3rd POV. One year after Akito's escape from prison.

It's been a year since Akito escaped from prison and the urban legend it created spread throughout some parts of Japan.

Even this legend reached the Demon Slayers and dismissed it as somehow of a tall tale.

While the Master, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, immediately knew what happened........

Kagaya: I see.......

Kagaya: So Akito is currently in hiding.

When Akito managed to escape from prison, he secretly wrote to Kagaya about his investigations of demonic activity in the towns he passed.

Only Amane and Kagaya knew about Akito on a secret mission.

And that mission, is to find Kaedehara Kyouko, Akito's mother.

He looked for clues about his mother's whereabouts, but to no avail. As if every trace will just lead him to a dead end, that whenever Akito could finally have a proper lead on his mother, that lead would simply become useless as time goes on and will lead Akito again on a dead end.

The amount of times he got to start over.......just to look for his mother.

But why is Akito searching for his mother?

The first reason was when Kokushibo said that Kyouko was a traitor among the demons as Muzan ordered the Upper Moons to hunt her down.

But the reason why she was being hunted down is still unknown for Akito.

The second reason is for answers. About Akito's demonic side, why his mother immediately left the Kaedehara Estate without even saying anything.

Akito wanted to find those answers, all because......he wanted to find his true purpose in life.

Until one day, when Akito is walking in a town and he felt something unfamiliar within the village.

He asked one of the villagers and the villager answered.

Villager: On the mountain near this village, there was a shrine built there to house the mountain god that resided there.

Villager: Until one day, when some of the villagers returned, they say that do not come into the shrine once again.

Villager: It baffled everyone, because we offer our prayers in that shrine.

Villager: When asked about what is in the shrine, the villagers who went there said that they swear to keep it a secret, or else they'll be crippled.

Villager: And when one of the villagers attempted to tell the secret of the shrine......

Villager: The villager became crippled as it was impaled by a lot of arrows in the legs.

Villager: And the village began to say that it could be an envoy of the mountain deity that resides in it.

Akito: Hmmmm........arrows being impaled, were they shot from the mountain? If that is so.......then, it could be a demon.

Akito: I'm curious about this shrine.

Villager: You fool! Never step foot in there! Never! Ever since one of the villagers were crippled, no one even dare to approach the shrine ever since!

Akito: What the........

Villager: So, forget about it, young man, if you want to live.

The villager suddenly went back on whatever they were doing, and Akito on the other hand, went to a river near the village and went fishing until sunset.

Once he got enough fish, he set up a campfire and cooked the fish that he caught.

He's never been picky about food, in fact, as long as the preparation is correct and proper, that is fine.

Once he finished his supper, night came as the moon shines bright. Akito stood up and gaze upon the direction of the mountain........

And Akito felt that he is compelled to go into the shrine. He doesn't know why......but the wind is telling him to go there.

Without a destination in mind, Akito decided to go at the shrine secretly.

He followed the directions given to him by the winds.......

And he finally found the said shrine in the mountains.

It is a small shrine ground and everything is just moldy and spiderwebs are present.

Akito quietly entered the shrine grounds, as much as he wanted to do the proper ritual to enter the shrine.......

A shrine in a current state was likely to be abandoned by the deity that was said to be living there.

Akito: The things here.......

Akito: It seems like they were left to dust here.

Akito: But why do I feel something here.......? I've never been here before.......

Akito arrived in front of the main shrine and gaze upon the shrine that was on the verge of being broken due to not being maintained for a very long time.

Akito: This could be a beautiful spot to place a shrine, yet something is stopping people from coming here.

Until Akito began a change in the wind, as he put his guard up, and as expected, there was already someone behind him.

Akito didn't move from his place........

As he quietly and subtly held his sheathed sword with his left hand, and ready to draw any time.

Until a voice of what seems to be a girl, was heard.

???: Hmmm. You didn't make a step, and not even a sound of the wind was heard from you.

???: Tell me, who are you? Are you sent here by that man to capture me?

Akito: I don't know who were you talking about.

???: Do you know him, the man named Kibutsuji Muzan?

This shocked Akito as someone from outside the Demon Slayer Corps, knew about Muzan's identity.

Akito: U-Ummm.....no. I wasn't here by that man. I am on a journey, a pilgrimage, looking for someone.

???: Really?

???: It seems like you're saying the truth. And who are you looking for exactly?

Akito: My mother.

???: Mother?

Akito: Can't you still believe me, please, put down your sword.

Akito: I am only here to search clues about my mother.

But the mysterious figure didn't put their sword down and still pointed it at Akito.

Akito: So, please, if you really take my words to be true. Then, would you allow me to ask my questions?

???: Then, would mind if you spare me a duel. This is the first time that a swordsman, ever stepped foot into this shrine.

Akito: Well, in exchange for that duel, will I get my answers?

???: Very well, that is, only if you survive.

Akito: Then, we have a deal.

