In the middle of a pitch-black forest at night.
"Grandpa! This game is complete trash! What on earth did you even build!"
"Kee-kee-kee-keek!"
A brat was facing off against some kind of doll, eventually hurling his wooden sword to the ground in frustration.
"Do not be so obsessed with winning or losing. One does not play a game simply to win."
Standing beside him, snickering while spreading a palm open, was—
Pardon?
"You play to make your opponent absolutely salty."
It was me.
"Do you understand now? This is Michikatsu, the blade of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Oh, for God's sake!"
"You are about to witness something truly terrible."
"Kyahahahaha!"
The brat threw a massive fit, screaming while somehow managing to dodge every single incoming attack as he ran for his life.
A six-armed mechanical doll that looked suspiciously like me was chasing after that brat, swinging its blades.
And there I was, cackling right next to it.
Wait, what in the world is this? What kind of situation have I found myself in?
Who is that brat, and who are those other two kids looking all restless next to me?
Just then.
The brat from before came sprinting toward me, still cackling.
"Wait. Why is that punk coming this way?"
"Tagging out! Grandpaaaaaaa!"
"""Kyahahahaha!!!!"""
"Wait, dammit, why me all of a sudden?!"
Suddenly, even Uzui appeared out of nowhere.
I tucked two of the brats under my arms and bolted as fast as I could.
And so, five of us went dashing through the mountains, making a joyous mess while fleeing from that Asura-like automaton.
What kind of nonsensical comedy skit is this? What an utterly bizarre group of people.
Am I dreaming right now?
At that moment, my eyes snapped open instinctively.
Rubbing my bleary eyes, I realized I was back in the main room of the lodging where I was staying in the Swordsmith Village.
...
It seems it was a dream after all.
"Good grief, that was the weirdest dream I've ever had."
@@@
Roughly five days later.
'I suppose I've been here about two weeks now.'
The Swordsmith Village was so isolated it could be considered a closed community, with very little contact with the outside world.
It was inevitable, of course. This was the place that produced the Nichirin Blades—the only weapons capable of slaying Demons. Its security was as vital as the Master's own estate.
Thus, the only way to know what was happening in the world was through the Kasugai Crows.
While I stayed here, countless crows had paid me a visit.
The Master's crow told me to rest longer, since I hadn't taken a single break in three years.
Shimotsuki's crow asked if I was resting well and demanded another duel as soon as I returned.
Tosen, Rengoku Tenjuro's crow, reported that the Demon Slayer Corps was currently sailing in smooth waters. He told me not to worry, as no powerful Demons—like those with kanji etched in their eyes—had appeared yet.
Banda's crow inquired about Amano Ruka's well-being and, for some reason, asked how I was getting along with her.
Today, I had offered some advice regarding her footwork and certain habits that were lacking when she used Mist Breathing; the crow simply let out a deep sigh after hearing that. For some reason.
What? What is it?
Crows from Anji-san, Sakata-san, and Minase-san had also dropped by to send their regards.
Well, I've enjoyed this relaxation long enough. It's time to head back.
Besides, I'm starting to get bored. My body is itching for some action, and I really want to loosen up these muscles.
Isn't there a single Demon just passing through nearby?
"Tsugikuni-dono."
Amano appeared, carrying my repaired Nichirin Blade, its maintenance finally complete.
The blade, which had been half-melted, now radiated a vivid, clear bluish-white hue.
"Is the repair finished?"
"Yes, it is. Also... I heard from Uta-dono. My congratulations on your brother's marriage."
Ah, right. I suppose I should prepare for Yoriichi's wedding ceremony as well.
But where would we even hold it? How did people get married in the Sengoku era, anyway?
Well, at least there won't be a problem with guests. I can just send out invitations using Mikazuki.
I'm surprisingly busy.
"And, Tsugikuni-dono..."
"Ah, you don't need to use formal titles with me. Our ranks are the same now."
"Ah.... then, Tsugikuni-ko. It seems your brother has something he wish to say before he departs. It is... something related to Uta-dono."
Related to Uta?
Amano and I headed toward the main room where Uta and Yoriichi were waiting.
"Uzui, you haven't left yet?"
Uzui Ei was already inside. I thought she had left ages ago.
"I planned to leave today, but Uta-dono caught me and wouldn't let go."
