Without a second thought, the Scribe silently fell into step behind Yoriichi.
Being able to become Yoriichi's friend, he had already roughly guessed the man's identity.
After the Scribe and Yoriichi left, the town of Yusu welcomed another guest.
The newcomer was a woman of exquisite beauty, with long black hair.
Her black hair was parted in the middle and styled into a large, low bun, secured by a floral hairpin.
A faint sadness graced her face, her brows etched with worry.
If the Scribe had lingered for just a moment longer, he would surely have gasped in surprise the moment he met the woman.
Miss Tamayo!
Chapter 35: The Scribe with a Child, the Deceased Ubuyashiki
The demons here are all dead?!
Strolling through Yusu, Tamayo's beautiful face was filled with shock.
What had happened, and who had killed them?
There was no pity in her eyes, only curiosity and confusion.
Though she was also a demon, Tamayo felt not a shred of goodwill towards these so-called kin.
In fact, Tamayo wished for all demons to disappear from the world.
Suddenly spotting the figure of a human ahead, Tamayo immediately turned and walked in another direction.
She feared she might not be able to suppress her craving for humans and do something she would regret.
Reaching a corner, Tamayo suddenly furrowed her lovely brow.
Is something wrong?
Though no one was beside her, Tamayo spoke as if conversing with someone.
Yes, I understand.
After a short while, the conversation seemed to conclude, and a look of disgust appeared on Tamayo's face.
Despite her strong reluctance, she proceeded to act according to the instructions in her mind.
Meanwhile, the Scribe and Yoriichi had arrived at the foot of a mountain.
Following the direction of the rising smoke, the master and disciple discovered a small courtyard.
Pointing to a house within the courtyard, Yoriichi said.
If nothing is amiss, they should all be in there.
Upon reaching the house, the Scribe found a woman asleep inside the room.
The child who should have been asleep had inexplicably woken up and was crying loudly.
Faced with the wailing child, both the Scribe and Yoriichi were a bit bewildered.
Neither of them had any experience in this area and were complete novices when it came to taking care of children.
Thus, they looked at each other, staring blankly.
"You go," Yoriichi said. "If she doesn't listen, I'll step in."
With his master's command, the Scribe could only steel himself and walk over.
Unexpectedly, the little girl stopped crying the moment she saw the Scribe.
Taking care of a child… it doesn't seem that difficult?
The thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly felt he could handle it.
Looking at the child's flailing little hands, the Scribe instinctively leaned his face closer.
The next second, the soft little hand grabbed the Scribe's face and squeezed it without hesitation.
Feeling the pain on his face, the Scribe gasped.
Treating the Scribe's face as a toy, the child played with it for a while before letting go.
"I was wrong. I apologize for my earlier thoughts."
Rubbing his reddened cheek, the Scribe wished he could slap himself for what he'd thought moments ago.
Yawning, the child, tired from playing, fell asleep again.
Looking at the child's peaceful sleeping face in his arms, the Scribe felt as if the previous events were a dream.
"Is that Mr. Yoriichi?"
A voice called out, and then a man came running from not far away.
Black hair, deep red eyes, and a bright, cheerful smile on his face.
The moment he saw him, the Scribe recognized his identity.
Kamado Tanjiro's ancestor, Kamado Tankichi.
Yoriichi nodded, his face showing little emotion.
Aside from the Scribe, it was difficult for others to see Yoriichi display any emotional fluctuations.
"It's been a while. I'll go make some tea."
Setting down the basket he'd used to buy charcoal, Kamado Tanjuro prepared to make tea to host Yoriichi.
Just then, he noticed the Scribe beside him.
Seeing how harmoniously the Scribe and Yoriichi seemed, a strange thought crossed his mind.
Could it be?
As if sensing Tanjuro's thoughts, Yoriichi shook his head.
"The Scribe, he is my disciple, but..."
Reaching out to pat his disciple's head, a hint of gentleness flashed in Yoriichi's eyes.
"He is like my own child."
