One day, while strolling through the streets, Si Shu overheard a strange conversation.
"Sigh, haven't you felt that something's been off lately?"
"What are you talking about? I haven't felt anything wrong."
"It's the disciples from the kenjutsu dojo. Haven't you noticed they haven't been around recently?"
Si Shu's eyebrow raised. He, too, realized that it had been some time since he had seen the disciples from the rival dojo. When was the last time I saw them? Ten days ago? Or was it seven?
Curious, Si Shu walked over to the two gossiping women and asked for the details. From them, he learned that the disciples hadn't been seen for five days. Even the ones who usually went home to visit their families had sent no word in five days. This was highly unusual; normally, those guys were eager to parade around town every day, showing off the strength of their dojo. But now, not only were they gone, but even the servants responsible for gathering supplies had vanished. It was as if everyone from the dojo had mysteriously disappeared.
Nodding his thanks to the two women, Si Shu stroked his chin and walked toward the place where Keizo usually worked.
When he told Keizo about the matter, the latter told him not to worry. Although Ijiri had a terrible reputation in town, Master Awaya was a highly respected figure—not only in terms of strength, but also in his relationships and reputation. It was for this reason that he was able to build such a large kenjutsu dojo on the edge of town and attract so many disciples. If not for Awaya holding them back, Ijiri and his fellow disciples would have been dragged to the magistrate's office for a severe interrogation long ago for their malicious behavior.
"Awaya probably decided to take this opportunity to properly discipline his students," Keizo concluded.
Si Shu didn't think much more of Keizo's answer. If they really were planning some new scheme, or even resorting to despicable means, he wouldn't mind erasing them from this world. He waved his hand, signaling to Keizo that he was about to leave.
"Hey, don't go! Since you're already here, you can help me with some work," Keizo said, scratching his head with an awkward smile. Ever since he noticed that Koyuki and Hakuji's relationship was progressing by leaps and bounds, he had started taking on more work. He would rather suffer a little more himself to save up more money. Perhaps this was what they called earning a dowry.
"I'm just an ordinary doctor," Si Shu replied dryly. "Have you ever seen a doctor doing this kind of work?"
Hearing Si Shu's words, Keizo felt the muscles in his face twitch uncontrollably. Yes, yes, you're just an ordinary doctor. Just an ordinary doctor who can intimidate me with his presence alone, shatter a real sword with two fingers, and whose knowledge of swordsmanship far surpasses the likes of Awaya.
With a helpless expression, Keizo knew that his hopes of getting Si Shu to help him were dashed.
Seeing Keizo's face, Si Shu laughed. "I came here to tell you something. Koyuki said today is her birthday and that you should come home early."
With that, Si Shu turned and walked toward a bustling street. A birthday party can't be without gifts, after all.
Keizo was stunned for a moment, then it hit him. After a quick calculation, he was surprised to find that tonight really was his daughter's birthday. For a moment, this usually cheerful man was plunged into distress. In previous years, Koyuki's birthday had always been a major headache for Keizo. As a rough and unrefined man, he had no idea what kind of gifts to buy for a girl.
Just as he was standing there with his arms crossed, his face full of anxiety, he suddenly remembered the direction Si Shu had gone. His eyes lit up. He quickly informed his workplace that he was leaving and then ran off in the direction Si Shu had gone.
Think you can run? I'm dragging you along to buy gifts with me today! Thinking about the confused and conflicted expression Si Shu would have while picking out gifts, Keizo felt the gloom in his heart dissipate.
However, when he found Si Shu, he froze.
Carrying two bags in one hand, Si Shu had clearly already finished his shopping.
"How did you—" Keizo's words became a stutter, his face filled with disbelief.
"Keizo? What are you doing here?" Si Shu asked with a hint of confusion, walking past him and patting him on the shoulder. "If you're going to buy a gift, you should hurry. The market will be closing soon."
Although his words were full of concern, Keizo couldn't help but feel uncomfortable hearing them. After seeing the faint smile on Si Shu's face, he knew that the boy had probably wanted to see his conflicted expression all along.
He quickly grabbed Si Shu, who was about to leave. "Don't go! Since you're already done, you can tell me the key points of gift-buying."
Si Shu smiled faintly and gently removed Keizo's hand. "As a father," he said, "what better gift is there than you being at her birthday party?"
With that, Si Shu waved and left the market, leaving Keizo alone, seemingly savoring his words.
As night fell, Si Shu and the others gathered at the Soryu Dojo for a grand birthday party for Koyuki. After a period of medicinal treatment, her physical condition was much better than when they had first arrived. Wearing a pointed birthday hat, her face was filled with a happy smile. As she accepted her gifts and nodded her thanks, tears of joy welled up in the corners of her eyes. Since her mother's death, she couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy.
And beside her, Keizo watched the happy Koyuki with a look of relief in his eyes. Inviting Si Shu and the others to the Soryu Dojo was truly the best decision he had ever made.
With a laugh, Si Shu clapped Hakuji on the back, seemingly encouraging him to say something. Just then, his expression suddenly changed. His brow furrowed slightly, and the smile vanished from his face. Beside him, Tamayo noticed the change in Si Shu and looked over, a question in her eyes.
Si Shu gave a slight nod and made a gesture to her, telling her not to alarm the others.
Making an excuse to leave the room, Si Shu then leaped onto the roof and looked out over the town. There, in the heart of the bustling town, a large group of bizarre life forms had appeared out of nowhere. Scarlet eyes, a rotten stench, and an unconcealed craving for human flesh.
Based on the tattered clothes they wore, he could barely recognize the identities of these monsters. These creatures... were all the disciples from the rival kenjutsu dojo. Or rather, when they were still human, they were the disciples of the dojo.
They had all been turned into demons.
Though his mind was filled with questions, now was not the time to consider them. His right hand blurred as it went to his waist, and his Nichirin Sword was already unsheathed.
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