Giyu was a little confused.
But before he could figure it out, a muffled thud came from outside the door, followed by Shinjuro's exclamation:
"Ouch! Watch out!"
Then came Obanai's panicked voice. "I'm so sorry! Lord Flame Hashira!"
Then came a series of footsteps running away.
Giyu tilted his head.
I'm even more confused now.
The door was pulled open.
Shinjuro walked in carrying a large tray with three steaming bowls of ramen on it. His left hand was wrapped in bandages, making his movements a little clumsy, so the tray tilted slightly, and the ramen soup almost spilled.
"Tomioka, that kid from earlier—"
Shinjuro stopped mid-sentence when he saw Giyu's bewildered expression.
He placed the tray on the table and sat down opposite Giyu.
What happened?
Shinjuro asked, pointing to the door.
"Obanai just ran out, his eyes were red, and he didn't stop even after bumping into me. Did you yell at him?"
Giyu shook his head.
"So you bullied him?"
He shook his head again.
Shinjuro frowned. "Then why did he do that?"
Giyu thought for a moment and then recounted the conversation they had just had.
Exactly word for word.
Giyu looked at Shinjuro: "Did I say something wrong?"
Shinjuro's expression was priceless.
First he froze, then his lips twitched, and finally he raised his hand to his forehead and let out a long sigh.
"Tomioka, oh Tomioka..."
Shinjuro's voice was full of helplessness.
"Do you... do you know what those words sound like?"
Giyu thought seriously, "The truth?"
"That's absolutely the truth!!"
Shinjuro almost slammed his fist on the table.
"But he just escaped from hell."
"His family treated him like a sacrifice, the world was full of malice towards him. Then he saw you... strong, resolute, willing to risk your life to protect others. To him, you were like... light."
He chased after the light, trying to grasp a bit of warmth. But you poured cold water on him, telling him, "You're not right for him!"
Shinjuro looked at Giyu with a complicated expression. "What do you think he'll think?"
Giyu fell silent.
He really hadn't thought about those things.
He sees things very simply:
If there is a problem, analyze it and provide a solution.
Does Obanai want to learn Water Breathing?
First, analyze whether it's suitable or not. If it's not suitable, just say so directly to avoid wasting time.
As for the child's feelings, the child's past, the child's need for recognition...
He hadn't considered it.
"I..."
Giyu opened his mouth, but then, unusually, he hesitated.
"I have no idea..."
"Of course you don't know."
"So..."
Giyu looked at Shinjuro, his eyes revealing genuine confusion.
Can the truth hurt people?
Shinjuro looked into his icy blue eyes.
Clear, clean, and pure like a mountain spring, but also... blank like a sheet of paper.
This child really doesn't understand.
He wasn't arrogant, nor was he indifferent; he genuinely didn't understand the complex emotions and underlying rules of humanity.
"Meeting!"
Shinjuro finally nodded.
"The truth can be hurtful sometimes, especially when the other person is vulnerable."
Giyu lowered his head and looked at his hands.
After a long silence, he whispered, "Then... what should I do?"
Go apologize.
Shinjuro said,
Tell him you didn't mean that, tell him you admire his determination, tell him he's talented but just needs to find the right direction.
Giyu thought for a moment and shook his head.
I won't say those things.
Shinjuro sighed again. Communicating with Giyu was exhausting!!
"Never mind."
He stood up.
"I'll go check on the child first. You... you eat your noodles!!"
He pointed to the ramen on the table, then opened the door and went out.
Giyu was left alone in the private room again.
He looked at the three bowls of ramen... Knowing he had a big appetite, Shinjuro specially ordered an extra bowl.
Steam rises, and fragrance wafts through the air.
Giyu picked up a bowl, took out his chopsticks, and began to eat.
The noodles were delicious, the soup was rich, and the char siu was thick.
But he ate a little slowly.
I was still thinking about what had just happened.
Will telling the truth hurt someone?
He recalled what he had said in the past.
He said to Sabito, "Your move was too slow."
