Hongyue Reappears

Faced with Kurozawa's unyielding aura, Shinjuro Rengoku frowned.

"Human law."

After pondering for a moment, he still could not come up with an answer.

When demons caused trouble and killed people, it was difficult to trace any evidence back to humans. Besides, with no bodies left behind, no murder weapons, and so on, the existing laws and methods of gathering evidence could do nothing to the Iguro Family.

Seeing Shinjuro Rengoku frown in thought, Kurozawa said softly, "See? There's no way around it."

"Unless the existence of demons can one day be made known to the world, swordsmen who choose to follow the rules can only stand by and let evil people do as they please."

Kurozawa had wiped out the Iguro Family not because he was particularly kindhearted, but mainly to eliminate future trouble—and for those massive Potential Points.

The number of Potential Points he could obtain from humans had exceeded Kurozawa's expectations, making him deeply tempted. But no matter what, he could not bring himself to kill people casually. That was his bottom line. Yet for people like the Iguro Family, evil men deserved to be punished by evil men. He had not held back in the slightest.

Time slowly passed. With the two swordsmen facing off, the atmosphere at the harbor grew somewhat heavy.

About two minutes later, the aura gathered around Shinjuro Rengoku suddenly dispersed, and the hostile lock Kurozawa had felt on himself vanished as well.

Shinjuro Rengoku turned and headed toward Hachijo Island.

"Today, I'm just a traveler."

"I won't interfere in your business, but it won't stay hidden either."

"You should think about how you'll explain this to the Master."

After saying that, Shinjuro Rengoku slowly walked away into the night wind, an unknown wild blade of grass still between his lips. He was utterly carefree and did not look back.

Watching his retreating figure, Kurozawa lowered his head and said to Iguro Obanai, "Wait here. As soon as there's a boat tomorrow, I'll take you off Hachijo Island."

Then Kurozawa stopped paying attention to Iguro Obanai. He sat on the beach and began circulating his Breathing Technique, his muscles pulsing as his breath flowed through its cycles.

Kurozawa understood what Shinjuro Rengoku meant.

The Demon Slayer Corps' intelligence network was excellent. Even if Shinjuro Rengoku said nothing, word of what Kurozawa had done on Hachijo Island today would soon reach the Demon Slayer Corps Leader. By then, someone would likely come to detain him and take him to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters for questioning.

But as he looked at the more than five hundred Potential Points in his field of vision, a faint smile appeared on Kurozawa's face. He was not the least bit nervous about the possible accountability of the Demon Slayer Corps.

In the end, strength was always what mattered most.

Once Kurozawa reached the level of a Hashira, killing a few dozen evil people would be nothing. The Demon Slayer Corps Leader would certainly choose to turn a blind eye rather than pursue the matter. Even at Kurozawa's current level, it was impossible for him to receive severe punishment.

At most, he would be confined for a while.

Three days later, noon, Asakusa.

Kurozawa wandered through the bustling streets with Iguro Obanai.

There had been no further mishaps on the train ride back from Hachijo Island. The two of them had arrived safely in Asakusa.

He had originally thought that Asakusa might be dangerous with Hongyue stationed here, but in broad daylight, he probably would not run into her. Since he had come to a major city like Asakusa, Kurozawa planned to pick out some small gifts for his junior brothers and sisters.

He was not called Senior Disciple for nothing. Kurozawa had always doted on his junior brothers and sisters. In the entire Demon Slayer Corps, they were the only people with whom he had formed genuine bonds. His relationship with the other swordsmen meant little to him.

Inside a small yet exquisite shop, Kurozawa looked over the merchandise and took a liking to a hairpin.

It was a wooden hairpin, smooth in texture, with a small twelve-pointed snowflake pendant hanging from its end. It looked delicate and refined.

"This one... I'll give it to Junior Sister Shizuka. She's been complaining lately that her hair is too long. This will be perfect for tying it up."

After looking around some more, Kurozawa picked out an anklet with little bells on it.

Junior Sister Makomo was like a lively little wild rabbit and loved to hop around. She might like this anklet that jingled, Kurozawa thought.

Before long, Kurozawa had selected gifts for his other junior brothers and sisters as well. He also bought Iguro Obanai a new set of clothes. Unfortunately, he could not find a camera. Kurozawa truly wanted to suddenly grin in the Kocho Sisters' faces, then snap a picture of their expressions.

Once all the little gifts had been bought and packed away, Kurozawa prepared to leave Asakusa.

As he stepped out of the shop, the fiery orb in the sky burned quietly, its light somewhat blinding.

It was already September, the height of the hot season. The sunlight could even be called scorching.

Just as Kurozawa narrowed his eyes and prepared to lower his head to avoid looking directly at the sun, a red shadow appeared above him.

"You look a little hot. Would you like an umbrella?" A cool, pleasant female voice came from behind Kurozawa.

"Thank you, but I don't need one."

The moment he finished politely refusing, Kurozawa's expression stiffened.

That pleasant voice sounded somewhat familiar.

No way! How could I run into her in broad daylight too? Taking a deep breath, Kurozawa swiftly adjusted his expression. He abruptly turned around with a trace of surprise and delight. "Hongyue? So it's you. I was wondering why that voice sounded so familiar."

"I thought I wouldn't get to see you during this visit to Asakusa. I didn't expect such a coincidence. Looks like we're quite fated."

A woman dressed in a fiery crimson kimono stood quietly behind Kurozawa, holding a red paper umbrella that cast both herself and Kurozawa beneath its shade.

Her kimono was very thin and left her shoulders exposed, revealing her smooth, lovely shoulders and delicate collarbones. Her fair, soft skin was somewhat dazzling, drawing the eye toward it involuntarily.

"Have you finished handling your business?"

Hongyue's cool voice rang out as she glanced at Iguro Obanai beside Kurozawa.

From the corner of his eye, Kurozawa watched Gray-White and the fourth stage of Water Breathing that could be upgraded. At the same time, he smiled and said, "Yes. He's a child from a distant relative's family. His family died in an unfortunate accident, so it's rather pitiful. I'm taking him back with me."

Iguro Obanai raised his head to look at Kurozawa, then lowered it again without saying a word.

That behavior fit the persona Kurozawa had created for him quite well.

A faint, cool smile touched Hongyue's lips. "What a pitiful child."

She handed the red umbrella to Kurozawa, then bent down and gently rubbed Iguro Obanai's head.

"If he bullies you, you can come find me in Asakusa. I often take in people with nowhere to go. If you want, you can stay at my home too."

Looking down at Hongyue's slender, fair neck, then at the red paper umbrella in his hand and the blazing sun hanging overhead, Kurozawa fell into an intense internal struggle.

Throw away the umbrella, use the Potential Points to push my Breathing Technique past the fifth stage, then attack her?

No, that won't work. With Hongyue's strength, the sun probably can't destroy her instantly. Otherwise, she would never have appeared. My Power of Despair can't manage it yet either.

Besides, there are buildings everywhere. Avoiding the sun would be too easy.

But what exactly is she up to? Why does it seem like she's latched onto me?

Hongyue's sudden appearance was definitely not a chance encounter. Kurozawa had ample reason to believe that she had memorized his scent and followed it here.