Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

Kawahara Chintetsu waved his hand, and Tetsu no Sosuke turned and walked out the door.

Only after he had left did a swordsmith speak up: "Village Chief, is this really alright? Sosuke's repair work on that blade is indeed impressive, but letting him forge a sword for the Nine Pillars... might that be a bit..."

Kawahara Chintetsu smiled: "A swordsman chooses his weapon, a smith chooses his swordsman. It has never been something one side can accomplish alone."

"Only when both feel the other is a good fit can a truly suitable weapon be forged," Kawahara Chintetsu said. "This point, in fact, is the hardest part. Technique can be honed, but some things can only rely on fate."

Kyakkyo Inn was the lodging used by the Swordsmith Village to host guests.

It wasn't far from the Village Chief's house. Tetsu no Sosuke walked over yawning the whole way, truly too sleepy to keep his eyes open.

His mind wandered, pondering what he should say when they met.

"I've spoken with her. Can she recognize my voice? Hard to say... so I should change my tone, speak with a pinched voice."

He tried it, managing to make his voice gruff.

"As for my build, she probably won't recognize that either, right? After all, we were in the water back then. And in that kind of state, it's hard to focus on the other person's physique, isn't it?"

Thinking this, he relaxed a little. On closer reflection, he hadn't told her his name, most of his face had been covered by a mask, and if he just masked the characteristics of his voice a bit, there was no way she could figure out it was him.

"This way, at least I don't have to worry about getting chopped by her!"

Settling his mind, he arrived at the place in no time.

There were dedicated attendants here. Seeing Tetsu no Sosuke arrive, he explained his reason, and they went in to announce him.

A moment later, someone led him to the Flower Pillar's residence.

It was a small, independent courtyard. As he walked in, he saw the Flower Pillar standing beneath a lush, leafy tree, reaching out to catch the drifting petals scattered through the air.

The blossoms were splendid, yet it was hard to say whether the person was more beautiful, or the flowers more delicate.

Standing there, Tetsu no Sosuke watched, a little entranced.

Then he saw the woman turn her head and smile: "You are Tetsu no Sosuke?"

"Mmm..." He'd only said one word before suddenly realizing he'd forgotten to disguise his voice. He coughed twice, deliberately lowering it: "I am."

After speaking, he held out the repaired Nichirin Blade and handed it to her: "The Village Chief said this blade needs to be presented for your inspection."

Kochou Kanae took the blade, but at the same time, she carefully studied Tetsu no Sosuke.

Tetsu no Sosuke felt a little creeped out by her gaze. He wanted to look away, but felt that wouldn't be appropriate, so he just stood there stiffly.

Fortunately, he was wearing a mask; otherwise, Kochou Kanae would have seen him sweating.

"Have we... met?"

Kochou Kanae suddenly asked.

Tetsu no Sosuke's expression changed. He quickly shook his head: "No, we haven't met."

"Oh, that voice sounds so familiar." Kochou Kanae's eyes lit up: "Why were you pressing your voice just now?"

"..." Tetsu no Sosuke wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. That last sentence had been too abrupt, and he'd forgotten to lower his voice.

Now his real voice was exposed, and sure enough, she recognized the familiarity.

What to do?

Back then in the hot spring, she hadn't drawn her sword because she had no weapon.

And now... well, now he'd worked hard to repair her weapon for her. So, was he about to die by that very blade?

The air seemed to grow still.

The sound of wind brushed past his ears, petals drifted down, and a faint fragrance filled the air—whether from the woman or the petals in the breeze, he couldn't tell.

"So, it was you."

In that stillness, Tetsu no Sosuke heard the words he least wanted to hear.

Recognized!!!

Was he about to be killed now?

But looking closely, he was surprised to find no trace of the murderous intent he'd imagined on Kochou Kanae's face.

Instead, there was a faint blush. Seeming to notice his gaze, she turned away, hiding her face from him: "This blade... you've repaired it?"

"Huh?" Tetsu no Sosuke was stunned. She was just moving on?

He quickly nodded: "Yes."

Shing!

The blade slid from its scabbard. Tetsu no Sosuke instinctively closed one eye, keeping the other open to watch the Flower Pillar's movements.

If she made any move to swing that thing at him, he'd definitely have to bolt.

But Kochou Kanae only gazed at the sword in her hand, for a moment seeming to forget the world outside.

Tetsu no Sosuke opened his closed eye, unsure whether to run or stay. At the same time, another thought occupied his mind...

"How do I convince her to let me forge her a new Nichirin Blade?"

The contradiction in his heart at that moment was something only he could understand.

On one hand, he worried that Kochou Kanae would fly into a rage over the hot spring incident, so he was ready to flee at any moment.

On the other hand, he hoped she wouldn't die at Doma's hands, so he wanted to forge her a better Nichirin Blade.

Caught in this tangled hesitation, Kochou Kanae spoke.

"Thank you, for helping me repair it."

Kochou Kanae's voice was like the scent of flowers carried on the wind—light and airy, with not a shred of force, yet every word hammered straight into the depths of the heart.

Tetsu no Sosuke suddenly froze, feeling his heart clench tight, and couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh: "This feeling... trouble!"

Chapter 10: Tailor-Made

"Trouble? What's wrong?"