Anime/Manga: Bankai Starting with Demon Slayer

"Ugh!!! Are we about to start the mission? I suddenly feel a little dizzy..."

"Ha! Finally, I can leave the nest! This great master is going to cause a great disturbance!"

Last night, Asuka was learning simple and effective medical first aid from Shinobu Kocho, as well as how to more effectively use breathing techniques to stop ruptured blood vessels in the body.

Crack!

The hawk fluttered its wings and landed outside his door.

"Good evening, Shinobu Kocho, Shichihachi Asuka, the moon is beautiful tonight."

Asuka turned her head and found that it wasn't her own raven, but a raven wearing a purple scarf with a voice full of intelligence.

Before Asuka could reply, Shinobu Kocho greeted her with a smile, "Good evening, Mr. Messenger."

Kasugai nodded and looked at Asuka: "Nice to meet you, Asuka. I am Kasugai of Ubuyashiki Kagaya. You may call me messenger."

Messenger? My lord?

"Although I would like to enjoy the moonlight with you two, business is more important. Seventy-eight Flying Birds, convey the order:"

"The number of victims of the Mugen Train has increased, with more than forty people still missing, including members of the Demon Slayer Corps."

"Please head to Saitama Prefecture in the west, meet up with Kyojuro Rengoku at the scene, find the demon and defeat it!"

"The above is the message."

Unlimited Train....

Asuka looked at Shinobu Kocho and asked seriously, "Shinobu, what is a train?"

This is not a joke; Asuka really doesn't know.

Since he left the mountain, he has always traveled on foot when carrying out fieldwork, rarely even taking a carriage, let alone... a train?

Seeing the crow's puzzled expression, Butterfly Shinobu covered her mouth and chuckled, "Mr. Envoy, there's no need to be surprised. Asuka has been training in the mountains and hasn't been exposed to many things."

"I see. Forgive my rudeness." The messenger smoothed the fine feathers on his head with his wings and continued, "In short, I hope you will hurry to Saitama and meet with the Flame Pillar to investigate the ins and outs of this matter. Be careful in everything you do."

"By the way, sir, could a few more people join us?"

"Oh? Lord Insect Pillar also wishes to participate in the mission? Are three Pillars a bit...?"

"It wasn't me, it was Tanjiro and the others," Shinobu Kocho explained. "These three children have recovered. They are growing very fast, so perhaps they can take on more challenging missions to improve themselves."

"In addition, Tanjiro once said that his family has a Kagura dance similar to the 'Breath of Fire'. I think Mr. Rengoku might be able to give him some guidance."

Upon hearing the words "Breath of Fire," Kasugai narrowed his eyes: "...I know that's true."

It nodded and responded on behalf of Lord Ubuyashiki: "Asuka, as a Class A swordsman and a junior Hashira, you are capable of leading the Demon Slayer Corps on missions. Therefore, I entrust Tanjiro and the other two to you."

"Understood. Shall we set off now?"

"Of course, the sooner the better, after all, the Infinite Train is running every day, and we don't know if anyone else will disappear."

"Okay, then I'll start now..."

Shinobu Kocho stopped Asuka, who was about to get up and go find Tanjiro and the others, saying, "Wait a minute, Asuka."

She looked at the messenger, Kasugai: "Let's set off tomorrow. Asuka doesn't even know how to get to Saitama Prefecture. Let's make preparations first."

"Hmm, you make a good point. Well then, farewell. Goodnight, sirs."

The messenger merely conveyed the order and did not force the birds to carry it out immediately. After giving a polite greeting, it flapped its wings and flew away.

The Butterfly House fell silent again.

"Asuka, this is your first time leading a team, remember..."

The night wind blows gently; parting is inevitable.

The time spent at the Butterfly Mansion was one of the few leisurely periods in Asuka's life.

This kind of warm interaction, and the occasional meaningless chat with other people, is actually quite nice.

Asuka listened attentively as Shinobu Kocho explained the route to Saitama Prefecture, the local customs and people she might need to be aware of along the way, and the details of how she, as the team leader, should arrange things for her team members...

In particular, Shinobu Kocho mentioned that now that she has become the captain, she cannot only focus on her own battles.

Protecting one's subordinates and ordinary people around them is a leader's duty.

Seeing Shinobu's serious expression, Asuka suddenly felt a little disappointed.

How wonderful it would be if there were no ghosts, no battles, and no evil beings who use their power to do evil. Everyone could live a peaceful and quiet life.

I spent a sleepless night.

The next morning, after Tanjiro and the others had completed their final test, Asuka told them the details of the mission.

"I'm the team leader for this mission. If you encounter any danger, you don't need to fight. Let me handle it." Asuka calmly commanded, "I will protect you. Don't worry."

"Huh?! I don't need anyone to protect me!" Inosuke was clearly unconvinced.

Although he knew that Asuka was a pretty formidable character, he had never witnessed it firsthand, so he completely disregarded the so-called "quasi-pillar".

In his opinion, he might be a little better than Uoga Gonpachiro at most, but compared to Inosuke-sama who is giving it his all, he is probably still a little lacking!

Asuka nodded: "Yes, there will be many ordinary people on the train. Inosuke, you also need to take responsibility and protect the vulnerable civilians!"

"Tch, of course!"

"Mr. Asuka, could the ghosts on this bus... be from Ghost Month?" Zenitsu asked with some concern. "Forty people are missing, and they don't look like ordinary ghosts at all..."

“I don’t know, but I will kill him.”

Asuka tightened her belt, "Let's hurry, we need to get to Saitama."

"Yes!" Tanjiro replied solemnly, tightening his mesh haori.

Before leaving, the group and the Butterfly House were filled with a sense of unease and intrigue.

