The Blade Maniac, Haganezuka Hotaru

The two of them rushed back to the Butterfly Mansion, dusty and exhausted. Kanae Kocho looked like she was about to cry at the sight of their disheveled state—she had been worried sick these past few days.

They explained to her everything that had happened over those days, since Kanae Kocho was the one person they couldn't keep in the dark. She forced Shinobu Kocho to stay in bed for a full week before she finally felt at ease.

As for Tsugikuni Kuuga, he was training hard, since the day of the Final Selection was fast approaching.

To join the Demon Slayer Corps, one had to pass the Final Selection. The venue was Mount Fujikasane, where demons captured alive by Demon Slayers were imprisoned on the mountain. From the base to the midpoint, Wisteria Flowers—the demons' most hated thing—bloomed all year round.

The way to pass the Final Selection was to survive seven days on Mount Fujikasane. Every candidate who passed would immediately receive a Demon Slayer uniform and a talking Kasugai Crow for communication. After passing, they could choose the steel ore for forging their blade, and then wait ten to fifteen days to receive the finished sword.

For every swordsman, the Final Selection was like a turning point in life—a gamble with their very lives. Tsugikuni Kuuga knew well that Tanjiro's batch had five survivors, making them an exceptionally impressive generation.

As for his own Selection, who knew which year it even belonged to? Anything could happen, but Tsugikuni Kuuga was confident he could take down that Hand Demon.

Time quickly arrived at the day before the Final Selection. Tsugikuni Kuuga was training in the courtyard as usual, grateful that no one was bothering him.

Suddenly, a man wearing a Hyottoko mask walked into the Butterfly Mansion, carrying a Nichirin Blade in his arms. With his muscular build, he clearly looked like someone who spent his days hammering iron.

Tsugikuni Kuuga smiled and walked up to greet him. "Who are you, and who are you looking for?"

The burly man replied politely, "I am Haganezuka. I've come to deliver the broken sword to the Flower Hashira."

When Haganezuka Hotaru mentioned the broken blade, his breathing grew heavier, and white steam shot out from the nostrils of his Hyottoko mask.

"Big Sister isn't home, Mr. Haganezuka—just give it to me!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with a smile.

He actually liked this dedicated Haganezuka Hotaru quite a bit, since every swordsmith deserved respect—otherwise, where would the Nichirin Blades for slaying evil demons come from?

"Big Sister?" Haganezuka Hotaru asked, puzzled. "May I ask who you are?"

"I'm Tsugikuni Kuuga—forgot to mention it!" Tsugikuni Kuuga scratched his head apologetically.

"So it's you!" Haganezuka Hotaru's tone was calm.

Then, from somewhere, Haganezuka Hotaru pulled out a kitchen knife and swung it at Tsugikuni Kuuga while he was still staring blankly.

In that moment—one second friendly conversation, the next second a blade coming at you—Tsugikuni Kuuga was stunned.

Luckily, Tsugikuni Kuuga's reflexes were sharp enough to dodge Haganezuka Hotaru's knife, but he was still startled.

"What the hell! What are you doing, Mr. Haganezuka?!"

"What am I doing? Killing you, you bastard! Die!" Haganezuka Hotaru shouted.

Then Haganezuka Hotaru slashed at Tsugikuni Kuuga several more times in succession. As he dodged, Tsugikuni Kuuga remembered something very important: Haganezuka Hotaru absolutely hated people who broke swords.

Tsugikuni Kuuga couldn't bring himself to fight back, so he could only run and dodge. Haganezuka Hotaru chased after him relentlessly, clearly determined to kill him or die trying.

At that moment, Tsugikuni Kuuga truly understood the terror of a swordsmith—when they went crazy, they really would cut you down!

"Mr. Haganezuka, I was wrong! The blade just wasn't sturdy enough—that demon snapped it in one go!" Tsugikuni Kuuga explained as he ran.

"Huh? Are you doubting my skill, you bastard? Die!" Haganezuka Hotaru seemed even angrier.

Luckily, there was a turn ahead, and past it was Shinobu Kocho's laboratory. Tsugikuni Kuuga thought he was saved and sped up.

Just then, the kitchen knife flew past his edge and embedded itself into the wall right in front of him, making Tsugikuni Kuuga flinch.

"Damn! You can even throw knives—impressive, Mr. Haganezuka!" Tsugikuni Kuuga quipped.

"Don't think flattery will save you! I'll kill you!" Haganezuka Hotaru yelled.

But once Tsugikuni Kuuga entered the alley, he vanished without a trace. Haganezuka Hotaru looked left and right.

"Where did that guy go? Damn it—better not let me see him again, or I'll finish him off!" Haganezuka Hotaru growled.

He lingered there for a long time before finally leaving. Inside the lab, Tsugikuni Kuuga heard the commotion outside die down and breathed a sigh of relief. Swordsmiths were terrifying!

"Did a demon attack the headquarters? Why are you so panicked?"

Just as Tsugikuni Kuuga was gasping for air, Shinobu Kocho's voice came from behind him.

"Oh, Shinobu's here too. That was Haganezuka Hotaru outside, so you can guess what happened. Waaah!" Tsugikuni Kuuga whined.

"I see. That makes sense." Shinobu Kocho showed a sympathetic expression.

Then, with a sly grin, she walked toward Tsugikuni Kuuga and said, "Since you're here, lend me something!"

"Huh?"

Tsugikuni Kuuga instinctively shielded himself, but Shinobu Kocho pulled a syringe from behind her back.

"Don't come near me!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga opened the door to run, but shut it the moment he did—because Haganezuka Hotaru hadn't left yet.

Hearing the noise, Haganezuka Hotaru turned to check, found nothing, and left.

"Thought I could ambush that guy. He's good at hiding. Hmph!"

Back inside, Tsugikuni Kuuga was cornered. The same guy who didn't flinch at cutting down demons was now trembling like a little lamb.

"Can you skip the draw?" Tsugikuni Kuuga asked.

"Mr. Haganezuka!" Shinobu Kocho was already about to shout.

Tsugikuni Kuuga instantly stuck out his arm, as if to say, "Take whatever you want, just don't call that guy back."

Shinobu Kocho smiled and drew some blood. It wasn't much—only a third of the syringe—but Tsugikuni Kuuga acted like he was in agonizing pain, almost on the verge of tears.

After drawing the blood, Tsugikuni Kuuga prepared to leave when suddenly a warm, soft sensation touched his cheek. Before he could savor it, it was gone.

When Tsugikuni Kuuga turned around, he saw Shinobu Kocho walking toward the workbench with a flushed face. It suddenly dawned on him—he had been kissed.

"Hey, Shinobu."

Just as Tsugikuni Kuuga was about to say something, Shinobu Kocho pushed him out the door. Leaning tightly against it, she said softly, "Final Selection—do your best!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga touched his face, grinning like a fool, and muttered, "Then I've got this in the bag!"