Before winter snow fell, Haruto returned to Mt. Sagiri from the Swordsmith Village.
Sakonji Urokodaki still sat in front of his wooden house, greeting him calmly with his gaze.
Mr. Urokodaki's children grew up one by one, and then, due to Demon Slayer Corps duties, they left him one by one.
The once lively Mt. Sagiri gradually quieted down with the passage of time.
It will be different after the New Year, Haruto thought.
After the New Year, he planned to bring Tanjirou here, send Kie, Nezuko, and the younger Hanako, Rokuuta, and Shigeru to the town. Takeo seemed very interested in swordsmanship, so perhaps he could become a Demon Slayer Swordsmen like his older brother.
With Genya added, Mt. Sagiri would soon be lively again.
Just like they once were.
At night, Haruto still patrolled his jurisdiction.
"Oh? It's snowing?"
Amidst the cold wind sweeping through the mountains, crystal clear snowflakes fell, quickly covering Mt. Sagiri in a blanket of silver.
Hah... Haruto exhaled a white mist into the night sky. Snow meant the New Year was approaching.
When the New Year arrived, he would call Shinobu and Genya to return to the Swordsmith Village together.
Who knew how many loudspeakers there were at Butterfly Mansion that day. The gossip about Haruto and Shinobu was propelled by the autumn wind, sweeping across the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
Even Kagaya sent a letter to tease him, even though the words on the letter were a bit crooked—Kagaya's eyes could barely see anymore.
Unexpectedly, Sabito was the one who brought the news to the Swordsmith Village. After Master Godo learned of this, he wrote more than a dozen letters to Haruto, each with only one main point—bring that girl back for me to see!
It was clear that being too popular wasn't a good thing; almost everyone who traveled to and from the Swordsmith Village knew Kochou Shinobu of Butterfly Mansion.
Under the descriptions of various people, a gentle, poised, and cheerful girl, always with a kind smile, gradually took shape in Master Godo's mind.
As a result, the content of the letters Master Godo sent back became increasingly strange, so strange that Haruto felt if he didn't go back soon, Master Godo might not even know he was already married.
So this New Year, he would take Shinobu and Genya back to the Swordsmith Village... Kanae might also come along. Since their parents passed away, the sisters have spent every New Year together.
With Genya and Kanae coming along, perhaps other mysterious beings might be lured out... If Haruto's New Year's wish was for Master Godo not to go crazy, then Tanjirou's New Year's wish would surely be for his family's safety... Hmm, if he could sell more charcoal before the New Year so his family could eat their fill, that would be even better.
Although Mr. Haruto had given him a lot of money, he saved it all, planning to return it to Mr. Haruto all at once after making up the full amount.
He rubbed his eyes and pushed open the door, preparing to stretch his muscles outside.
Oh? It snowed so much last night. If he were to go down the mountain to sell charcoal today, he could only carry it in a basket.
He had promised Hanako and Shigeru to take them down the mountain with him, but now it seemed all those plans were ruined.
The ground covered in snow made the dim sky very bright. Tanjirou stood in the snow, wielding his nichirin blade.
No... still no good.
He wiped the sweat from his face with his wrist, smearing his face dirty.
Although he had memorized all the movements of Hinokami Kagura, it was still very difficult to apply them to techniques.
He had been trying all this time, but without exception, all his attempts failed.
After the New Year... after the New Year, he would move to his teacher's residence and ask him about Breathing Technique.
After practicing with his blade for a while, the sun rose.
Tanjirou dressed, tucked his nichirin blade into his belt, squatted down, and hoisted the full basket of charcoal onto his back.
"Tanjirou."
Kie's voice came from the doorway. She looked at her eldest son with a smile in her eyes and waved to him.
"Why is your face so dirty? Come over here."
...Haruto returned to the wooden house and picked up a few letters dropped by a Kasugai Crow from the ground.
From Master Godo, from Shinobu, from the Rengoku Family... Hmm? There was even one from Tomioka Giyu.
That guy... either he was lazy or uncultured and couldn't write, always forgetting to reply to Haruto.
Master Godo's letter... even without opening it, he could feel a strong sense of resentment.
Shinobu's letter, however, was much livelier. In it, she replied to Haruto's New Year invitation.
"Of course, that's great! I happen to have a holiday for the New Year. I was originally planning to buy medicinal herbs, but now that I think about it... the medicinal herbs can wait for a while~"
Haruto chuckled, as if he could imagine Shinobu's expression as she wrote the letter.
Letters sent in the name of the Rengoku Family sometimes came from Kyoujurou, sometimes from Senjuro.
Kyoujurou's handwriting was bold and powerful, almost piercing the paper; while Senjuro's letters were written very delicately, just as gentle and elegant as he himself was.
This letter was from Senjuro's hand.
...Father still refuses to attend the Pillar Meeting. He drank a lot of sake and said terrible things to big brother, but big brother didn't take it to heart at all.
Oh right, a few days ago, big brother took on a disciple named Kanroji Mitsuri. She's a very cute girl. She loves to act spoiled, and with her vibrant hair color, you wouldn't think she was an older sister.
And although I shouldn't say this about a girl, she really eats a lot... on par with big brother.
It's almost as if we have another big brother in the house; the amount of ingredients consumed daily has doubled.
Anyway... I'm really looking forward to the three of you meeting—for an eating contest!"
Haruto closed the letter, a smile still lingering on his lips.
Senjuro's handwriting became a bit wild and free at the end; it seemed he really liked his brother's disciple.
A girl who could compete with Kyoujurou in eating? That was truly rare.
Someone who practices Flame Breathing... she must be a passionate and cheerful child, right?
Kagaya told him that the successor to Flame Breathing should know some things related to Sun Breathing, but unfortunately, Mr. Shinjuro still hadn't recovered. It seemed that if he wanted to learn more, he would have to visit the Rengoku Family after the New Year.
After the New Year, after the New Year.
All matters were piled up for after the New Year, as if the approaching New Year was a watershed, dividing current life into two halves.
This clear sense of urgency made Haruto feel a bit uneasy.
He shook his head, dispelling the unease from his mind, and then opened Giyuu's letter.
Giyuu's letter was short, concise, just like him.
"Received orders from headquarters. There are demons appearing on the snowy mountains in the north, having already eaten several hunters.
I am setting off to go... The target is near Mt. Kumotori."
Near Mt. Kumotori... Haruto's fingertips paused, and that uneasiness surged back, almost overwhelming him.
Heavy snow, cloudy sky, demons... Is the story... about to enter its main arc?
Posted October 11 at 5:14 PM
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