He told Master Urokodaki, "Today's training was too easy."
To the Kocho Sisters, he said, "You're running too slowly..."
--It seems like nobody's angry.
Why did he get angry when I told Obanai "you're not suitable"?
Giyu couldn't understand it.
He finished all three bowls of noodles, even drinking the soup.
Then sit cross-legged and continue practicing the Breathing Style.
He needs to calm down.
It was very windy on the deck.
The afternoon sun shone on the sea, creating a shimmering golden expanse that stretched as far as the eye could see. The cruise ship cut through the waves, its bow kicking up white spray, while seagulls circled and cried out among the masts.
Obanai leaned on the railing, looking at the sea.
His tears had been wiped away, but his eyes were still red. The sea breeze tousled his black hair and made his thin, coarse cloth clothes cling to his body, revealing the boy's slender frame.
He was cold.
But it couldn't compare to the coldness in my heart.
"You're not suitable."
Those four words echoed in my mind, over and over again.
So, in Lord Water Hashira's eyes, I'm not even qualified to study? Is it because of my filthy Iguro Family background? Because I was once a sacrifice? Or because... I'm too weak?
'Yeah, too weak!'
He could only hide behind the Flame Hashira in the courtyard, unable to help in any way. Watching the Water Hashira and Upper Rank One fight to the death, he could do nothing but tremble.
I am truly unworthy of this.
'But... but I'm so unwilling to accept this!'
Obanai gripped the railing tightly, her fingers turning white from the force.
He also wants to become stronger!!
Imagine yourself like Water Hashira, stepping forward in dire straits and using your sword to protect those you must protect.
I want to prove that I am not useless, not a sacrifice, not a weakling who can only wait to be saved.
Why... won't you even give me a chance?
"Kid."
A voice came from behind.
Obanai froze, without turning around.
Shinjuro walked over to him and leaned against the railing as well. The Flame Hashira's profile was clearly defined in the sunlight, and his red hair was blowing wildly in the sea breeze.
The two stared silently at the sea.
After a long silence, Shinjuro finally spoke, "Don't take Tomioka's words to heart."
Obanai bit her lip.
That's not what he meant.
Shinjuro continued,
"That kid... his mind is a little different from others. He speaks frankly, saying whatever comes to mind, without beating around the bush."
Obanai remained silent.
"He wasn't trying to belittle you. I heard his explanation: he observed your body and felt that your constitution wasn't suited to Water Breathing; forcing yourself to learn it would be counterproductive."
Obanai finally turned her head, looking at Shinjuro with her heterochromatic eyes.
"Real?"
"Real."
Shinjuro nodded.
"Tomioka isn't a liar. He just... doesn't know how to express himself tactfully."
Obanai turned back to look at the sea.
A gust of wind blew by, and he shivered.
Shinjuro noticed this and took off his haori, draping it over Obanai's shoulders.
"Thank you..." Obanai said softly.
The haori carried body heat and a faint scent of fire; it was very warm.
"Actually..."
Shinjuro looked at the sea and said slowly,
"If you really want to become stronger and become a Demon Slayer Corps, you don't necessarily have to learn Water Breathing."
Obanai raised her head.
"Flame Breathing is also very strong."
Shinjuro turned to look at him, his red eyes glowing like burning coals in the sunlight.
"If you're willing, I can take you as my Tsuguko and teach you the Flame Breathing."
Obanai was stunned.
Tsuguko...
That's a disciple personally taught by a Pillar, a future Pillar candidate.
This is an opportunity that countless swordsmen dream of.
Lord Flame Hashira, are you willing...?
He opened his mouth, as if to say "okay".
But the words stuck in his throat.
Images of the courtyard flashed through my mind.
A boy surrounded by blue water, his figure rising again and again in the moonlight storm, and finally, a pale blue blade of light tearing through the sky.
And those four words.
You're not suitable!!
Obanai closed her eyes.
When he opened his eyes again, a flame ignited within his heterochromatic pupils.
