The next morning, Seiichi opened his eyes from his meditation practice.
Last night, after bidding farewell to Genya Shinazugawa and Tanjiro, Seiichi had explored the Swordsmith Village and its peaceful surroundings thoroughly.
A quiet night had passed without incident. No demons had attacked during the evening, so the main events should still proceed in their original direction.
At this moment, Tanjiro should already be training hard, Seiichi thought to himself.
It shouldn't be long before Tanjiro obtained the Nichirin Sword from the Yoriichi Type Zero training doll, and gained Muichiro Tokito's respect and friendship.
Of course, that last part is somewhat of a joke, but honestly, only someone as genuinely gentle as Tanjiro could move Muichiro's heart, right?
My own verbal persuasion skills still need significant improvement, Seiichi reflected.
"The main task now is to minimize casualties for the Demon Slayer Corps. Since I have knowledge of future events, I can completely exploit this information advantage."
As for why I haven't told the Demon Slayer Corps that Gyokko has already found this place...
First, there's the butterfly effect. My appearance in this world could lead to a completely different fate, which I can't control. Perhaps Gyokko hasn't even discovered the Swordsmith Village yet.
Second, even as a Hashira, my words would be taken seriously, but it's impossible to relocate the entire Swordsmith Village based on a single statement, especially since there are special ores and resources here.
Finally, I lack concrete evidence, making it difficult to convince others. As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I can't explain how I know the Upper Moon's movements so clearly.
Being unable to explain would lead to suspicion and resentment, which simply isn't worth it.
All these reasons led him to choose strengthening defenses rather than directly informing them of the danger.
Besides, am I really supposed to be everyone's caretaker? My assistance is due to the Hashira's generous sharing of sword-fighting experience, but these are your world's demons that you must solve yourselves.
Even if people die because of it, that's the destiny and burden of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Picking up his Nichirin Sword, he walked down the busy streets of the Swordsmith Village. The rhythmic clanging sounds of metal being hammered echoed from the workshop houses, creating a noisy yet uniquely charming atmosphere.
"Seiichi-kun!"
Mitsuri waved enthusiastically from quite a distance away. She had come to pick up her newly repaired Nichirin Sword.
Seiichi smiled warmly and walked over to greet her.
"Mitsuri, I have something important for you."
"Eh, eh!"
Mitsuri's face instantly flushed bright red, and she fidgeted nervously, unsure whether to accept whatever he was offering or not.
Seiichi saw immediately that she had completely misunderstood his intentions. This reaction truly befits the Love Hashira.
He gave her a gentle tap on the head to snap her out of her embarrassing thoughts.
"It's something completely proper and important."
With that explanation, he carefully placed a small brocade pouch into her hands.
"Eh? What a beautiful and intricate brocade pouch. Can I open it right now?"
Turning the elegant pouch over and over in her hands, examining it carefully for a long while, Mitsuri asked with obvious curiosity.
"Not yet. Wait until the necessary time arrives, then you can open it."
"Then what exactly is the necessary time?"
"You'll know when the moment comes."
"Seiichi-kun is being so mysterious," Mitsuri mumbled while pouting slightly.
Afterward, Seiichi made his way to the forest outside the village and found Tanjiro, who was intensely sparring with the Yoriichi Type Zero training doll.
He approached and gave Tanjiro an identical brocade pouch.
Tanjiro happily accepted the gift without any suspicion. This kind and trusting child genuinely trusted everyone he met.
Patting Tanjiro's head affectionately and looking at the impressive Yoriichi Type Zero doll, Seiichi said thoughtfully, "I once read in the Ubuyashiki family's private library that the training dolls in the Swordsmith Village are modeled after powerful swordsmen from history."
"As for this Yoriichi Type Zero, if I'm not mistaken, it should be a mechanical simulation of the creator of Sun Breathing from centuries ago. The origin of all Breathing Styles, the strongest swordsman who ever lived, Yoriichi Tsugikuni."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni... that name sounds strangely familiar. I feel like I must have heard it somewhere before."
Completely ignoring the fact that Seiichi had patted his head, Tanjiro fell into deep, concentrated thought.
"The users of Sun Breathing have been deliberately targeted by Muzan for centuries and have been almost completely wiped out, leading to the apparent loss of Sun Breathing techniques. However, what no one ever expected was that Sun Breathing was passed down through generations in a miraculous way."
"Tanjiro, your Hinokami Kagura is actually Sun Breathing. It is the Sun Breathing Style unique to the Kamado family bloodline."
"Young man, you bear a tremendous responsibility on your shoulders."
Seiichi patted Tanjiro's shoulder meaningfully and walked away, leaving a completely stunned and speechless Tanjiro behind.
I still have several other people to find and prepare.
First, he located the stoic and quiet youth, Muichiro Tokito, who was practicing his sword techniques alone in an empty, secluded corner of the village.
