Doma was visibly stunned.
After all that—
It turned out he had just been overthinking things.
The smile on his face froze awkwardly.
"Kokushibo-dono, if Akaza has any dissatisfaction…"
"Then let him request a Blood Battle to change ranks."
Faced with Kokushibo's oppressive tone—
Akaza remained completely silent.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Doma, clearly disliking the tension, spoke again—
"Oh my, Kokushibo-dono!"
"Even if Akaza-dono tried, he still couldn't defeat us~"
Whether intentional or not—
That sentence stabbed straight into Akaza's pride.
Without another word—
Kokushibo turned and left the Infinity Castle.
Watching him leave without even sparing him a glance—
Doma forced a bitter smile.
"Akaza-dono… do you feel like none of you ever acknowledge me?"
"Or is that just my imagination?"
Akaza didn't bother answering.
He left immediately as well.
Gyokko's severed head shouted toward Nakime:
"Send me and Hantengu to the same place!"
"Wait, I'll go too—"
Before Doma could finish—
Both Gyokko and Hantengu were already transported away by the sound of the biwa.
Only Doma and Nakime remained.
"Miss Biwa, if it's convenient, would you like to come with me—"
"I refuse."
Before he could even finish—
Nakime plucked the strings again—
And Doma vanished as well.
After resting for a few days at the Butterfly Mansion—
Aoyama decided—
It was time to head to the Swordsmith Village.
Zenitsu, of course—
Immediately chose the easier option.
Between a mission and going to the Swordsmith Village—
He desperately wanted the latter.
His little sparrow pecked relentlessly at his head—
Chasing him around the courtyard.
In the end—
He was forced to accept going on a mission alone.
Before leaving—
He stared at Tanjiro with pure envy.
"What's wrong, Zenitsu?"
Tanjiro scratched the back of his head.
"You don't know how lucky you are!"
"You don't have to go on missions!"
"You get to go to the Swordsmith Village with Senior Aoyama!"
"You don't even have to worry about danger!"
"And Nezuko-chan is going too!!!"
By the end—
Zenitsu burst into tears.
Then suddenly—
His expression darkened.
Staring at his sword, he muttered:
"If I can't go…"
"Then I'll just break my sword myself… hehehe…"
Aoyama couldn't take it anymore.
Bonk!
A sharp knock on Zenitsu's head snapped him out of it.
"If you want to go, sure."
"But is your skull hard enough?"
"Can you survive the trip?"
"…Eh?!"
Zenitsu froze.
Then immediately—
Put away his sword and ran.
"I'll go next time! When my sword really breaks!!!"
Tanjiro smiled bitterly.
He was still worrying about how to face Haganezuka—
Yet Zenitsu was wishing for his sword to break.
The well-fed don't understand the starving.
Nearby—
Kanao Tsuyuri stood quietly.
Watching Aoyama—
Without saying a word.
Aoyama took a deep breath—
Turned toward her—
And gently patted her head.
"I'm leaving."
"Stay here and help Shinobu, alright?"
Kanao bit her lip—
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
She wanted to go too.
But without orders—
She couldn't.
The route to the Swordsmith Village was extremely secretive.
No one knew the full path.
Even the Kakushi guiding them—
Only followed the crows' directions.
After multiple exchanges of guides—
Aoyama and Tanjiro finally arrived.
The cloth covering their eyes was removed—
And the Swordsmith Village came into view.
The unique houses—
Left Tanjiro in awe.
"This is incredible…"
The Kakushi pointed ahead.
"This is the village."
"Head left—"
"That's the chief's residence."
"You should greet him first."
The two arrived at the village chief's house.
To their surprise—
The chief was the smallest person in the entire village.
So small—
That when Tanjiro bowed—
His forehead practically pressed into the tatami.
Aoyama stood nearby, watching.
Tanjiro whispered:
"Senior Brother Aoyama, hurry—bow!"
But the chief looked up first—
At the unmoving Aoyama.
"You are Nagasawa Aoyama?"
Aoyama nodded calmly.
"That's me."
Suddenly—
The chief beamed.
"Come, come! Sit down!"
"Would you like some karintō? Here!"
He handed over an entire basket.
"Thank you."
Aoyama took it—
Picked one piece—
And gave the rest to Tanjiro.
"I received word."
"You are the young man who changed the situation."
Aoyama paused.
Changed the situation…
Was that referring to him killing an Upper Rank?
Honestly—
He didn't think it was that great.
After all—
Upper Rank Six wasn't the end.
If Gyutaro and Daki were gone—
Others would take their place.
"Village Chief…"
"Upper Rank Six is only the beginning."
"There's still a long road ahead."
The chief laughed heartily.
"Well said!"
"Victory without arrogance, defeat without despair!"
"That's the best mindset!"
Seeing the conversation flowing—
Tanjiro finally spoke nervously.
"Um… Village Chief…"
"I'd like to meet Haganezuka-san."
"My sword was damaged in battle…"
"I want to ask him to reforge it."
He had already prepared himself.
Even if he got beaten—
As long as Haganezuka agreed—
He'd accept it.
The chief sighed.
"Haganezuka… we don't know where he's gone."
"We're still looking for him."
"You'll have to be patient."
"…Haganezuka?"
Tanjiro blinked.
"That name sounds like a girl's…"
Aoyama leaned over and whispered:
"That's his full name."
"Hotaru Haganezuka."
The chief nodded proudly.
"Indeed!"
"Cute name, right?"
"I gave it to him myself!"
"Hahaha!"
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