After half a day, Tomioka Giyu finally returned to Mount Sagiri.
Looking at the fiery red horizon, Tomioka Giyu was silent for a moment. He wasn't sure how to approach Urokodaki Sakonji.
Just as he was struggling, the door of the wooden cabin suddenly opened.
"Since you're back, why don't you come in?"
"Master, I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Urokodaki Sakonji embraced him.
"It's good that you've returned alive. Sabito's matter is my fault; you don't need to blame yourself."
Tomioka Giyu, held in his embrace, gently shook his head.
"Master, it has nothing to do with you either. From now on, I will carry Sabito's share and eliminate demons!"
"As for that Hand Demon, he won't live much longer."
Entering the house, the master and disciple chatted for a while. Tomioka Giyu said he would stay there temporarily.
On one hand, he was waiting for his nichirin blade to be forged; on the other hand, he wanted to continue his training there for a period.
Urokodaki Sakonji had no objections to this and said that if he had any questions or encountered any difficulties, he could come to him for help.
After thanking Urokodaki Sakonji, Tomioka Giyu took a wooden sword and headed up the mountain.
He wanted to see Sabito, or more precisely, his departed soul.
Soon after, Tomioka Giyu arrived beside a large, round stone.
He slowly closed his eyes and softly called out, "Sabito, Sabito!"
"Giyu, how did you know I would appear here?"
On the giant rock, a young man wearing a haori and with a scar at the corner of his mouth looked at him with a smile.
For some reason, tears uncontrollably streamed down Tomioka Giyu's face. "Sabito, you shouldn't have died..."
Sabito smiled. He knew what Tomioka Giyu wanted to say, but he had his own principles.
"Saving the weak, that's what a man does!"
"You're always like this..." Tomioka Giyu sighed, then wiped away his tears and looked at Sabito seriously.
"Can we spar like before? My swordsmanship isn't mature enough. Please, Sabito."
"I want to become stronger, carrying your share, and in the future, slay all the demons!"
Sabito was slightly surprised. He felt that the Giyu in front of him was different from before, but the current Giyu made him happier.
"Of course! And I believe you can definitely do it!"
Tomioka Giyu felt a warmth in his heart. From the day he met Sabito, he knew he was a very, very good person.
Adjusting his breathing, Tomioka Giyu gripped his sword with both hands and attacked first, sweeping horizontally.
Unfortunately, his speed was a bit slow, and Sabito saw through it midway.
With a "bang," Sabito blocked Tomioka Giyu's horizontal sweep with his sword. Using the force of the blow, he smoothly turned and delivered another horizontal slash.
"Such a fast defensive counterattack?!" Tomioka Giyu was secretly astonished and simultaneously fell backward, which was the only option; there was no time for any other movement.
Missing his strike, Sabito showed no intention of stopping. He squatted down and swept his leg, all in one smooth motion.
Tomioka Giyu inevitably fell to the ground, and immediately after, the tip of the wooden sword was placed before his eyes.
"Still too slow, definitely not mature enough. Get up and continue!"
Saying this, Sabito extended his hand and pulled Tomioka Giyu up from the ground.
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll try my best to mature!"
As he spoke, Tomioka Giyu pressed forward. He knew very well that once Sabito created distance, he would have even less of a chance.
Sabito was best at using surrounding objects for rapid movement while also attacking from the opponent's blind spots.
After a few exchanges, Sabito immediately understood Tomioka Giyu's intention.
"Don't be impatient! Your breathing is erratic!"
No sooner had he spoken than Sabito, at a tricky angle, dodged Tomioka Giyu's strike, then counter-slashed him across the waist.
"Hiss!" Tomioka Giyu frowned tightly. Just as he stabilized his stance, the wooden sword was placed directly against his neck.
"This time you were fast, but a disorganized attack is even worse than being a bit slower before!"
"Blind attacks will only cost you your life, Giyu, remember that!"
"Mm, I'll remember it, Sabito!" Tomioka Giyu nodded seriously. "Let's continue..."
Several hours later, Tomioka Giyu could no longer sustain himself, lying on the ground, gasping for breath.
By trading blows, he finally managed to hit Sabito a few times, but it was ultimately a failure.
If it had been a real sword, he would have died long ago; his body might even be cold by now.
"You've done very well. Your talent isn't much weaker than mine. I believe the future you will reach extraordinary heights."
"Hmph, a man should be like this!"
Tomioka Giyu smiled faintly, gazing quietly at the moon in the sky, not responding to Sabito's words.
Seeing that Tomioka Giyu had no intention of leaving, Sabito couldn't help but ask, "Hmm? Are you sleeping here tonight?"
"Mm, I've told Master~" Tomioka Giyu said casually, resting his hands behind his head. "I'll be here for the next ten-plus days, training while waiting for my nichirin blade to be forged."
"Alright then, good night~"
No sooner had he spoken than Sabito vanished.
Tomioka Giyu closed his eyes, and sleepiness soon followed. He quickly fell into a deep slumber.
At this moment, a young girl wearing a pink kimono with plum blossom patterns slowly walked over.
After placing another kimono she held over Tomioka Giyu, she disappeared.
Early the next morning, Tomioka Giyu was pulled by Sabito to begin training.
As for the clothes covering him, he knew whose they were the moment he saw them.
In such a place, a pink kimono with plum blossom patterns could only belong to his Senior Sister, Makomo, whom he had never met!
Fifteen days flew by. During this time, Tomioka Giyu was able to frequently use Total Concentration, and his Water Breathing Ten Forms became increasingly proficient.
More importantly, he was gradually able to keep up with Sabito's rhythm.
At noon that day, Urokodaki Sakonji arrived and informed him that his sword had been forged.
Tomioka Giyu nodded slightly, took a deep look at the giant stone, and silently thought, "I will come again, Sabito, and thank you for the clothes, Makomo."
Returning to Urokodaki Sakonji's wooden cabin, he immediately saw a burly figure with a strange mask sitting inside.
Upon seeing the sword in his hand, Tomioka Giyu really wanted to ask him, "Were you originally a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and then switched to being a swordsmith?"
With all that muscle, he almost thought it was the Stone Hashira wearing a mask sitting there.
The swordsmith also noticed the two at the door. He immediately stood up, and his deep voice echoed in the small cabin.
"You must be Tomioka Giyu. My name is Mori Tekko. From now on, I will forge all your swords. Please take care of me!"
Seeing Mori Tekko extend his hand, Tomioka Giyu smiled and shook his hand.
Tomioka Giyu guessed he was probably a middle-aged man, with thick calluses on his hands, and seemed to have a steady personality.
He probably wouldn't be like Tanjiro's swordsmith, who always threatened to chop him up~