Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

Unfortunately, as a failed swordsmith, being able to repair weapons for the Nine Pillars was already his limit.

How could he overestimate himself and try to forge a Nichirin Blade for the Nine Pillars?

His head ached from thinking, but he still couldn't come up with a solution.

Finally, the Village Chief's house was right in front of him.

The people at the door recognized him at once and led him inside.

"You finished the repair this quickly?"

Kawahara Chintetsu's tone wasn't very pleasant when he said this.

Upon hearing the report that Tetsu no Sosuke had repaired a weapon damaged to such an extent in such a short time, his first reaction wasn't joy, but anger.

The damage was too severe; it should have been impossible to repair successfully in such a short period.

For Tetsu no Sosuke to fix it this quickly, either he had worked without sleep or rest, maintaining intense focus the entire time.

Or... he had just half-assed it.

Kawahara Chintetsu knew Tetsu no Sosuke well and suspected it was the latter, so he felt a pang of disappointment.

Finally, he sighed. "Let him in."

No sooner had he said this than Tetsu no Sosuke walked in carrying the Nichirin Blade.

"Village Chief."

He greeted the Village Chief.

The Village Chief glanced at him, sighed, and said, "Give me the Nichirin Blade."

Someone immediately came over, took the Nichirin Blade from him.

"Alright, go back and rest." Kawahara Chintetsu looked at the blade with a headache, wondering how he was supposed to explain this to the Nine Pillars.

He considered sending Tetsu no Sosuke off to rest and then having someone else redo the repair.

"Um... Village Chief..."

Tetsu no Sosuke couldn't just leave like that. "What about the Sun I forged?"

"Sun?" Kawahara Chintetsu was momentarily confused. "What sun?"

"The blade I forged. Can I have it back?"

"You... you gave it a name?" Kawahara Chintetsu almost laughed in anger, glaring at him. "Get out now."

"...That's so unreasonable?"

Tetsu no Sosuke curled his lip. In the Swordsmith Village, the Village Chief held the highest status and respect.

As a transmigrator, Tetsu no Sosuke didn't want to offend him either. He sighed, muttered under his breath, stood up, and turned to leave.

Seeing his slovenly demeanor, Kawahara Chintetsu grew even angrier. "And this shoddy repair job of yours, you even—"

Just as the Nichirin Blade was brought to his side, he drew it from its sheath in one motion. The words he was about to say caught in his throat.

A cold gleam shone, sharp and imposing!

This blade... had been repaired, and the craftsmanship was extremely high!!

Even if someone claimed it was a freshly forged Nichirin Blade, they would absolutely be believed.

But Tetsu no Sosuke, hearing his words, flew into a rage. Forgetting all about rank and respect, he turned back angrily. "If you won't give it to me, fine! But why insult me? 'Shoddy repair job'? What kind of repair job do you mean?"

"How dare you!"

At these words, the two men beside the Village Chief immediately flared up.

In the village, rank was paramount; no one was allowed to disrespect the Village Chief.

"You... you..." Kawahara Chintetsu stammered out two 'you's, then carefully examined the Nichirin Blade in his hand, slowly speaking. "You... repaired it so well."

"Huh?"

Chapter 9: Trouble!

"The blade has no blemishes. Did you use Ironstem Grass juice? The edge was reground and tempered—your heat control is already this precise? The reforged blade shows no trace of repair; it's seamless. Even if someone said this was a brand-new Nichirin Blade, hmm... they'd probably believe it, wouldn't they?"

Kawahara Chintetsu inspected it with great seriousness. The other swordsmiths nearby looked at Tetsu no Sosuke with changed expressions.

But Tetsu no Sosuke was a bit confused. What did this mean? First he dismissed me as worthless, and now he's praising me to the skies?

A carrot and a stick?

"What's most remarkable is that such exquisite repair work was done in this short amount of time."

Kawahara Chintetsu looked at Tetsu no Sosuke as he finished. "You've grown."

"...Not bad, I guess." Tetsu no Sosuke scratched his head. "So, can I have my Sun back now?"

"..."

Kawahara Chintetsu was momentarily speechless, then shook his head. "Take this blade to the Kyakkyo Inn and find that guest. If she's satisfied, then you can have the practice blade back."

"Huh? Oh."

Tetsu no Sosuke nodded, took the Nichirin Blade that Kawahara Chintetsu had someone bring over, and suddenly froze.

Take this sword and go find that customer?

What customer?

If he thought about it carefully, it had to be the original owner of this blade, right?

Who was that?

The Flower Pillar... Kochou Kanae!

Was he about to meet her again? Wouldn't that be awkward?

"Come to think of it, with the mask I was wearing back then, she shouldn't be able to recognize me that easily, right?"

He mulled it over, then nodded. "Alright, I'm heading out."