Because I mocked her, Ritsuka kept a sour face all the way until dinner.
Made Genya, eating dinner with us, uneasy. Even asked her with concern if training was very difficult.
Though difficult was difficult, Ritsuka still reported daily to get beaten up.
She didn't really plan to dismantle Yoriichi Type Zero into parts. During training, she was actually very careful.
For Ritsuka, she just lacked a model imitating Yoriichi. Through the movements and speed recreated by the puppet, she deduced Yoriichi himself's swordsmanship style.
Therefore, compared to counterattacking, Ritsuka focused more on how to keep up with and predict Yoriichi Type Zero's movements. Unless necessary, wouldn't leave scars on it.
Kotetsu was confused for a while. Even earnestly persuaded her that even if it broke, it didn't matter.
I gave him candy I bought outside. Told him not to think so much.
After all, this brat could also spar with me.
Probably because I laughed at her too loudly, when Ritsuka sparred with me, she carried a hint of venting anger. Didn't spare any strength at all.
Seeing her so enthusiastic about learning, I also brought out twelve parts of full concentration. Made up for all the beatings she'd missed these years. Pinned her down and pounded her thoroughly.
In the high-intensity daily beatings, Ritsuka's strength shot up a large margin.
Though couldn't say she'd caught up to Yoriichi, among that first batch of Demon Slayer Mark swordsmen, she could definitely squeeze into the front ranks.
While training here, Genya was also constantly practicing coordinating firearms in combat.
His talent wasn't enough, but he could put in several times the effort to compensate... Therefore also slowly figured out his own fighting method.
A month's time passed quickly. After bidding farewell to Kotetsu and leaving the Swordsmith Village, I took another road alone.
By rights, Tengen should be next. But his crow replied saying he was executing a mission. Asked me to skip him first.
So I went to find Obanai first.
Recently his territory was calm and peaceful. Besides patrols, Obanai had more time to rest at his own estate.
His eyes couldn't handle strong light stimulation. Plus Kaburamaru feared heat... So after renovating his residence, the room he lived in was very cool in summer.
I was very familiar with him. Even if the door was locked, I could directly climb the wall to enter. Wandered around the house here and there before circling from the courtyard to beside his study.
"What are you writing?"
I craned my neck to look. Could only glimpse white letter paper.
Obanai sat at the desk holding a fountain pen. An expression of deep thought on his face.
Kaburamaru on his shoulder lazily raised its upper body. Greeted me.
"Poetry to submit next month. Haven't had much inspiration lately."
Obanai really liked reading poetry. Also liked writing poetry.
After his manuscripts were selected by magazine publishers, he'd also broken into niche literary circles. Even gained several literary pen pals.
But right now he seemed unable to think of new works. This I couldn't help him with.
I glanced once. Circled to the front door and walked in.
Obanai had already come out from the study. Even cut a plate of watermelon and brought it over.
Kaburamaru slid down from him. Climbed onto the table, coiled around a piece of watermelon and nibbled in small bites.
In front of people, Obanai didn't like eating. I picked up another piece of watermelon and bit down.
Compared to demons' evolution, I still preferred watermelon's evolution!
So much better than before!
"Rengoku wrote saying he recently took on a Tsuguko. A young lady, no less."
Kyojuro also wrote to tell me. Mitsuri considered for a long time. Still agreed to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
She was very talented. Kyojuro lavishly praised her in his letter. Planned to have her train well. In a few months she could participate in the new round of Final Selection.
He probably didn't just tell me about this. Because Obanai was speaking in a disapproving tone: "Letting someone who's only trained for a few months directly participate in the selection—he's being too reckless."
I finished one piece of melon. Raised another piece. Thought about it: "It's fine."
From training to participating in Final Selection, the fastest was Muichiro. Next was Ritsuka.
But Mitsuri also counted as exceptionally talented. I thought Kyojuro should have proper judgment. He always looked after those around him.
I also told Obanai about how Kyojuro and I met Mitsuri. The matchmaking part was private. Glossed over without mentioning.
Just said her body was unexpectedly strong beyond ordinary people. A very good prospect.
Obanai nodded thoughtfully: "Sounds quite good. If Rengoku has such confidence, perhaps among future Hashira, she'll also have a place."
I ate three pieces of melon in a row. Nodded solemnly: "Yes, yes. I'm done eating. Let's go train."
Obanai looked at me again. Don't know why, his gaze was a bit strange.
He pointed at the corner of his mouth: "Lady Chihaya, watermelon seed. It's stuck there."
Ahem. Ate too fast, forgot about appearances. I quickly wiped my mouth. Then nonchalantly put away the handkerchief.
Obanai's training also proceeded methodically.
His eyesight was weaker than ordinary people. Always fought through keen perception and coordination with Kaburamaru.
But last time sparring with Muichiro, he took a loss. He still remembered this matter.
"If I encounter Blood Demon Arts with a style similar to Tokito's in the future, I'm afraid it'll be disadvantageous... Since it's a weakness, I still need to find a solution."
Obanai had a very personally characteristic habit. He really liked making plan books.
Compared to others sketching out a plan list in their heads, he absolutely had to write out each day's training arrangements stroke by stroke. Even different stages' goals and plans had to be written clearly.
So guiding his training, I completely didn't need to bring my own brain.
Just following Obanai's own arrangements, accompanying him to complete the "do this today, do that tomorrow" schedule was enough.
During this, still had to go out on patrols. His territory had a lively big city. When Obanai passed through, he'd mail out manuscripts along the way.
When training came to a close and he saw me off, he even bought me a pile of new Western gadgets.
I was taking inventory of what he bought when Obanai said again: "Next you should go to Shinazugawa's territory, right?"
Tengen's side still had no word. Heard he was undercover somewhere. Couldn't get away. So training still proceeded in order.
"Did that guy tell you anything?"
I looked up puzzled: "What would he tell me?"
Among all the Hashira, Shinazugawa and I had the most distant relationship.
Because our first meeting was unpleasant, when he saw me afterward, he was also polite. But there was still a trace of subtle awkwardness.
Of course I wouldn't be awkward. Don't underestimate an old lady's thick skin.
So we didn't often talk. Normally had no contact. At most, when meeting at Kagaya's place, we'd nod—that kind of relationship.
Obanai didn't know which matter he was talking about either. Anyway, he snorted very dissatisfied: "That idiot... You don't need to be too polite to him. Just scold him thoroughly."
Hm? Are you guys hiding some little secret from me again?
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