The next day.
A gentle spring breeze blows, and the sun shines brightly.
Teiichi and Kanae stood in the courtyard where they had gathered the day before, admiring the beautiful scenery together.
Kanae looked at the young man beside her, and the way Teiichi greeted his Oyakata-sama yesterday Teiichi was different from the other Pillars, seemed to come to mind. Although her gentle nature prevented her from blaming Teiichi, her tone was inevitably somewhat distant.
" Kato- kun, do you want to go back to the Butterfly Mansion with me first, or go straight to Kyushu Island?"
Sensing the change in how Kanae addressed him, Teiichi slightly taken aback, but quickly realized why Kanae had distanced herself from him, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
Turning his head to look at Kanae's profile, he didn't answer Kanae's question but instead asked:
Is Kanae somewhat dissatisfied with me for not kneeling before the leader?
Kanae didn't expect Teiichi be so direct. She subconsciously turned her head to look at Teiichi, but when she saw Teiichi he was staring at her, she immediately turned back. After thinking for a moment, she decided to tell the truth.
" My Oyakata-sama has explained his reasons, and I understand your position. However, that doesn't mean I can fully accept your actions. I think the other Pillars share similar sentiments and are somewhat dissatisfied with Kato- kun."
At this point, Kanae paused, turned her head to meet Teiichi's gaze, and spoke with a hint of seriousness and earnestness.
" Kato- kun, have you ever considered that if you're the only one not kneeling while all the other Pillars are, it might affect the unity within the Demon Slayer Corps? Is this so-called equality for everyone really that important to you, Kato- kun?"
Teiichi Kanae's exquisite purple eyes, his gaze gradually dimmed.
His lips parted and moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out.
That might be the only thing I brought with me that I still have...
After a long pause, Teiichi and replied:
"This is indeed very important to me!"
"I understand your thoughts," Kanae said softly, her voice carrying a hint of understanding and respect. "However, we are, after all, members of the Demon Slayer Corps, and we need to abide by some basic rules and etiquette."
"I'm going straight to Kyushu Island; I won't go back to the Butterfly Mansion Butterfly Mansion. I don't have many things there anyway."
Teiichi didn't respond to Kanae's words, but instead answered Kanae's initial question, then gave a slight smile.
"Could you please say hello to Kanon?"
He added, then turned and walked inside.
Kanae Kocho silently turned around, watching Teiichi's departing figure gradually disappear into the distance.
Her heart skipped a beat, as if she had lost something...
Half a day later.
Outside the train station.
The crowd surged, and the noise rose and fell.
"Lord Wind Hashira, you must hide your sword well; it must not be shown."
Ichiro Tanaka looked at the new Wind Hashira in front of him, pointed to the Nichirin Blade on his back that exuded a sharp aura, and said seriously.
"Otherwise, if the train conductor finds out when we get on the train, it'll be troublesome. There might be police waiting for us when we get off!"
Upon hearing Ichiro Tanaka's words, Teiichi wisely picked up the Nichirin Blade that was slung at his waist.
Since the Meiji Restoration, Japan has enacted a ban on swords. Except for members of the imperial family, military personnel, and police officers, no one else is allowed to carry a sword. Now, if someone is caught carrying a sword, they will be taken to the police station for questioning.
Although Teiichi believed that even if he were taken to the police station for questioning, the Ubuyashiki Family would be able to get him out unscathed, he figured it was better to avoid trouble.
He took the Nichirin Blade in his hand, but after looking around at himself, Teiichi realized there was nowhere suitable to hide it.
Seemingly noticing Teiichi's predicament, Ichiro Tanaka spoke up:
"If you don't have anywhere to hide your Nichirin Blade, why don't you give it to me? I'll hide it for you and give it back to you when we get there."
"Okay, thank you!"
Having nowhere else to hide Teiichi had no choice but to agree and hand over the Nichirin Blade.
Ichiro Tanaka took the Nichirin Blade with both hands and was about to speak when, as Teiichi his grip, his hands began to fall uncontrollably.
Upon Teiichi, Teiichi remembered that his Nichirin Blade was specially made and quite heavy. He quickly reached down with his right hand, grabbed his Nichirin Blade Nichirin Blade, and stopped it from falling.
"Sorry, I forgot, my Nichirin Blade is quite heavy."
Teiichi said somewhat apologetically, "I'll get it myself."
Then, looking at Ichiro Tanaka with curiosity, he asked:
"You're dressed similarly to me, where were you planning to hide again?"
Upon hearing the question, Ichiro Tanaka, disregarding his shock, turned his back to Teiichi, lifted the back of his shirt with his left hand, pointed to his back with his right hand, and said:
"I plan to slip in from here, carry him on my back, and use the Demon Slayer Corps uniform to cover myself."
Teiichi firmly and, following Ichiro Tanaka's instructions, inserted the Nichirin Blade into his back.
After it was inserted, Teiichi moved his shoulder from side to side, feeling slightly uncomfortable, and he couldn't bend his waist anymore.
But there's no way around it; I should have just tied it up in a box or something.
He turned and glanced at Ichiro Tanaka, gesturing for him to continue walking.
The two then headed towards the train station.
On the way, Ichiro Tanaka couldn't contain his curiosity and asked:
"Lord Wind Hashira, how heavy is your Nichirin Blade?"
After glancing at Ichiro Tanaka, Teiichi smiled and said:
112 jin (approximately 56 catties).
112 jin?
Although he had already realized how heavy the Nichirin Blade Nichirin Blade was when he first received it, Ichiro Tanaka couldn't help but gasp when he actually heard Nichirin Blade weight.
"So heavy? Won't it affect your combat ability?"
"No, I'm used to it!"
Ichiro Tanaka nodded.
As expected of a Pillar, he can actually fight with such a heavy Nichirin Blade, which he would struggle to even hold.
After entering the train station, Ichiro Tanaka turned to Teiichi and said:
"Lord Wind Hashira, please wait here for a moment while I go buy the tickets."
"Go."
Teiichi and looked around the train station.
The train station was bustling with people, everyone's face filled with anticipation for their journey or joy at returning home. Passengers were either sitting or standing, some carrying heavy luggage, others traveling light, all waiting for the train to arrive.
Every now and then, vendors weave through the crowd, hawking various snacks and souvenirs. Their voices rise and fall, adding a touch of liveliness and energy to the noisy environment.
Teiichi's gaze wandered around the train station, the scene before him reminding him of his childhood memories.
Soon after, Ichiro Tanaka returned to Teiichi's side, holding two train tickets. He smiled and handed the tickets to Teiichi, saying:
"Lord Wind Hashira, the tickets have been purchased."
Teiichi took the ticket and nodded slightly.
The two waited for a while longer, and finally boarded the train bound for Kyushu Island, accompanied by the train conductor's loud shouts.