Mitsuko sat alone on the ground for a long time.
Mitsuko didn't feel any regret about Risa Amagi's choice.
Everyone has their own choices, and Mitsuko cannot help anyone make those choices; he can only respect the choices others make.
But Mitsuko still felt empty inside, as if a piece of her heart was missing.
Mitsuko stood up, sighed, and sheathed his Nichirin Blade.
They returned to Shirakawa Village.
Mitsuko found Ogiya Junpei.
Junpei Ogiya breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Mitsuko unharmed: "A group of children came by earlier, Mitsuko, has the demon been dealt with?"
Mitsuko nodded and said, "The demon Chizuru Kawazu has been dealt with, and Risa Amagi has gone to find her family."
Upon hearing Mitsuko utter two unfamiliar names, Ogiya Junpei scratched his head in confusion.
I don't understand why Mitsuko specifically mentioned these two names.
"Junpei, let's go, let's head to the next location."
...
Mitsuko and Junpei Ogiya embarked on their journey once again.
On the road.
Junpei Ogiya expressed his desire to learn Mitsuko's swordsmanship.
Mitsuko refused Ogiya Junpei's request: "Junpei, your hands should no longer be stained with blood. Leave the fighting to me."
Junpei Ogiya said very firmly, "I know that no matter what happens, Mitsuko, you will come to save me and help me because we are comrades. But I don't want to just watch you fight while I can only hide. I don't expect to be able to help you in any way. The only thing I can't accept is becoming a burden to you!"
"You will never be a burden to me, Junpei!"
"Yes, Mitsuko, you don't think I'm a burden, but I do think I am a burden, a liability!"
Junpei Ogiya pressed his hands tightly against Mitsuko's shoulders: "Mitsuko, do you know that you are a very stubborn person? You always want to solve everything by yourself, and no matter what happens, you choose to silently endure it."
We're supposed to be companions, aren't we? Why won't you share these burdens with me, Mitsuko? Do you think I'll find happiness if you bear all this pain alone? No! It won't! I won't find happiness; on the contrary, I'll only feel useless!
I absolutely will not allow myself to find happiness by stepping on your body! Absolutely not!
Junpei Ogiya emotionally poured out his heart to Mitsuko.
Mitsuko smiled helplessly: "It seems I'll have to ask Shimajima-jii to forge a good knife for you."
Hearing that Mitsuko had agreed, Ogiya Junpei smiled.
...
Mitsuko and Junpei Ogiya embark on another journey, but this time they are retracing their steps.
The two arrived at Rikayama Village.
This is the village where Mitsuko met the old blacksmith.
Upon arriving at the blacksmith's shop, the old blacksmith wasn't there; instead, a muscular middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties was forging a knife.
Mitsuko stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, is Shimajima-jii here?"
The middle-aged man stopped what he was doing and looked at Mitsuko with a puzzled expression: "Who are you?"
"I am Katō Mitsuko. Some time ago, I was fortunate enough to have my sword maintained by Shimajima-jii."
The middle-aged man frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly realized: "Katō Mitsuko! I've heard my father mention your name before."
"If you had come a month earlier, you would have seen my father. He passed away a month ago, and I have now taken over his mantle and run this blacksmith shop. By the way, my name is Masato Shimanaka."
When talking about his father, Masato Shimanaka's expression showed a hint of sadness.
"I see. It's such a pity that I couldn't see Shimajima-jii one last time."
Masato Shimanaka welcomed Mitsuko and Junpei Ogiya into the shop and poured them a cup of tea.
"Did you come to see my father this time to have your knives serviced?" Masato Shimanaka asked.
"No, actually I came here for my companion; I want to forge a sword."
"Forging swords?"
Upon hearing that he was to forge a sword, Masato Shimanaka immediately perked up, as this was his profession.
Masato Shimanaka asked Junpei Ogiya, "What are your requirements regarding the style and material of the sword?"
Junpei Ogiya was somewhat embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.
Although Junpei Ogiya has decided to learn swordsmanship, he is not even a beginner yet and knows nothing about swords, so he cannot answer Masato Shimanaka's question.
Mitsuko handed the Nichirin Blade to Masato Shimanaka: "Can it be forged according to this blade?"
Masato Shimanaka drew his Nichirin Blade, stroking it gently as if he were seeing a beautiful woman: "So this is Master Kūkai's Nichirin Blade...?"
Mitsuko asked in surprise, "Shimajima, you also know Master Kūkai?"
Masato Shimanaka sighed, "Of course I know. Back then, it wasn't just my father who was saved by Master Kūkai, but me too. You've taken very good care of this sword; I can tell you've put a lot of thought into it."
Mitsuko assumed that Masato Shimanaka had agreed: "Thank you for the compliment, then I'll pay my respects..."
Before Mitsuko could finish speaking, Masato Shimanaka interrupted him.
"I'm sorry, you can't forge this knife. The materials on it are made of sunlight-absorbing materials called 'Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand' and 'Scarlet Crimson Ore,' and I don't have these precious materials."
Junpei Ogiya blushed and quickly said, "A regular katana will do. I'm just a beginner, I don't need such a good sword."
If that's the case...
Masato Shimanaka took a box out of a trunk, and inside the box was a brand new samurai sword.
"This is my humble work. The sword is named Kikuichimonji Norimune. Although it is not a famous sword, it is still a fine samurai sword. The materials and forging method are my masterpiece to date."
Masato Shimanaka handed Kikuichimonji Norimune to Junpei Ogiya.
As Ogiya Junpei drew his Kikuichimonji Norimune, he instinctively exclaimed softly, "So light!"
Masato Shimanaka explained, "This knife is 2.35 feet long in total. The blade is extremely long and thin, making it a thin-bladed knife. It's normal that it's light. You can try swinging it and see if it's comfortable to handle."
Junpei Ogiya swung the blade clumsily, but the feel was surprisingly good, and a smile spread across his face.
Seeing how much Ogiya Junpei liked it, Mitsuko asked, "Shimajima, how much does this sword cost?"
Masato Shimanaka shook his head and said, "It's free. Take it if you like."
Mitsuko and Ogiya Junpei quickly refused, saying, "How can that be!"
Masato Shimanaka smiled and said, "My father gave me a list before he passed away. The names on it are all benefactors who have helped our Shimanaka family. We don't charge any fees to anyone who comes. Mitsuko, your name is on it too."
"But I never gave Shimajima-jii any help. On the contrary, Shimajima-jii helped me. He not only helped me maintain my Nichirin Blade, but also taught me how to maintain it."
"No, Mitsuko, you did help my father. Ever since we were saved by Master Kūkai, my father has been thinking about seeing Master Kūkai again. Although he only saw Master Kūkai's Nichirin Blade, it still fulfilled my father's wish. Please don't refuse. This is my father's last wish."
Mitsuko no longer declined, and together with Ogiya Junpei, they bowed to Masato Shimanaka:
"Thank you, Shimajima."