I Really Like It

Tetsu no Sosuke slid the first sword he had forged into the scabbard he had made earlier, then stepped into the courtyard to try a Breathing Technique.

He adjusted his breathing. Following the memories in his mind, he was just about to inhale...

"Sosuke!"

A brat's shout sent countless birds bursting out of the trees!

"I... Cough, cough, cough!"

Tetsu no Sosuke had been about to attempt the Breath of the Sun for the first time, but the breath caught in his throat. He nearly choked, coughed until he could barely breathe, then spun around with a furious glare.

A little brat in a Fireman Mask came bounding up to him. "Sosuke, the Village Chief sent me to collect your sword."

"What?" Tetsu no Sosuke stared at him blankly. "Collect my sword? What sword?"

"You've been forging here these past two days, haven't you? The Village Chief said it should be finished today, so he sent me to get it. He wants to see how good you are now!"

The brat lowered his voice mysteriously. "The Demon Slayer Corps' fights with demons have been getting fiercer, so Nichirin Blades are being damaged more and more often. Everyone in the village is swamped. The Village Chief said that even if you're not ready to forge Nichirin Blades on your own, you should still be able to repair worn ones if your work is decent."

"...How did he know I'd been forging lately?"

Tetsu no Sosuke looked baffled.

"He saw you," the brat said. "And he's not the only one. I've heard you forging whenever I've passed by these past two days. Oh, that's the sword in your hand, isn't it? You really put your heart into it. You even made a scabbard."

He reached for it, and before Tetsu no Sosuke could react, the brat had taken the sword.

"I'd better go! The Village Chief is waiting."

Without waiting for an answer, he pumped his little legs and vanished in a flash.

"What does that kid eat? How can he run so fast?"

Tetsu no Sosuke was speechless.

Meanwhile, in the main room of the Village Chief's house in Swordsmith Village, a woman with a faint, ever-present smile sat talking with Kawahara Chintetsu.

Author's note:

New author, new book~ Please recommend it~~~~

Chapter 5: I Really Like It

"I'm sorry to trouble you every time."

The woman's voice was gentle, like a warm spring breeze carrying the scent of flowers.

Kawahara Chintetsu shook his head. "You're too polite, Flower Pillar. This is our job. It's the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps who risk their blood and lives fighting demons. If we can give them reliable weapons that serve them well in battle, that's the greatest comfort we swordsmiths could ask for."

The Flower Pillar smiled and was about to reply when a commotion arose outside.

Kawahara Chintetsu glanced toward the door. "What's going on out there?"

Someone soon came in to report. "Village Chief, Kotetsu is here with the sword Sosuke just finished."

"Oh?" Surprise crept into Kawahara Chintetsu's voice. "He actually finished it?"

The Flower Pillar was curious. "Is it a new Nichirin Blade?"