26 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Haruto could have never imagined that his first day on Mt. Momoyama would unfold like this.

He had helped Kuwajima Jigorō carry the round-browed boy down to the medical clinic at the base of the mountain. To Haruto's astonishment, the boy struck by lightning was miraculously unharmed!

It wasn't long before the boy, alive and well, was energetically lamenting in front of a mirror. His black hair and eyebrows had turned a striking yellow, and he sobbed as if the world were ending.

"Why?! Why did this happen to me?!"
"Black hair was bad enough—people already looked down on me for that! Now I look hideous! How am I ever supposed to find a girl willing to marry me?!"
"Why was I struck by lightning?!"
"Why did my hair have to turn blonde?!"

Sitting on a bench nearby, Haruto felt his spirit leave his body as the wailing grew louder and more anguished.

Kuwajima Jigorō, seated beside him, looked distinctly uncomfortable. The former Thunder Hashira had specifically come to deliver a blade, but now he seemed deeply embarrassed by his young disciple's theatrics.

"Zenitsu… he's noisy, but he does have a strong resolve when it comes to the way of the sword," Kuwajima said, his voice heavy with awkwardness.

Before he could finish, another wail echoed through the house.

"I might as well die! If the lightning didn't kill me, Grandpa's hellish training will!"
"And if I somehow survive Grandpa's training, I'll die during the Final Selection on the very first day!"
"And if I survive the Final Selection, I'll just get torn apart by demons on my first mission!"
"I don't want to die! Waaaahhh!"

Haruto blinked, uncertain how to respond.

This… is his strong resolve?

He avoided meeting Jigorō's eyes, afraid the former Hashira might notice his bewilderment.

Thud. The sound of Jigorō's cane striking the floor reverberated through the room. The short old man stood and walked toward the source of the noise, his wooden prosthetic leg thumping heavily against the wooden floor.

Moments later, the house filled with ear-piercing screams that made Haruto marvel at the sheer durability of Zenitsu's vocal cords.

Not long after, Jigorō emerged, dragging the round-browed boy by the scruff of his neck. Suppressing both anger and exasperation, he headed back up the mountain.

Back on the mountain, Haruto finally had a proper chance to introduce himself and hand over the sword he had brought for Jigorō.

"Even in my seclusion, I've heard of the Star Hashira," Jigorō said. "Slaying a Lower Moon demon to earn your title, saving your comrades during battles with the Upper Moons—those are feats to be proud of."

Haruto inclined his head politely. "You flatter me. It was merely good fortune." He gestured toward the boy beside him.

"This is Genya. He's been training in the demon-slaying arts under me for some time."

Jigorō's keen eyes scrutinized Genya's build before nodding approvingly.

"A diligent and capable child, I see."

Then he pointed to the timid, yellow-haired boy cowering nearby. "And this is my disciple, Zenitsu."

Just then, the door creaked open. Another young swordsman entered, sweat dripping from his brow as if he had just endured grueling training. His cold gaze swept across the room, landing on each person in turn.

It was the haughty swordsman from earlier.

Jigorō raised his chin slightly. "Perfect timing. This is my senior disciple, Kaigaku."

Kaigaku?

Haruto's brows furrowed. The name felt oddly familiar, like he'd heard it somewhere before.

Kaigaku?!
The worst senior disciple in Demon Slayer!
The most hated character!
The disgrace of the Upper Moons!
Can Haruto just take him out now and save us all the frustration later?

Haruto shivered as the memories clicked into place. He suddenly recalled Himejima's pained expression and trembling voice: "Kaigaku… That child's name was Kaigaku."

The name belonged to the boy who had betrayed his temple, extinguishing the wisteria incense that kept demons at bay. His actions had led to the slaughter of seven children and the tragedy that shaped Himejima's life.

And now Kaigaku was here, apprenticed to the former Thunder Hashira? Did Jigorō know about his disciple's past?

And… what was this about him becoming a demon?

"Haruto, is something the matter?"

Snapped out of his thoughts by Jigorō's voice, Haruto quickly plastered on a gentle smile.

"Apologies, I was reminded of someone with a very similar name. It distracted me for a moment."

For now, Haruto decided not to reveal what he knew about Kaigaku. People tended to side with those closest to them, and he didn't want to jeopardize his relationship with Jigorō—or by extension, Urokodaki.

Kaigaku's blue eyes flicked toward Haruto, narrowing slightly in irritation.

What's so funny?

"Kaigaku, this is Haruto, the Star Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Weren't you saying you wanted to meet a current Hashira?" Jigorō said sternly.

Pfft, he wanted to meet a Hashira? Can you imagine his reaction if it were Himejima? He'd probably faint on the spot.
Kaigaku, feeling regret? Don't kid yourselves. He's probably thinking he should've apprenticed under Himejima so his master could still be a Hashira.

Kaigaku straightened, eyes glinting with ambition. A Hashira's judgment would surely be more discerning than Jigorō's. Haruto would see his potential and recognize him as someone far superior to the useless Zenitsu. Maybe he'd even take Kaigaku as his own apprentice!

But to Kaigaku's disappointment, Haruto's gaze didn't linger on him—or Zenitsu, for that matter. Instead, Haruto seemed oddly fascinated by the floor, staring at it as though it held the secrets of the universe.

If Haruto had to choose between Jigorō's two disciples, he'd probably pick Zenitsu over Kaigaku. At least Zenitsu had a conscience.

Actually, on second thought, he didn't want either of them.

Haruto had come to deliver the nichirin blade Jigorō had requested for Zenitsu. When Jigorō learned of this, he invited Haruto to stay at Mt. Momoyama for a while.

"Urokodaki tells me you're quite the glutton. Good thing the peach trees here are heavy with fruit—you can eat to your heart's content!" Jigorō said cheerfully, clapping Genya on the shoulder (or at least, as high as he could reach).

Haruto smiled wryly.

Urokodaki really doesn't keep anything to himself, does he?