43. Vacation

"The Moons have made their move, Oyakata-sama."

Iguro kneeled before Kagaya and reported. No surprise was shown on his face when he reported.

"It seems all four of them have entered their sights."

"Yes. They were able to kill an Upper Moon, and now a Lower Moon is of no difficulty as well. Muzan and the rest won't let them grow."

"Hmm, temporarily relieve them of their duties. Only when they are active can the demons track them."

Iguro thought for a second and asked.

"Wouldn't splitting them put them in danger?"

Kagaya smiled and replied.

"Sabito, Giyu and Makomo have the same master, temporary relief of their duties will only bring them back to their master. I don't believe they can't kill an Upper Moon with four awakened Slayers."

"As for Leo... do you think an Upper Moon can kill him?"

Iguro pondered for a second and agreed. All four of them grew at an alarming rate, their rate of improvement shocked the Corps so much that everyone including the Hashiras viewed them as walking treasures.

Especially Leo, that kid was something. He was the one to awaken first and to this day no one knows where his limits lay. Whenever Iguro saw Leo he always seemed the same, and it is exactly that which shocked him.

How can someone who put forward such a method not progress?

"Alright. Inform the newly appointed Hashiras to be careful, right now Muzan has no idea about what's happening within us, so let's keep it that way."

"As you wish."

Iguro's bowed in acceptance and disappeared. Kagaya looked to the sky, he couldn't see the clear blue skies nor the floating clouds however that didn't stop him from smiling.

"The future looks bright."

...

"See you later dumbass."

Leo waved his hand towards Sabito and group who was some distance away.

"Right, off to home."

Wearing common clothes with his sword strapped to his back Leo set off towards his home.

Hmm, it's rare to get a vacation might as well take the long route and take my time.

Making up his mind his pace slowed down.

Two days passed.

Leo was walking through a bamboo forest. He was holding a stick of greasy meat with sauce dripping down. From time to time he took small bites, bliss was plastered all over his face as he chewed.

Hmm?

Just as he was about to take another bite he turned to his side and looked at the bamboo forest. A pair of curious eyes were staring at the stick of meat in his hand.

"Hey! gimme that!"

A slightly immature voice rang out, suddenly the owner of those pair of eyes jumped out at Leo, trying to snatch his food.

Taking a step back Leo dodged him and looked at his opponent. It was a boy wearing a hollow boar head.

Looks about Tanjiro's age.

Taking another bite Leo thought inwardly. The boy however was surprised when this man was able to dodge him, a fiery intent lit up inside him.

His leg muscles pumped blood as he charged at Leo. His hands were stretched out trying to grab th stick of meat. Leo calmly took short light steps to dodge the boy's attacks.

A bit dispersed but he is making up for it with his reaction speed.

At this point Leo can be considered a highly accomplished Martial Arts master, it's really no problem for him to analyse a person from their movements.

"You are strong, let's fight! If I win you give me that!"

Leo looked amusingly at the boy and asked back, "What if I win?"

"Um...

The boy was stumped, he blanked out for some time before Leo got him out of his predicament.

"No need to think so hard. If I win you will come with me, deal?"

"Alright."

The boy agreed immediately and charged forward. This time however his hands were fast and filled power, but like before Leo nimbly dodged all of them. Slightly curious Leo tested him.

His right hand opened out and tried to knock him out. Astonishingly the boy dodged his attack even when he couldn't see or hear where it came from. Leo stared wide eyed when he saw this.

What horrifying instinct!

Interesting.

Leo was excited, who would would have thought he would find such a treasure in this forest.

After ten minutes...

The boy was laying on the ground panting heavily, his body tired and aching all over. However he still yelled out.

"This isn't over! Let's fight!"

Leo ate his food leisurely and said with a smile.

"Sure it is and I won. Rest up, we gotta reach the next town before sun down."

"I said I didn't lose! Just wait, after...

"You lost."

"No, I...

"You lost."

"Bast*rd!"

...

Leo was sleeping soundly when a figure jumped at him with a wooden club in his hand.

"I win!"

He yelled loudly before striking down with all his power. However the expected result didn't happen, a hand easily grabbed the club and broke it to pieces.

"Don't shout before you attack, dumbass."

Leo smacked the boy on his head and went back to sleep.

...

Three days passed.

Leo went around with the boy named Inosuke, the kid was quite curious to everything around him. Leo was confused at first when he saw his behaviour and asked why he was acting like everything is a big deal.

It was only then he found out that this boy lived his entire life on the mountain with no one but animals as companions.

"Fight me! This time I am gonna win."

"Sure."

Inosuke held a club in his hand and charged at Leo. But before he could make a second attack a hand struck his head causing him to squat down in pain.

"I won. Now calm down for a bit, we have reached."

Leo looked up to see the same old house with smoke coming out of the chimney. A faint smile lit up on his face,, he hastened his footsteps and stood before the house.

"Old man, I am back."