Chapter 3: Farewell and Awakening
Nestled among straight bamboo groves and dotted with vibrant cherry blossoms, the thatched cottage exuded serene tranquility—rivaling even the legendary Peach Blossom Spring. The courtyard was simple yet carried an air of quiet grandeur.
Yi Ren and Mitsuri had just returned home when a warm, inviting call came from the kitchen.
"Are Mitsuri and Yi Ren back?"
"Yes, Mommy! I came back with Onii-chan!" Mitsuri scampered into the kitchen, threw her arms around Harada Yuri, and planted a quick peck on her cheek with a sweet smile.
Watching the heartwarming scene, Yi Ren couldn't help but smile faintly.
These years had been peaceful—like living as a carefree hermit. Part of him almost wanted to stay forever.
Of course, that was just talk. After all, he'd come to the Demon Slayer world—how could he accept never even seeing a demon?
"Go play for a bit, Mitsuri. Mommy needs to cook."
Harada Yuri gently ruffled Mitsuri's hair, radiating soft elegance.
"No way! I wanna help, hehe!"
Mitsuri shook her head and toddled over to a massive pickling stone—at least forty pounds heavy.
Seeing this, Yuri remembered how her daughter had lifted a ten-pound stone at age one, nearly giving her a heart attack. She quickly tried to stop her. "Uh... Mitsuri, this one's much heavier than the one you lifted when you were little!"
Mitsuri ignored the warning. The huge stone shifted slightly, then rose effortlessly in her tiny hands. She beamed proudly at Yi Ren.
"Hehe! Onii-chan, isn't Mitsuri amazing?"
Yi Ren's lips twitched in surprise, just about to answer—
"Eek!!!"
Yuri let out a startled yelp.
"Our Mitsuri is the strongest!"
Yi Ren gently patted her head.
He couldn't help but feel shocked too. After years of rigorous training, his strength now matched what Mitsuri had naturally as a toddler. Truly worthy of the girl who would one day become the Love Hashira.
"Yup~ (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧"
Mitsuri's face lit up with a cute, proud grin. She flexed her slender arm playfully.
"Alright, Yi Ren—take Mitsuri to find Kaede-rin."
Yuri finally recovered from the shock, wiping cold sweat from her brow.
Was I wrong all this time? I thought Mitsuri would grow up gentle...
"Okay, let's go, Mitsuri."
Yi Ren nodded and took her small hand, leading her toward the central room.
"Okay... Onii-chan."
Though reluctant, she didn't resist—especially since it was Yi Ren pulling her. Instead, she clung tightly, full of attachment.
This was no surprise. From infancy until now, Mitsuri had grown deeply dependent on him.
Seeing her pout, Yi Ren could only smile helplessly. If she kept "helping," their mom might actually faint.
Moments later...
They entered the modest central room and slipped off their wooden clogs at the entrance.
Inside, an upright man with a commanding yet gentle presence sat cross-legged at a low table, face serious as he quietly waited.
The moment Mitsuri spotted him, she dashed over, arms wide, voice soft and sweet: "Daddy! Hug!"
It was Kanroji Kaede-rin, head of the family.
His stern expression melted instantly. With a doting smile, he scooped her up gently and tapped her tiny nose. "What brings you here, Mitsuri?"
"Onii-chan brought me!"
Mitsuri happily hugged him, proudly recounting the whole pickling-stone incident—especially emphasizing her feat.
Kaede-rin nodded with a chuckle, then turned to Yi Ren, his gaze turning slightly serious yet still warm. "Good timing. There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Yes, Father."
Yi Ren nodded and settled onto the cushion opposite him.
He knew this adoptive father well: a total daughter fool, but deadly serious when it mattered.
Kaede-rin took a calm sip of rice wine, his expression growing solemn. Even the usually bouncy Mitsuri froze, watching quietly.
"Regarding your request to leave and train... I approve."
"Huh? Onii-chan is leaving me?!"
Mitsuri's lime-green eyes widened. Tears welled up, threatening to spill.
Yi Ren gently stroked her head, voice soft and reassuring. "I'll come back, Mitsuri. I need to get stronger—so I can protect you properly."
"Then... you have to come back!"
Though downcast and reluctant, she nodded sensibly.
Kaede-rin gently set her down and looked at her warmly. "I need to speak with your brother now. Go help your mother, okay?"
"But..."
Mitsuri glanced hesitantly at Yi Ren, fidgeting with her tiny hands.
"Mitsuri, be good."
Yi Ren gave her an encouraging look.
"Okay..."
She reluctantly toddled away, glancing back several times until Kaede-rin's gaze urged her out.
Kaede-rin shook his head helplessly and sighed. "Girls grow up so fast~"
"You're teasing, Father. Mitsuri and I are just close."
Yi Ren replied awkwardly, thinking to himself: If this dad knew my less-than-pure intentions toward his daughter, he'd probably dump me back in the bamboo grove for the wolves.
Kaede-rin chuckled, then grew earnest. "Yi Ren, you aren't truly of the Kanroji bloodline. When you return... I intend to give you Mitsuri as your wife."
"This..."
Yi Ren feigned shock—though inwardly he'd already roasted the idea a thousand times.
Satisfied with the reaction, Kaede-rin nodded. Always acting so mature—no one would guess you're only ten.
He reached beside him and pulled out a basket filled with survival essentials.
"Everything you need for your journey is here—along with some money. Remember: come back alive. Mitsuri and the rest of us will be waiting."
Looking at the basket, Yi Ren's body trembled with excitement. His true journey was finally beginning!
Composing himself, he accepted it calmly and bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Enough. Set out tomorrow."
Kaede-rin waved dismissively, pretending nonchalance—though his eyes had already reddened.
"Understood, Father."
Yi Ren rose and left, his back that of a boy born to chase strength—and born to protect his family.
Watching him go, Kaede-rin couldn't calm his heart. After a long moment, he sighed heavily. "I hope you can keep walking this path. This world... isn't kind."
Later, in Yi Ren's room.
He set the basket aside and flopped onto the bed with a relieved sigh.
"Tomorrow it begins. But where should I go first? Join the Demon Slayer Corps? Though they'd probably laugh at a ten-year-old recruit..."
As he pondered, sudden burning pain shot through his finger. He clenched his teeth and hissed.
"Ow—ah... this is the marking!"
On his middle finger, where nothing had been before, a faint dragon-shaped pattern now appeared—dull and unlit, not yet activated.
"Dragon marking! My memory of the original is fuzzy, but this should give me a powerful edge for survival."
Excitement surged, then he forced himself to calm.
That mysterious voice had spoken only once upon his arrival—and now the marking appeared. There had to be more.
Suddenly, his vision shifted inward—he could see inside his own body.
This... is inner sight!
A glowing orb labeled "Sword Dao Physique" floated in an inner space, surrounded by ten empty slots—somehow tied to Breathing Styles.
Nearby, another orb shone: "Basic Swordsmanship." The two existed separately, in harmony.
As for the ten slots—he didn't know yet. But with his current foundation, he should be able to fight demons on equal footing.
"A long road ahead. To protect Mitsuri, I'll eventually have to face Muzan himself."
Returning to reality, he acknowledged his strength with mild disappointment—but everything took time. No rushing.
Suddenly—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A soft, adorable voice called through the wooden door.
"Onii-chan, dinner's ready!"
"Coming, Mitsuri."
Yi Ren smiled, pushing thoughts of rapid growth aside. He stood and headed toward the main room.