A week had passed before someone arrived at the Butterfly Manor, asking for him.
When Ryou stepped outside, he was greeted by a peculiar human figure, cloaked in a dark robe with a bundle strapped across his back, and a dark pink mask shaped like someone attempting to whistle.
"I'm Ryou," he introduced himself, eyeing the mask. 'That mask is creepy… gives me weird vibes.'
The figure gave a polite bow. "Kozo Kanamori. I'm the swordsmith who forged your Nichirin blade."
"Nice to meet you! Can I see it?" Ryou asked with curiosity.
Kanamori nodded, carefully unwrapping the bundle. Inside was a standard Nichirin sword, encased in a matching scabbard. He handed it over with reverence.
Ryou accepted it with both hands and held it horizontally. Holding the scabbard in one hand and gripping the hilt in the other, he slowly drew the blade from its sheath. A gleam danced across its surface.
The sword was roughly 80 centimeters in length, with a graceful curve and a long grip. The edge of the blade is razor-sharp, capable of slicing through most materials with ease.
"Nichirin Swords are referred to as Color Changing Katanas, as they take on a distinct color when first drawn by their owner. Please grasp the hilt with both hands!" Kanamori said.
As soon as he firmly grasped the hilt with both hands, a radiant emerald-green hue bloomed along the blade's edge, casting a mesmerizing glow.
'It really changed color...' Ryou exclaimed, marveling at the exquisite craftsmanship.
"It's beautiful! It's my first time seeing such an emerald glow in the sword!" Kanamori remarked in a satisfied tone.
"It's a nice sword!"
"I will be happy if they prove useful in the battle. Then, I will take my leave!" Kanamori said his farewell before setting off.
As Ryou watched Kanamori leave the Butterfly Manor, a cawing sound echoed through the air, and his missing Kasugai crow swooped down from the sky, bringing his first mission.
"Caw! Caw! Ryou, here are your orders for the first task! Head south! Head South to a small town located near a lake! Children are missing there!" His Kasugai crow announced his first task.
"It's time to hunt the demons," Ryou thought, sheathing his Nichirin sword to its scabbard. After informing the Butterfly girls of his leaving, he set off from the Butterfly Manor.
--
After traveling for a day, Ryou reached the location around noon. A lake stretched out before him, its surface gleaming under the sun. On the other side of the lake, he saw a small town nestled against the shore.
As he approached the edge of the lake, he found a few wooden boats waiting to ferry people to the other side. On the front was an old man in his sixties.
"Young traveler, do you want to cross the lake?" The Old man greeted him with a warm smile and asked.
Ryou nodded gratefully, stepping into the boat and settling on one of the wooden benches. The old man expressed, "If you want to reduce the cost, you may wait until three more passengers fill the empty seats, or you can pay the full amount."
"We can go, I will pay you in full!"
"Good!" The old man pushed off the boat from the shore and oared with a practiced ease.
"You don't look to be someone from around here, young man. Are you traveling from afar?" The Old man asked as they glided across the calm waters.
"Yes, I've come on business," Ryou replied. "Old man, I've heard rumors of children missing in this area. Do you know anything about it?"
The old man looked around before replying in a hushed tone, "Yes. I think it's their doing!" He whispered, "The Demons! They lurk in this land, especially at night."
"What?" Ryou feigned a surprised expression. 'How come the old man knows about the demons?'
Although demons were not an entirely unknown existence, many people were not aware of them.
"I know that many people don't believe in their existence. However, a friend of mine, who was a hunter, once encountered one of these creatures. He only escaped thanks to a sword-wielding person." After saying this, the old man unconsciously looked at the sword hidden behind Ryou's Haori.
"Is it? It seems like I have to be careful in the town. Thanks for the warning, old man," Ryou smiled. He confirmed the old man knows about the Demon Slayers from his actions.
As they conversed, the boat reached the other side of the lake. "Thank you for the ride," Ryou said and stepped out of the boat after paying the fare.
"Be careful, don't go out at night!" Saying this, the old man pushed off from the shore and rowed back across the lake.
Ryou gazed at the medium-sized town where the buildings are retro and traditional in style, with tiled roofs and wooden facades.
'Let's see if we find any trace or clue,' Musing, he stepped into the town.
After roaming around the town, Ryou failed to find any traces. It didn't surprise him, as unlike Tanjiro, he didn't have a sense of smell. But he has the Sharingan, which can help him to some extent.
After finding a good spot that overlooks the entire town, he waited for the demon to attack.
--
As time passed, the sky gradually darkened, welcoming the night.
Ryou activated his Sharingan, monitoring the entire town while his sharp senses scanned for any anomaly. Hours passed before he finally spotted something in the distance.
"Found you," His figure disappeared from the spot, chasing the demon.
As he closed the distance, he spotted the demon fleeing from the town and into the woods behind the town. With an unconscious child in its grasp, it jumped from one tree to another in a swift manner.
'This demon seems cautious.' Ryou chuckled inwardly. 'Let's rescue the child first!'
With lightning speed, he closed the distance between himself and the demon. His movement and sudden arrival startled the demon, but before it could react, his Nichirin sword sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning.
The slash severed the demon's arm, freeing the child from its grasp. Everything happened in an instant!
When the demon reacted, it roared as the pain hit him from losing the arm. It looked at Ryou, who now stood a few meters away, cradling an unconscious child no older than seven or eight in his arms.