in white linen thread, while the cuffs and hem are woven with a special technique to create a dense, subtle wisteria pattern that is even and full of power.

Beside the team uniform, a badge bearing the Kui crest, symbolizing the identity of a Demon Slayer Corps member, lay quietly.

It is made of brass, heavy, and the edges are polished smooth and shiny.

"This is..." Asuka was stunned. Of course he knew what it was. Wasn't this the kind of uniform that Shinsuke and the others were wearing?

According to Shinsuke, the Demon Slayer Corps' uniforms are specially made, which not only have excellent breathability and can withstand the cold and heat, but also prevent demons of intermediate level or lower from harming the members' bodies.

"Here you go! Asuka!" Rintaro gave Asuka a thumbs-up in a loud voice.

Akemi nodded vigorously from the side, "This was personally approved by the Lord! Don't worry!"

Shinsuke added, "After returning to Hayama and telling you about your situation, I took Mr. Arasaki's handwritten letter and these two guys and made a special trip to Fujisayama! I also submitted a detailed report to the [Hidden] Division, which is in charge of the final selection, and to the Ubuyashiki Otaku!"

“We reported everything that happened by the stream, especially your solo slaying of the great demon known as Red Swamp!”

He lifted the black team uniform, his tone filled with respect:

"You can slay a powerful demon with blood demon arts who has devoured more than fifty people, a trainee whose strength far surpasses that of ordinary demons! In addition, you have the courage to face enemies alone, and the determination to fulfill your promise even when you are seriously injured. You don't need to participate in the Fujisayama selection to prove anything!"

"Asuka! The Lord has given the order to make an exception and admit you into the Demon Slayer Corps. You are now a qualified Demon Hunter!"

With that, he handed the clothes that represented his identity as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps to Asuka and pinned the badge to his chest.

My lord...

This person has been mentioned many times by Shinsuke and Arashi-sensei, and seems to be a wise and tolerant leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Unexpectedly, the other party would make an exception for a complete stranger, which was beyond Asuka's expectations.

What kind of person is he...?

Asuka weighed the seemingly light uniform, yet one that represented the weight of responsibility, and a strange mix of emotions welled up inside her.

Do I consider myself to have an organization and powerful backers?

He had once joined a gang in Rukongai, but he was either forced to do evil things against his conscience or driven away by the equally cruel exploitation within the gang.

Would this Demon Slayer Corps be a good place to stay...?

“…Thank you.” Asuka’s voice was a little hoarse. He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Shinsuke, Rintaro, and Akemi. “Thank you.”

"Hey, what are you thanking me for!" Rintaro slapped Asuka on the shoulder and chuckled. "From now on, we're comrades! Remember to look out for your brother when you're slaying demons!"

"Hey! Rintaro! Asuka's body!" Akemi glared at him angrily.

"Ah! I'm so sorry!"

The four of them made a ruckus for a while, and then Shinsuke told Asuka that the Demon Slayer Corps members still needed to choose the [Tamagan] for forging their Nichirin Blades. So, although it was a bit troublesome, he still had to make a trip to Mount Fujisa to see if he could find the right steel for himself after the trial was over.

Asuka nodded and put the Demon Slayer Corps uniform over her coarse cloth clothes.

He turned around and bowed deeply to Aunt Matsumoto, who was sitting under the eaves and nodding repeatedly to him.

"Aunt Matsumoto, thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

Asuka's words were earnest, and Aunt Matsumoto wiped her eyes, her face showing both relief and reluctance. "Good child... after wearing this outfit... be even more careful! Come back to visit more often when you have time!"

The bird nodded emphatically.

Several days later, in front of the mountain gate at Yeshan.

As dusk settled, the last rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow across the training field.

The trainees had long since left, and now only Arashizaki Teshin stood with his back to the gate, wielding a heavy wooden sword with his remaining right arm, slowly adjusting his breathing as he faced the distant mountains bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

The footsteps stopped outside the courtyard gate.

