With efforts being made on several fronts at once,
Tanjuro's complexion truly grew rosier at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Even his coughing became noticeably less frequent.
Of course, both Xia Xi and Tanjuro knew perfectly well.
The improvement before them was only superficial.
It was equivalent to slamming on the brakes as he hurtled straight toward the abyss of death.
It hardly counted as truly curing the charcoal seller completely.
How could the toll that decades had taken on his body be made up for so easily?
For now, they had only slowed the approach of death.
Roughly speaking, he had gone from not surviving this winter...
To having eaten a soy-braised duck and being able to hang on until next year's reunion dinner.
As for further treatment or fully restoring his health,
Those were matters for later.
But at least, for the time being, their friend Kamado would not suddenly drop dead.
After accepting Xia Xi's invitation,
Tanjuro had stopped going down the mountain to sell charcoal over the past few days.
Because of this, old Saburō, who lived at the foot of the mountain, had made a special trip up to visit him twice.
He thought the boy he had watched grow up had fallen ill.
Tanjuro could only smile and reassure him, saying that they had a guest at home and he could not get away for now.
And after this...
He probably would not continue selling charcoal for a living.
For his children's sake, he might have to go "work in the city," too.
The old man stared at Tanjuro for a long while.
Then he glanced at the children near the house, who were laying the foundations for practicing a Breathing Style.
His expression grew somewhat complicated.
"Mm. Go on, then."
"Going