Yoizumi recalled what Tanjirou had said at the time.
That swordsman's nichirin blade was usually pitch black, but it would turn red during battle.
As for Tanjirou himself, in Swordsmith Village, Nezuko's Blood Demon Art caused his nichirin blade to burn red, and he used such a blade to cut off a demon's head, which even made their regeneration extremely slow.
Is there any connection between these two things?
"Ugh… You bastard, how dare you ignore me!"
Yoizumi's thoughts returned, and he glanced helplessly at the furious Shinazugawa. If that man could have held on a little longer, Yoizumi might have figured out why the blade turned red.
He sighed, raised his hand, and placed it on Shinazugawa's arm. A glow suddenly appeared in everyone's sight. Sanemi Shinazugawa was stunned as a warmth surged from his arm into his limbs and bones.
He looked up at Yoizumi in a daze. Was he… helping him heal… The bleeding wounds on his body healed at a visible speed, leaving no trace in the end, as if they had never been there.
When he had healed him enough, Yoizumi withdrew his hand. This man had too many scars, and his Blood Demon Art was useless against such scars. He looked up at the moon. It was getting late, and he should go back.
"I'm leaving first," Yoizumi said, then started to walk away.
"Hey, I haven't even had a chance to fight you, Yoizumi-nii," Muichiro said, trying to keep him.
"Tomorrow, then. You'll all be here anyway, right?"
"Then it's a promise!"
The silent Sanemi Shinazugawa finally spoke, calling out to him. He lowered his head, his voice hoarse.
"Did I ask you to help me?"
Yoizumi did not stop, nor did he look back, leaving only this one sentence.
"You're a Demon Slayer Corps member, and so am I, so is there a problem with me helping you?"
"…"
His clenched fist made a "clack" sound as his bones creaked. Sanemi Shinazugawa stared at Yoizumi's retreating back until he disappeared from sight, then let out a displeased click of his tongue after a long moment.
"Hmph! Meddling!"
Only Sanemi Shinazugawa knew that the chronic ailment that had troubled him for years had just… been completely cured.
It truly was a complete defeat.
Iguro Obanai stood in place, having witnessed the entire process. He knew that Shinazugawa had no chance against Yoizumi now.
The improvement from the Mark was even greater than he had imagined.
He needed to find a way to activate his Mark quickly.
"Tokito, let's go!"
"Alright," Muichiro certainly wouldn't refuse. After watching such an exciting battle, he was already eager to fight.
As Lady Amane had said, when one Mark appeared, others would follow.
So, would being with someone who had awakened a Mark accelerate the process?
Iguro Obanai thought it was necessary to investigate… "Nezuko?"
Nezuko, who hadn't seen her brother all day, was waiting at the door. As soon as she saw Yoizumi appear in the distance, she immediately wanted to rush over and give her brother a big hug.
Her running steps paused. Nezuko's pink eyes stared at her brother suspiciously for a long time.
Then she turned and ran without looking back. Yoizumi's arms, which he had opened to greet his sister, froze in mid-air, then slowly lowered.
What's wrong?
Yoizumi stood there, and it took him a while to realize.
He had the scent of Shinazugawa's blood on him.
He needed to take a bath quickly and wash it off.
Soaking in the warm bathwater, his head resting on the edge, Yoizumi raised his right hand. The light blue snowflake ice crystal on his hand had disappeared.
The steam rising in the bathroom created a mist over Yoizumi's eyes, his blurry gaze falling on the back of his hand.
Yoizumi wondered.
Does the 'not living past 25' also apply to demons?
Wiping his hair, he left the bathroom and saw a small head peeking out from the doorway. Yoizumi smiled and waved to his sister.
Nezuko only walked confidently up to her brother after confirming that he no longer had the scent of blood on him.
"Is there something you need, Nezuko?"
Holding up the glass jar in her hand, Nezuko shook the few remaining konpeito inside.
"There's none left."
"None left, big brother."
Only a month, and two jars of konpeito were all gone.
He bent down and tapped his sister's little head. Even though she was a demon, she shouldn't eat too many sweets.
"Aren't you eating a bit too fast? It's fine, but you can't eat too much, Nezuko."
"Mmm… Hmph!" Nezuko puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
Yoizumi poked his sister's puffed-up cheek with his finger, and then saw Nezuko tilt her head back.
This familiar scene… Before Yoizumi could think too much, a sharp pain shot through his head.
"Thump!"
Both demons clutched their foreheads at the same time.
He helplessly clutched his forehead, looking at his sister, who was also teary-eyed from the pain.
"Alright, I'll buy them for you."
Nezuko happily hugged the konpeito jar and left.
Watching his sister skip away, Yoizumi chuckled softly.
So willful… But… Yoizumi naturally indulged his family's willfulness.
Yoizumi touched his pocket, but couldn't find a single coin. His salary had all gone to Lady Shinobu.
Even the money for Valentine's Day last time was taken from Tanjirou.
He'd talk to Lady Shinobu about it later.
Yoizumi quickly tidied himself up and happened to run into Kanzaki Aoi.
"Yoizumi-san! Please wait a moment!"
Kanzaki Aoi rushed back to the kitchen, brought out a jar, and handed it to Yoizumi.
"You're going to the headquarters to see Lady Shinobu, aren't you? Please trouble you to give this to Lady Shinobu."
"What is this?" Yoizumi asked, puzzled.
"It's pickled ginger. Lady Shinobu probably finished the last batch, so I made some more."
"Understood, thank you."
After saying that, Yoizumi disappeared from the spot without waiting for Kanzaki Aoi's reply.
"Thank you?" Kanzaki Aoi repeated, confused. Shouldn't she be the one saying that?
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