Urokodaki Sakonji knew that Haganezuka Hotaru was searching for a swordsman who could turn his Nichirin Sword red. He also knew that it wasn't just him; the entire Swordsmith Village was searching for this swordsman.
Legend had it that the legendary swordsman from history could turn his blade red. Because of his existence, the rampant demons were kept in check.
But as the current Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka knew more and in greater depth than Urokodaki Sakonji.
He knew that this swordsman was none other than the progenitor of all "Breathing Styles," the user of "Sun Breathing," Yoriichi Tsugikuni!
The only two "Hashira" who had some knowledge of this individual... the "Stone Hashira" and the "Wind Hashira."
Gyomei Himejima had once mentioned this name during a Hashira meeting... He had heard his master (the former Stone Hashira) say:
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni was born with the Transparent World and the Mark. He once nearly solo-killed Muzan Kibutsuji, pushing him to the brink of desperation. Muzan had to split into over 1,800 pieces to escape."
"His trademarks are the 'Crimson Blade' and 'Hanafuda earrings'...."
Now, looking at Eiichiro, the boy's earrings depicted the sun and mountains, seeming to overlap with the "Hanafuda earrings" Gyomei Himejima spoke of.
The bowl fell onto the kang and split in two... The fish porridge spilled out, splashing onto his haori....
The small wooden cabin instantly fell silent...
Many gazes converged on Giyu Tomioka. He looked at Roy with a serious expression and said, "Eiichiro, can you let me see it?"
'The letter Master wrote to the Master is still too perfunctory...' Of course, Giyu Tomioka wasn't blaming Urokodaki Sakonji. Rather, something this important shouldn't be overlooked; it should have been reported directly.
'Perhaps Master also didn't realize the importance of this matter,' he silently added, making an excuse for him in his mind.
Roy smiled, "If Senior Brother wants to see, it's naturally not a problem."
Shinsuke perked up, "I'll go get your sword for you."
As he spoke, he was about to transform into a gust of wind to retrieve the Short-hilt hanging on the wall... Unexpectedly....
"No need to trouble yourself, Senior Brother." Roy, without looking back, reached out behind him. [Magnetism · Attract]. The Short-hilt suddenly moved, passed through Shinsuke's body, and, as if it had grown wings, flew automatically toward Roy.
The boy simply reached out and lightly caught it in his hand.
"Yo..." Shinsuke let out a strange cry. "What kind of technique is this?"
'The sword is like it's sentient, obeying the boy's will...' 'This Eiichiro fellow always seems to be able to do unimaginable things...'
Makomo's mouth fell slightly open, as if she was seeing Roy for the first time, staring at him and sizing him up.
Sabito and Giyu Tomioka exchanged a glance, then both looked toward Urokodaki Sakonji.
The old Water Hashira had been immersed in the way of the sword for over fifty years. Even with his vast experience, he had never seen such a move. Although he always taught the children that a swordsman's blade is his life—where the sword is, the man is; if the sword breaks, the man dies—he had never seen the bizarre sight of a sword itself "coming alive."
He gave Roy a deep look and fell silent.—
"Creak—" The early spring wind was no warmer than the dead of winter. It blew down from the mountains, causing the paper window to rattle.
Roy's expression was calm. Pretending he hadn't seen anything, he drew the sword. He coated the Short-hilt with a layer of "Scorching" "Nen."
Visibly, red spots began to emerge. Then, under Giyu Tomioka's trembling gaze, they rapidly expanded, covering the entire blade in the blink of an eye. Even from two meters away, one could feel a wave of heat washing over them!
'It's the Crimson Blade.'
'There's no mistaking it...'
'Coupled with the "Hanafuda earrings"...'
Giyu Tomioka stared deeply at the boy...
Roy smiled slightly, "Is this alright, Senior Brother?"
"If this goes on any longer, I'm afraid the other senior brothers won't be able to take it."
The "Crimson Blade" was purely an "anti-demon treasure"... Whether it was man-eating "demons" or living souls like Sabito and Makomo, forget being struck by it, even looking at it was uncomfortable.
And this was even after Roy had given everyone a protective layer of "Nen" via the kang.
"That's enough." Giyu Tomioka took a deep breath. He glanced around and also noticed the discomfort of his brothers and sister.
When Roy withdrew the "Scorching Intent" and sheathed his sword, everyone visibly relaxed.
"Let's eat."
"Right, let's eat."
"Senior Brother Giyu hasn't tasted Master's cooking in a long time. You must eat a lot this time," Makomo said with a grin. "I'll just watch you eat."
"I'll get a bowl for Senior Brother."
"No need, I'll get it myself."
Giyu Tomioka turned his head and only then realized the mess beneath him. He quickly grabbed a rag to clean it up, then served himself a bowl of fish porridge and ate it with pickled radishes.
After the meal, he rushed to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen... Roy didn't fight him for it. It wasn't easy for him to come back. Since he wanted to show his filial piety, Roy couldn't spoil his senior brother's mood.
Urokodaki Sakonji watched with a smile, kneeling before the kotatsu and making tea for the two of them.
Makomo still sat beside him. She reached out and poked Sabito, whispering in his ear, "Hey... have you noticed? Ever since Eiichiro came, Master smiles a lot more."
"In the past, he was always alone, either carving or staring into space. He wouldn't say a word all day. It was worrying to watch."
Sabito: "Isn't that good?"
"It is." Makomo glanced at Urokodaki Sakonji, then at Giyu Tomioka busy in the kitchen, and finally stole a peek at Roy, saying softly, "It's just... it's too good. It makes me feel like it's not real."
Sabito fell silent.
'Human nature is fickle. When things are bad, you can't stand it. When things are good, you doubt reality.'
He took a deep breath, tucking this fleeting warmth into his heart, and said faintly, "Cherish it... Giyu is here, which means Eiichiro is about to leave..."
"It hasn't even been a year..."
"For a genius, what's the difference between one year and two?"
Sabito could understand Makomo's feelings. He looked up at Giyu, then at Eiichiro...
'They only seize the day!'
Makomo's expression dimmed, and she lowered her head... She understood the logic, but the reluctance in her heart was real and growing stronger with time.
In the kitchen, Giyu Tomioka finished cleaning up and came out.
Just as he did, Urokodaki Sakonji finished making the tea. He handed one cup to him and the other to Roy.
The old man looked at his two disciples, "Let's get to business, Giyu."
'He sent a letter during the New Year saying he couldn't come back, but right after the New Year, he rushes over...' Urokodaki Sakonji guessed it was related to the letter he had written to the Master.
Whether it was the wisdom of old age or a deep understanding of Giyu Tomioka... in any case, Urokodaki Sakonji had guessed correctly.
Giyu Tomioka put down his teacup and replied truthfully, "I have come on the Master's orders, specifically for 'Eiichiro'...."
"The Master has heard of Eiichiro's talent and very much hopes that Eiichiro can join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Eiichiro," Giyu Tomioka placed his hand on his Nichirin Sword and looked at Roy seriously, "Please fight me!"
As expected. Shinsuke and Fukuda exchanged a glance, their excitement growing.
Sabito and Makomo had also anticipated this. They looked up at the two, flanked by Urokodaki Sakonji, who was also watching them silently.