Genius Swordsman

That sword had been wielded by the man who had nearly killed the master. Why was it in this brat's hands? Why? Zero Yu Zi questioned herself over and over, still unable to believe it.

Tsugikuni Kuuga stepped forward with his left foot, gathered strength in his right, then dashed straight to Zero Yu Zi. Raising his flame-wreathed Nichirin Blade, he swung it at her neck.

Zero Yu Zi had not yet emerged from her fear. At that moment, Tsugikuni Kuuga's figure overlapped with that man's once more, and the terror ingrained in her cells left her unable to move.

Under the night sky, a sunlike ring flashed past. Lower Rank Four was beheaded. Tsugikuni Kuuga had slain two Lower Ranks in almost a single day.

"You who desecrate life do not deserve forgiveness!"

Steam still rose from Tsugikuni Kuuga's Nichirin Blade, but having exerted himself too fiercely, he too collapsed from exhaustion.

Lower Rank Four, Zero Yu Zi, dead!

The next day arrived quickly. Tsugikuni Kuuga's Kasugai Crow immediately sent news of his achievements back to headquarters. The Demon Slayer Corps could no longer describe their feelings with mere surprise. Slaying two Lower Ranks in a single day—what an incredible feat.

Even the ever-calm Oyakata-sama seemed somewhat excited. Sitting beneath the eaves, he could not settle down for a long time as Amane Ubuyashiki embraced him from behind.

In a gentle voice, she said, "This is a good thing. It means even Heaven can no longer bear the deeds of Evil Demons, and has specially sent down Kuuga, this Child of God!"

"Yes, he will definitely be able to kill Muzan!" Oyakata-sama smiled so happily. Since his birth, such joy had truly been rare.

The Rengoku Family.

Kanae Kocho happily told Ruka Kyogoku about Tsugikuni Kuuga's recent exploits. That was right—the Flower Hashira was not at the Butterfly Mansion today, but at the Rengoku Family residence, keeping Ruka company.

Ever since Tsugikuni Kuuga had become a son of the Rengoku Family, the Butterfly Sisters and Ruka Kyogoku had grown increasingly close.

Yet rather than happiness, the two women felt more worry. One was his older sister, the other his mother. They both knew how difficult it was to slay a Lower Rank, let alone for Tsugikuni Kuuga to kill two at once. How much danger must he have faced?

"Auntie Ruka, Kuuga's recovery ability is very strong. You don't need to worry too much. Taking good care of your health is the best support you can give him!" Kanae Kocho said gently, clearly seeing Ruka Kyogoku's concern.

"Kanae is right!"

"Also, Shinobu told me that she and that boy Kuuga are at a Wisteria House in the same town, so he should be fine!"

Hearing Kanae Kocho's words, Ruka Kyogoku finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Compared to the women's worries, the men of the Rengoku Family were delighted. After all, this was an immense honor!

"Father, Kuuga really is incredible!" Kyojuro said excitedly, as though he were the one who had slain the Lower Ranks.

"That's right. As expected of a child of my Rengoku Family. It seems there will soon be another Hashira. Hahaha!" Rengoku Shinjuro grinned from ear to ear.

Beneath a waterfall.

Gyomei Himejima stood beneath the waterfall, enduring its pounding force. Only the strongest Hashira, the Stone Hashira, could likely withstand such insane training.

Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together, tears filling his eyes as he looked deeply moved.

"The young man truly is a Genius Swordsman. It seems my position will soon be replaced. Amitabha!"

"What kind of damn luck did that brat have? Running into two Lower Ranks in one day—how infuriating! He hasn't even sparred with me yet!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa complained as he wiped his Nichirin Blade on the shore. He had originally wanted to ask the Stone Hashira for guidance today, but now he had no mood for it at all. All he wanted was to fight Tsugikuni Kuuga as soon as possible.

Yet no one knew that, despite the Wind Hashira's constant grumbling, he was praying in his heart that Tsugikuni Kuuga would be all right. His words and heart were completely at odds; he truly cared for Tsugikuni Kuuga.

On a nearby tree, a young man leaning against the trunk slowly spoke.

"Surviving an encounter with two Lower Ranks... a newcomer worth meeting."

The young man had mismatched eyes, green on the left and gold on the right. Bandages wrapped around his mouth, and his medium-length black hair resembled seaweed. He wore a black-and-white striped Haori, with a small white snake coiled around his neck.

He was none other than the Demon Slayer Corps' Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, king of sharp tongues.

"Hey, are you hoping Kuuga dies? That's pretty rude!" Sanemi Shinazugawa snapped.

"Do I need a reason to doubt that a newcomer is weak?" Obanai Iguro retorted.

"You want to fight?"

"Live in harmony, Amitabha!"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, the Stone Hashira hurriedly tried to mediate.

Meanwhile, at the Wisteria House far away, Tsugikuni Kuuga had no idea that his exploits had already spread through headquarters, or that two men had nearly come to blows over him.

Watching Shinobu Kocho change his bandages beside him, he suddenly felt that his wounds did not hurt anymore. This was fate—they had actually met at the same Wisteria House after completing their missions.

Sure enough, his bond with Shinobu-wife could not be severed. Tsugikuni Kuuga smiled at the thought.

Shinobu Kocho, however, grew angrier the more she looked at him. Why was this guy still grinning like an idiot? He was becoming more and more careless about his own safety.

"Ah!" Tsugikuni Kuuga groaned in pain.

"Shinobu, gentler. It hurts. I'm injured right now!"

"You know pain now? Why didn't it hurt when you were killing Lower Ranks? Look at what state your leg is in!" Shinobu Kocho pouted and immediately began scolding him.

"Don't I have the Tai Chi healing technique? It's all minor stuff!" Tsugikuni Kuuga waved a hand, showing no concern whatsoever.

"You always have so many excuses. You're driving me mad!"

"Shinobu, gentler—my kidneys!"

"It hurts, it hurts!"

Just then, a kind-looking old woman entered carrying two bowls of porridge. She first placed one before Tsugikuni Kuuga, then set the other in front of Shinobu Kocho.

Smiling, the old woman said, "Miss, you can scold your boyfriend later. Even if you stay up all night, you still need to eat something!"

"He's not!" Shinobu Kocho hurriedly denied it.

The old woman said nothing, only smiled, but her eyes had already made everything clear. After all, older people had seen more and had plenty of experience.

Then the old woman looked at Tsugikuni Kuuga and said earnestly, "Young man, it's not that this old woman likes to nag. I know you're fighting Evil Demons, but you must take care of your body too!"

As she spoke, the old woman embraced Tsugikuni Kuuga and gently stroked his back. Thinking of how he had been carried in last night, covered in blood, she truly felt heartbroken for him.

These Demon Slayer Corps members had given so much to protect people. Taking care of them was the only thing she could do.

After the old woman left, Tsugikuni Kuuga smiled. Being cared for felt so wonderful!

"Sure enough, old people see things clearly. Experience really makes a difference!" Tsugikuni Kuuga sighed.

Shinobu Kocho grabbed Tsugikuni Kuuga by the ear, her cheeks slightly flushed. This was far from the first time someone had called her his girlfriend.

"You know so much, huh? Can't even eating shut your mouth?"

"Shinobu, I was wrong!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga's pleading rang out once more, while the old woman outside nodded kindly.