Chapter 16 : 16th Stance

After a couple seconds of silence as the others stared at Takeo, the two little kids, Kiriya Ubuyashiki and Kanata Ubuyashiki, broke the silence.

"Congratulations. The 6 of you have survived for 7 days, this means that you are now demon slayers : Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma , Kanao Tsuyuri , Genya Shinazugawa and Takeo Yasushi".

Confused, Tanjiro said, "Um?....You said 6, but there's only 5 of us here".

Understanding his confusion, the two kids then stated, "One of you has already left".

During the whole time they were talking, a boy with yellow hair, known as Zenitsu Agatsuma was stressing over his future, "I'm gonna die...I'm gonna die...", he stated lowly, with a shocked expression as he recalled on his experience.

The two kids then continued, "I'm pleased you all are saf-", but were interrupted by a boy with a large scar spanning across his face known as Genya Shinazugawa.

"So? what am I supposed to do now.....where is my sword?", with an annoyed expression.

Understanding his eagerness, the two then continued, "First, we will assign you with uniforms. We will take your measurements, after that your rank will be engraved. Before they then told them the ranks :

"Mizunoto → Mizunoe → Kanoto → Kanoe → Tsuchinoto → Tsuchinoe → Hinoto → Hinoe → Kinoto → Kinoe", (From lowest rank to the highest). Ten ranks in total.

"Currently you are the lowest rank : Mizunoto", they then continued.

Quite eager to have his sword, the boy known as Genya Shinazugawa, asked, "And our swords?", before the two said, "Today you'll choose the swords ore, and then receive it in 10-15 days...

"But before that.....

CLAP! CLAP!!

CAW! CAW!

We will assign each of you your own Kasugai Crow", they said, before 4 crows and 1 sparrow began to fly around in the sky, before they landed on who they wanted to be with....

In Takeo's pocket, who currently had his eyes closed, Yuko got up and peaked out of Takeo's pocket. He instantly made eye-contact with a crow that was about to land on Takeo.

"H-!", Just as Yuko was about to swear at the crow, Takeo held his mouth closed, "Stay quiet for now....", Takeo said lowly, before the crow landed on Takeo's left shoulder.

"These crows are mainly used for communication", the two continued.

Before Zenitsu look at the sparrow on his left hand, "Did you say crow?", he asked, confused on why he didn't get one, "Isn't this a sparrow-", before he got surprised at it's attempt to attack him, because he was unintentionally mocking it.

Whilst that was happening, peaking out of his pocket, Yuko was glaring at the crow dangerously. Feeling something looking at him, the crow looked at Yuko before he chuckled and silently said, "Stupid rat~", under his breath, which didn't go unnoticed by either Takeo or Yuko.

As Takeo chuckled before he stroke the crow, "hehehe~", which did nothing but make Yuko more angry.

Whilst that was happening, Genya had the audacity to grab Kanata Ubuyashiki by the hair, and continued asking for a Nichirin sword, before Tanjiro quickly stopped them.

After that ordeal was done with, they were finally able to choose an ore, not wasting anytime Takeo picked up a random one, leaving it all to fate.

When they saw him instantly pick an ore, they were surprised with Takeo's decision, but they didn't mind him.

After a couple minutes, everyone chose their ores, but they still had to get their uniforms.

Whilst they were doing that, 'I wonder if they have the uniform in white, and then after missions it'll turn red', he thought before he asked.

"Can I get the uniform in white", he asked. After a moment, the two agreed and said, "Yes I don't see why not....but then the uniform will take longer to be made, and it'll have to brought along with your Nichirin Blade....Is that alright?", without hesitation, Takeo agreed with his cold eyes, "Yeah I'm fine with that.....".

---------------

After picking his ore, and getting the measurements for his new uniform, Takeo went on home back to the mountain with Yuko. On the way, they passed a couple of villages, using this opportunity, he bought some new robes he could wear leisurely or over his uniform.

He found some money in his masters room but never found the opportunity to use it because he hardly came down the mountain.

Anyways, after getting a couple of new robes, all with different colours, as-well as some complementary peanuts because the shop-keeper thought Yuko was cute, they finally got back home.

CREAK!

Sliding the door open, Takeo and Yuko entered their home, before they both immediately fell asleep.

--------------------

A couple of uneventful days passed, Takeo just began training like normal, whilst Yuko was mostly sleeping or eating, but every now and then he'd run around whether it was outside or inside.

And just like, 15 days passed. Today was the day his new uniform and his new Nichirin Sword would be delivered. Looking at the sword that his Master left him, even though he tried to take care of it, the fact that he'd been using it for more than 10 years was evident, as it began to slowly rust.

"Haaa!", he sighed, before he walked towards the mountain peak with the sword in his hand.

When he got up to the peak, he looked at the sword one last time, before he stuck it into the ground next to the grave. 'Take this with you master', he prayed, for a few minutes, before he walked away. He would've stayed longer, but he didn't want to accidently miss the delivery.

And he was right, as in-front of his door was a tall muscular man wearing an orange robe with a bear mask on his head.

Hearing footsteps, the man turned to his left and saw Takeo, "You must be Takeo Yasushi. I'm the one who forged your sword, I'm also here with your uniform", he said with a rough voice.

"Thank you...would you like to come inside?", Takeo asked, but instead of taking up his offer, "I'm sorry I can't, I have somewhere to be right now, but I'll stay to see what colour your sword will turn into".

Promptly handing the white uniform to Takeo, to which he quickly put inside, before Takeo took the blade from the forgers hands.

'Beautiful', Takeo thought, as he looked at the hilt and the scabbard. Streaks of purple lightning (which matched his eye colour) as-well as a red base colour, made the sword seem full of power. The handguard was rectangular in shape, mixed with the colour of red and purple and a red border.

He hadn't even opened and revealed the blade, but he could tell he was happy with its quality.

SHING!

Finally taking the blade out of the scabbard, he waited for a few moments, before a combination of purple lightning on a blood red background.

"Wow...", Takeo instinctively said lowly, as he stared at the sword for several minutes.

Snapping out of it, he looked at the forger and thanked him, "Thank you sir~", he said thankfully, before he went back inside the house after waving the forger away.

CREAK!

Closing his door, he put his sword back in his scabbard and looked at the white uniform on the table. It wasn't completely white, the borders of the uniform were black, to contrast how it usually looked like. On the back of the uniform, read "Annihilate", in bold.

"How fitting...", he said before he put it on, and placed his new sword on his side.

As if it was timed, his Kasugai Crow swooped in, landing on Takeo's hand and alerted him of a mission :

"TAKEO YASUSHI! HEAD NORTH-NORTH EAST! HEAD NORTH-NORTH EAST! A DEMON HAS BEEN ON A RAMPAGE IN A VILLAGE! HEAD THERE NOW! NOW! CAW! CAW!", The crow screamed.

Just as he was about to leave, Yuko woke up and screamed, "Don't forget me Takeo!", he shouted whilst running.

Right as he was about to hop onto his shoulder, Yuko stared at the crow on his hand, "To think you'd leave without me and go with this pea-brain".

"CAW! CAW! Who are you calling a pea brain you little rat!", the crow retorted, much to Takeo's amusement.