After hearing Hinai's words, Chiba Yo felt a pang in his nose and was speechless for a long time.
He now completely understood why all the Hashira respected Kagaya so much; as a leader, if one can do this much for their subordinates, which subordinate would not respect him?
Moreover, he did not view the Demon Slayer Corps members as subordinates; he always referred to them as 'children,' treating all members of the Demon Slayer Corps as his own children.
He guided them when they were in pain, offered help when they were in distress, grieved for their passing, and felt genuine joy when they grew stronger.
However, it was not just these things; Chiba Yo did not know that Kagaya remembered the names and life stories of every Demon Slayer who had passed away since he took office; he truly loved every swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps.
"I hope Master Kagaya takes good care of himself." Chiba Yo was silent for a long time, finally only managing to utter this one sentence.
Hinai smiled upon hearing Chiba Yo's words, bowed slightly, and said to him, "Thank you."
The two left Master Kagaya's residence, silent on the way. Tanjirou had also been greatly shaken just now, and his impression of Kagaya became even more profound and vivid.
Walking slowly along the path, Chiba Yo temporarily forgot some of the things he had wanted to say to Tanjirou after seeing him use Hinokami Kagura earlier.
Just then, a Kasugai Crow flew over their heads.
"Caw! Caw! The swordsmith who forged the nichirin blades for KamadoTanjirou and HashibiriaInosuke has arrived! Tanjirou and Inosuke's swords are forged!"
The Kasugai Crow circled in the air, cawing loudly, breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
"My and Inosuke's nichirin blades are finally forged! Kotetsu-san is here too! I'll go tell Inosuke, and we'll go welcome Kotetsu-san in a bit."
Upon hearing the news from the Kasugai Crow, Tanjirou's mood immediately brightened, and he said happily, then ran towards his, Inosuke's, and Zenitsu's residence.
...Swordsmiths who forge nichirin blades must value the swords they make very much, right? Tanjirou broke his nichirin blade, so that swordsmith's mood must not be good. Why does Tanjirou still seem so happy?
Chiba Yo was somewhat puzzled by Tanjirou's reaction.
Looking at Tanjirou's disappearing back, Chiba Yo suddenly remembered that he still had some thoughts about Tanjirou's Hinokami Kagura that he hadn't told him.
Never mind, he's going to meet the swordsmith who forged his sword anyway. I'll just wait for him at the Butterfly Mansion entrance.
Chiba Yo thought this and walked towards the Butterfly Mansion entrance.
Speaking of which, it's been a while since I heard news of Mr. Tetsuimaru. I wonder how he's doing now...
...
A few minutes later, Chiba Yo arrived at the Butterfly Mansion entrance. Tanjirou and the others hadn't arrived yet. In the distance, two people wearing Hyottoko masks were slowly walking over.
They should be the swordsmiths who forged the nichirin blades for Tanjirou and Inosuke. I'll ask them about Mr. Tetsuimaru's recent situation later.
Chiba Yo thought to himself.
Then, a clamor erupted.
"Hurry! Hurry!"
Tanjirou's voice.
"Yahoo!"
Inosuke's voice.
The two came running over, hopping and skipping happily.
"You're here too, Yo."
Tanjirou was surprised when he saw Chiba Yo, and then he noticed the two swordsmiths in the distance.
"There were some things I hadn't finished telling you just now..."
Chiba Yo began to say to Tanjirou, but Tanjirou was a bit too excited at the moment and didn't pay attention to what Chiba Yo was saying.
"It's Kotetsu-san!" Tanjirou exclaimed in surprise.
Then he waved his hand towards the swordsmith in the distance wearing a straw hat and shouted loudly to him, "Hey—hey—Kotetsu-san! Long time no see!"
The swordsmith wearing the straw hat seemed to notice Tanjirou, then handed what he was holding to the other swordsmith next to him, and then quickly ran towards them.
...What he was holding...was a sword, right...
Chiba Yo's words were interrupted by Tanjirou, so he temporarily stopped speaking. He turned to see the swordsmith wearing the straw hat running quickly towards them, holding a sword in both hands, with veins bulging on his arms, looking extremely angry.
"You're doing well..."
From a distance, Tanjirou hadn't clearly seen what Kotetsu was doing. Halfway through his sentence, he clearly saw Kotetsu rushing towards him quickly, holding a sword in both hands.
Huh?
The smile on Tanjirou's face froze.
Accompanied by an angry roar, Kotetsu rushed in front of Tanjirou and thrust his sword, and Tanjirou quickly dodged.
"Ko...Kotetsu-san..."
Tanjirou turned around, trembling, to look at Kotetsu, still feeling a lingering fear.
Chiba Yo thought that a swordsmith wouldn't be able to harm Tanjirou, so he didn't move, standing aside and watching the show.
"You actually dared to break my sword...You dared...You dared!" Kotetsu shouted at Tanjirou, filled with anger, as if his whole body was on fire.
This swordsmith's mood is indeed not good, or rather, it's terrible.
Chiba Yo looked at Tanjirou with some sympathy.
Tanjirou also understood the seriousness of the situation at this moment and quickly explained to Kotetsu, "But really, that...I almost died too, and the opponent was very strong..."
Due to nervousness and urgency, Tanjirou was speaking a bit incoherently.
As expected, Kotetsu did not easily forgive him after hearing his words. He came in front of him and quickly poked his face hard, while angrily saying to him, "No, what does that have to do with anything! It's your fault! It's all your fault! The sword broke because you were too weak! Otherwise, how could my sword break!"
Kotetsu poked faster and harder, and Tanjirou was completely powerless to resist, only able to miserably try to defend himself.
"But..."
However, before he could say anything in defense, Kotetsu again raised the sword in his hand. Tears streamed from the eyes of the Hyottoko mask he wore, and he trembled, saying to Tanjirou with genuine emotion, "I'm going to kill you!!!"
After saying this, Kotetsu began to demonstrate his resolve with actions, quickly swinging the sword at Tanjirou, who could only be forced to flee.
The two began a chase at the Butterfly Mansion entrance.
Kochou Shinobu, who had appeared at some point, smiled curiously and said, "Is this some new training?"
Kanzaki Aoi, beside her, said helplessly, "Probably not."
Kotetsu and Tanjirou's chase lasted for nearly an hour before ending. During this time, Chiba Yo recalled the sword techniques Tanjirou had demonstrated earlier and felt that he had grasped the essence of these moves. However, in the short term, his own created sword techniques would definitely be more proficient and effective to use.
Later, he might try to combine his own created sword techniques with these twelve sword techniques, and of course, he would first seek Tanjirou's permission.
After their chase ended, they both entered the Butterfly Mansion. Seeing this, Chiba Yo did not continue to follow. He took out his nichirin blade in the Butterfly Mansion courtyard to practice swinging it, while waiting for Tanjirou and the others to finish their conversation.