Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

"No." Kawahara Chintetsu shook his head. "It's a child from the village, not yet qualified to forge a Nichirin Blade. But he's been working very hard lately, and I wanted to know how far his skill has come, so I sent the boy to fetch it."

"I see." The Flower Pillar nodded. "Why not bring the blade inside, and we'll take a look together? I'm curious about a growing swordsmith as well."

Kawahara Chintetsu hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Very well."

He called out to the outside, and soon the blade called 'Sun' was brought in.

Kawahara Chintetsu looked at the pitch-black scabbard and shook his head helplessly.

It was merely a practice weapon—why go to such lengths?

The Flower Pillar watched eagerly, and 'Sun' was placed before Kawahara Chintetsu.

He took it in hand and paused slightly. "So light."

Gripping the hilt, he drew the blade an inch, and already its sharpness was fully revealed!

Beneath the Fireman Mask, his pupils flickered with surprise, while the Flower Pillar's eyes lit up. "It looks good."

"Indeed, quite unexpected."

Kawahara Chintetsu drew the blade completely, setting the scabbard aside. The jet-black body, the cold, biting edge—just holding it in hand, one could already sense its keenness.

He laid the blade flat before him, folded his fingers, and tapped the steel. As his finger struck the blade, it let out a resonant hum!

"This..." Kawahara Chintetsu was momentarily stunned. This sword exceeded his expectations!

Had Tetsu no Sosuke really forged this?

This child's progress was terrifying!

"May I see it?"

The Flower Pillar spoke.

Kawahara Chintetsu snapped back to reality and nodded. "Forgive my rudeness."

He sheathed the blade and had it brought to the Flower Pillar.

The moment she took it, her eyes brightened. With a clang, she drew the sword.

The feeling this blade gave off in Kawahara Chintetsu's hands versus the Flower Pillar's was completely different!

Kawahara Chintetsu was undoubtedly a master among swordsmiths—many of the Nine Pillars' blades in the Demon Slayer Corps came from his hands.

But he was ultimately a smith, not a swordsman.

The Flower Pillar was different. In battle, her swordsmanship was extraordinary, and the moment the blade entered her hand, its sharpness blazed forth!

"This sword... I really like it." She swung it lightly. "It's light, and the feel of the swing is addictive. What a shame it's not a Nichirin Blade... Village Chief, could I ask this swordsmith to forge a Nichirin Blade for me?"

Kawahara Chintetsu was silent for a moment, then said, "Since one of the Nine Pillars, the Flower Pillar herself, has made the request, it wouldn't normally be impossible. But Tetsu no Sosuke has never forged a Nichirin Blade before. Whether he's up to the task is questionable. While this sword is indeed a fine piece, a single blade can't fully demonstrate his current level."

The Flower Pillar's expression fell with disappointment, but then Kawahara Chintetsu continued, "However, if the Flower Pillar truly wishes for him to forge a Nichirin Blade for you, let him first familiarize himself with the material. Since you've brought a damaged Nichirin Blade this time, let Tetsu no Sosuke repair it. If he succeeds, it will prove his mastery of the forging arts is mature. Then he can forge a new Nichirin Blade for you. If he fails... Flower Pillar, please abandon the idea. How does that sound?"

"Of course!" The Flower Pillar's heart leaped with joy. She had thought the path was blocked, but the Village Chief had shown her a way forward.

And his words made sense.

If this was merely a stroke of luck producing a fine blade, rushing to have this man forge a Nichirin Blade for her would be gambling with her own life!

So, a test was indeed the right course.

If he succeeded, it would prove his ability, and she would gain a Nichirin Blade to her liking, a great aid in battle!

With that thought, she hesitated no longer. She sheathed the blade, returned it to Kawahara Chintetsu, and said, "Actually, I came for another reason as well. The injuries I sustained in my last battle require the hot springs here for recovery..."

What the Flower Pillar discussed with Kawahara Chintetsu after that was another matter.

Tetsu no Sosuke, meanwhile, had been earnestly trying out the Breath of the Sun.

Overall, the process was agonizing.

During the breathing, his blood flow quickened, and the pounding of his heart sounded as if it were right in his ears.

Just a little use, and his stamina drained enormously!

"How the hell am I supposed to achieve Constant Concentration with this?"

Tetsu no Sosuke was troubled.

Constant Concentration was an advanced form of Breathing Technique.

In everyday life, one maintained the Total Concentration Breathing at all times.

From a martial arts perspective, it was like never ceasing practice in walking, sitting, lying down—much like how Hong Qigong in The Return of the Condor Heroes had his inner energy circulating even while asleep.

In this context, it meant that no matter what he did—drinking water, eating, sleeping, even urinating—his body remained in the Breathing Technique state, gradually pushing his physical limits to a monstrous level!

But right now, Tetsu no Sosuke felt that just using the Breath of the Sun for a few rounds of Total Concentration Breathing was already killing him.

At this rate, when would he ever achieve Constant Concentration?

Still, he wasn't the type to wallow in setbacks. Soon, he pulled himself out of that difficult predicament.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, without accumulating small steps you cannot reach a thousand miles, so water drops wear through stone, so..."

He rallied his spirits: "Enough with the so-sos. Anyway, from ancient times to now, countless lessons tell us that if you want to succeed, you have to do it step by step. Is it hard? What in this world is easy? Just go do it! Do it and you'll succeed. As long as you persevere, there's no mountain in this world you can't climb!!!"

After psyching himself up, he saw within his field of vision a bratty kid whose two legs churned like wind-fire wheels, arriving at his side in a flash.

The kid was also holding a knife...

Coming to return the knife? He wondered what the Village Chief's assessment was.

Just as he was thinking this, he noticed something off about the knife in the kid's hand.

Chapter 6 — Eat it? Thanks!

"What's this?"