Encountering Shinobu Kocho

Task complete, Rengoku Shinjuro left Hachijojima Island with the two youngsters. He wrote to Oyakata-sama about everything that happened during the mission, and Oyakata-sama readily accepted the new additions.

On the way back to headquarters, he also provided Iguro Obanai with some swordsmanship guidance and physical training.

Two weeks later, the three arrived at the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

"I want to eat, I want delicious food, not dry rations!" Tendo Hiruma hadn't eaten for a full three hours, and his stomach was growling from hunger. If anyone was to blame, it was his own terrible constitution.

"Obanai, do you have any food left?" he asked, looking at Obanai with anticipation.

Obanai, who had already wrapped his chin with bandages, glanced at Hiruma with disdain. After they became familiar with each other, his sharp-tongued nature had awakened.

"Hiruma, are you a glutton? You already ate all my rations, you idiot!"

After his sharp retort, he took out the last piece of dry ration from his bosom. Having been imprisoned in a dungeon for many years, he had a habit of saving food.

But this was truly the last of his rations. For Obanai, this piece of dry ration was something he wouldn't take out unless absolutely necessary.

However, if it was for Hiruma, he was happy to oblige.

Hiruma, like a starving ghost, took the dry ration and devoured it in a few bites, so moved he was almost in tears.

"Wuwuwu!"

"This dry ration is so delicious, Obanai, you're truly my best buddy!"

Upon hearing this, Obanai turned his head, his smile hidden by the bandages, and muttered softly:

"I don't know you that well, glutton!"

"Boys, there's a town up ahead!"

"Finally, I can eat my fill, hahaha!"

Rengoku Shinjuro pointed into the distance with excitement. After nearly two weeks of living like savages, the town meant delicious food, and delicious food meant happiness.

"Uncle, is that true?"

Tendo Hiruma had somehow appeared beside Shinjuro Rengoku. They stood side by side, both with stars in their eyes, visions of various delicacies swirling in their heads, their mouths watering.

In the blink of an eye, only lingering dust remained on the road as the two of them had already run off.

"Eat!"

"Eat!"

"Food!"

"Food!"

Shouts like a chant flew into Iguro Obanai's ears from a distance. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he couldn't quite accept the abstract scene before him.

After all, one of these two was stronger than the other, and he couldn't defeat either of them anyway.

"Sigh!"

"Is the Demon Slayer Corps a proper organization?"

Iguro Obanai sighed deeply. He patted Kaburamaru's head and walked towards the town.

A moment later, he found the two gluttons in front of a restaurant.

The bowls around Rengoku Shinjuro were stacked seven high. When he looked at Tendo Hiruma's side, Obanai's worldview collapsed.

A staggering forty-five bowls were stacked together, like an insurmountable mountain of food.

"Boss, another bowl, I've got the money!"

Tendo Hiruma pushed his empty bowl aside and gestured to the shopkeeper, still not satisfied.

All eyes in the restaurant were drawn to their table, as people who could eat this much were rarely seen.

Tendo Hiruma noticed Iguro Obanai and greeted him with a smile, changing his tune, "Boss, two bowls, my friend is here!"

As soon as he spoke, the diners' gazes shifted to Iguro Obanai. After all, being friends with this incredibly hungry young man naturally meant he was no ordinary person.

Iguro Obanai glared at Tendo Hiruma with a resentful look. Fortunately, he had hidden Kaburamaru in his clothes beforehand, otherwise, they might have been kicked out.

Who would normally have a snake wrapped around their neck?

He sat down opposite Tendo Hiruma. These two were clearly a laughing one and an unhappy one.

"Young men, I found a Wisteria House in this town. We can rest there after we eat!" Shinjuro Rengoku suggested.

"What's a Wisteria House?" Iguro Obanai asked with confusion, feeling like he and these two were not on the same wavelength.

Tendo Hiruma swallowed his mouthful of rice and explained, "It's short for the House with Wisteria Patterns."

"They are established by people whom the Demon Slayer Corps has helped in the past. They mark their homes with special wisteria patterns and provide corresponding assistance to Demon Slayer Corps members free of charge. They are outposts for Demon Slayer Corps members to rest and recuperate in the world."

"Mm!" Iguro Obanai nodded, loosened a small section of his bandages, and slowly began to eat.

After eating their fill, the three went to the Wisteria House to rest.

In the evening, Iguro Obanai was still learning swordsmanship from Rengoku Shinjuro. For a junior with ambition, Shinjuro Rengoku was eager to teach him everything he knew, especially since he was a rather talented junior.

Although Flame Breathing wasn't very suitable for him, he could still teach some basic swordsmanship techniques.

As for Tendo Hiruma, whom Iguro Obanai viewed as "lazy and good-for-nothing," he had already wandered off somewhere.

The small town had electricity now. When it got dark, the dim yellow streetlights flickered on.

Scattered along the roadside were still a few food stalls. Though not bustling, they exuded a warm, everyday charm.

"Boss, I'll take all of your Saisai Dango!"

Hiruma suddenly appeared before a stall, slapping money onto the counter. The owner flinched, startled.

"Sir, please wait a moment!" the owner said with a forced smile, his hands trembling slightly. After all, the man was carrying a sword, which was intimidating even if he was just a child.

"Boss, don't be nervous, I'm a good person!" Hiruma stated earnestly.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The owner nodded repeatedly. The government had banned swords years ago, and this person was still carrying one. How could he be a good person?

Suddenly, someone in coarse clothing bumped into Hiruma.

Due to his years of sword training, his stance was exceptionally stable, and he sent the person stumbling.

Just as he was about to check on the person who had bumped into him, a nimble figure darted out from in front of him, running off without looking back.

Moments later, curses erupted from not far away. Hiruma looked in that direction and saw three menacing men.

"Damn it, stop right there!"

"When are you going to pay back the money you owe?"

"If you don't pay, we'll sell you off!"

"Kid, don't stare, you might get yourself into trouble!" the owner hurriedly warned. "Those guys have connections; even the government won't deal with them!"

"Oh!"

Hiruma withdrew his gaze. He just wanted to eat and avoid conflict.

In his peripheral vision, he saw the fleeing person. Judging by their back, it looked like a young girl, clutching a package of herbal medicine as she ran at full speed.

Soon, the small, thin figure in coarse clothing disappeared into an alley.

"Shinobu Kocho, stop right there!"

"You'd better not let me catch you, or I swear I'll kill you!"

"And your sister, don't think we won't act just because you two know a bit of medicine!"

"Damn it, stop!"

The leader, seeing that they couldn't catch up, resorted to threats but didn't give up the pursuit.

Hearing the shouts, Hiruma's body stiffened. He thought he heard an incredibly familiar name.

Shinobu Kocho!

Did that person just say Shinobu Kocho?

He definitely said Shinobu Kocho!

"Sir, your Saisai Dango!"

"Boss, wait just a sec!"

Seeing the young man staring intently at the thugs, the owner grew anxious.

Didn't we agree not to meddle?

The owner wanted to stop him but it was too late. Tendo Hiruma had already appeared behind the thugs.