"Tendo, thank you!" Shinobu Kocho froze for a long moment before speaking softly, the sorrow in her heart dissipating like smoke.
Sniffle! X﹏X
So fragrant, so soft!
At this moment, the one who truly needed to express gratitude was Tendo.
A little angelic version of Tendo appeared beside him, shaking its head with a look of disdain:
"Disgusting pervert, ugh!"
Reluctantly, Tendo released Shinobu and then pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket - his hastily drawn blueprint.
It depicted the future Insect Hashira's Nichirin Blade. To give the current Shinobu more confidence, he had sketched this unique sword.
With Shinobu looking utterly puzzled, the Little Heavenly Path lecture began.
"Shinobu, I'm not a swordsmith, but I have an idea. You could develop your Breathing Technique based on this. Of course, you'll need to enhance the basic stabbing technique while incorporating poison..."
Tendo rambled on at length while Shinobu proved to be the perfect student, nodding eagerly like a chick pecking at rice, occasionally offering her own suggestions.
After a while, the Little Heavenly Path lecture concluded.
Shinobu threw herself into Tendo's arms with a bear hug, exclaiming loudly, "Tendo, you're such a genius! I love your idea so much!"
Tendo turned his head away, his expression showing seventy percent happiness and thirty percent disappointment.
Why does Shinobu like the idea but not me?
Damn that idea.
Now that Shinobu's worries were gone, Tendo could finally focus on preparing for the Final Selection.
Shinobu skipped happily as she bid Tendo farewell, rushing back to the medical department and bursting into her sister's room.
"Sister! I can kill demons too! I don't necessarily have to cut their necks!"
"Sister, I'm so happy!"
"Tendo is really smart!"
Kanae patted her little sister's head - she had known Tendo would find a way.
...
Half a month later, at the headquarters entrance.
Three young men stood ready for departure. Aunt Ruka saw them off, as they needed to leave half a month early due to travel time.
Tears welled in Ruka Rengoku's eyes. Over this long period, she had come to regard Tendo and Obanai as her own children, not to mention her eldest son Kyojuro.
A mother's heart aches when her children journey far - sending off three at once was understandably painful.
After all, they weren't just traveling but participating in the Final Selection - a life-or-death trial.
The Demon Slayer Corps' selection had always been brutal, even when not mandatory, all to eradicate demons completely.
"Mother, we're strong! Don't worry!" Kyojuro hugged his mother to comfort her.
"Right! I'm a genius, Aunt Ruka!"
"With the three of us together, we fear nothing!" Obanai nodded, one of his rare moments without sarcasm.
Their goal wasn't merely to pass the Final Selection - they intended to exterminate every demon on Mount Fujikasane.
"Be careful, all three of you. Safety is most important!" Ruka Rengoku emphasized earnestly, having repeated this dozens of times already.
After their farewells, the three set out, with Tendo constantly looking back.
"Maybe she's busy with something!" Obanai elbowed Tendo, saying gleefully.
Tendo shot Obanai a glare - this guy really deserved a beating.
Suddenly, Shinobu's breathless voice came from the distance:
"Tendo! Wait! Wait..."Hearing the voice he longed to hear, Tendo turned around with delight just as Shinobu Kocho threw herself into his arms.
She pressed a vial of purple liquid into his hands, her body carrying the heavy scent of wisteria.
"This... is the first generation of Wisteria Poison I developed. Take it and use it—good luck!"
Shinobu Kocho straightened up, her heavy dark circles contrasting with her blossoming smile. She hadn't slept all night to make it in time.
"Shinobu, I'll do my best!" Tendo clenched the small glass bottle, which featured a cheerful chibi version of himself. Shinobu had reused the "Save Your Life 3000" packaging.
"Hey, that's not fair!"
"Why don't I get one?" Kyojuro stared curiously at the purple vial, complaining unhappily.
"Seriously inconsiderate. Only the glutton gets one!" Obanai nodded, his heart sour with envy.
"Everyone gets one!"
Kanae suddenly appeared, her lips curled in a gentle smile.
Truthfully, she wasn't the least bit worried about her companions. She knew exactly how strong they were.
"Alright, alright!" Kanae pulled the two glaringly obvious third wheels aside. "Let's give them some space!"
Kyojuro's face was full of question marks. "Why?"
"No reason!"
Kanae smiled, her gaze subtly shifting to where Tendo and Shinobu stood.
The two simply stood there foolishly. With the Wisteria Poison handed over, Shinobu wasn't sure what to do next.
The air grew quiet for a moment before she looked up, her clear purple eyes like two full moons, tinged with worry.
She didn't want to voice her concerns, afraid of disturbing Tendo's focus.
She hadn't felt much before, but at the moment of parting, unease welled up in her heart.
"Tendo, remember to record the effects for me. This is your idea, but it's also my strength!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shinobu regretted them. What was she even saying?
"Got it!"
"Since it was my idea, I'll see it through to the end!"
Tendo looked into Shinobu's eyes, his lips curling into a light, earnest smile.
"Stay safe!"
"Don't push yourself too hard. Even though you're strong, rely on Obanai and Kyojuro more!"
"And make sure to eat properly. You need to eat your fill!"
"I know you recover quickly, but don't ignore your injuries. They hurt!"
Shinobu nervously fiddled with the hem of her clothes, unwittingly rambling on.
Some words don't need preparation; some feelings don't need hiding. Everything flows naturally.
Tendo's smile deepened, his eyes crinkling. He raised his hand and gently ruffled Shinobu's hair.
"Don't worry, I'm strong!"
"And you—go back and get some proper sleep!"
"Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
With their farewells complete, Tendo and the other two left headquarters.
On the road, Obanai cleared his throat and mimicked Shinobu's tone:
"Don't push yourself too hard. Rely on me and Kyojuro more, Tendo!"
Tendo shot Obanai an exasperated glare.
"I'm so excited! Finally, I can hone myself through battle! Hahaha!"
Kyojuro laughed heartily, his greatsword practically thirsting for action.
"Big bro, no need to get too worked up. It's just killing a Demon."
As the only one in their trio who had slain a Demon before, Tendo was completely unfazed.
"What? You've beheaded a Demon before?"
Hearing this, Tendo's nose practically lifted with pride as he indulged in a little bragging.
"Hmph! (.-ω′-)"
"I've taken down three Demons already!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Kyojuro's eyes sparkled with admiration as he eagerly asked:
"Tendo, what's it like to slay a Demon?""Of course it's..."
Obanai rolled his eyes at Tendo from the side and mocked:
"Always so full of yourself, keep showing off!"
Soon, the three of them ran out of the deep mountains, heading towards Mount Fujikasane.
Of course, farewells weren't only happening at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters—the same was true at Mount Sagiri.