Shinobu watched the scene with worry as Sanemi Shinazugawa wrestled with his inner turmoil. Horitake, meanwhile, stood calmly, reeling in his catch.
At that moment, Shinobu shot Horitake a look, signaling, Don't take it too far.
Somehow, Horitake and Shinobu had developed such a rapport that he understood her glance instantly, returning a reassuring look.
In that brief moment, Sanemi finished his internal struggle.
What was pride? What was dignity? Compared to his hatred for demons, his resolve to slay them all, those things meant nothing!
Sanemi was determined to grow stronger, no matter the cost.
Kneeling? Fine. He'd do it!
Taking a deep breath, Sanemi's fierce gaze turned resolute. He faced Horitake, the man he clashed with, and declared loudly:
"Alright, Master Horitake! Watch this!
I, Sanemi Shinazugawa, humbly request you teach me the Gale Sword Style. Please!"
With that, Sanemi moved to kneel, casting aside all pride…
Seeing this, Horitake's grudge finally eased.
But just as Sanemi's knees neared the ground, Horitake grabbed his shoulders, pulling him up!
Let's be clear—making Sanemi kneel would be satisfying, but letting him fully hit the ground was a step too far.
If he did, Horitake and Sanemi could never be comrades or allies. Who knows what bad blood would fester?
For Horitake, this was enough—humbling Sanemi was sufficient.
After all, in the original story, Sanemi's attack on Nezuko hadn't happened yet. Horitake wouldn't let it happen, either.
Hoisting Sanemi up, Horitake faced his confused expression with a grin.
"Nothing. I just realized there's no need to go that far. Your sincerity's enough."
"Really?" Sanemi asked.
"Really."
Both Sanemi and Shinobu sighed in relief.
Sanemi was relieved to avoid kneeling. Shinobu was relieved that the two hadn't sparked a lasting feud, preserving harmony in the Demon Slayer Corps.
The five girls on the veranda relaxed, too.
They didn't grasp the full depth, but they sensed that if Sanemi had knelt, things would've taken a darker turn.
Thankfully, Lord Horitake knew where to draw the line, they thought.
Horitake faced Sanemi, adopting a mentor-like tone:
"The Gale Sword Style came from a master called the Gale Swordmaster. It's a powerful technique, and paired with your Wind Breathing, it could produce remarkable results.
Since you're sincere, I'll teach it to you.
Once you learn it, use it to slay more demons. Don't tarnish the style or the Swordmaster's legacy."
Sanemi nodded solemnly, taking the words to heart.
Horitake continued, "Sanemi, you're still recovering. Training now would be tough.
Plus, I'm heading out to hunt demons soon. I can't wait for you to heal or teach you step-by-step."
"So what do we do?" Sanemi asked.
"No rush. I'll write down the full Gale Sword Style. Study it yourself, practice once you're healed, and I'll teach you more when I'm back."
Sanemi scratched his head, troubled.
"But once I'm healed, I'll be out on missions too. Where will you find me? Where will I find you?"
"Good point. That's an issue."
After a moment, Sanemi suggested, "How about you write it down, I practice on my own, and if I have questions, I contact you via Kasugai Crow?"
Horitake's eyes lit up.
"Works for me. Let's do it. Got paper and a pen in your room? I'll write it down."
"Should be some. I'll check."
"Let's go."
With that, Horitake and Sanemi reached a tentative agreement and headed to Sanemi's room.
Shinobu, seeing the conflict resolved smoothly, breathed easier and returned inside.
In Sanemi's room, Horitake saw the toppled bed and furniture—his doing from the earlier kick. He felt a twinge of guilt.
Sanemi, unfazed, righted the bed and desk, found paper and a pen in a drawer, set them on the table, and even pulled out a chair for Horitake.
Horitake glanced at him. Since when is this guy so polite?
Sanemi had just learned a lesson: if you seek something from someone, show respect. And vice versa.
Horitake didn't stand on ceremony. He sat, grabbed the pen, and began writing fluidly.
Sanemi, uncharacteristically docile, stood quietly by, watching Horitake jot down the Gale Sword Style.
As Horitake wrote, Sanemi grew engrossed.
So that's how it works…
Why didn't I think of this before?
This technique is genius!
The one who created this style must be a prodigy!
Horitake finished, using several sheets of paper.
Sanemi had absorbed much of it, gaining a rough understanding, though he'd need practice to master it.
Standing, Horitake said, "There you go—the complete Gale Sword Style. Keep it safe, Sanemi. Don't share it without my permission."
Sanemi plopped into the chair, poring over the pages.
"Don't worry, I'll guard it with my life. Share it? I'd hide it first!"
Watching Sanemi's fixation, Horitake felt that, right now, those papers were the most important thing in the world to him. The sky could fall, and he wouldn't look up.
Fine. His obsession with the Gale Sword Style is a good thing.
As Horitake moved to leave, a knock echoed.
Not from the room's door, but from somewhere distant.
Could it be… someone knocking at the Butterfly Mansion's courtyard gate? A visitor?
No, the mansion's gate was open.
Wait!
Horitake realized something, rushed to the window, and leaned out, listening carefully.
It wasn't the mansion's gate—it was the house next door.
The house next door… that's mine!
Sure, it wasn't fully furnished yet, but it was definitely his!
Who could be knocking?
Gotō?
No, he knew Horitake wasn't moved in yet, and he had a key for furnishing.
Could it be…
Sure enough, a voice confirmed his guess.
Amid the knocking came Mitsuri Kanroji's faint call:
"Lord Horitake! Are you home?"
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