Setting Off for Swordsmith Village

The next morning, as dawn broke, Moyu stood quietly waiting in front of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. He was still wearing his simple black uniform, with a dark Haori over it, and the "Azure Star" pendant hung at his waist. His aura was calm. The morning breeze ruffled the hair on his forehead, and his eyes, which seemed to contain the starry sky, gazed calmly at the road leading down the mountain.

Before long, a pinkish-green figure, like a joyful butterfly, lightly ran out from the headquarters.

"Mr. Moyu! I'm so sorry! Have you been waiting long?" Mitsuri Kanroji jogged up to her, her cheeks flushed with a healthy blush from running, her large, light green eyes filled with a hint of apology. She had changed into an outfit suitable for long journeys, but it still couldn't hide her beautiful figure, and her long, pinkish-green braids swayed playfully behind her.

"Just arrived." Moyu shook his head slightly, his words concise and to the point.

"That's good!" Mitsuri breathed a sigh of relief and smiled brightly. "Let's go! I already informed the Master yesterday! Oh, by the way, I met some people from the Hidden Force this morning, and they said that it seems that Muichiro left for the Swordsmith Village before dawn."

"Muichiro Tokito has already left?" Moyu understood, knowing he was going to discuss the "Yoriichi Type Zero" puppet training. He nodded. "Yes, let's go too."

Without further delay, the two hurried down the mountain path. Mitsuri, with her cheerful personality, couldn't stop talking once she started, from the scenery along the way to the interesting things that had happened recently, and then to the current situation of the other pillars. Moyu mostly listened quietly, occasionally humming in agreement, but this silence didn't make Mitsuri feel awkward. On the contrary, she felt very relaxed with Mr. Moyu, without having to worry about finding topics to talk about, and could share freely.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Moyu's Breathing Style is called 'Azure Flow Breathing,' right? It sounds so cool! Is it similar to Mr. Tomioka's Water Breathing?" Mitsuri asked curiously.

"There's some connection, but the emphasis is different," Moyu replied, "More towards control and change."

"Controlling changes... that's amazing! My Love Breathing feels so straightforward..." Mitsuri smiled a little shyly, "But I'll keep trying! I must become stronger and protect everyone!"

Moyu glanced at her sideways and could see the pure and unwavering light in her eyes. This Love Hashira, seemingly innocent and carefree, possessed a sense of responsibility and courage that rivaled anyone else's.

With the speed of a Pillar-level warrior, the two traveled extremely quickly and arrived at the Swordsmith Village hidden deep in the mountains and valleys by evening. The village was surrounded by steep cliffs and dense forests, and members of the Demon Slayer Corps ' "Kakuna" were secretly guarding the entrance, only allowing entry after verifying their identities.

The village is completely different from the outside world. The air is filled with the unique smells of charcoal, metal and quenching spring water. The clanging of blacksmithing comes from the workshops everywhere, with a distinct rhythm. Most of the villagers have dark skin, strong builds and focused eyes, exuding the calmness and perseverance unique to craftsmen.

Upon receiving the news, the Swordsmith Village, an elderly man with white hair and beard but vigorous spirit named Tecchin Tecchikawahara, personally came out to greet him. Although the old man was old, he stood up straight and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

"Lord Kanroji, Lord Moyu, welcome to the Swordsmith Village." Tetsuchi Kawara's voice was loud and clear, carrying the straightforwardness of a craftsman. "You two have come from afar, thank you for your hard work. Your lodgings have been arranged at the hot spring inn in the east of the village."

"Mr. Tetsuchi Kawara, I'm sorry to bother you!" Mitsuri bowed politely.

Moyu nodded slightly in acknowledgment. "Village Chief, I apologize for disturbing you."

"Haha, it's an honor for our village to have two Pillar-level lords grace us with their presence." Tetsuchi Kawara laughed heartily, his gaze lingering for a moment on the "Azure Star" at Moyu's waist, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "What a beautiful sword! It's in excellent condition. Has Lord Moyu come here to have his Nichirin Blade serviced?"

"Just taking a look around," Moyu said, "Mainly staying in the village for a few days."

The old man from Tiediheyuan was shrewd and experienced. Seeing that Moyu hadn't elaborated, he didn't press further, but smiled and said, "Very well, although the village is simple, the hot springs and food are quite good! Please make yourselves at home. Just let us know if you need anything."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tetsuchi Kawara had a villager lead the two to their lodgings. Once they had settled their simple luggage, Mitsuri eagerly asked the villager, "Excuse me, do you know where the Mist Hashira, Tokito, is?"