He handed the young Hashira a brocade pouch under his questioning and somewhat confused gaze.
Then, in a shadowy corner away from the main paths, he discovered Genya Shinazugawa training intensely by himself.
Having met before during their journey, they were somewhat acquainted already.
"Tch, trying to be all mysterious and dramatic."
Genya curled his lips dismissively, let out an annoyed 'tch' sound, and roughly stuffed the brocade pouch into his uniform pocket.
After distributing the final brocade pouch to Genya, Seiichi returned to his assigned room to meditate quietly and prepare mentally.
Several more peaceful days passed without major incident.
One clear moonlit night, Seiichi picked up his Nichirin Sword and prepared to begin his planned patrol of the area.
The bright moonlight was like luminous essence, covering the entire mountain forest with a beautiful layer of silver frost. The night air was fresh and clean, with wispy tendrils of mist drifting between the trees.
Walking through the dense forest near the Swordsmith Village, Seiichi felt a rare sense of complete relaxation and peace.
"The most beautiful natural scenery is truly intoxicating. What a pity, what a terrible pity, that there are always unclean things that ruin such moments."
Seiichi stopped walking and stared directly at a decorative pot positioned in front of him on the forest path.
Although this location couldn't be called bustling or heavily trafficked, it was certainly rarely visited by anyone. Who would place an ornamental pot here for decoration in the middle of nowhere?
Clearly, this must be Upper Moon Five, Gyokko.
Upper Moon Five, hidden within the pot, was extremely happy and excited. He had just arrived at this location and already had a delicious snack to consume.
His two grotesque tongues uncontrollably licked his lips in anticipation.
Come closer, come closer, little human.
Attracting others to investigate, then swallowing them whole into the pot?
He could just kill and eat them directly, but he insists on this elaborate method. Perhaps it's some kind of twisted artistic hobby. Or maybe it's a consideration for hiding his movements and presence?
It doesn't matter either way.
Seiichi slowly drew his pure white Nichirin Sword from its sheath.
Reflected by the brilliant moonlight, the blade seemed to condense a layer of white frost along its edge.
"This aura, is it a Hashira? Oh, no, no, not quite right, because..."
Things were gradually becoming very strange and concerning.
Gyokko, hidden safely within the pot, hadn't even finished his analytical thought when a bright flash of blade light arrived instantly. This was followed by countless precise sword strikes, completely shattering the already severed pot into tiny smithereens.
"So incredibly fast, almost invisible to track! I almost died, this is bad, very bad."
In just a single instant, a new pot appeared seemingly out of thin air on a nearby tree branch.
Gyokko, emerging from the replacement pot, had several drops of cold sweat clearly visible on his forehead.
He no longer cared about being playful or artistic, nor did he have any intention of promoting his twisted art to his victim.
Because the man standing before me is far too strong!
"This aura, it's not like a typical Hashira, because he's much stronger than any Hashira I've encountered..."
I can't shed my skin to reveal my true form yet. Even if I could touch him with my divine hand to turn him into a fish, I can't manage that at all because he's much faster than me.
I'll use my instant movement in pot form to buy precious time, and then deal with him together after Hantengu finishes his mission over there.
Gyokko quickly pondered his survival strategy.
His eyes narrowed slightly with calculation.
Seiichi quietly watched Gyokko perched on the tree, while a chilling coldness seemed to linger in the air behind him.
"I must say, you're truly hideous to look at."
"Mere human! How dare you question and insult my artistic beauty!"
Gyokko's face contorted into a ferocious and terrifying grimace. His two hands, which resembled those of an infant, swayed unsteadily, making him appear utterly insane.
He appears easily enraged, but in reality, he's being very calm and calculating. It seems he's realized the significant difference in strength between us, and wants to buy time for Hantengu to arrive as reinforcement.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to ignore him completely. If I let him do as he pleases, his ability to summon various monsters would pose a much greater threat to all the innocent people of the Swordsmith Village.
Glancing briefly at his status panel, Seiichi held his blade horizontally in front of him. His clear blue pupils were reflected perfectly on the pure white blade surface.
Name: Seiichi
Strength: First-Tier
Spiritual Power: 250 / 250 (Limit for humans in this world)
Basic Skills: Japanese Mastery (1000 / 7500), Swordsmanship - Grandmaster (10 / 100000), Medical & Poison Proficiency (100 / 50000)
Supernatural Abilities: Sun Breathing - Full Concentration · Extreme (Breaking Limit), Sun Breathing - Full Concentration (10 / 50000), Red Nichirin Sword - Mastery (10000 / 50000), Breathing Styles (Expand)
Temporary Talent: Close to the Way
Evaluation: First-Tier Elite!!!!
With a slight, confident smile, Seiichi said calmly, "Alright then, let's begin this dance."