The wind passed by the two figures, Akito still facing the direction of the main shrine, while the mysterious figure is still pointing their sword towards Akito.

Until, Akito quickly disappeared when the wind blew and the leaves obscured the view of the mysterious person.

???: H-He's gone!? Did he used the leaves as a chance to block my view?

???: Behind? No. Left. No. Right. No.

???: Above.......?

They gazed up and saw Akito's figure, with sword drawn, and the figure is coming closer and closer.

An attack from above.

???: He's fast!

Akito launched a surprise attack from above but the mysterious figure evades it.

But Akito didn't stop with the offense and fought the mysterious figure, whose face was still being veiled by the shadows of the night.

Only their sword is visible to him. A crimson sword similar to Akito's own sword.

Sparks flew, the wind felt cold, the sound of metal was heard, and the leaves rustled upon this duel.

None of them even let down their guard. No one wants to lose, for the two, it is a matter of pride.

???: Not bad, for someone as young as you, you have such fine skills.

Akito: The same could also be said unto you.

???: Even holding your ground against me, even though you can't even see my face which is veiled by the shadows.

Akito: Hm. And you remained in the shadows while holding me back.

???: Say, why don't we end this? Shall we?

Akito: Agreed.

The two got into a stance, as the mysterious figure is going for the decisive strike.

As for Akito, he's going to bet everything he got into this one strike.

The two rushed at a blinding speed, and their blades seemed to haven't made contact at each other, but......

In reality, the mysterious figure suddenly saw a maple leaf that was cut in half.

???: A maple leaf.......?

And they realized that they were under an illusion when the sound of their blade was broken.

???: Wait, what? Did my blade just got cut off? Impossible. How!? That sword was made from the finest ore..........

Akito: Breath of Leaves, Third Form: Chihayaburu.

???: Breath of Leaves!? Wait, didn't he just........!? A breathing style!? Wait a demon slayer!? Wait, no! He's not even wearing a demon slayer uniform!

???: An ordinary swordsman capable of using a breathing style!?

???: No, wait, let's calm down for a bit. I can't sense any malice coming from him. He's only searching for someone........

???: That's what the wind told me.

Akito: What? The wind told you?

???: !?

Akito who just heard the inner voice of the mysterious figure, was baffled by what he just heard.

Akito: Can you perhaps have some communication with the wind?

Akito faced the direction of the stranger and then, the moonlight finally unveiled the stranger.

A woman with platinum blonde hair tied into a ponytail, red eyes like rubies, wearing a kusode and hakama pants, and a crimson sword in hand.

???: Yes, I have the ability to talk with the wind, but I can only use it for telling people of their auras and determining if the words they say are true or not.

Akito: I see. I can also talk with the wind, I can also do what you can do but I can also ask the wind for information.

???: Oh, it seems like we are somehow related. Tell me, what's your name, young man?

Akito: Akito.

???: Akito? Do you have any family name?

Akito: ...........

Akito: Kaedehara Akito. That's my full name.

???: .........!?

When the mysterious female heard upon Akito's full name, she couldn't help but be completely shocked because............

???: Akito.......? Wait, now that I looked at you clearly, you really are Akito.

Akito: H-Huh!? W-What do you—

Suddenly the woman embraced Akito.......an embrace that she wanted to give for a very, very long time.

???: *sob* *sob* *sob*

???: I'm so glad that I finally got to see you grow up........

???: My pride and joy. My flesh and blood.

???: My precious child........

Akito: ........!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Hearing this, Akito was even more shocked as, what in the world is going on?

He can't believe it, for all this time, he finally found the person he's been searching for.

Akito: Wait, are you really........?

???: How could I lie to you? Why would I lie to you? Even if I lie, you'd figure it out.

???: I won't lie, to my very own child. What kind of mother will I be if I do that?

???: My name is Kaedehara Kyouko.

Kyouko: I'm the one who gave birth to you, Akito........

Feeling that there is not a trace of deceit.......Akito finally returned the embrace, and let out his tears for a long, long, time.

Akito: I've been searching, searching, and searching for you.........all this time.......

Akito: Mom, why? Why did you leave us?

Kyouko: It was all to protect you and your father.

Akito: I see.

The mother and child, finally had a reunion and the two went inside the shrine and talked about what happened.

Kyouko: I see, so you became a Demon Slayer, a Hashira nonetheless.

Kyouko: But you put yourself into self-exile......

Akito: Yes.

Kyouko: And now, Muzan is after you, in order to draw me out.

Akito: Mom, can I ask, what did you just do? What made you a target of the demons, when you yourself is a demon?

Kyouko: Hmmm, let's say, I was tired of killing people. In fact, I never really wanted to kill people. I only wanted to be strong, in order to protect my comrades.

Kyouko: I accepted the offer to become a demon in order to protect my comrades but in the end, I was the one who devoured them.

Kyouko: So, I banished myself and went into a self-imposed exile as well.