Arasaki didn't turn around. His weathered face was indistinct in the shadows of the setting sun; only his deep, resonant voice rang out, revealing no emotion.

"late."

"Teacher, I'm back."

Arashizaki Tesshin finally turned around slowly, his deep eyes scanning the newcomer inch by inch.

My gaze swept over the brand-new black team uniform that marked him as a formal team member.

It swept past the gleaming Gui-patterned badge on his chest.

Finally, it landed on the face—that young face that had lost some of its gloom and wariness, and gained more composure and restraint.

"Is your injury any better?"

"Yes, thanks to Aunt Matsumoto's care, there are no major problems now."

"Hmm... It's good that you're back."

Arashi's stern gaze softened as he slowly walked towards him.

Before the birds could even react, the resolute old man pulled him into his arms with his one arm.

"...You're such a troublesome kid."

Chapter 18 The Colorless Blade

The morning mist was blown away by the wind, and the training ground was already full of people, but they were all yawning and complaining.

"Raise your arm higher, push harder!" Asuka passed Kenichi, her tone showing no intention of going easy on him out of consideration for their acquaintance. Instead, she spoke with a sharp, stern tone, like a stern, menacing gaze.

Kenichi frowned, his body tensing up subconsciously as he tried to straighten his arms as Asuka had instructed.

Imagine the wind as an extension of your arm...

Another person passed by, and Asuka, as always, shared his understanding with the other person without reservation. However, his requirements for the movements were quite demanding, and most people could not meet them.

As Rika walked toward the training field, she smiled as she watched the groans and complaints from the players.

Ever since Arashizaki-sensei handed over the morning exercise work at the training center to Asuka, everyone has been getting up earlier and earlier each day.

During this time, Asuka continued to hone her sword techniques with Arasaki-sensei while also trying to share her experiences with everyone at the training center.

Rika could tell that ever since Asuka became a full member of the Demon Slayer Corps, the teacher had been planning to retire.

They're either grooming him to be a "stepchild," a new "pillar," or they're planning to have him take over the training center...

As for Rika, she only wanted to stay quietly in Hayama, tending to the graves of her older brother Kōchin and her older sister Suzune...

"Bird, there is a visitor in the guest room who specifically asked for you."

She called out to the birds that were being trained, which caused a burst of cheers in the room.

Visitors? Looking for me? Asuka was a little confused. He didn't know many people here, and it was so early. Who would come?

He opened the door to the main room, and the morning sunlight slanted in, shining on Professor Arashizaki in the main seat and the people in front of him.

The person was wearing a simple kimono, with a loose-fitting long robe with a sun pattern over it, and a large straw hat on their head with several wind chimes hanging from it.

As the bird pushed open the door and entered, the person looked up, revealing a strangely shaped mask with a round face, puffed cheeks, and a half-smile... a clown mask?

Before him lay a long, narrow wooden box wrapped in gray cloth.

"Asuka, who is this...?"

"My name is Steel Tomb."

Before Arashi could even begin his introduction, the strange man interrupted him, his deep voice echoing from behind his mask:

"I crafted this sword myself and brought it with me personally."

A katana? Oh, you must be a craftsman who forges Nichirin swords.

Asuka closed the door, and at Arashizaki Tesshin's prompting, bowed to the visitor and sat down in front.

When he rushed to Fujisayama, the selection was already over. So he could only randomly pick one of the remaining tamagotsu for his colleague from the Hidden Division. He was told that someone would deliver the sword to his door in fifteen days at the earliest.

"Thank you, I am..."

"This is the Nichirin Blade... a blade I forged!" Kotetsuka interrupted everyone else once again, starting to unpack the cloth bag in front of him.

Asuka and Arashizaki exchanged a glance, and the other simply shook his head helplessly. Then, Kotetsuka continued:

"The Nichirin Blade is forged from the minerals closest to the sun—[Gorilla Crimson Sand Iron] and [Gorilla Crimson Ore]—making it an excellent material capable of absorbing sunlight and using it to slay demons..."

"I've heard that you didn't defeat the demon with a Nichirin Blade. How did you do it?"