Chapter 18: Joint mission with the Flame Pillar, Rengoku Kyojuurou
Notes: Part 1 of the Mugen Train Arc. From this point on everything is a spoiler, unless you've seen the Mugen Train movie, or read the manga.
The three Slayers reached the train station, where they would meet the Flame Pillar, to provide assistance on the next mission.
Inosuke was clinging to Tanjirou's back, startled by the number of people.
"We're meeting Rengoku-san here." Tanjirou said, looking around the train station for the blonde man.
"You do know what he looks like, right?" Zenitsu asked, looking around worried.
"Yeah. Him and his brother are very nice people. Their father, hasn't been the same since Ruka-san died, according to my father. He knew her. I never got the chance to meet her." he said sadly, "You alright, Inosuke?"
"Too many people." the other boy said, still holding on to Tanjirou, surprised.
"It'll be fine." he said kindly.
"What is that thing?" Inosuke asked, noticing the train, "It's the master of this land, it's got to be…There's no mistaking its intimidating aura and overwhelming length. It looks like it's asleep, but don't let your guard down!"
"That's a steam engine!" Zenitsu said, "Don't you know anything?"
"Ah, no Inosuke. That's not an animal. That's a train. It's like a carriage, but bigger and louder."
"Shh. I'll attack first!" he said, "Pig assault!" Inosuke charged head-first into the train.
"Stop that!" Zenitsu exclaimed, shocked, "You're embarrassing us!"
"Hey, you three!" an officer called, "What are you doing? Ah! They have swords! Call the police!"
"Ack! Let's go!" Zenitsu started running, the other two following after him, "We got away." he sighed in relief, once they lost the train station officers, "We're in the demon slayers corps – an organization that isn't officially recognised by the government. So we really can't walk around carrying swords openly." he explained to Inosuke.
"And if we tell them about demons, they won't believe us." Tanjirou added, "Even though we're working so hard…" he sighed.
"Well, that's just how it is." Zenitsu sighed, "For now, let's hide our swords on our backs." the blonde teen said.
Him and Tanjirou hid their swords under their haoris, but Inosuke…
"They are totally visible! Put some clothes on, moron!" Zenitsu chastised him.
"We're supposed to meet Rengoku-san somewhere around here." Tanjirou said, looking around them.
"I'll go buy us tickets." Zenitsu offered, "You look for Rengoku-san."
"Thank you, Zenitsu." Tanjirou smiled at his friend, as he tied a sheet over Inosuke's swords, like a cape.
"I got them." Zenitsu came back a few moments later, "Did you find him?"
"No. He probably boarded already." Tanjirou said.
The three of them boarded from the last car, walking forwards, looking at each car for the Flame Pillar.
"Graah! We're in its stomach!" Inosuke exclaimed, as they boarded the train, "We're in his belly! Let's take it down!"
"Shut up!" Zenitsu shouted, "Rengoku-san is a Pillar, right? You know him, too?" he asked again.
"Yes. He has wild, flashy hair. And I remember his scent. We're getting clo–"
"Delicious!" someone was saying loudly from the front of a middle car.
"Found him." Tanjirou chuckled, amused by the Pillar's antics and Zenitsu's incredulous scent.
"That's the Flame Pillar?" Zenitsu whispered, shocked.
"Uh-huh." Tanjirou smiled.
"Isn't he just a glutton?"
"Eh…" Tanjirou shrugged, "Good evening, Rengoku-san." he greeted him, "We're here to provide backup."
"Delicious!" Rengoku-san said, turning to look at Tanjirou.
"Yeah, I totally got that." he chuckled, as he sat beside the man.
Zenitsu and Inosuke sat across the isle from them.
"Tanjirou, my boy! Become my Tsuguko!" he exclaimed, as the diner car's personnel took away his empty bento boxes, "I'll look after you!"
"Very honored, but I must decline again. I am almost the Sun Pillar. Oyakata-sama is expecting me to be ready soon."
"I can talk to Oyakata-sama! So, what do you say? Flame Breathing has a long history! I will train you at my place! I'll teach you all that I know. You'll become a great swordsman!"
"Rengoku-san…did you forget that I've trained with you already?"
"No! I just want you to become my Tsuguko!"
"Oh…We're moving." Zenitsu said.
"Whoa! It's so fast!" Inosuke shouted, excitedly, hanging himself outside of the window.
"Be careful, moron! That's dangerous!" Zenitsu screamed, pulling him back inside.
"I'm gonna go out and run alongside it! I'll race it to see who's faster!"
"There're limits to stupidity, you know!"
"Better not. We don't know when the demon will appear." Rengoku-san said.
"Huh?" Zenitsu turned, "No way! A demon's on the train?!" he exclaimed, terrified.
"Yep!"
"It is?! We're not traveling to its location?! It's here?! I'm getting off!"
"Over 40 people have disappeared on this train! The corps sent a few swordsmen, but they all have gone silent! That's why I am here!"
"Ohh! That makes sense! I'm still getting off!" Zenitsu replied.
"Allow me…to inspect your tickets." the conductor said suddenly, surprising Tanjirou.
'Hm? What's that scent? I smell something bad!' he thought.
"Enjoy your trip…" the man drawled, looking haggard.
Rengoku-san suddenly got to his feet.
"Conductor-san, it's dangerous, so get back! This is urgent, so please, don't ask me why I have a sword on me!" the Flame Pillar said, facing the demon that had appeared, the civilians screaming in terror, "Was a Blood Demon Art hiding such a huge thing? It was hard to sense its presence! However…if you're baring your fangs at innocent people…my bright red flame blade…will burn you down to the bone!" he said.
In the blink of an eye, Rengoku-san had cut off the demon's head.
"Amazing swordsmanship, as always, Rengoku-san." he smiled.
"Then become my Tsuguko! I'll make you into a fine swordsman!"
"Me, too!" Zenitsu and Inosuke said together.
"Sure! I'll look after all of you!"
Chuckling, Tanjirou looked at his two friends, who were begging Rengoku-san to take them under his wing and the man proudly accept them.
"You could say I am the Tsuguko of all the Pillars – I have trained with all of them." he said, softly, "That means I sort of am your Tsuguko already. If you can accept that I am going to be the Sun Pillar and not the Flame Pillar, I wouldn't mind training with you again."
Rengoku-san was silent for a moment.
"Very well! From now on you are my apprentices!"
The train conductor inspected their tickets and soon, they had fallen asleep.