"So this is Swordsmith Village..." Hiru lifted away the cloth covering his eyes and turned to the Kakushi who had carried him the entire way. "Thanks."
"No, not at all!" The Kakushi clenched his fists in excitement. "Serving a Hashira is my greatest honor!"
"You really don't have to be that formal..."
"No! I truly admire someone like you—so young, yet working so hard to become a Swordsman!" He grabbed Hiru's hand, eyes shining. "Please keep killing demons! I'll do everything I can to support you!"
"Uh... okay. Thanks."
"Then I'll see you later! I'll always be cheering for you!"
"Younger than me..." Hiru sighed as he watched the endlessly energetic Kakushi run off.
"Haah—sometimes I wish there were more clever people like Ubuyashiki."
"Are you the Human Hashira the Kasugai Crow mentioned?"
Hiru turned, and sure enough, another craftsman wearing that ugly Hyottoko Mask stood there. "Ah, hello. Yes, that's me."
"Please come this way. The Village Chief is waiting." The swordsmith stepped aside and gestured forward. "We're truly sorry about Akiha. It seems the sword that was returned to him hurt his pride, and now he's run off somewhere. We're already searching for him."
"Seeing a sword you forged end up like that... it's understandable he'd overreact a bit."
Hiru tilted his head.
"I'm really not very skilled with weapons."
"You're far too modest. What Hashira doesn't know swordsmanship?"
"...Himejima Gyomei. He doesn't use a sword."
"The Stone Hashira? He only chose a blunt weapon for better striking power because he can't see. His swordsmanship is actually excellent."
Hiru: ...Damn it. I got tricked. Never expected you to be that kind of person, Himejima.
Seeing Hiru's expression darken, the swordsmith assumed he simply disliked talking to strangers and quietly continued leading the way.
They wound through the village until they stopped before a small building at the center. After knocking on the wooden door, the swordsmith glanced back. "The Village Chief is inside. He's the most skilled swordsmith we have."
"The most skilled?"
"Yes, though in recent years he hasn't forged much due to age."
Hiru was about to ask more when the door opened and another Hyottoko-masked swordsmith appeared.
"Please come in, Human Hashira. The Village Chief is waiting."
"Alright."
Hiru stepped inside with them—and finally saw the chief of the Swordsmith Village.
A remarkably short figure stood there. If not for his snow-white, receding hairline, Hiru would have thought a mischievous three-year-old had wandered in to play tricks.
"Greetings. I am the Village Chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara. Pleased to squeak with you. The smallest in the village is this old man, and the most remarkable is also this old man. In short, this old man is someone worthy of respect."
"...Someone worthy of respect usually doesn't say so himself."
"Hmph~ What an arrogant little squeak. But you certainly have the ability to justify it."
"What kind of strange verbal tic is that..."
Tecchin Tecchikawahara ignored Hiru's mutter. "I've heard about Akiha. The child is a bit fragile. But since he left no blueprints behind, he must have snuck off to forge a weapon. I'll hurry the search along and urge him forward. Please be patient with him."
"If you need someone to help search, I can assist. I'm not great at tracking demons, but finding people is another matter."
"I'll count on you. But if he's still forging, don't interrupt him." Tecchin lifted his teacup. "That boy may seem weak normally, but when he's forging, he won't tolerate disturbances. He might splash molten iron on you."
"...Swordsmiths really do have strange tempers."
"Roar~ Roar~ Roar~ It is simply the love we have for what we devote ourselves to." Tecchin waved a hand dismissively. "Just as you have your battlefield, we have ours. Tetsuki, take the Human Hashira to find Akiha."
"Understood."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Hiru bowed to the Chief Tecchin, then followed Tetsuki. "Please take me to where you last saw Akiha."
"Of course. This way."
...
[No. Still not right.]
The man wearing the Hyottoko Mask stared at the weapon he had just forged and rejected it once more.
[Such a flimsy weapon won't last long. That so-called Swordsman can't wield it precisely, so I have to adjust this part and that part… I must ensure the edge's sharpness and the inertia from its weight, so I can't forge this section like this… Ah, my poor child, I'll do everything I can to make you last longer...]
Hiru watched Akiha inside the cave, moving as though engaged in some kind of mysterious ritual. His expression twisted slightly as he turned to Tetsu.
"Um... should I say hello right now?"
"Hmm. He probably can't hear you." Tetsu observed a moment before concluding, "But judging by the iron blank and how complete the blueprints are, he should finish within a week. I'm afraid you'll need to stay here a few more days."
"Ah, I don't mind. I don't have a fixed patrol area anyway... By the way, is there anywhere nice around here?"
"Yes. The hot spring up the mountain is excellent. You should take a look."
"A hot spring, huh... That does sound nice."
"I'll guide you there."
"Alright. Thanks."
On the way up the mountain toward the hot spring, Hiru caught sight of the person who had become a Hashira at the same time he did.