"Mr. Rokuya..." Sabito, Giyu Tomioka, and Makomo approached from behind and bowed deeply to Rokuya in unison.
"Thank you for teaching us these past few months!" Sabito's gaze was firmer than ever. His former reckless aggression had faded, replaced by a mountainlike steadiness. "Without you, we would never have reached the threshold of the Hashira in our lifetimes."
Though Giyu Tomioka's face remained expressionless, the hand gripping his sword hilt trembled slightly. "I'll become stronger. Strong enough... to fight alongside you."
Makomo smiled sweetly. "Mr. Rokuya, the next time we meet, I'll show you an even faster blade!"
[Ding! Extreme gratitude detected from Giyu Tomioka. Gratitude points +500!] [Ding! Utmost admiration detected from Sabito. Gratitude points +500!] [Ding! Heartfelt gratitude detected from Makomo. Gratitude points +500!] [Ding! Concern and gratitude detected from the Kocho Sisters. Gratitude points +1,000!]
Listening to the system's string of pleasant notifications in his mind, Rokuya felt absolutely fantastic.
"All right, enough of the empty formalities." Rokuya waved a hand, turned, and headed down the mountain, waving to everyone with his back to them. "If you have time for this, swing your swords another ten thousand times instead. If you're still this feeble the next time we meet, I'll give you a beating."
"Safe travels, Rokuya!" Kanae's voice carried from afar through the bitter wind.
Rokuya did not look back. He simply strode into the swirling snow with even firmer steps.
After leaving the Butterfly Mansion, Rokuya headed straight toward Tokyo Prefecture.
Heavy snow fluttered down, blanketing the world in white. The biting wind howled, whipping up the snow on the ground and striking his face like knives. But to Rokuya, whose physique already far surpassed that of an ordinary person, this little bit of cold was nothing.
As he traveled, he idly