"So, Kanzaki-kun, have you figured out how to face Mr. Haganezuka?"
On the way to the Swordsmith Village, Kanae asked Kanzaki Kumo with some concern.
She had personally witnessed Haganezuka chasing Kanzaki Kumo with a blade, trying to slash him.
It had simply been because, during his fight with Gyokko, he had forcibly activated his Bright Red Nichirin Sword through friction, severely damaging his Nichirin Blade. The entire tip had been ground flat, and it needed to be reforged.
This time, though, the Nichirin Blade had only suffered a little wear and simply needed to be polished again.
But using a Nichirin Blade meant for killing demons to chop down trees might provoke Haganezuka, who loved his blades as much as his own life, even more than the previous incident.
After all, last time, at least he had damaged the blade in order to kill Gyokko.
This time...
"Well, what could I possibly prepare? With his personality, he probably won't listen no matter how I apologize. At worst, I'll just let him chase me. He can't catch me anyway, and once he gets tired, he'll naturally cool down."
Kanzaki Kumo shrugged, responding in a way that seemed both helpless and entirely unashamed.
"What I actually need to think about is watching my speed a little. I can't shake him off and leave him to sulk alone, but I can't let him catch me either. Otherwise, even if he wouldn't actually stab me, he'd at least give me a beating."
"And I'll have to keep an eye on his physical condition. If something happens to him from all that running, then I'd really be at fault."
"Hmm... that really is... very much your style, Kanzaki-kun." For a moment, Kanae had no idea what to say.
After arriving at the Swordsmith