Kyouko: I've wandered for almost 300 years..........until I just got sick and tired of killing people.

Kyouko: And within those 300 years, I was able to climb upon the ranks of the Twelve Kizuki, I am the former Upper Moon Two.

Akito: !?

Akito: I see, no wonder why Kokushibo told me that my power was inferior to yours.

Kyouko: It is because your human blood was stronger. Your father's blood was stronger than mine.

Kyouko: But the fact that you inherited my abilities as well.

Kyouko gently pats Akito's head.

Kyouko: I am really proud of you, Akito.

Akito: Thank you, Mom. Oh, I want to ask something.

Kyouko: What is it?

Akito: If you were the former Upper Moon Two, how come you were able to free yourself from Muzan's control?

Kyouko: I would say, it was when Muzan encountered a swordsman in the Sengoku Period.

Akito: In the Sengoku Period, wasn't that the age where the Demon Slayers almost defeated Muzan?

Kyouko: The Demon Slayer who overpowered Muzan, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, he was also the one who created the first breath style that the Demon Slayers had based from.

Akito: There was such a man?

Kyouko: Yes. I felt it when as well, when Muzan was weakened, his control was weakened.......

Kyouko: But I took that chance, to free myself and rebel against Muzan. When he learned about it, he tried to seize back his control.

Kyouko: But my will never wavered, and in fact, I had the power to get on equal footing with Muzan, and I won.

Kyouko: But he is not a samurai, and he doesn't have any honor. He's a coward and he just ran away after I managed to crush all of his six hearts and five brains, except for the remaining heart.

Kyouko: With that, I managed to free myself, and now, I'm in hiding because Muzan will want to kill me.

Kyouko: Thankfully, I destroyed his blood within my body, but I was still able to retain my blood demon art and my strength.

Kyouko: And, over time, I gained immunity from the Sun.

Akito: So, that means......

Kyouko: He's going to be after both of us, as we are the demons who managed to conquer the Sun.

Akito: I see.

Kyouko: By the way, how is your father?

Akito: He's.......only got a few years to live. He got a lethal disease.

Kyouko: I see.

Akito: Mom, what should I do?

Kyouko: Akito, you are a strong child. I know you. I can feel it.

Kyouko: In fact, maybe you can even surpass me in the future.

Kyouko: So, now that you finally found me, let me give you this piece of advice.

Kyouko: Be free as the wind. Never chained yourself to some curse that was placed upon you.

Kyouko: If I was able to defy my fate, you too can also defy it.

Kyouko: I know, you can do it.

Kyouko: So, go back. I'm sure, everyone back at the Corps is sure waiting for you.

Kyouko: Especially, Mitsuri.

Akito: Mom.....even you?

Kyouko: Why? You were smiling everytime you talked about her. I've been there, so you can't hide anything from me.

Akito: *sigh*

Akito: So, Mom, what about you? Will you be staying here?

Kyouko: No, I'll be hiding. Muzan is still after me.

Kyouko: Also, one day, I'll return to Hiromitsu.

Suddenly, Kyouko takes a small balde and cuts her hand and let the blood out.

Kyouko: Akito, your hand.

Akito: O-Okay.......

Akito spreads out his hand and Kyouko cuts it a little, and she let her blood into Akito's wounds.

Akito: W-What are you doing?

Kyouko: By giving at least a little amount of my blood, you'll be able to gain strength. We are blood related, so it will be fine.

Suddenly, Akito's wounds quickly closed, as same as Kyouko's wound also closed instantly as well.

Kyouko: Now, you have the regenerating ability that is on par with an Upper Moon Demon.

Akito: What!?

Kyouko: You said that despite being a demon, you can't regenerate. But now, you can. Also, I balanced out my blood that flows within you.

Kyouko: So, now, you're complete.

Akito: I'm complete?0

Kyouko: Yes. Now, go back home, Akito. I'm sure everyone is waiting for you.

Akito: I will. Thank you, for everything you've done for me. But my pilgrimage isn't over.

Akito: I still have a year left.

Kyouko: Oh, it seems like you are now going through your Rite of Passage.

Akito: Yes.

Kyouko: I see. Then I wish you good luck on your journey.

The mother and son had one last embrace before Akito bid his farewell and left.

Another year went on and Akito is finally on the conclusion of his pilgrimage.

He also wrote to Kagaya that he's going back. But Kagaya didn't even reveal this information yet.

But, Kagaya had Amane to deliver Akito's uniform.

And with the crow's guidance, Amane saw Akito and delivered his Demon Slayer Uniform.

Then, he also secretly took missions, and now...........

On the final last day of his pilgrimage........

He received a mission........

Hayate: Message! Akito, you are required to go at Mt. Natagumo. A member of the Twelve Kizuki was spotted there.

Akito: I see. I'll see to it right away.

And thus, Akito took his haori.........

And went to Mt. Natagumo, on where he will be reunited with the boy he met, two years ago, and with Hashiras.

(CTTO)