Tanjiro looked at Kanao and encouraged her with great enthusiasm: "Go for it, Kanao! The human heart is the driving force! The heart can become infinitely strong!"

"Be sure to follow your heart and take good care of your health!"

"...You too, have a safe journey."

Huh? Kanao-neechan is talking to a stranger?

Butterfly House's Ichiro T didn't understand what had happened and looked in the direction of the two in disbelief.

"I'm telling you, don't always eat random things, it'll ruin your health."

"Haha! I am the master of this mountain, how could I possibly get an upset stomach?"

"Stop talking nonsense, here you go."

On the other side, the girl from the Butterfly Mansion, with her hair in pigtails and adorned with a blue butterfly hair accessory, helplessly shoved a lunchbox into Inosuke's arms.

"These are normal rice balls. Eat these if you're hungry. Don't pick and eat the fruit!"

She is Kanzaki Aoi, and one of the Butterfly Mansion members who were in charge of Tanjiro and the other two's rehabilitation training during this period.

Although she appears cold, she is actually very warm-hearted and always cares about the health of the three of them.

"Wow, I want to eat it right now!"

"No way! You idiot!"

Seeing their noisy antics, Butterfly couldn't help but laugh.

That smile wasn't faked; Asuka could sense the happiness emanating from her.

"Let's go, Ren."

"Okay, take care on your journey."

Shinobu Kocho handed several test tubes filled with a brown liquid to Asuka:

"This contains some traditional Chinese medicine to help you sleep. If you feel that your nightmares are getting worse, drink one bottle before bed next time, and it can temporarily relieve them."

"Thank you, I will be careful."

"Asuka..." Shinobu Kocho withdrew her hand, a hint of worry in her eyes: "Be careful, and remember our promise."

Asuka nodded seriously and extended her little finger to her.

Although they didn't say anything, they both understood each other perfectly.

The four of them rushed down the mountain and headed west.

In the distance, even larger dark clouds are gathering.

Chapter 52 The Infinite Train

"Hello... hello hello hello... this... this this this!!!"

"What kind of creature is that?!"

In Saitama Prefecture, at Omiya Station, Asuka and her party, weary from their journey of several days, finally arrived before their mission target.

Looking at this colossal steel beast, entirely black and cast from steel, with the word "Infinite" emblazoned on its front, Inosuke was too excited to speak.

He pointed excitedly at the carriage of the Infinite Train: "Is that... the Lord of the Earth! The guy who rules this land!"

"Huh? What are you talking about? This is a train! A train is..."

"There's no mistake... that terrifying power... stay alert! This thing seems to be asleep! We can't let our guard down!"

"So this isn't it at all..."

Zenitsu, with a pained expression, was still trying to explain the concept of a steam train to Inosuke, who had already gripped the Nichirin Blade at his waist, ready to engage in a direct battle with the behemoth.

"Beast Breathing - Part Three..."

"Wait! Inosuke!" Tanjiro stopped Inosuke. "Don't do anything rash. He might be the guardian deity of this land!"

"Wait... what are you two doing..." Zenitsu looked at the two speechlessly, shocked that there could be such isolated people: "This is a train! A train, you know? It's the same as a regular train! You two are from the same country!"

He looked at the bird, trying to seek some help, but found that the bird was also lost in thought:

"This is the train... Why is there an animal pulling it...?"

"It's over...this mission is over..." Zenitsu thought from the bottom of his heart.

However, just before Inosuke was about to cause an even bigger disturbance, Asuka still managed to fulfill some of her role as captain:

"Let's not talk about that now, let's get on the train." He gestured with his chin, indicating to his team members to look at the railway police officers with rifles on the platform in the distance: "Although these people are no good at catching ghosts, we can still catch people illegally carrying knives. Don't cause trouble."

As he spoke, he carefully stepped onto the train aisle, searching for his seat.

"Mr. Asuka, that's the first class area! Ours is over here!" Zenitsu sheathed his Nichirin Blade and anxiously followed behind, pointing out the way to the group of people who had never ridden a train before.

The sun gradually set, and the train moved forward slowly.

The train involved in the accident was a nighttime Joetsu Line special train that originated in Saitama Prefecture and terminated at Niigata.

The terrain along the way was complex, passing through many mountain tunnels, and the misty atmosphere added to the gloomy atmosphere.

Therefore, some people have speculated that the disappearance of these passengers was due to the Ministry of Railways angering the mountain god by quarrying rocks and laying railway lines...

"Let's go."

The passengers were all seated, and Asuka was about to begin her mission: "First, find Flame Pillar and rendezvous with him."

Strangely enough, Asuka had already unleashed her spiritual pressure before even getting into the car.

This car has a strong ghostly aura, but its source cannot be found.

With each step he took, Asuka felt as if he were stepping on a demon's body, a feeling that made him very uncomfortable.

Is it hidden somewhere in the car? Or... is it an Upper Moon demon? A remnant of its demonic aura left behind because of its overwhelming power? How strange.

We need to find the Flame Pillar immediately and quickly identify the problem here.

"Hey! Toriyachiro! Let's have a match!" Inosuke excitedly pounded on the carriage wall, making muffled thuds that drew the attention of several passengers nearby.

"How about we jump out and race the Lord of the Earth! This thing is huge! Awesome!"

"Inosuke, keep your voice down!" Zenitsu quickly grabbed him, glancing nervously around. "We can't cause a commotion!"

The four of them walked through the narrow aisle of the train car, searching for the blond figure.

However, Tanjiro's expression always seemed a bit strange.

He always felt there was a faint, lingering smell in the air that made him feel drowsy.

"Don't let your guard down, there's a ghost in this car." Asuka noticed Tanjiro's expression and whispered a reminder.