Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

When he came back to himself, he was staring at Tetsu no Sosuke, and Tetsu no Sosuke was staring blankly back at him.

Who is this?

The same question seemed to hang in both their minds, but when she noticed the mask on Tetsu no Sosuke's face, the girl snapped awake: "Are you a swordsmith?"

Tetsu no Sosuke nodded immediately: "Yes, I'm Tetsu no Sosuke. I've come to deliver a sword to the Flower Pillar."

"Please, come in."

The girl stepped back, opening the gate fully to let Tetsu no Sosuke inside.

As he walked in, Tetsu no Sosuke asked, "Is the Flower Pillar here?"

"The Flower Pillar has gone on a mission. She should be back before dinner tonight."

The girl led the way as she spoke: "I'll take you to see Lady Shinobu first. If it's a Nichirin Blade meant for Lady Kanae, handing it over to Lady Shinobu is fine too."

Chapter 18: Not Yet Returned

Guided by the girl, Tetsu no Sosuke sat in a large room, holding his sword case, waiting.

After serving him tea, the girl went off to attend to her own matters.

Tetsu no Sosuke glanced around the surroundings, set the sword case down on the tatami, stood up, and walked to the other side of the room. He slid open a door, revealing a courtyard.

A breeze blew in, carrying a fragrant scent.

The sky was high, the clouds thin; scattered white clouds and a leisurely wind complemented each other perfectly.

"This really is a place she'd live in."

A corner of his mouth had unknowingly curled into a pleased arc, as if he'd thought of something delightful.

Yet in the blink of an eye, his expression turned troubled.

In the manga, the scene of her falling in Shinobu Kocho's arms, speaking her final words, surfaced in his mind once more.

He shook his head: "Don't think about such unlucky things. She should be back before evening today. When she sees the weapon I made for her, will she be happy?"

He turned around and sat back down, unable to suppress the ripples stirring in his heart—anticipation for the upcoming meeting, and fear of the answer he had yet to voice.

But compared to that, the latter didn't matter as much. As long as he could see her, that was better than anything.

"It's only been a few days, so why does it feel like I haven't seen her in ages?"

Just as he was thinking this thought was a bit ridiculous, the door to the room was suddenly slid open.

Another girl walked in. Her features were somewhat similar to Kanae's, and her attire was even more alike.

Only her face was more youthful.

"Tetsu no Sosuke?"

She spoke, and her tone was not particularly friendly. Though she tried to restrain herself, Tetsu no Sosuke inexplicably sensed a hint of hostility in her voice.

A stranger—why would she be hostile toward me?

In his astonishment, a flash of joy rose in his heart.

She's mentioned me!

And she must have said something, or else the girl before him wouldn't be acting like this.

It was as if... a little girl whose precious thing had been taken away?

Suppressing the delight in his heart, he smiled and said, "I am."

"Are you here to deliver a Nichirin Blade to my sister?" Shinobu Kocho had not a shred of goodwill toward the man before her, but to avoid breaching etiquette, she forced a polite demeanor.

Yet there was not a trace of a smile on her face.

Ever since her sister returned from the Swordsmith Village this time, she'd been acting strange.

Every now and then, she'd laugh to herself for no reason, or else she'd carefully study a painting, as if gazing at some priceless treasure!

Well, the person drawn on the paper was her sister, so calling it a priceless treasure wasn't an exaggeration.

But who had drawn that painting?

Driven by curiosity, she'd pestered her sister for answers, and finally heard the name Tetsu no Sosuke.

Then her sister briefly explained her journey to the Swordsmith Village, but every other detail was bland and colorless—only the name Tetsu no Sosuke made her eyes sparkle whenever it came up.

This detestable man must have done something to my sister!

She was angry, though she didn't know why. So when she learned Tetsu no Sosuke was coming to deliver a sword, the anger in her emotions inevitably showed.

And she wanted to scrutinize this man—what was so special about him!

Looking him over carefully, there wasn't anything remarkable.

Like all swordsmiths, he wore a Fireman Mask. The conical hat set aside was dusty, and even the sword case had dust on it, with a broken strap.

Just as Shinobu Kocho was sizing up Tetsu no Sosuke, his voice reached her ears.

"Yes, I've completed the Nichirin Blade I forged for the Flower Pillar."

Though he said this, he made no move to take out the Nichirin Blade for Shinobu to inspect.

Shinobu Kocho nodded. "Alright, I understand. I'll take the blade and pass it on to my sister."

With the matter settled this far, there seemed to be nothing left to say.

Shinobu waited for him to take his leave on his own—every bladesmith before had done the same. Once they delivered the Nichirin Blade, they never lingered.

But Tetsu no Sosuke did not leave. He remained seated and said calmly, "Regarding this blade, there are things I need to say directly to the Flower Pillar."

A sudden, inexplicable restlessness stirred in Shinobu's heart.

She furrowed her brow. "Is there something you can't tell me? I am my sister's younger sister."

"So you're the Flower Pillar's younger sister."

Tetsu no Sosuke gave a faint smile, as if he had only just learned this, then shook his head. "This blade has a special quality. It can only take effect if the Flower Pillar hears my words with her own ears."

Nonsense!!!

This damned man—he must have designs on her sister, didn't he?