The air froze completely at Tanjiro's defiant roar.
Muichiro Tokito's vacant eyes, which were always chasing clouds, finally focused entirely on Tanjiro.
There was no anger, no surprise, not even the irritation of being disturbed.
It was a pure, cold gaze, as though he were inspecting an object.
Like a mountaineer preparing to embark on a path of no return, inspecting an inconspicuous stone blocking his way. He would not get angry at the stone. He would only consider whether to kick it aside or walk around it.
"My time is precious."
There was no trace of emotion in Muichiro Tokito's voice.
"Your time is precious too. Don't waste precious time on meaningless things."
Tanjiro trembled all over with anger at this reasoning.
The scent of stubbornness and anger coming from him grew incredibly strong.
"Some things are more important than your so-called 'precious time'!" he argued. "How could you lay a hand on a child! He was only protecting something he treasured!"
"Protecting?"
Muichiro Tokito seemed to have heard some ridiculous word. His head tilted slightly, and for the first time, a barely perceptible ripple appeared in his vacant eyes.
It was a hint of pity, yet it also seemed like a hint of mockery.
"The weak don't even have the right to protect anything."
"You..."
Tanjiro wanted to argue further, but Muichiro Tokito had clearly lost interest in continuing their "conversation."
As far as he was concerned, this conversation was over.
He let out a soft sigh.
That sigh was faint, yet it was like an invisible switch, changing the entire world in an instant.
Tanjiro felt a blur pass before his eyes.
No, there was not even a "blur."
One second, Muichiro Tokito had still been standing three paces away from him.
The next, a cold finger