"Lord Flame Hashira."
He spoke, his voice soft but firm.
"Thank you for your kindness. But..."
He took a deep breath.
"I want to learn the Water Breathing."
Shinjuro frowned. "But Tomioka said that your constitution..."
"I know."
Obanai interrupted him
"I know I might not be suitable! I know I might not be good at it! I know I might really be 'unworthy'!"
He gripped the railing tightly, his knuckles turning white.
"But I still want to learn!!"
The boy turned to look at Shinjuro, his golden and green eyes reflecting the light of the sea, shining as if they were about to burst into flames.
I want him to know.
Obanai said, word by word,
"I, Obanai Iguro, am worthy of you."
This is a fit of pique... but also a sign of determination!!
If Lord Water Hashira says he can't do it, he'll insist on doing it!
If Lord Water Hashira says he's not worthy, he'll insist on being worthy!
If Master Water Hashira says he can't learn it well, he'll insist on learning it to the best of his ability!
He wants to prove himself!!
Shinjuro looked at the fire in the boy's eyes and fell silent.
After a long while, he gave a bitter smile.
"This is troublesome..."
He rubbed his temples.
"The usually serious and taciturn Giyu actually tried to steal someone from me... Luckily, I still have a son, otherwise the Flame Breathing might have ended with me."
Obanai didn't understand. "What?"
"Nothing."
Shinjuro waved his hand.
"So you've made up your mind? You're determined to learn the Water Breathing?"
"Um."
Obanai nodded emphatically.
"Please, Flame Hashira Pillar, recommend a Cultivator for me! I don't need a Pillar to teach me personally, just someone who can teach me Water Breathing!"
Shinjuro gazed at the sea and pondered for a long time.
Finally, he sighed.
"All right."
Obanai's eyes lit up.
"Since you've made up your mind, I'll help you this once."
Shinjuro said,
"The best candidate is Sakonji Urokodaki, the current Water Hashira's master and the Cultivator of Water Breathing. He has extensive teaching experience, having trained two geniuses, Giyu Tomioka and Sabito."
Obanai's breathing became rapid.
"But."
Shinjuro changed the subject,
"Mr. Urokodaki currently only accepts disciples through special recommendations, and his training ground is deep within Mount Sagiri, so it's not appropriate to go there now."
Obanai's eyes dimmed for a moment.
"But..."
Shinjuro continued,
"I know another Water Breathing Cultivator. Although his reputation isn't as widespread as Mr. Urokodaki's, he's also an excellent teacher."
"Who is it?" Obanai asked anxiously.
"Kirisawa Seijuro." Shinjuro said the name with respect.
"Mr. Kirisawa suffered a severe leg injury in his retirement match three years ago, leaving him permanently disabled and unable to continue his career."
"But he did not leave the Demon Slayer Corps; instead, he went into seclusion by Abyssal Lake in Kanto, devoting himself to training a new generation of Water Breathing swordsmen."
The sea breeze carries a salty, astringent scent.
His teaching style...
Shinjuro considered his words for a moment.
"Very strict!! Even more rigid than Mr. Urokodaki, and he places even greater emphasis on the fundamentals! It's said that when he trains his disciples, he corrects their sword-wielding posture thousands of times, and they can't tolerate even the slightest deviation in their breathing rhythm!"
Obanai listened attentively, without flinching in the slightest.
"And."
Shinjuro looked into Obanai's eyes,
"Mr. Kirisawa has a somewhat... reclusive personality due to his leg injury! He doesn't easily accept disciples and has extremely high requirements for their aptitude and character! If you go to him, you'll likely be turned away!"
"I'm not afraid!" Obanai said immediately.
Shinjuro laughed, "I knew you'd say that."
He straightened up and took out a booklet and a short pencil from his pocket with his left hand.
I'll write you a letter of recommendation.
Shinjuro pressed the booklet against the railing and laboriously wrote with his bandaged left hand.
"But you can only write a simple letter of introduction. Whether you pass Mr. Wuzawa's test and whether he will accept you as his apprentice depends entirely on yourself."
