A week had passed since the battle at Mount Natagumo.
Tanjiro Kamado and his companions had largely recovered from their injuries, and the Butterfly Mansion had gradually returned to its usual rhythm of treatment and training under Shinobu Kocho's supervision.
However, when Tanjiro inquired about the delivery of his new Nichirin Blade, the Kakushi responsible for logistics suddenly became visibly tense.
"U-um… Kamado Tanjiro… please be careful in the coming days… extremely careful!"
Tanjiro tilted his head in confusion.
Careful? Had another demon incident already occurred within the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters?
Unbeknownst to him, something far more dangerous than a demon was already on its way.
The Wrath of a Swordsmith"I will kill him… I will definitely kill him…"
A man walked down the road with trembling rage, muttering under his breath.
Inside the box he carried were not only a freshly forged Nichirin Blade, but also a kitchen knife unusually sharp, refined beyond normal craftsmanship.
A weapon of pure intent.
Beside him, a Kakushi escort named Tetsu Mori nervously wiped his sweat.
"Mr. Haganezuka… please, calm down… just stay calm when you meet Kamado Tanjiro…"
Haganezuka Hotaru did not respond.
The moment he had received news that Tanjiro's Nichirin Blade had been damaged, his mind had shattered.
At first, he refused to believe it.
"That boy would never damage his blade… that boar-headed idiot is more likely to do it!"
But when he saw the broken Nichirin Blade himself cleanly snapped, without a single flaw in the fracture his composure collapsed completely.
Now, he was coming in person.
Not as a craftsman.
But as a man possessed.
Butterfly Mansion Training GroundsMeanwhile, Tanjiro and the others had resumed basic training under the supervision of the Hashira.
Among them, Inosuke Hashibira stood out the most.
"He created his own Breathing Style without formal training… astonishing talent!" Kyojuro Rengoku exclaimed, eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Other Hashira offered quieter praise, though their evaluations were no less serious.
Giyu Tomioka remained silent as always, observing Inosuke without comment.
The Arrival of the SwordsmithThat afternoon, Tanjiro finally received word that his new Nichirin Blade had arrived.
Along with it… came the swordsmith himself.
"Haganezuka-saaaan! Tetsu Mori-san!"
Tanjiro greeted them warmly, smiling as he approached.
Tetsu Mori immediately began gesturing frantically behind Haganezuka, silently urging Tanjiro to run.
But Tanjiro did not notice.
Haganezuka slowly placed the sword box into Tetsu Mori's arms.
Then
He drew out a kitchen knife.
A razor-sharp blade, gleaming with deadly refinement.
"YOU BRAT…!!!"
In an instant
He vanished forward.
A pure killing intent explosion.
Tanjiro barely reacted in time, instinctively dodging as the blade sliced through the air where his neck had been.
"W-Wait Mr. Haganezuka?!"
Tears streamed from beneath Haganezuka's mask as he turned back.
"You dare break my Nichirin Blade?! I will never forgive you!"
Butterfly Mansion Chaos Observation DeckThe Hashira gathered near the window, watching the unfolding chase with unsettling calm interest.
"How long will Kamado survive?" one of them asked.
"At least until evening," another replied casually.
"I give him half a day."
"Go, Kamado boy!" Kyojuro cheered enthusiastically.
Zenitsu and Inosuke, however, remained inside the mansion.
Not out of restraint.
Out of survival instinct.
Earlier, Inosuke had attempted to intervene until he witnessed Haganezuka's terrifying physique beneath his clothing.
Even Inosuke had silently concluded:
This man is dangerous.
The Chase ContinuesFrom noon until sunset, Tanjiro sprinted through the training grounds while Haganezuka pursued him relentlessly, wielding both rage and surgical precision.
"If you stop running, I'll kill you immediately!"
"I'm sorry!! I'M REALLY SORRY!!" Tanjiro cried, dodging another strike.
InterventionFinally, Kyojuro Rengoku intervened physically, stepping between them with firm resolve.
"Haganezuka-dono, that is enough! Kamado boy has learned his lesson!"
Reluctantly, the swordsmith stopped.
He thrust the newly repaired Nichirin Blade toward Tanjiro.
"If you break this again… I will make you perform seppuku."
"I-I promise it will never break again!" Tanjiro answered immediately.
And for once, his sincerity was absolute.
Evening Brief CalmAfter dinner, Haganezuka and Tetsu Mori were escorted to lodging arranged by Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Tanjiro remained behind, staring at his new Nichirin Blade.
His mind drifted back to Kokushibo's words.
"If demons were once human… then were they created by humans?"
"If humans eat animals, and demons eat humans… what is the difference?"
"If both follow nature… then who is truly at fault?"
Tanjiro lowered his gaze.
The blade in his hand felt heavier than before.
Next Morning A New MissionAt dawn, Kasugai crows delivered a new order.
"Kamado Tanjiro! A demon incident has been reported in the north Mito Prefecture! Proceed immediately!"
Zenitsu and Inosuke immediately tensed.
A new mission.
A new battlefield.
And somewhere far beyond their knowledge
The world was already moving again.
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