Chapter 1: Honou no Kashi
Yuma’s bright red blade glowed in the night. His determination was never faded. “Flame Breathing, Seventh Form, Flame Tornado!” Yuma called out, slashing his sword in a circle just as his Sensei, the Flame Hashira Rengoku, had taught him. The demon seemed unfazed even though he was being scorched by Yuma’s blade. The demon ran at Yuma, who skillfully dodged and slashed his blade into the back of the demon’s neck. The demon, now on the ground dying, cursed at Yuma. Yuma stood, unfazed by the insults. “Your words ricochet off me like a twig to a shield.” Yuma said. Yuma’s blood red hair shined in the moonlight.
Yuma’s left pantleg had writing on it, in bold white text it read, ’フレイムツゴク′ (Flame Tsugoku). A Tsugoku is the name for the apprentice of a Hashira. Because Yuma had been trained by Rengoku, it made Yuma the obvious heir, and Rengoku had also personally made the choice to have Yuma as Rengoku's successor. As Yuma walked into the entrance to the demon slayer headquarters, he saw Rengoku standing there, waiting. "Yuma, everyone is gathered in the square to hear the big announcement." Rengoku said. Yuma nodded and walked into the square where everyone, including the last eight living Hashira, were gathered. Yuma's team: Tanjiro Kamado, Inoskue Hashibara, and Zenitsu Agatsuma, were also in the square.
Rengoku took the speaking podium at the front of the square. "Greetings everyone!" Rengoku exclaimed. He had an unusually loud voice, and always sounded determined no matter what. "It is my honor to announce my selection for the position of Tsugoku." Rengoku said. "I choose..." He paused.
"Yuma Kuwajima!" Rengoku said. Everyone applauded. Except for Iguro Obinai, the serpent Hashira, who thought Yuma was unworthy. Iguro pulled Rengoku aside. "Why Yuma?" Iguro asked. "Because of two reasons," Rengoku began, "First of all, I have not trained anyone else. Second, Yuma is very skilled." Rengoku spoke. Iguro shook his head lightly. He walked away. Yuma walked away from the square. Tanjiro and Zenitsu followed. "Congratulations on becoming the Flame Tsugoku!" Tanjiro exclaimed, excitedly. "Thank you." Yuma replied. Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, ran up as well. "Congratulations!" She exclaimed. Yuma smiled and nodded, "Thanks, Mitsuri." He spoke. Yuma's message crow landed upon his shoulder. "CAW CAW! The swordsmith village is in danger! AGAIN!" The crow squawked. "Miss Kanroji! Mr. Kamado! Go with Tsugoku Kuwajima!" The crow continued. "Ouna! That was quite disrespectful, you're not supposed to give orders to any slayer other than me!" Yuma exclaimed. The crow nodded and apologized. Yuma gave the crow -apparently named Ouna- a seed. The crow gratefully ate the seed.
Yuma, Mitsuri, and Tanjiro were again taken to the swordsmith village. Muchiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, was standing at the entrance. "Hello." Muchiro spoke, his voice smooth as usual. "Hello, Muchiro." Yuma spoke, waving at Muchiro. Tanjiro carried his demon sister, Nezuko, in a wooden box that was given to him by Sakonji Urokodaki. As the sun set, the slayers went to their rooms. Tanjiro and Nezuko were in a room together, while Yuma and Mitsuri were alone. Meanwhile, at the entrance to the village, another slayer stepped inside. It was Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira and Yuma's sensei.
Muchiro took one quiet step into Tanjiro's room. He stepped towards Tanjiro, who was asleep with Nezuko next to him, and pinched Tanjiro's nose, effectively preventing him from breathing. Tanjiro choked and woke up, startled. Tanjiro's head shot over to Muchiro. "Wha- What was that for?" He spoke. Muchiro said nothing. "Something isn't right." Muchiro began. "Something feels off." He added. Muchiro was correct, something was definitely wrong.
