Shinjuro Rengoku sat at the table in the courtyard.
He had come to deliver a sword to old man Kuwajima—a final request from his father before his death.
He had just completed a mission and happened to pass by Mount Peach, so he decided to pay a visit.
The master and disciple's breakfast was simple—plain porridge with pickles and rice balls—though the sheer quantity was rather staggering.
"Senpai, you really have quite the appetite!"
Shinjuro Rengoku chuckled as he looked at the two large bowls of porridge and one bowl of rice balls on the table.
"My disciple eats a lot. Help yourself to whatever you want—make yourself at home."
"By the way, how's your father been lately?"
Old Man Kuwajima smiled, making casual conversation.
At the mention of his father, Shinjuro's brows lowered slightly, his eyes tinged with sorrow.
Seeing this, Old Man Kuwajima sighed imperceptibly, grief welling up in his heart. But he kept his expression neutral and continued eating calmly.
His old friend had left before him...
"It's my fault—I should've visited sooner!" Kuwajima Jigoro said bitterly, full of self-reproach.
"Senpai, my father passed with a smile. Please don't dwell on it!"
Shinjuro quickly reassured him, his voice as warm as the sun. He remembered his father's words—to live on with a smile.
"This sword is for you—it was my father's blade."
"Before he passed, he made me promise to deliver it to you."
He drew another sword from his waist and handed it to Old Man Kuwajima.
Just then, a lazy young voice broke the somber atmosphere.
"Yo!"
"We've got a guest!"
"Now that's something new!"
Tendo Kazama rubbed his eyes and plopped himself down at the table, grabbing a bowl of porridge and digging in without hesitation.
Old Man Kuwajima flicked his disciple on the forehead, scolding him with exasperation.
"You brat, where are your manners? Call him Uncle!"
When Tendo looked up, the porridge in his mouth nearly sprayed out.
He looked just like him!
No way—this had to be Big Bro's old man.
He'd just woken up and hadn't paid much attention, but now that he thought about it, he didn't recall the Rengoku family having any ties with the old man.
Ah well, this was a new world—minor differences were to be expected. No big deal.
Tendo wasn't bothered by small changes like this, especially when they were for the better.
"Young man, you sure can eat! A hearty appetite is a blessing!"
Instead of being annoyed by the boy's staring, Shinjuro laughed and praised him.
"My son's about your age. You should meet him sometime."
"Uncle, I'd love to!"
Tendo excitedly grabbed Shinjuro's large hand—of course he wanted to meet him, that was Big Bro we were talking about!
"You little rascal, stop being so disrespectful! Get off the table!"
Old Man Kuwajima kicked Tendo off the table, his temper flaring. If not for the guest, he would've resorted to violence.
"Old man, at least give me some face in front of others!"
Tendo shot him a resentful look, rubbing his backside.
"I knew your uncle's father—he's not an outsider."
Just seeing his disciple eased the old man's sorrow a little.
The departed were gone—what mattered now was cherishing those still here.
Shinjuro watched the master and disciple with a smile. Their bond was heartwarming, and it put him at ease.
Though, as his father had said, Kuwajima really was fiery-tempered and unconstrained by formalities.
Shinjuro stayed on Mount Peach until noon.
After lunch, he prepared to take his leave.
Suddenly, a black Kasugai Crow landed on his shoulder—a highly intelligent, speech-capable creature used by the Demon Slayer Corps for communication.
"Rengoku, Rengoku! Hachijojima, west-northwest! A demon is eating people!"
"Understood!"
Shinjuro Rengoku patted the Kasugai Crow's little head and immediately set off for Hachijojima.
Tendo also heard the report delivered by the crow. He turned to his master with a serious expression and asked earnestly:
"Master, can I go with him?"
Hachijojima—he had a reason he needed to go. Because the future Serpent Hashira was there.
According to the original events, he would be saved by the former Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku.
But the slight shift in the timeline made Tendo uneasy.
He was here to erase regrets.
He didn't want to leave any behind, nor did he want any accidents to happen.
Old Man Jigoro was stunned.
In the twelve years he had known his disciple, this was the first time he had seen such an expression on the boy's face.
Though he didn't know what was going on, he knew it must be important to his disciple. No matter how reluctant he felt, a fledgling eagle must eventually take to the skies.
"Be careful. Stick close to the Flame Hashira, and don't push yourself!"
"I know you're talented, but you're not Hashira-level yet. Don't overestimate yourself!"
"Eh?!"
"Old man, you're letting me go?" Tendo was momentarily taken aback.
Old Man Jigoro shot his disciple a glare and grumbled, "Wait a moment!"
Soon, the old man tossed him a bundle and a Nichirin Blade.
Inside the bundle were freshly made rice balls from that morning and some money.
"Master, you planned this all along!"
"As expected of my master—always scheming ahead! Your disciple is in awe!"
Tendo grinned as he took the bundle, spouting some nonsensical flattery. By the time the old man could react, he had already bolted.
"You little brat! Don't think you can escape coming home! Just you wait!"
The old man stood at the doorway, cursing as he watched his wayward disciple's retreating figure. Only when Tendo's silhouette vanished did he seem to shrink slightly.
"You damn kid… stay safe."
Old Man Jigoro knew that kind of talent was born for slaying demons. But watching the child he had raised as his own set off on a journey—how could a grandfather not worry?
This was the complicated emotion unique to elders.
On the path leading down from Mount Peach, streaks of crimson-gold lightning rippled through the air. The speed of a Hashira was too fast—Tendo had to use his sword techniques just to keep up.
He knew full well that mere training wasn't enough. Only real combat was the best teacher.
"Hey, old man! Wait for me!"
Shinjuro Rengoku rubbed his ear, muttering to himself, "Huh? Did I just hear Tendo's voice?"
"Purgatory, Purgatory! Look behind you!" the Kasugai Crow cawed loudly.
"Oh?"
He turned his head and was met with a shocking sight—a figure wreathed in crimson-gold lightning was charging toward him at an astonishing speed.
Fighting Spirit?
To have honed Fighting Spirit at such a young age! Shinjuro burst into excited laughter, shouting:
"A genius!"
"Old Man Jigoro's disciple is truly a genius!"
He slowed his pace, allowing Tendo to finally catch up.
"Old man, can I come with you on this mission?"
Rengoku studied Tendo closely. "But you haven't even taken the Final Selection yet."
"Slaying demons is a matter of life and death!"It wasn't an exaggeration on his part, as the mortality rate in the Demon Slayer Corps was extremely high.
"As long as I can exterminate all the demons in this world, I won't hesitate to give my life!"
Tendo said calmly, the unwavering determination in his eyes startling Shinjuro Rengoku.
This kid was truly extraordinary.
"Old man, the only way to grow is through real combat. I won't cause you any trouble!" Tendo assured him.
"Hahahaha, what a spirited kid! Let's go!"
"I won't go easy on you, brat!"
Shinjuro Rengoku laughed heartily, deeply moved. The Demon Slayer Corps had found a worthy successor.