When Musashi heard what the old man said, he became a little curious about the girl he mentioned; even though she lived in poverty, she would give wisteria sachets to passersby, and it wasn't just a casual gift, but she specifically made these sachets every day to give to people, which seemed a bit unusual.
Of course, even if the matter was a bit strange, this girl must be a kind-hearted person. Musashi guessed that she might also believe in the existence of demons, which is why she did this.
"Then she truly is a kind child," Musashi exclaimed.
The old man nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed, and anyone who receives a sachet from her, even if they offer her money, she won't take it.
Logically, making so many sachets for others must have taken a lot of her time and effort, and she herself is quite poor. There would be no problem for her to accept money if someone offered it, but she just won't take it. Even if someone forces it on her, she'll return it. She's incredibly stubborn.
However, if you buy other small ornaments she makes, she will accept payment normally. Only for the wisteria sachets does she absolutely not accept money; they are solely for giving to passersby."
When Musashi heard the old man's words, he also felt that this girl was a bit stubborn, but this also showed even more that she was a kind-hearted person.
It had been dark for some time, and the chirping of insects could be heard intermittently.
After saying those words, the old man seemed a bit sleepy, but fearing what might happen at night, such as encountering wild beasts, he didn't dare to fall asleep directly. He forced himself to stay awake, added more tobacco to his pipe, and thought of smoking to maintain his alertness.
"If you're tired, you should sleep first. I'll keep an eye on our surroundings."
Musashi noticed the old man's condition and said to him with a smile.
"Alright then, if anything happens, remember to wake me up. If you get tired, wake me up to switch. This old man is indeed tired after running all day."
The old man didn't decline when he heard Musashi's words. He put his pipe back, then placed his luggage from his back in a suitable position to use as a pillow and took a nap.
He wasn't afraid that Musashi and Zenitsu would harm him. As someone who traveled constantly for many years, he had a lot of knowledge and experience, and he was very confident in his ability to judge people. From Musashi and Zenitsu's words and actions, he could tell that they were not bad people, just a bit prone to imagination.
Seeing the old man asleep, and remembering Zenitsu who had complained of hunger earlier, Musashi took out an oiled paper package from his embrace, which contained two rice balls. He had prepared these before his journey.
He took out a rice ball and handed it to Zenitsu, who showed a surprised expression upon seeing it.
"Wow, Musashi, I didn't expect you to carry rice balls with you!" Zenitsu leaned over and exclaimed.
"It's a habit. In the past, I often had to go to very distant markets to sell firewood and herbs, and because the distance was too far, I would often prepare rice balls to eat on the way.
After joining the Demon Slayer Corps, the places for missions are also very far. To find demons as quickly as possible and not waste time along the way, I always bring some rice balls to eat on the road, so I don't have to stop to eat.
After all... a little time wasted on the road could very likely lead to tragedies that shouldn't happen..."
Musashi gently explained to Zenitsu, lowering his head and taking a bite of the rice ball in his hand. The taste was a bit different from before, after all, it wasn't made by the same person...
Zenitsu took the rice ball and sensed that Musashi was feeling a bit down and sad at that moment.
He sat down next to Musashi. Since he didn't know the reason for his low spirits, Zenitsu didn't know how to comfort him.
"Musashi, after dawn, I want to go see Kuwajima Grandpa. You should come too. Grandpa's cooking is incredibly delicious."
Guessing that Musashi might be thinking of his family, Zenitsu thought that if he could get him to eat with Kuwajima Grandpa, it would feel like home.
When he was scammed out of his money and became homeless, he also felt the warmth of home when Kuwajima Grandpa took him in as a disciple and they ate together. Although his senior brother didn't like him much, that period of his life was still a cherished part of his memories.
"Mmm..."
...
The morning sun rose, casting light through the gaps in the tree canopy onto Musashi. Zenitsu was still leaning against him, sleeping. Musashi hadn't slept last night because he had to be vigilant about their surroundings.
At this moment, the old man had also woken up. Feeling the sunlight on his face, the old man's worried heart settled.
Finally, he could continue his journey...
Then he quickly realized something and turned to look at Musashi, asking somewhat confusedly, "Why didn't you wake me up last night? You didn't stay awake all night, did you?"
He had originally intended to take turns with these two children throughout the night, but because he was too tired, he hadn't woken up all night. He didn't expect that these two children hadn't woken him either.
"I didn't feel very tired, so I didn't think it was necessary to wake you up. Besides, you looked very tired last night," Musashi replied with a smile.
Protecting the weak is the duty of the naturally strong.
Musashi always remembered this sentence that Kyojuro told him and acted upon it.
Looking at the genuine gaze of the young man before him, the old man was touched, and it also brought back some of his past memories.
"Thank you, child," the old man sincerely thanked Musashi, then he took out a crimson Magatama from his embrace and handed it to Musashi.
"This is something passed down in my family; it can keep people safe. Originally, I intended to pass it down to my descendants forever..."
When Musashi saw the old man's action, he quickly waved his hand.
"I certainly can't accept something so precious. You should keep it and pass it on to your descendants."
Musashi considered what he did as a matter of course, so he naturally wouldn't accept the old man's gift. However, the old man's next words made him freeze.
"I no longer have any descendants... My wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson have all passed away..."
The old man looked at Musashi, his eyes filled with both sorrow and a hint of kindness.
"I'm sorry..."
Musashi felt that he had said the wrong thing and apologized to the old man with a heavy heart.
The old man shook his head after hearing his apology and said to him, "No need to apologize. You should still take this Magatama. It's useless for an old man who will be in his coffin in a few years to keep this. It's better to give it to you. Maybe one day it really can protect you.
If my grandson were still alive, he would be about your age. Giving it to you can be considered passing it down."
The old man was originally an itinerant merchant with a happy family, a son and a daughter, and a grandson who had just turned one. However, about a dozen years ago, after he returned home from a business trip, there were only large pools of blood left in the house, and all his family members had vanished without a trace...