Tatsuya looked at Obanai, who was resting against the rock, and spoke again: "Obanai, are you sure you don't want a recommendation letter? Master Kuwajima at Mount Momoyama has a temper like a powder keg, but his teaching is top-tier—I'm living proof. Or you could go to Mr. Urokodaki at Mount Sagiri. He's a very gentle senior, and Water Breathing is a style that fits almost anyone."
Obanai cradled Kaburamaru in his arms, his mismatched eyes cast downward. His voice was soft but exceptionally firm. "No, Tatsuya. You've already dragged me out of that cage and saved my life twice over. I don't want to pile up any more debts of gratitude."
"Oh, come on! One more debt won't kill you," Tatsuya tried to lighten the mood. "Do I look like the type to keep a ledger? What's a little more between friends?"
"It matters to me," Obanai interrupted, leaving no room for negotiation. "This is my burden. I want to stand on my own two feet from here on out."
Tatsuya saw the unyielding resolve in the boy's eyes and knew further persuasion was futile. He shrugged and offered a smile of understanding. "Fine, fine. You've got a stubborn streak, I'll give you that. If that's your choice, follow it. But whichever path you take, remember: staying alive is the priority. Be smart when you're hunting demons." He patted Obanai's shoulder.
"As for how to handle the Iguro family... since the police haven't done anything despite all the disappearances, they're clearly unreliable. I'll think of something. I know some friends who come from a family of doctors; they deal with all sorts of people. Maybe they'll have some clever ideas."
Obanai nodded vigorously. "Alright. I'll wait for your word!"
Beside them, Shinjuro Rengoku watched the interaction with a broad, approving smile, offering a silent nod of respect.
Tatsuya and Shinjuro were both exceptionally fast on their feet, and with Tatsuya acting as a "temporary mount" for Obanai, the group cleared the deep mountains by noon the following day.
Rare winter sunlight bathed the courtyard of a nearby Wisteria House. Tatsuya, Shinjuro, and Obanai sat around a table, resting over a simple meal of rice balls. Suddenly, the familiar beating of wings and a noisy cackle descended from the sky.
"Caw—! Tatsuya! Tatsuya!" Shiun-sai dove down, landing precisely on the edge of the table. He puffed out his chest and recited rhythmically:
"Peach and plum lack a heart of stone / Let lightning strike where seeds are sown / Against the falls, the mind is grown!"
"Caw—! Master Kuwajima says: 'Do as you please! But if you dare disgrace Mount Momoyama, I'll give you what for! I'll hang you under the waterfall and use you as a punching bag!'"
Yep, a classic Jigoro Kuwajima response, Tatsuya thought, feeling phantom pains from where "Thunder Breathing: Small Pebbles" usually hit him.
Obanai froze mid-chew. He stared at the spirited crow with wide eyes. "It... it can recite haikus?! That's incredible!"
He immediately looked down at the white snake in his arms. "Kaburamaru, I want one of those! Learn it!"
After receiving a look of pure disdain from the snake's slitted pupils, Obanai turned back to Tatsuya, his eyes filled with wonder and a trace of hidden envy. "If I join the Corps... can everyone get a crow that recites poetry?"
Tatsuya spread his hands helplessly, pressing a finger on Shiun-sai's head to keep him from preening while tossing him some birdseed. "Don't count on it, Obanai. This guy is one of a kind. You could search the whole Corps with a lantern and never find another crow this pretentious." Shiun-sai let out a proud caw and held his head high.
Obanai, crestfallen, went back to burying his face in his rice ball.
The message brought Tatsuya great relief. He looked at Shinjuro with a grin. "Mr. Rengoku, it looks like my Master is on board!"
"HM! Excellent!" Shinjuro's voice was boisterous. "I will personally speak to the Master regarding the Tsuguko formalities and coordinate with the Kakushi. You needn't worry about the red tape."
"The subjugation of that Snake Demon was a massive achievement. I expect your rank will rise again soon." Shinjuro looked like a literal owl on fire when he grew excited. "Never stop getting stronger, Tatsuya! Whenever you aren't on an urgent mission, head straight for the Rengoku estate near Headquarters. I will oversee your training personally!"
He then pulled out a small box wrapped in elegant cloth. "Before you officially move to my estate, I suggest you return to Mount Momoyama to see Kuwajima-san. Bring him this. It is a small token of my respect." Shinjuro added with a mischievous wink, "HM! After all, I am taking away his finest disciple!"
Tatsuya took the box. It felt heavy. He nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, sir. I was planning to go back anyway. It's been a while; I should let the old man know his student hasn't been eaten by a demon yet."
And I need to see how Kaigaku is doing. A crow's reports are too brief. I need to see it for myself.
I wonder if that poor kid has learned Thunderclap and Flash yet...
After bidding farewell to the Flame Hashira and Obanai, Tatsuya set off. Within a few days, he reached Mount Momoyama.
The mid-winter wind whipped through the bare peach trees. Jigoro Kuwajima moved with a steady gait despite his prosthetic leg. He held a pair of small pruning shears that crackled with lightning. He was trimming branches with a speed and fluidity that would leave any professional farmer speechless.
"MASTER KUAWJIMA! JUNIOR KAIGAKU! IZUMO TATSUYA HAS RETURNED!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!"
An earth-shattering roar exploded through the silent mountain, startling the birds and sending a clump of snow from a branch right onto Kuwajima's head.
"..."
Kuwajima's hand froze. Blue veins popped on his forehead. This brat... he always has to make a scene!
Meanwhile, at the training grounds, a shirtless Kaigaku was hacking at a heavy wooden post. He froze, his face twisting into a mask of irritation and disgust. Him again? What for? Does the Corps have nothing better to do than let him run back here every two weeks? Kaigaku delivered a savage blow to the post he had secretly nicknamed "Izumo Tatsuya." Tsuguko to the Flame Hashira... The words stung. He probably just kissed enough ass to get the position. Just wait. Once I pass the selection, I'll find an even stronger Hashira. I'll make everyone look up to me instead!
Kaigaku was so lost in his jealous fantasies that he didn't notice a warm hand drop onto his shoulder.
"Hard at work, Junior?"
Tatsuya's teasing voice rang in his ear. Kaigaku stiffened as if ice water had been poured down his back. His heart hammered. When did he get behind me?! No footsteps, no presence... not even a ripple in the air!
Cold sweat soaked his back. If Tatsuya had drawn a blade instead of placing a hand... he would be dead.
Kaigaku forced a stiff, jagged smile. "A-Ah! Senior Tatsuya?! When did you get back? Long time no see! Welcome home!"
"You brat, you actually remembered to come back?" Kuwajima's voice, raspy but lighter than usual, drifted from the side.
Tatsuya let go of Kaigaku and greeted his master with a grin. "Old man! I'm here! I sent letters every day, didn't I?" He handed over the box from Shinjuro. "A gift from the Flame Hashira."
Kuwajima grunted and tucked the box into his robes without even looking at it, as if it were a common stone rather than a gift from a Hashira. He tossed Tatsuya a wooden sword with an authoritative bark: "Enough talk. Let's spar. Don't break the sword. Show me what you're made of now."