Gently placing the child, who was still fast asleep in his arms, down, the Scribe spoke to Tanjuro.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Tankichi. I am Yoriichi-sensei's disciple, named Scribe."
"To think he's Mr. Yoriichi's disciple."
A joyful smile appearing on his face, Tanjuro patted his chest.
"Hello, Scribe. I am Kamado Tanjuro, a charcoal seller."
After greeting him, Tanjuro hurried into the kitchen.
Before long, he emerged carrying a small tray.
On the tray were several cups of steaming hot tea and some small snacks.
"I'm so sorry to have kept a guest watching my child."
Looking at the child sleeping soundly in the Scribe's arms, Tanjuro's face showed a hint of apology.
"Don't mind it. He must be exhausted. Raising a child is quite tough."
Picking up a teacup, Yoriichi took a small sip.
"We'll leave after we finish our tea. We can't just stay here and eat for free."
"How could you say that? You are our savior. Without you, this child wouldn't have been born safely."
Hearing that Yoriichi would be leaving soon, a hint of panic appeared on Tanjuro's face.
"Please, continue drinking your tea." Yoriichi did not reply to Tanjuro.
For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Tanjuro tilted his head, looking at Yoriichi, as if trying to discern something from his face.
Yoriichi's expression, however, remained as placid as ever, as if he were completely indifferent to Tanjuro's gaze.
Unable to watch any longer, the Scribe spoke up.
"We have some matters to report, so we won't disturb you any further, Mr. Tankichi.
If there's an opportunity in the future, we will visit again."
Blinking a couple of times, Tanjuro wore an expression that seemed to say, I don't quite understand, but I think I do.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Yoriichi, you finally don't have to worry about finding a successor anymore."
Smiling at the Scribe, Tanjuro was genuinely happy that his good friend had found a successor.
"I was actually thinking of suggesting that I would be the one to pass down your deeds.
Even though, I'm just a charcoal seller."
As he said this, Tanjuro scratched his head sheepishly.
Knowing that his dear friend was thinking of him, Yoriichi shook his head slightly and said, "Tanjuro, you don't need to treat me as someone special. Both of us are just grains of sand in history."
Leaving that statement behind, Yoriichi finished the last of the tea in his cup.
"Seeing you so happy, Tanjuro, I can rest easy."
With that, he walked towards the exit.
Giving Tanjuro a slight apology, the Scribe followed Yoriichi out.
After leaving Tanjuro's home, the two returned directly to the Demon Slayer Corps, intending to report the matter to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
However, the moment they stepped inside, their gazes were drawn to the ceremonial procession ahead.
Upon inquiring, they received astonishing news.
The master of the Demon Slayer Corps, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, had passed away yesterday due to the deterioration of his health.
He was twenty-two years old.
The head of the Demon Slayer Corps was succeeded by his eldest son, six-year-old Ubuyashiki Waya.
The Scribe was a little surprised as an image of Ubuyashiki Waya flashed through his mind.
He hadn't expected Waya, who looked only four or five years old, to already be six.
It seemed that the Ubuyashiki family's bodies and appearances were affected to some extent by the curse that plagued them.
Arriving at the mansion, the Scribe, who was responsible for reporting the news, knocked on the door.
"Please come in."
A childish voice came from within, and it was clear it belonged to Ubuyashiki Waya.
Pushing the door open, the Scribe saw Waya sitting upright in the center of the room.
Chapter 36: Seeking Tsugikuni Iwashiro, Encountering Muzan
Although Ubuyashiki Waya's appearance hadn't changed much, his entire demeanor had undergone a drastic transformation.
It was likely that his father's death had caused him to mature rapidly.
"Scribe, are you unharmed?"
Waya cared more about the Scribe's well-being than the mission itself.
It had to be said that the Ubuyashiki family's way of handling things made people feel favorably towards them without them even realizing it.
"I'm fine, and the mission is complete."
Nodding, the Scribe briefly described the mission to him.
"Is that so? So many demons gathered in one place. It's good that they've been eliminated."
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