The pencil slid across the paper, making a scratching sound.
Obanai looked at Shinjuro's profile as he wrote, and suddenly asked:
"Lord Flame Hashira, do you know Mr. Kirisawa?"
"I've met him a few times."
Shinjuro didn't even look up.
"He's a man of few words, somewhat like Tomioka, but more... more somber!"
"However, his swordsmanship is undeniable; at his peak, his Water Breathing was incredibly fluid and graceful."
After writing the last few words, he tore off the page, folded it, and handed it to Obanai.
"Keep this safe! Once the ship docks, head to Abyssal Lake in Kanto! I've written the exact location on the back!"
Obanai took it with both hands and held it tightly to her chest.
The paper still carried the warmth of Shinjuro's body.
"Thank you..."
The boy's voice trembled slightly, "Really... thank you."
You're welcome.
Shinjuro patted his shoulder, this time very gently.
"You chose this path yourself. I just pointed you in the right direction."
He paused, his expression turning serious.
"But I must remind you again: Mr. Kirisawa is very strict, and his training may be more arduous than you imagine."
"And even if you complete all the training and learn Water Breathing, you might never reach Tomioka's level due to your physical condition. Are you willing to accept that?"
Obanai fell silent.
He looked at the letter of recommendation in his hand, at the sea, and at the horizon where the sea met the sky in the distance.
The setting sun bathed everything in a golden-red hue.
After a long silence, he spoke:
"Lord Flame Hashira, have you ever seen a snail?"
Shinjuro was taken aback.
"Those tiny creatures that crawl very, very slowly."
"Climbing from the roots to the top of a tree can take several days, or even weeks. Along the way, you might get eaten by birds, be knocked down by the rain, or die halfway there."
But they'll still climb!
The boy turned his head, and there was a light in his heterochromatic eyes that Shinjuro had never seen before.
I don't know how high I can climb. Maybe only halfway up the trunk, maybe not even up to the bark. But at least... I'm climbing.
"It's better than spending your whole life in the mud, right?"
Shinjuro was stunned.
He looked at the twelve-year-old boy, at the flame burning in those heterochromatic eyes, and suddenly remembered the first time he held a knife many years ago.
That's true.
They refuse to admit defeat, refuse to accept their fate, and are determined to break through any obstacle.
"Ha..." Shinjuro laughed.
This time, it was a genuine laugh.
"Okay! Go climb then! How high you climb is your own business, but remember--"
He bent down and looked directly into Obanai's eyes.
"If you really can't climb anymore, don't force yourself! Find another way, there's no shame in it! Come learn Flame Breathing, I'm always welcome!"
Obanai nodded emphatically.
But his eyes told Shinjuro... he wouldn't change course, not even if it meant death!!
The two stood on the deck for a while longer.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the orange-red of the sky gradually turned deep purple. The first star appeared in the east, faint but resolute.
"Go back! It's windy tonight, don't catch a cold."
Obanai nodded and followed Shinjuro into the cabin.
After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something.
"Lord Flame Hashira."
"Um?"
"Lord Water Hashira, he..."
Obanai asked hesitantly,
Does he really not hate me?
Shinjuro stopped in his tracks.
"That child doesn't hate anyone! He doesn't even hate ghosts... He just thinks ghosts deserve to be killed!"
"As for humans, he roughly divides them into two categories: those who need protection and those who don't need protection for the time being."
"And you..."
Shinjuro looked at Obanai with a gentle gaze.
You're definitely the first type.
Obanai was stunned.
The two returned to the cabin.
In the corridor, Giyu's private room door was closed, with a faint silvery-white halo shining through the crack.
Shinjuro shook his head and led Obanai towards their private room.
As she reached the door, Obanai suddenly turned around, faced the direction of Giyu's private room, and bowed deeply.
Wait for me!!
Wait until I become stronger!!
Wait till I prove it to you!!
Then he straightened up and followed Shinjuro into the room.