Urokodaki Sakonji knew that Haganetsuka Hotaru was looking for a swordsman capable of making the Nichirin Sword turn red, and he was aware that it wasn't just him; the entire Swordsmith Village was searching for this swordsman.
Rumor had it that the legendary swordsman spoken of throughout history could make the sword turn red. Because of his existence, the otherwise invincible Evil Ghosts had been kept in check.
However, as the current Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu knew more and had a deeper understanding than Urokodaki Sakonji.
He knew that this swordsman was none other than the legendary source of all Breathing Techniques, the user of Sun Breathing—Tsugikuni Yoriichi!
The two "Hashira" who understood this existence were... the "Rock Hashira" and the "Wind Hashira."
Gyomei Himejima once mentioned this name during a Hashira Alliance Meeting... He had heard his mentor (the former Rock Hashira) say:
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi was born with the Transparent World and the Demon Slayer Mark, once nearly single-handedly defeating Kibutsuji Muzan, forcing the creature to a desperate situation, fragmenting it into more than eighteen hundred pieces before it managed to escape."
"The mark was the 'Red Blade' and the 'Hanafuda Earrings'..."
Now when looking at Eiichiro Oda, the youth donned earrings with the sun and mountains, seemingly overlapping with the 'Hanafuda Earrings' mentioned by Gyomei Himejima...
A bowl dropped on the floor, breaking into two halves... fish porridge spilled out, splattering onto the Haori....
The small wooden house instantly fell silent....
All eyes focused on Tomioka Giyu, who looked solemnly at Roy, saying, "Eiichiro, can you show me?"
The letter master wrote to the Lord was still too perfunctory... Of course, Tomioka Giyu wasn't blaming Urokodaki Sakonji; such important matters, however, should not be overlooked and should be directly reported.
"Perhaps even the master hadn't realized the importance of this matter." He silently made an excuse for him in his heart.
Roy smiled: "If my senior wants to see it, then of course."
Shinsuke got excited: "I'll go get your sword."
Saying that, he attempted to summon the short sword hanging on the wall like a gust of wind... didn't expect....
"No need, senior." Roy didn't turn his head, reaching his hand backward, and using {Magnetic Force: Attraction}, the short sword suddenly moved, flying past Shinsuke's body as if it had wings, automatically flying towards Roy.
Effortlessly caught in the youth's hand.
"Whoa..." Shinsuke exclaimed: "What kind of technique is this?"
The sword seemed to have come to life, following the youth's will... "Eiichiro always seems to do things beyond imagination..."
Makomo slightly widened her mouth, as if getting to know Roy for the first time, staring at him up and down.
Sabito and Giyu exchanged a glance, both looking towards Urokodaki Sakonji.
The Old Water Hashira, who had immersed himself in swordsmanship for over fifty years, though experienced and knowledgeable, had never seen this kind of move. Despite often teaching children that a swordsman's sword is their life, the sword lives with the person, and breaks with the person... he had never seen the spectacle of the sword itself 'coming to life.'
Gaining a deep look at Roy, he fell into silence...
"Creak~" The early spring wind was not as warm as the Qijiu wind, blowing in from the mountains, flapping the paper windows with a rustling sound.
Roy, composed, as if nothing had happened, drew the sword from its sheath, coating its blade with a layer of "searing" "Nen."
Visibly, small red spots emerged... then, under the tremulous gaze of Tomioka Giyu, rapidly expanded, in the blink of an eye spreading across the entire blade, a wave of heat palpable even from two meters away!
"It's a Red Blade."
Indeed....
Plus the "Hanafuda Earrings,"
Tomioka Giyu gazed deeply at the youth...
Roy smiled slightly: "Is this enough, senior?"
"Any longer, and I fear the other seniors wouldn't take it."
The "Red Blade" was undoubtedly a "Ghost Treasure"... whether it was the man-eating "Evil Ghosts" or live souls like Sabito and Makomo, let alone enduring a cut, even a glance was intolerable.
This was still with Roy having beforehand applied a layer of "Nen" over everyone through the warmer, protecting them.
"It's enough." Tomioka Giyu took a deep breath, glancing around, also noting the peculiarities of his fellow siblings.
As Roy withdrew the "searing intent" and sheathed the sword, everyone visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let's eat."
"Right, let's eat."
"Senior Giyu hasn't tasted master's cooking in a long time, be sure to eat more this time." Makomo said with a playful smile: "I'll just watch you eat."
"I'll serve senior a portion."
"No need, I'll do it myself."
Tomioka Giyu turned around, realizing the mess beneath him, quickly cleaned it up with a rag, served himself a bowl of fish porridge, ate it with dried radish.
After the meal, he also offered to wash the dishes, clean the kitchen... Roy didn't try to stop him, thinking it hard to come back for a visit; since Giyu wanted to express his filial duty, he wouldn't ruin his enjoyment.
Urokodaki Sakonji watched with a smile, kneeling at the heater, brewing tea for the two.
Makomo still sat next to him, nudged Sabito, and whispered: "Hey~ have you noticed, ever since Eiichiro came, master smiles more often."
"He used to always be alone, either carving or staring blankly, not uttering a word all day, it made people anxious."
Sabito: "Isn't that good?"
"Good." Makomo glanced at Urokodaki Sakonji, then at the busy Tomioka Giyu in the kitchen, and finally sneaked a look at Roy, softly saying: "It's so good that it feels kind of unreal."
Sabito remained silent.
People are inherently insatiable, can't stand being worse off, and doubt life when things improve.
He took a deep breath, tucking this brief warmth into his heart, softly said: "Cherish it... With Giyu here, Eiichiro will be leaving..."
"Not even a year...."
"What's a year or two to a genius?"
Sabito could understand Makomo's feelings, looking up at Giyu, then Eiichiro...
"They seize every moment!"
Makomo's expression fell, lowering her head... she understood all the reasons, yet the reluctance in her heart genuinely existed, and with time, grew stronger....
In the kitchen, Tomioka Giyu finished cleaning up and came out.
Just in time, Urokodaki Sakonji had brewed tea, handed a cup to him, and another to Roy.
The old man gazed at his two disciples: "Let's get down to business, Giyu."
Letters during the festival claimed there was no time to return, then right after the festival, he rushed over... Urokodaki Sakonji speculated it was related to the letter he had written to the Lord.
Whether due to old age and cunning or a deep understanding of Tomioka Giyu... Regardless, Urokodaki Sakonji was correct.
Tomioka Giyu put down the teacup, replied truthfully: "I came at the Lord's command, specially for 'Eiichiro'..."
"The Lord heard about Eiichiro's talent and earnestly wishes for Eiichiro to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Eiichiro," Tomioka Giyu placed his hand on the Nichirin Sword, seriously looking at Roy: "Please have a duel with me!"
Indeed, Shinsuke Fukuda exchanged a glance, getting excited.
Sabito and Makomo were not surprised, raising their heads to watch the two, accompanied by Urokodaki Sakonji quietly observing as well.