She is, after all, the owner of the Butterfly Mansion. If even she says so, then it seems the villagers of Swordsmith Village didn't suffer much damage.
As for some houses being damaged, that's nothing for the wealthy Demon Slayer Corps.
The Demon Slayer Corps has stubbornly persevered for hundreds of years since Kibutsuji Muzan's massacre, precisely because of the Ubuyashiki Clan's almost cheat-like economic investment ability. They could invest with their toes and still make money, never losing a cent.
With money, plus swordsmen who harbor a blood feud with Muzan, they won't collapse easily.
Mizuki casually asked, "Speaking of which, have you seen Haganezuka?"
"Haganezuka-san? I haven't seen him~" Kochou Shinobu pondered for a moment. "Has Mizuki's Nichirin Blade not been forged yet?"
Mizuki scratched her ear: "I haven't seen him at all. It would be great if the Nichirin Blade could be delivered sooner."
The one she picked up casually still felt a bit off for actual combat, as it wasn't custom-made.
"That guy is truly ridiculous; he's been gone for almost half a month since he ran away from home." Thinking of Haganezuka decisively setting off with his pack that day, Mizuki couldn't help but complain.
Kochou Shinobu pursed her lips and smiled: "Well, Haganezuka-san is indeed a very interesting fellow."
Mizuki rolled her eyes: "Interesting? He's an idiot, more like it."
"Shinobu, you don't have to be so subtle."
Kochou Shinobu couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "Haganezuka-san would be very disappointed if he knew you said that."
"No, an idiot probably wouldn't care about such an evaluation." Mizuki pulled the door shut behind her. "Where's Nezuko? I haven't seen her at all."
Kochou Shinobu replied: "It seems she expended too much energy and is now resting in the house."
"I see."
As the two conversed, they walked together towards the ruins, intending to see if there was anywhere they could help.
Mizuki asked, "Has there been contact from Ubuyashiki's side?"
"I've already informed the Kasugai Crow to send back news about the general situation."
"Hmm, I'll wait one more day for Haganezuka. If he's still not back tomorrow, I'll return to the Demon Slayer Corps first." Mizuki pondered for a moment.
Communicating about the Infinity Castle is too troublesome relying solely on Kasugai Crows; she needs to find time to speak with Ubuyashiki face-to-face as soon as possible.
Even if not just for the Infinity Castle, Kibutsuji Muzan now knows she has overcome sunlight, and the demons will soon make a big move. Ubuyashiki must be prepared in advance.
The initiative they once held is now with Muzan.
Who knows when Muzan will find the main force.
Moreover, in this battle with Kokushibou, although she didn't completely cut off Kokushibou's head, the regeneration speed of the flesh in his neck after she struck it showed something.
Her blood can indeed have an effect similar to a scarlet blade in suppressing regeneration. In other words, she doesn't really need to wait for Haganezuka's blade.
After all, she's not a dual-wielder.
Kochou Shinobu understood Mizuki's meaning and nodded gently: "Anyway, just have Haganezuka-san send it over later."
Mizuki nodded slightly, about to speak, when her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of dust rising at the end of the road.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Mizuki suddenly stop, Kochou Shinobu peered out from behind her.
"Oh my, this is..."
A man wearing a fire man mask slid over from afar in a perfect dogeza, so smoothly that he left a long trail on the ground.
Looking at the Nichirin Blade Haganezuka respectfully offered with his head bowed, Mizuki's eyelid twitched, and she strenuously suppressed the urge to leave.
Her face twitched imperceptibly as she looked down at the Nichirin Blade Haganezuka respectfully presented.
What she saw was a Nichirin Blade with a white pattern on its scabbard and hilt. Black cloth wraps were wound around the scabbard all the way to the hilt, and its style was the same as an ordinary katana.
Mizuki hesitated, then took the Nichirin Blade with both hands from Haganezuka.
The moment she took the blade, a chill penetrated her palm, immediately grabbing Mizuki's attention.
Is the hilt made from her bones?
Not just the hilt, but the scabbard as well, it seemed.
Kochou Shinobu curiously peered over from the side.
Rustle... Mizuki slowly drew the long blade, and a hazy mist appeared on its surface.
Mizuki instinctively ran her finger along the blade, and a clear, mirror-like edge was revealed to both of them, so clear that they could even see their own faces reflected in it.
Kochou Shinobu praised, "What amazing quenching technique~"
Mizuki squeezed her slightly damp palm, her brow furrowed. She pursed her lips, and the veins on the back of her hand subtly emerged as she gripped the hilt with all her might.
"Hmph~"
Mizuki's face flushed slightly.
I... I can't draw it... Haganezuka looked up at Mizuki, who seemed about to crush the hilt, and quickly said, "Uh, you can't treat it like that..."
He paused, as Mizuki put all her strength into it, her arm trembling slightly, and a crimson color abruptly appeared on the blade, slowly spreading towards the tip.
"Oh... oh~?" Haganezuka's face under the mask was dumbfounded. He pointed at the blade in Mizuki's hand and exclaimed in shock, "It... it turned red?!"
Mizuki took two short breaths, gritted her teeth, and a professional smile appeared on her face: "The scabbard is made of my bones?"
"Huh? Uh..."
"Are you an idiot?" A vein throbbed on Mizuki's forehead as she gritted her teeth and said, "The blade is covered in frost!"
It was already hard enough to activate the scarlet blade, and now the blade's temperature was being suppressed.
This guy is truly a Genius.
Haganezuka gave a thumbs-up: "It won't rust. I used a special quenching technique."
"I also used the best raw Materials for the Nichirin Blade. Unlike iron Ore, it's very easy to maintain and won't damage the blade."
This guy doesn't know about scarlet blades; he's truly a headache.
Mizuki rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on: "Anyway, you need to change the scabbard for me."
Haganezuka righteously declared: "I refuse. That blade is like my child; I absolutely will not..."
Boom!
Haganezuka was sent flying headfirst, his butt high in the air, his head crooked on the ground, and white smoke emanating from a large red bump.
Mizuki withdrew her smoking hand: "Do you understand human language?"
Haganezuka weakly stretched out a hand: "Yes..."
"She hit him~"
"She hit him!"
"How mean, she actually hit someone."
Mizuki turned her head, her gaze icy: "Are you two very idle?"
"No, we were just passing by... just passing by..." Zenitsu's theatrical expression froze, and he shivered, then gave an embarrassed smile.
Inosuke crossed his arms: "Hmph! I wouldn't..."
A while later.
"That's how it is, my flesh and blood affect the activation of the scarlet blade. Please change the scabbard for me." Mizuki patiently explained to Haganezuka.
"There's such a thing..." Haganezuka reluctantly accepted the fact and took the Nichirin Blade from Mizuki. "I understand, I'll do it."
Seeing his unenthusiastic expression, Mizuki sighed: "You don't need to change the hilt; it's very comfortable to hold."
"Right? Right?" Haganezuka finally perked up a bit. "That feel is really great!"
"It's the most... since I started forging blades..."
Bang!!!
"How disgusting..." Mizuki withdrew her hand with a look of distaste.
It was fine, but then he suddenly started talking about the 'feel'... Although the feel was good, the thought of it being made from her bones made her uncomfortable.
She looked at the man and the boar lying 'dead' on the ground.
Mizuki, with a sullen face, looked at the trembling Zenitsu beside her.
"Hey."
The young man Zenitsu immediately stood at attention: "Yes!"
"Move these two idiots; they're blocking the way."
"Yes!"
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!