Is Shinobu, Not the Hidden One

The Nichirin Blade had just been unsheathed, its silver blade like ice that never melted, a chilling glint emanating from it. The blade reflected Hiruma's brilliant golden eyes, exuding an unstoppable aura of lethal intent.

"What a good sword!"

Hiruma couldn't help but exclaim. Only those who wielded swords knew how well-crafted this blade was. Haganezuka Hotaru's temper was worthy of his swords.

Gradually, five streams of colored light, as dazzling as shooting stars streaking across the night sky, flowed and coiled up the gleaming blade. They climbed higher and higher until they stopped at the tip.

But the changes didn't stop there. The back of the Nichirin Blade was visibly covered in a layer of black, like a mysterious and vast starry sky.

The colorless streams of light on the blade transformed into a pattern resembling a giant dragon, imprinted into the sword.

"Huh?" Haganezuka Hotaru exclaimed. Of course, he wasn't surprised, but disgusted. Pure-colored Nichirin Blades were what suited his aesthetic.

"Damn it!"

"What is this thing!"

"It's so ugly!"

Haganezuka Hotaru grumbled as he looked at Hiruma, as if to say, "I waited all this time, and this is what you give me."

Hiruma: ╮( ??ω?? )╭

He actually thought it looked pretty good. After all, cutting down demons was the main goal. Perhaps it was because he had learned too many Breathing Styles and even mixed them together.

Seeing Haganezuka Hotaru about to reach into his pocket again, Hiruma hurriedly rushed out of the house.

"Wait for me, I'll be right back!"

A moment later, Hiruma returned with a bag of Mitarashi dango, Haganezuka Hotaru's favorite food.

"Hmm?" Haganezuka Hotaru looked at the dango, confused, then silently withdrew his hand from his pocket.

After eating the dango, he glanced at Hiruma, giving the latter a fright.

"Haganezuka Hotaru, thank you for the dango!"

"And if you damage the sword, I will absolutely kill you. Goodbye!"

He told Hiruma his name, and Hiruma also remembered his name. At the same time, he was puzzled as to how Haganezuka Hotaru knew what he liked to eat.

After sending off this formidable figure, Hiruma could deeply understand the feelings of the little angel Tanjiro in the future.

As evening approached, the old man returned with a member of the In. He happened to meet them; the person had come to deliver Hiruma's uniform.

Members of the In usually wore black uniforms, with hoods and masks covering their faces with black and white stripes, making them easily identifiable.

Hiruma tried on the uniform; it fit perfectly. Since it was getting dark, the old man decided to let the member stay.

After dinner, the In member found Hiruma relaxing on a large tree in the peach grove.

"Do you need something?"

Since the member hadn't spoken a word, Hiruma thought they couldn't hear, so he showed particular concern.

He jumped down from the tree and wrote on a small notebook, then handed it to the member.

Soon, the member returned the notebook.

[Hello, my name is In. Someone named Shinobu Kocho asked me to deliver a letter to you.]

"Holy crap!"

"Is that true?"

"Brother In, you are a great person. Please accept this bow from your younger brother!"

In simply nodded, then took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Hiruma.

He took the letter, and a faint scent of wisteria filled his nostrils. He confirmed the scent; it was definitely Shinobu's handwriting.

Hiruma held the letter and jumped around, like a child who had received a beloved toy.

"Shinobu replied to my letter, hahaha!"

"I'm so happy!"

"Hehehe!"

After grinning foolishly at the letter for a long time, he carefully opened it.

[Shin, long time no see, I miss you dearly. Congratulations on passing the Final Selection, I'm so happy for you. You will definitely become the strongest swordsman!

Also, I am truly grateful for the data you provided. I have made improvements and developed the second generation of Wisteria Poison.

Oh, and I created a new Breathing Style of my own based on Water Breathing. How about that, am I amazing? Hmph hmph hmph! (￣^￣)

I look forward to meeting you. Keep up the good work on your mission!]

"Wuwuwu!"

"I miss meeting you too, Shinobu!"

Hiruma read the letter several times. Seeing that no one was around, he secretly brought the letter close to his nose and took a deep sniff.

"It's Shinobu's scent, it smells so good!"

"No way!"

"I won't be mistaken for a pervert, will I!"

He hastily stopped his intrusive behavior, cherishing the letter as he put it away.

Unbeknownst to him, his actions were witnessed by In, who was not far away. Of course, he saw it by chance and then ran away in a panic.

At midnight, Hiruma couldn't sleep due to excitement. After all, he had received a letter from Shinobu.

As usual, he lay leisurely on the rooftop, gazing up at the starry sky.

A gentle breeze brought a hint of coolness, caressing his hair and the hem of his clothes. He lay quietly on the roof, enjoying the peace and beauty.

The only thing that made him feel disappointed was the absence of someone to watch the stars with him.

"Sigh!"

Suddenly, one end of a ladder was placed on the eaves, and a heavily wrapped In climbed up, holding a sign with writing on it.

"Brother Tendo, why aren't you sleeping?"

Hiruma patted the spot beside him, signaling for the other person to sit down. It was good to have someone to talk to.

He took out a notebook and wrote a sentence: "Brother In, you don't understand that feeling, the feeling of missing someone."

In replied: "Is it that person named Shinobu Kocho?"

He continued to write back: "Of course! We're super close. You'll understand when you meet the right person, Brother In."

In took the notebook but didn't reply. He just stared blankly at Hiruma, his gaze as soft as water, making Hiruma extremely uncomfortable.

"Holy crap!"

"Brother In, you don't like men, do you?" Hiruma quickly put some distance between them, exclaiming. In couldn't hear him anyway. "I'm a pure man!"

In tilted his head in confusion, then put his hands behind his head and lay down to look at the starry sky.

Hiruma lay back down, continuing to reminisce about the good old days when Shinobu watched the stars with him.

After a while, he suddenly sat up and slapped his forehead, saying:

"Oh no!"

"I got too excited. I have to write back to Shinobu!"

No sooner said than done, he stood up, but he lost his balance and fell. In, seeing this, quickly pulled Hiruma back, otherwise, he would have fallen off the roof.

And so, Hiruma landed on top of In, his hand coincidentally pressing on the other's chest.

"Brother In, thank you!" He didn't seem to mind, as they were both men. However, a flicker of shame and indignation flashed in In's eyes, and he pushed Hiruma away.

Hiruma: "???"

Who would have thought that In, who had just stood up, would trip over a roof tile and fall into Hiruma's arms with a bang?

At the same time, a familiar and intimate scent wafted over him, and his mind went blank.

"Brother In, what exactly is your relationship with Shinobu Kocho?"

In let out a long sigh, and then a scolding voice reached Hiruma's ears.

"You big dummy!"

In reached out and pulled off his mask, revealing his fair and clean face.

Her face was slightly flushed, as alluring as a ripe apple. Her pouting lips carried a hint of spoiled affection and reproach. She glared at Hiruma with the expression of someone disappointed in their protégé.

"It's Shinobu, not In!"

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(｀?ω?′)ゞ Salute!