After half an hour at sea, the ferry successfully docked.
Passengers disembarked one after another, but two people remained seated quietly at the bow and stern, making no move even after all the other passengers had left.
The burly man shouted, "We're here! This is Hachijo Island. Time to get off."
Hearing the burly man's call, Kurozawa finally stood up.
However, he still didn't get off the boat. He just stood with his arms crossed, looking at the burly boat owner with a half-smile.
"If you don't get off, I'll start the boat and head back. I have other customers waiting."
Feeling a bit uncomfortable under Kurozawa's gaze, the burly man gave a stiff smile.
Kurozawa smiled as well.
"We're not in a hurry. If I remember correctly, you just said, 'What good would it do me to lie to you?'"
"And in my experience, whenever that phrase is used at the end, it's a complete lie."
"Tell me, what's going on with Hachijo Island? What do you know?"
Under Kurozawa's pressure, the burly man took a step back, then, as if a sore spot had been hit, he spoke rapidly, "I told you! It's true! The people who had accidents on Hachijo Island were all careless and went into the sea on their own. There's no other hidden reason. What good would it do me to lie to you? Would a hidden reason affect my business? Don't be ridiculous, that's impossible."
He spoke quickly, and it sounded less like he was explaining to Kurozawa and more like he was trying to convince himself.
At this moment, Shinjuro Rengoku also stood up and walked to Kurozawa's side.
However, he didn't say anything, just watched Kurozawa with interest.
"Saying so much at once just shows you feel guilty and are trying to comfort yourself."
"No, I don't know anything. Don't stop me, I need to go." The burly man clenched his jaw, refusing to budge.
Because Shinjuro Rengoku and Kurozawa both carried swords and wore haori, he assumed they were together.
Stepping forward abruptly, Kurozawa's expression turned fierce, and his Nichirin Blade clanged as it was drawn.
The chilling blade was placed directly against the burly man's neck, and the icy touch sent a layer of goosebumps across his skin.
Kurozawa said coldly, " I came here specifically to deal with this matter. Tell me what you know!"
"Otherwise, I don't mind adding another soul under my blade!"
With the blade at his throat, cold sweat dripped from the burly man's forehead. He forced a smile and reached out to grasp the back of the Nichirin Blade, but no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't budge it.
"Don't joke around, people are watching everywhere, haha. Put the sword down, put the sword down. Be careful, it wouldn't be good if you actually hurt someone."
There were many people on the beach of Hachijo Island, and many were attracted by the commotion Kurozawa was causing. They craned their necks to watch, not blinking.
"You think I'm joking?"
Kurozawa's face darkened, and he moved his wrist.
The sharp Nichirin Blade immediately cut his skin, staining it with a trickle of crimson blood. At the same time, feeling the sting on his neck and seeing the sharp, indifferent look in the man's eyes before him, the burly man froze, completely unable to move.
"I... I..."
"Actually... I can't be completely sure, but everyone who disappeared went to visit the local prominent family, the Iguro Family, and then vanished without a trace."
That's right. I have to pretend to be a villain and use brute force to get the truth out of you, when I'm actually kind and pure.
Kurozawa put away the Nichirin Blade with satisfaction. With a light flick, the blood on it splashed into the sea and was swept away by an incoming wave.
The burly man breathed a sigh of relief, raised his hand to touch the small cut on his neck, his face full of lingering fear. At this moment, Kurozawa's gaze fell on him again: "You'd better not be hiding or deceiving me. I'm a petty person and always settle scores. I'll definitely come back for you."
Kind and generous Kurozawa, once again lied against his conscience, feeling deeply guilty inside.
His teeth chattering, the burly man stammered, "How could I, how could I? That was just a guess. I didn't want to say anything because I was afraid it would affect my business. After all, I have an eighty-year-old..."
Kurozawa held up a hand, stopping the burly man's words.
"You have your reasons for not telling the truth, but I don't care about the reason, and I don't care how many people you indirectly harmed. I only care if your words are true or false."
"Now, while I'm in a good mood, get lost!"
Kurozawa didn't look back and stepped off the boat.
What met his eyes now were the fearful gazes of the travelers, all looking at him as if he were a villain. The beautiful scenery of the Hachijo Island coast and the lush green island vegetation also seemed to dim.
"Swordsman, have you forgotten the rules of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
The Demon Slayer Corps had many regulations, one of which strictly prohibited the kind of rough behavior Kurozawa displayed.
Behind him, the unique voice, like roaring flames, sounded. Shinjuro Rengoku also got off the boat and called out to Kurozawa.
Kurozawa turned around, bowed slightly, then said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Flame Pillar, rules are rigid. I just want to complete the mission as quickly as possible."
As a Demon Slayer Pillar, the respect due must be given. All swordsmen who dedicate their lives to slaying demons and keeping watch, putting their own lives on the line, deserve respect.
But Kurozawa stood by his decision.
Shinjuro Rengoku was silent for a few breaths, then suddenly laughed heartily and patted Kurozawa's shoulder. "That's right. Since the Hachijo Island mission was assigned to you, I won't interfere."
"However, three skilled swordsmen have already gone missing here, so it's still somewhat dangerous for you. Therefore, I will wait on the shore. Complete the mission within three days and come see me. If you encounter trouble you can't solve, you can also come here."
"If I don't see you after three days, I will personally step in to resolve the hidden danger on Hachijo Island."
Shinjuro Rengoku had been a Pillar for over twenty years and possessed a keen intuition. At this moment, he was almost certain that a Demon was causing trouble within Hachijo Island.
He was originally on a Demon Slaying Mission nearby. After completing it, he passed by Hachijo Island, heard about what happened here, and came over on his own initiative. Now that he knew Kurozawa was the one who carried out the mission, he decided to wait and see for now.
Kurozawa nodded, then parted ways with Shinjuro Rengoku and left the Hachijo Island coast.
Walking slowly along the pebble-paved road, Kurozawa was surrounded by travelers coming and going. On both sides of the road were many unique small shops selling interesting local trinkets.
Stopping by a shop selling seashell decorations, Kurozawa displayed a sincere smile.
The shop owner was a little girl with a bun face and pigtails, only eight or nine years old. She was probably temporarily watching the shop for her family. After being charmed by Kurozawa's smile, she stared blankly at him, looking intently.
"Little sister, let big brother ask you something."
"Do you know the Iguro Family?"
The little girl wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, then frowned cutely. After thinking seriously, she said, "Yes, I know, I know. Go straight down this road, turn right at the third intersection, and that's where the Iguro sisters live."
The Iguro sisters? Kurozawa sharply noticed this strange form of address.
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read 777+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------