That was what Gyokko thought, and that was what he did.
The porcelain pot he hid in rolled toward the Swordsmith Village cafeteria.
Of course, to be cautious, he had not forgotten to leave other porcelain pots in the woods so he could transfer himself at any time.
Meanwhile, an entirely different, lively scene unfolded in the cafeteria.
"Delicious!"
A thick stack of plates stood before Kyojuro Rengoku.
As before, every bite brought a loud burst of praise.
Beside him, Mitsuri Kanroji was also busy digging into her food.
The rice bowls stacked before her were already a good deal taller than Mitsuri Kanroji herself as she sat!
"Namu Amida Butsu."
Although Gyomei Himejima could not see, he could still sense the clink each time Mitsuri Kanroji stacked another rice bowl and hear her energetic cry of "Another bowl!"
He could not help remarking:
"What a fine appetite. So full of vitality!"
Hearing this, Mitsuri Kanroji set down her rice bowl, her pretty face flushing.
She could not help explaining:
"Really? I actually haven't eaten all that much today."
Shinobu Kocho, one of only two women present, said with a smile:
"It really isn't that much. After all, eating more helps you grow stronger."
"I've always envied your appetite and physique."
Those words truly came from the heart.
Compared with the other Hashira, Shinobu Kocho could even be called the weakest in terms of physical strength.
Otherwise, she would not have used that specially made Nichirin Blade with its greatly reduced weight.
Hearing this, Kyojuro Rengoku set down his chopsticks with a snap and declared spiritedly:
"Although you aren't good at slashing, your thrusting sword techniques are outstanding!"
"Even my eyes can barely keep track of your thrusts!"
"I believe that, combined with your Breathing Style, your thrusts could pierce straight through rock!"
At Kyojuro Rengoku's praise, Shinobu Kocho's smile immediately widened.
Watching this, Giyu Tomioka silently committed Kyojuro Rengoku's words to memory.
He quietly considered how this was a way of complimenting someone using an "although" and "but" sentence structure.
Then could I use this method to compliment Shinobu Kocho next time?
But a moment later, Giyu Tomioka remembered Mr. Yoriichi's warning-
If you can avoid speaking, try not to speak!
So Giyu Tomioka decided to keep his head down and continue eating, rather than speak without good reason.
But come to think of it, why did it seem as though I'd been squeezed into a seat near the corner?
Did they really dislike me?
No!
There was someone beside him who was also eating with his head down, not saying a word.
The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito.
With Muichiro Tokito sitting beside me, that should mean I'm not disliked, right?
But Lin Yoriichi's words surfaced in Giyu Tomioka's mind once again.
Mr. Yoriichi seemed to have mentioned this situation.
It seemed to be called...
Sitting at the kids' table?
Just then, Tengen Uzui enthusiastically joined the conversation:
"Speaking of which, Miss Kanroji, I remember you originally joined the Demon Slayer Corps to find a good man you could grow old with?"
At those words, Obanai Iguro immediately straightened up without realizing it.
Although Gyomei Himejima could not see, he clearly sensed Obanai Iguro's aura change in an instant.
Mitsuri Kanroji shyly covered her face:
"Yes, yes! I'm a girl, after all, so I still want to find someone stronger than me."
"I want him to protect me!"
"It's really embarrassing to say something like this in front of everyone!"
Obanai Iguro could not help sitting even straighter.
Tengen Uzui chuckled:
"In that case, why not let me give you some guidance as someone with experience?"
Obanai Iguro instinctively frowned.
What qualified this guy to advise Mitsuri Kanroji? What gave him the right to act like someone with experience?
Tengen Uzui suddenly pointed at Obanai Iguro:
"I've actually always thought Obanai Iguro would be a pretty good choice."
Hearing this, Obanai Iguro's face instantly turned red.
I really was questioning Mr. Tengen Uzui just now.
But then again...
Mr. Tengen Uzui really did live up to his experience. What an excellent eye he had!
"Hiss-"
Kaburamaru, the little snake coiled around Obanai Iguro's neck, poked his head out in confusion and flicked his tongue.
He felt that the temperature where he rested had suddenly risen considerably.
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked up in some confusion:
"Why do you think Obanai Iguro is a good choice?"
As a fellow member of the Giyu Circle duo, Obanai Iguro had always considered Sanemi Shinazugawa a friend he got along with well.
But after hearing those words, Obanai Iguro actually found Sanemi Shinazugawa a little irritating at that moment!
Tengen Uzui laughed:
"I can't explain that to you in detail. Just think of it as the wisdom of experience."
Hearing this, Obanai Iguro wanted nothing more than to nod.
Exactly. Someone with experience like Mr. Tengen Uzui really was dependable.
Yet Sanemi Shinazugawa continued asking:
"Actually, I've been meaning to ask for a while now. Why do you keep calling yourself someone with experience?"
Tengen Uzui folded his arms and said in a deep voice:
"The reason is very simple."
He swept his gaze over everyone, looking exceedingly proud:
"Because everyone here is still single, while I'm the only one who's flamboyantly married!"
"Doesn't that make me someone with experience?"
"What's more, I..."
At this point, Tengen Uzui flamboyantly held up three fingers:
"Not only do I have a wife, but-"
"I have three!"
At those words, the entire table fell silent.
Even Muichiro Tokito noticed the somewhat strange silence and instinctively looked up, casting a blank glance at Tengen Uzui, who currently held everyone's attention.
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked as though he had choked.
At that moment, he felt extremely irritable and annoyed, yet could not find any angle from which to argue back!
For a time, the atmosphere in the cafeteria actually grew somewhat awkward.
The same thought surfaced in the minds of many of the Hashira-
If only a demon would suddenly pop out right now for everyone to slash at and dispel this awkwardness.
Just then, everyone heard a strange sound:
Rumble, rumble...
A porcelain pot rolled to the cafeteria entrance.
A moment later, the eyes of all nine Hashira present focused on that porcelain pot.
The porcelain pot rocked twice where it stood, then eerily righted itself.
A figure squeezed out through the mouth of the pot.
Shing!
The synchronized sound of blades being drawn instantly rang through the cafeteria, mixed with the whistle of a spiked flail...
Before you continue