The villager thought for a moment, then pointed to a clearing near the forest behind the village. "Lord Tokito seems to have gone that way, and he seems to be talking to that kid Kotetsu..."

Mitsuri and Moyu exchanged a glance, then headed in the direction the villagers had pointed. Before they even got close, they heard a boy's stubborn voice, trembling with tears:

"No! This puppet is almost broken! I can't give you the key!"

Upon closer inspection, they saw the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, standing expressionlessly in front of a dark-skinned boy who looked to be only ten years old and wore a mask with thick eyebrows. Muichiro in thought, his mint-green eyes staring blankly at the boy, or rather, at something behind him, and said indifferently, "Give me the key, I'll return it after training."

"No means no! And... and the Yoriichi Type Zero has been sitting for a long time, the parts are all rusted, it'll break easily!" The boy named Kotetsu was almost crying, but he still refused to back down.

"Just fix it if it's broken, give it to me." Muichiro's tone was flat, yet carried an unquestionable air, as he reached for the key in Kotetsu's hand.

Kotetsu closed his eyes in fright, but still refused to give in.

Just then, Moyu's calm voice rang out. "Muichiro."

Muichiro paused, turned his head, and stared blankly at Moyu and Mitsuri, seemingly only then noticing their arrival. "... Mr. Moyu, Ms. Kanroji."

"Muichiro! How dare you bully a child!" Mitsuri quickly stepped forward, blocking Kotetsu, and said to Muichiro with her hands on her hips.

Muichiro tilted his head, seemingly not understanding the meaning of the word "bullying," and simply said, "I need that puppet for training."

Moyu walked over to Kotetsu, glanced at the "Yoriichi Type Zero" covered by an oilcloth, and said to Muichiro, "I know you want to use that puppet for high-intensity combat training. But it's unnecessary."

A very subtle ripple seemed to appear in Muichiro's empty eyes as he looked at Moyu.

Moyu continued, "That puppet has been sitting for too long. Its core mechanisms are old and corroded, its movements are stiff and sluggish, and its energy circuits are on the verge of collapse. At most, it can only simulate an attack intensity and speed close to that of a pillar-level being. For your current strength, it can no longer serve as a real training tool. Forcing its use might actually destroy this antique due to its unstable structure."

His words weren't entirely nonsense. With his six-eyed X-ray vision, he could clearly "see" the puppet's terrible internal condition. Moreover, he remembered that in the story, the puppet was ultimately completely destroyed when Tanjiro used it.

Kotetsu's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Moyu's words. He hadn't expected that this newcomer would know so much about Yoriichi Type Zero!

Muichiro paused for a moment, seemingly considering Moyu's words. After a few seconds, he nodded. "Oh. Never mind then." Then, he turned to leave, seemingly having lost interest in the place.

"Eh? Muichiro, are you leaving?" Mitsuri asked.

"Hmm, this place is no longer needed. Let's go back to headquarters." Muichiro turning his head.

"Wait," Moyu called out to him, "Mr. Muichiro, since you're here, why not rest in the village for a few days? The Swordsmith Village is quiet and suitable for meditation. Besides..." He paused, his Azure eyes looking towards the Valley entrance, "I have a feeling that something 'unexpected' might happen in the village these next few days. Having another Pillar-level expert here will be safer."

"An accident?" Muichiro stopped and turned around, a clear look of doubt appearing in his empty eyes for the first time.

Mitsuri also tensed up. "Mr. Moyu, what happened?"

Moyu didn't explain in detail, only saying, "It's just a premonition. The location of the Swordsmith Village isn't absolutely hidden; it's possible it's already been exposed. The possibility of a ghost attack cannot be ruled out."

The Tetsuido Kawahara had also arrived at some point. Upon hearing Moyu's words, his expression turned grave. "Lord Moyu's premonition... I feel it's necessary to take it seriously. In that case, Lord Shitou, could you please stay in the village for a few days as well, just in case?"

Muichiro glanced at Moyu, then at the village chief, and finally nodded. "... Alright." He didn't seem to care much about what the "accident" was, but there was no harm in leaving it behind.

With the matter temporarily resolved, Kotetsu gave Moyu a grateful look before quickly dragging Yoriichi Type Zero away. Tetsuido Kawahara also went to arrange for increased security.

