The Eerie Village

Perhaps Tsugikuni Kuuga's Nichirin Blade was beautiful enough that Haganezuka Hotaru truly let him off this time. Humming a tune, he left the Butterfly Mansion.

By evening, his uniform had arrived. Since it had been tailored to his measurements from the start, it fit perfectly.

The next day, Tsugikuni Kuuga rose early. There had been so much going on lately that he had not had time to practice Tai Chi. Today, he could finally make up for it.

After Tsugikuni Kuuga finished his Tai Chi, Shinobu Kocho emerged from her room, yawning. She shot him a glare before going to breakfast. Apparently, she was still quite unhappy about what he had done yesterday.

Suddenly, two Kasugai Crows flew in—one belonged to Shinobu Kocho, and the other to Tsugikuni Kuuga.

"Miss Shinobu, demons have appeared in a village to the northwest. Please depart immediately!"

After Shinobu's Kasugai Crow finished speaking, Tsugikuni Kuuga's crow began shouting as well:

"South-southeast! A village in that direction has been attacked by demons! Boy, go set your hot-blooded spirit ablaze!"

Uh... what an edgelord crow. Why? Tsugikuni Kuuga no longer had the strength to complain about this Kasugai Crow, because it really was incredibly edgy.

A little later, Shinobu Kocho came out carrying Tsugikuni Kuuga's Haori. Though her face darkened the moment she saw him, she still helped him put it on.

"I washed it for you. Be careful and don't get it dirty again. And stay safe!" Shinobu Kocho reminded him.

"If my sister weren't away, I wouldn't even bother with you. Hmph!"

Suddenly, Tsugikuni Kuuga raised his hand to Shinobu Kocho's forehead. This instantly reminded her of yesterday's events. She subconsciously took a step back, her face flushing faintly red.

"Y-you... what are you doing?" Shinobu Kocho could barely get the words out.

"Your hairpin was crooked. I was fixing it!" Tsugikuni Kuuga explained.

"Mm!"

Shinobu Kocho obediently stood still and waited for Tsugikuni Kuuga to straighten her hairpin.

"By the way, Shinobu, don't push yourself. If you can't win, run!"

"I'm not who I used to be!"

Thus, the two bickered back and forth as they walked out of headquarters. Since they were headed in different directions, they parted ways after leaving.

Guided by his Kasugai Crow, Tsugikuni Kuuga traveled for an entire day before arriving at a rather remote village.

Standing at the entrance to the village, he felt cold gusts constantly blowing out from within. Though it was broad daylight, the place looked gloomy and overcast.

Tsugikuni Kuuga could not worry about that now. This was the final destination his Kasugai Crow had led him to, after all.

Once he entered the village, Tsugikuni Kuuga understood why it felt so lifeless. There were barely any people around in broad daylight, only the occasional villager hurrying past.

Yet whenever they saw Tsugikuni Kuuga, they fled as though they had seen a demon. Even though they moved quickly, Tsugikuni Kuuga clearly saw their faces.

Their complexions were pale, their eyeballs bulged out, and they looked as if they had leukemia. This village gave Tsugikuni Kuuga only one impression: eerie. Far too eerie.

Tsugikuni Kuuga wanted to find someone to ask about the situation, but everyone who saw him either ran away or deliberately avoided him.

Tsugikuni Kuuga looked down at himself. His sword was clearly well concealed. He did not look like a bad person, did he?

But Tsugikuni Kuuga did not lose heart. His skin was thick enough, anyway. At worst, he could just knock on doors one by one!

So Tsugikuni Kuuga knocked from noon until the sun was nearly setting, and no one paid him any attention. With his numb hand, he knocked on the last house's door. If they ignored him too, he would have no choice but to sleep on the streets.

But heaven still seemed to favor Tsugikuni Kuuga. The final house opened its door, and a little boy stood there.

The little boy stared at Tsugikuni Kuuga with a curious expression, as if he had never seen someone from outside before.

But unlike the villagers Tsugikuni Kuuga had seen, the boy had a rosy complexion. More accurately, he looked like how a normal person should look.

The little boy did not respond to Tsugikuni Kuuga. Instead, he turned and ran inside.

"Grandpa, there's an outsider!"

The child's young voice rang out. Before long, an elderly man emerged, supporting himself with a cane in one hand and holding the little boy's hand with the other.

"Didn't I tell you not to open the door for strangers?"

The old man began scolding the boy right in front of Tsugikuni Kuuga, treating Tsugikuni Kuuga as if he were invisible.

"Hello, sir. I am a traveler passing through and would like to stay the night. Money is not an issue!"

As Tsugikuni Kuuga spoke, he pulled out a stack of banknotes. Whatever else could be said about the Demon Slayer Corps, they were absurdly generous when it came to funding.

The old man sighed. "Young man, this isn't about money. Take my advice and leave this place as soon as you can. This isn't somewhere you should be!"

"Grandpa, it's already dark. Doesn't Big Brother have anywhere to stay?"

Hearing his grandson's words, the old man sighed again. "Fine. You can stay for one night, but leave first thing tomorrow. If something happens otherwise, don't blame this old man for not warning you!"

The old man's expression was grave, as though Tsugikuni Kuuga truly might die.

Tsugikuni Kuuga bowed to the old man. "Thank you for allowing me to stay!"

"Leave tomorrow. This isn't where you belong!"

"I understand!"

"Oh, right. There are no spare rooms, so you'll sleep with my grandson. If possible, please protect him!"

"I will certainly do so!"

The old man waved his hand and added, "Young man, your sword is showing. Hide it properly next time!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga looked down and found that the old man was right. It must have been exposed when he bowed.

Tsugikuni Kuuga felt that this old man was no ordinary person. He remained so calm even in the face of an armed stranger.

"Aren't you afraid that I might do something bad with this sword?" Tsugikuni Kuuga asked.

"You don't look like that sort of person. This old man has always been accurate when judging people!"

"And besides, some things are more frightening than swords!"

After saying that, the old man returned to the house, while Tsugikuni Kuuga followed the little boy to his room.

It had to be said that if one wanted to get along with children, tasty food was essential. Tsugikuni Kuuga was glad he had brought Dorayaki.

"Thank you for asking Grandpa to let Big Brother stay here. These are for you!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga handed the Dorayaki to the little boy. The boy stretched out his hand hesitantly, but Tsugikuni Kuuga simply stuffed them into it.

"Just take them. If someone does you a favor, of course you should repay it. This is Big Brother's repayment!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with a smile.

After thinking for a moment, the little boy began eating. He did not forget to offer several to Tsugikuni Kuuga as well. Looking at such an innocent child, Tsugikuni Kuuga felt very happy.

But did this child know what was happening in the village? When Tsugikuni Kuuga looked up, he discovered that an incense stick was burning in the corner of the room.