She held back even Uzui?
Looking at Uta's face, she was acting uncharacteristically bashful, fidgeting in place.
What on earth is she trying to say?
"Brother. Uzui. Amano-dono."
...At this rate, is she going to confess she's pregnant? No way. Surely not.
"Uta is with child."
!!!!
Yoriichi delivered the shocking confession.
Amano and Uzui seemed so stunned they couldn't find their voices, and I was exactly the same.
Looking at Yoriichi's expression, he was beaming—actually smiling widely, unlike his usual self. It seemed he was beyond overjoyed.
Pregnant at seventeen... it felt a bit early, but then again, that's about the average for the Sengoku era... I suppose.
Haha, I'm going to have a niece or nephew. Does that mean the dream I had today was a conception dream?
Wait, hold on. Why did *I* have the conception dream? That's just weird.
Silence hung in the air for several minutes before Amano and Uzui slowly approached Uta.
Uzui offered her congratulations, while Amano—who looked as if she'd never seen a pregnant woman before—carefully stroked Uta's stomach with extreme caution, tears welling in her eyes.
Yoriichi gave me a sidelong glance, signaling for us to talk outside. I followed him out, only for him to suddenly start saying something completely unexpected.
"Brother. This is a decision reached after speaking with Uta. It is my resolve that I wish to convey to you."
Resolve? What resolve?
"What kind of resolve are you talking about?"
"I will also join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."
Is this guy out of his mind?
"Uta needs peace and stability for a while. You are the one who needs to be by her side more than anyone. And yet, you choose now to join the Corps?"
This kid is saying things that could lead to disaster.
"If you say you're doing this for my sake, I won't let you get away with it."
Well, he'd probably be the one killing me if we actually fought, but still.
"It is not for your sake, Brother."
"Then what is it for?"
"It is for Uta and for my child."
"Then that is even more reason why you shouldn't join the Corps."
"My dream was simply to live quietly with my family."
Yoriichi suddenly turned stubborn.
"A small house is enough for me. I wanted to lay our futons side by side and fall asleep, within a distance where I could see the face of the one I love... A distance where I could reach out and touch them instantly... That was enough for me. And that was only possible because of you, Brother, protecting us from the outside world."
"Then you should just keep living that way. You should stay in that house and watch your child be born, watch that child grow, watch them have grandchildren of their own, and live a long, peaceful life with Uta. I protect the outside, and you protect the inside. That's how it should be. Why would you choose to throw away that peace at the most critical time?"
"..."
"I cannot even imagine you losing a fight. You are strong. But there is always a 'what if.' Do you think Uta could keep up with the pace of a world where you no longer exist?"
"Even that 'simple life' is being made impossible to achieve. All because Demons exist in this world."
He's being stubborn again. In seventeen years, he's never shown a pattern like this.
"Three years ago, you told me a story, Brother. About the child you couldn't save from a Demon. You were buried in guilt for three days because of that, weren't you?"
"...."
"As long as Demons remain in this world, my child will always be in danger. I do not want to pass down such a dangerous world to my child."
...
Had Yoriichi ever poured out so many words at once before?
Had Yoriichi ever made that kind of expression before?
Had Yoriichi ever expressed his emotions so clearly before?
"You're serious."
"Yes."
I let out a long sigh and spoke.
"If you're showing this much resolve, there's no point in me opposing you. However..."
I looked at Yoriichi and held out my open palm.
"You will join the Corps in five years. It is an undeniable fact that Uta and the child need you for a while. After that, you may do as you please."
"Thank you, Brother."
Yoriichi gave a faint smile.
Kid, are you really that happy?
"And, Brother."
"Yeah."
"I heard that in order to enter the Demon Slayer Corps, one must pass a selection exam called a mock duel."
"That's right... wait?"
Did Uzui tell him that? Well, you wouldn't even need to take that. There's no one in this world who can beat you—
"I would like you to be my sparring partner. I wish to show you, my brother, my true sincerity."
Was all that talk just a build-up for this?!
Hahaha. Is my hearing going bad? I think I just heard something insane.
Hey, tell me the truth. You're not actually smiling right now, are you?
I was wondering why a guy who's expressionless all the time was suddenly grinning.
So that's what they call a 'killer smile.'