The two of them needed to work out a solution together. Two heads were better than one; with their combined wisdom, they might yet find a way to help Tetsu no Sosuke.
On Tetsu no Sosuke's third day lying on the tatami, Shinobu Kocho came to the Hammer Hut.
She went to see Tetsu no Sosuke as soon as she arrived, but said nothing and turned to leave after taking a look at him.
Tetsu no Sosuke was furious. "Did you come to pay your respects to my corpse? I'm not dead! Would it kill you to say something to me?"
"All you ever do is fool around." Shinobu Kocho took a deep breath. "If you can't win, run! Why did you have to push yourself so hard?"
"It was too rare an opportunity to pass up." Tetsu no Sosuke offered that single remark, then asked quietly, "Speaking of which, what happened afterward? I haven't really dared to ask your sister about that night. You know how upset she is about the state I'm in. Bringing it up all the time would only make her sad, so I can only ask you. How are those Swordsmen? And what happened to the selection?"
Shinobu Kocho glanced at him, looking somewhat indignant. "The selection has been suspended. Since the demons have already found the location, continuing could lead to something even worse. The Master feels terrible about your severe injuries and loss of consciousness. He wanted to visit, but his health wouldn't allow it. He never expected an Upper Rank to go to Fujikasane Mountain. He feels he underestimated the danger and let you down. They're looking for a new selection site now, but the demons on Fujikasane Mountain couldn't be left alone in the meantime. So, during the days you were