"Phew... it's finally alright." Mitsuri breathed a sigh of relief, then perked up again. "Let's go soak in the hot springs now! I heard the hot springs in the Swordsmith Village are super effective at relieving fatigue! Mr. Moyu, Muichiro, would you like to come along?"

Muichiro shook his head directly. "No interest." Then he walked to a big tree nearby, sat down with his sword in his arms, stared blankly at the sky, and entered power-saving mode.

Moyu wasn't particularly interested in soaking in hot springs, but considering the upcoming battle with the Upper Rank and the importance of being in top condition, she nodded and said, "Okay."

The hot spring inn in the Swordsmith Village is built against the mountain. The hot spring pool is built with natural rocks, and the men's and women's baths are separated by a tall bamboo fence, with hot springs from the mountain flowing into each other. The air is filled with the fragrance of sulfur and herbs.

Moyu immersed himself in the warm spring water, the temperature just right, washing away the slight fatigue from days of travel. He leaned against the edge of the pool, closed his eyes, and could hear Mitsuri's comfortable sigh as she entered the water from the other side of the bamboo fence, as well as the soft sound of gently splashing water.

"Ah~ that feels so good--" Mitsuri's voice came through the bamboo fence, filled with happiness, "I feel like all the fatigue in my body has melted away! How does Mr. Moyu feel?"

"That's right," Moyu replied.

After a brief silence, Mitsuri's voice rang out again, tinged with curiosity. "Mr. Moyu, what you just said... that there might be a demon attacking the Swordsmith Village, is that true? Or was it just to stay behind for Mr. Muichiro's sake?"

"My eyes usually don't give me false premonitions," Moyu said, leaving the question open.

"I see..." Mitsuri's tone became more serious. "If they really come, we must protect everyone! By the way, Mr. Moyu," she seemed to hesitate for a moment before asking, "Why... why did you join the Demon Slayer Corps in the first place? Someone as strong and calm as you..."

Why join? Moyu opened his eyes, looking at the rising steam. The answer to this question was both complex and simple for him. He couldn't reveal the truth about the transmigration and the system.

"I want to change some... tragedies that might have happened." He chose an answer close to his heart, his voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the misty steam, "To protect some... people I want to protect."

"To change the tragedy... to protect those I want to protect..." Mitsuri repeated softly, her tone then becoming light and warm, "Mr. Moyu may seem aloof, but he's actually a very gentle person!"

Gentle? Moyu raised an eyebrow slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

"Actually... the reason I joined the Demon Slayer Corps is a bit... strange." Mitsuri seemed to have been aroused and began to tell her story. She started with her unusual hair color, her amazing appetite and strength, and talked about how she was rejected by her peers when she was a child and was called a "monster". She talked about that failed blind date and how the other person hurt her with words, which made her doubt herself and even try to pretend to be an "ordinary" girl.

Her voice sometimes carried a hint of melancholy, and at other times it became firm.

"... But then I figured it out!" Mitsuri's voice rose slightly, filled with relief and courage. "I am who I am! So what if I have a big appetite? So what if I'm strong? So what if my hair color is strange? Can't I be happy? Can't I be a useful person? I don't want to pretend anymore, it's too tiring! So, I joined the Demon Slayer Corps! To find a partner stronger than myself! And here, no one looks at me differently, everyone only recognizes me because of my strength! I can eat to my heart's content, fight to my heart's content, and use my power to protect others! I think... this is really great!"

Her words were like a warm spring, gentle yet powerful. Even through the bamboo fence, Moyu could imagine the radiant and genuine smile on her face.

"Yes, that's good." Moyu responded softly. He could understand Mitsuri's feelings. In this world, to possess power and find a place that can accept and utilize that power is indeed a kind of luck. As for a partner, Obanai, the Serpent Hashira, would fit the Obanai quite well.

"Hehe, thank you for listening to me, Mr. Moyu." Mitsuri smiled a little shyly. "Ah! Speaking of food, I'm suddenly a little hungry! After soaking in the hot springs, let's try some of the village's specialties! I heard the clay pot rice in the Swordsmith Village is incredibly delicious!"

"Good."

The hot spring steams gently as night deepens. On either side of the bamboo fence, one person listens quietly, while the other recounts their story. Talk of the past, of choices, of potential future battles... all blend into the warm steam and the faint scent of sulfur. The night in the Swordsmith Village is, for the time being, peaceful and serene.