Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

Kochou Kanae turned around quickly at his words: "Did something happen to you?"

"...Mm, nothing major." Tetsu no Sosuke shook his head. For now, at least, it seemed he didn't have to worry about being chopped down by the Flower Pillar.

"So there is something, then? By the way, having this sword repaired in such a short time—you must have worked very hard, pushed yourself to the limit."

Kochou Kanae's eyes carried a trace of apology: "It's my fault. If I had stuck to my own judgment and simply asked you to forge a Nichirin Blade for me directly, there would have been no need to prove your ability by repairing this sword. Though I am very glad it could be restored to its original state."

"Forge a Nichirin Blade for you?" Tetsu no Sosuke immediately latched onto the key point: "Are you saying I can forge a brand-new Nichirin Blade for you?"

"Yes." Kochou Kanae nodded, making no attempt to hide anything, and briefly explained what had happened earlier at the Village Chief's place.

Only then did Tetsu no Sosuke understand what was going on.

He had been wondering all along—how, out of nowhere, had he suddenly been able to repair a Nichirin Blade?

It turned out that just as the Flower Pillar arrived, Kotetsu had brought his sword over, and the Flower Pillar had taken a liking to it, leading to everything that followed.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say. After stewing for a long while, he mumbled: "Is this our fate?"

Kochou Kanae's face instantly flushed red, her mind wandering to who knows where.

Seeing this, Tetsu no Sosuke quickly waved his hands: "Wait, I, I didn't mean it like that... It's just that it was too much of a coincidence, and that very night we were in the hot spring..."

In his panic, he spoke without thinking.

Before he could finish the sentence, he stood frozen like a wooden chicken.

He saw that the Flower Pillar's face had already turned as red as the sunset clouds on the horizon.

Then came silence...

After a long silence, the Flower Pillar suddenly spoke in a small voice: "It really is quite fateful."

Tetsu no Sosuke could only nod.

"So, you already knew it was me before you came? Is that why you deliberately lowered your voice when speaking?" Kochou Kanae looked at Tetsu no Sosuke with a curious gaze.

With nothing left to hide at this point, Tetsu no Sosuke nodded: "I was worried that if you found out, you'd just chop me down on the spot, wasn't I?"

"...How could I ever do something like that?"

Kochou Kanae's eyes widened, staring at Tetsu no Sosuke in utter disbelief, her big eyes clearly saying, 'How could you think that of me?!'

Tetsu no Sosuke quickly said: "Well, I know now—you're a very gentle girl, you'd never do something like that. I was just letting my imagination run wild."

"Good that you know." Kochou Kanae turned her head to the side, a hint of incredulity in her eyes as well.

Yes, why was there no urge to draw her sword?

That night, she hadn't drawn her sword because it wasn't by her side.

But what about now?

She hurriedly shook her head, refusing to dwell on that question, and instead looked seriously at Tetsu no Sosuke: "Then now, can we talk about my new Nichirin Blade?"

"New Nichirin Blade... Oh! Right!"

Tetsu no Sosuke's spirits lifted, and he snapped out of that completely helpless state from before.

To be honest, having lived two lives, whether it was hardship or difficulty, he could always encourage himself and drag himself out of those tough quagmires.

But that inexplicable, utterly uncontrollable state just now—as if possessed by a demon—was something he had no way to handle.

Fortunately, the Flower Pillar broke the deadlock!

Should he say, as expected of one of the Nine Pillars?

Tetsu no Sosuke's thoughts were running off the rails. When he noticed Kochou Kanae staring at him with those big eyes again, he came back to his senses, coughed, and said: "Then, does the Flower Pillar have any requirements for her new weapon? I think, if it's a new weapon, I should start from your personal traits and preferences, so I can forge a weapon that suits you best."

Kochou Kanae nodded: "The most important thing is that it be light. Because I'm a woman, even as a swordsman, my stamina is far behind a man's. If the weapon is too heavy, it would greatly increase my physical burden."

Tetsu no Sosuke nodded: "And then?"

"...Then? Sharp enough?" Kochou Kanae shook her head and said: "Can you really make that many demands for a weapon?"

"Of course you can." Tetsu no Sosuke said: "Since it's being custom-made for you, we have to consider every angle. Mm, let me think. Stamina is one point, and sufficient sharpness is a given. Next, we need to consider your sword techniques and Breathing Technique. The sword techniques driven by Breathing Technique ultimately take form through the weapon in your hand. If we put some extra thought into that aspect, we might even be able to bring new changes to your slashing speed, power, and even form."

"As a weapon for slaying demons, a Nichirin Blade relying solely on its special material to kill demons is far from bringing out the full potential a weapon should have."

When Tetsu no Sosuke said this, perhaps he didn't realize it himself, but a remarkable light gathered in his eyes.

Kochou Kanae, however, was drawn in by that light. Just gazing at it gave her a feeling of being pulled in.

It was as if it could sear the soul, leaving a deep impression, even causing one to tremble!

It wasn't until Tetsu no Sosuke finished speaking and turned to look at her that she snapped back to reality.

"I was... without realizing it..."

She murmured under her breath, then took a deep breath, composed her expression, and looked at Tetsu no Sosuke with a smile: "What you said makes a lot of sense, but forging such a Nichirin Blade—is it very difficult?"

"Difficult, not necessarily. It just requires careful thought, and also, I'll need some help from you."

Tetsu no Sosuke said with a bit of embarrassment: "I don't know if this would be too rude to say to a swordsman, but if possible, I'd like to see your sword techniques."

"Sword techniques?"

Kochou Kanae blinked.

"If it's not possible, then forget it!"

Tetsu no Sosuke quickly said, "No offense intended."

"You don't have to be so cautious."

Kochou Kanae rested a finger on her chin, thought for a moment, and said, "But would I need to demonstrate it just for you? That would cut into my usual training time. If you have the time, you could come watch while I train."

"Watch? Really?" Tetsu no Sosuke was a bit surprised. A demonstration would only let him see it once, maybe twice at most—after all, she was a swordswoman, not a dancer, with no reason to perform for him every day.

But training? Didn't that happen every single day?

Training that happened every day, and he could watch it every day!

That way, wouldn't he get to see her every day?

No... that's missing the point—he'd get to see the Breath of the Flower sword techniques every day!

Chapter 11: I'll Tell You Next Time We Meet