Chapter 115: The Legendary Swordsman x Giyu Tomioka's Challenge
Sakonji Urokodaki knew Hotaru Haganezuka was searching for a swordsman who could turn his Nichirin Blade red. He also knew it wasn't just him; the entire Swordsmith Village was searching for this swordsman. Legend told of a legendary swordsman from history who could turn his blade red. His very existence was enough to make the rampant demons recoil in fear.
But as the current Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka knew more, and in greater depth, than Sakonji.
He knew that swordsman was none other than the progenitor of all Breathing Styles, the user of 'Sun Breathing'—Yoriichi Tsugikuni!
Only two other Hashira had any knowledge of this man: the Stone Hashira and the Wind Hashira. Gyomei Himejima had once mentioned his name during a Hashira meeting. He had heard it from his master (the former Stone Hashira).
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni was born with access to the Transparent World and the Mark. He once nearly killed Muzan Kibutsuji, pushing him to the brink of annihilation. Muzan was forced to split into over eighteen hundred pieces just to escape."
"His hallmarks were the 'Crimson Blade' and 'Hanafuda Earrings'..."
Looking at Eiichiro now, the boy's sun-and-mountain earrings seemed to overlap with the "Hanafuda Earrings" Gyomei had described.
The bowl lay on the bed, split in two. Fish porridge splattered onto his haori.
The small cabin instantly fell silent.
All eyes focused on Giyu Tomioka. He looked at Roy, his expression grave. "Eiichiro, can you show me?"
The letter Master wrote to the Master was too vague. Of course, Giyu wasn't blaming Sakonji, but something this important couldn't be ignored; it should have been reported directly. 'Perhaps Master didn't realize the significance of it,' he silently reasoned on his master's behalf.
Roy smiled. "If senpai wishes to see it, then naturally, I can."
Shinsuke got excited. "I'll get your sword!" He was about to summon a ghostly wind to grab the training blade from the wall, but...
"No need to trouble yourself, senpai." Without looking back, Roy reached out his hand. [Magnetism: Attract]. The training blade suddenly moved, passing right through Shinsuke's spiritual form as if it had grown wings, flying straight into Roy's hand. He caught it deftly.
"Whoa!" Shinsuke yelped. "What kind of trick is that?" The sword was like a familiar, obeying the boy's every command. "That Eiichiro guy... he's always doing things you'd never imagine."
Makomo's mouth fell open slightly, as if seeing Roy for the first time, staring him up and down.
Sabito and Giyu exchanged a look, then both turned to Sakonji Urokodaki. The old Water Hashira had been immersed in the way of the sword for over fifty years. Despite his vast experience, he had never seen a technique like this. Although he always taught his students that a swordsman's blade is his life—where the blade is, the swordsman is; if the blade breaks, the swordsman dies—he had never seen a blade 'come alive'.
He gave Roy a deep look and fell silent.
Creek... The early spring wind wasn't as warm as a summer breeze. It blew in from the mountains, rattling the paper window.
Roy's expression was calm, pretending he saw nothing. He unsheathed the blade and coated it with a layer of 'Searing' Nen.
Visibly, red spots began to appear. Then, under Giyu Tomioka's trembling gaze, they rapidly spread, covering the entire blade in the blink of an eye. It pulsed with a searing red glow. Even from two meters away, they could feel the wave of heat.
"It's the Crimson Blade."
There's no mistaking it.
That, combined with the 'Hanafuda Earrings'...
Giyu Tomioka stared intently at the boy.
Roy smiled faintly. "Is this sufficient, senpai? If I hold it any longer, I'm afraid our other seniors won't be able to bear it."
The Crimson Blade was a "Divine Weapon against Demons." Whether it was a man-eating demon or a spirit like Sabito and Makomo, never mind being cut by it, just looking at it was painful. This was after Roy had used the heated bed as a medium to preemptively coat them all in a protective layer of his own Nen.
"It is." Giyu Tomioka took a deep breath. He glanced around, noticing the other disciples' discomfort. When Roy retracted the 'Searing Essence' and sheathed his blade, everyone visibly relaxed.
"Let's eat."
"Right, eat."
"Giyu-senpai hasn't had Master's cooking in a long time. You have to eat a lot this time," Makomo said with a grin. "I'll just watch you eat."
"I'll get a bowl for senpai."
"No need, I'll get it myself."
Giyu Tomioka turned, only to find the mess he'd made. He quickly grabbed a cloth, cleaned it up, and then served himself a bowl of fish porridge, eating it with the pickled radish. After the meal, he insisted on washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Roy didn't fight him for it. His senior brother had just returned; if he wanted to show his filial piety, Roy wasn't going to spoil the mood.
Sakonji Urokodaki watched with a fond smile, kneeling at the heated table and brewing tea for the two of them. Makomo sat beside him as always, poking Sabito and whispering in his ear, "Hey, have you noticed? Ever since Eiichiro came, Master smiles a lot more."
"In the past, he was always alone, either carving or just staring into space. He'd go all day without saying a word. It made me so anxious."
Sabito: "Is that not a good thing?"
"It is," Makomo said, glancing at Sakonji, then at Giyu bustling in the kitchen, and finally stealing a peek at Roy. "It's just... it's too good. It makes me feel like it's not real."
Sabito was silent. Humans are fickle creatures. When things are bad, they can't stand it. When things are good, they doubt reality. He took a deep breath, treasuring this brief moment of warmth. "Cherish it," he said softly. "Giyu is here, which means Eiichiro will be leaving soon..."
"But it hasn't even been a year."
"For a genius, what's the difference between one year and two?" Sabito understood Makomo's feelings. He looked at Giyu, then at Eiichiro. "They seize every moment."
Makomo's expression fell, and she lowered her head. She understood the logic, but the feeling of reluctance in her heart was real, and it grew stronger as time went by.
In the kitchen, Giyu Tomioka finished cleaning and came out. Sakonji Urokodaki had just finished brewing the tea. He handed one cup to Giyu and the other to Roy. The old man looked at his two disciples. "Let's talk business, Giyu."
He sent a letter saying he was too busy to come home for the New Year, but rushes back right after. It must be related to the letter I wrote to the Master. Whether it was an old man's intuition or just knowing Giyu Tomioka all too well, Sakonji's guess was correct.
Giyu Tomioka put down his tea cup and replied truthfully, "I have come on the Master's orders, specifically for Eiichiro."
"The Master has heard of Eiichiro's talent and dearly wishes for him to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Eiichiro," Giyu Tomioka placed his hand on his Nichirin Blade, looking at Roy with utmost seriousness, "I request a match with you!"
Just as we thought! Shinsuke and Fukuda exchanged an excited glance.
Sabito and Makomo had also expected this. They looked at the two, flanked by Sakonji Urokodaki, who watched them in silence.
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