Piggy was on guard, looking around, but couldn't help feeling a bit confused.
Where was that Red-Eyed One?
"I knew you'd give me a random nickname!"
The voice suddenly came from behind; Piggy whipped around to find a scabbard already resting against his neck.
So fast!
What a powerful guy, he'd never seen anyone like him before!
Piggy was somewhat shaken, but his hands undoubtedly moved faster than his brain could think.
His chipped nichirin blade, like a tusk, swung toward Kiyokawa Izumi.
It was a purely subconscious reaction.
The scabbard spun in his hand; Kiyokawa Izumi, having caught the blow easily, said with a smile, "That Team Member should have mentioned the Demon Slayer Corps to you, right?
How about it?
Want to leave with us? We can make you much stronger!"
So exciting!
A feeling he'd never experienced before surged within him!
Piggy quickly backed away, his Battle Intent erupting so obviously that he seemed like a bellicose beast, devoid of any fear.
"Is it a cute girl?"
"Is he really human? Not a wild boar monster?"
The voices of Kochou Shinobu and the Team Member came at the same time; Piggy was a bit puzzled, his expression slightly blank.
What were these people talking about?
Why were their looks so strange?
"?"
When he saw the boar head mask in Kiyokawa Izumi's hand, he suddenly understood.
"Do you guys have some kind of problem with my face?"
After saying this, Piggy realized something was wrong—when did that guy take off his mask?
He hadn't noticed at all!
He hadn't even had time to react!
This Red-Eyed One was truly powerful beyond imagination.
Kiyokawa Izumi gently set down the mask; his movements were very tender—the boar head mask was naturally incredibly important to Piggy, as it was a memento left by the mother wild boar that raised him, carrying his memories.
Knowing all this, Kiyokawa Izumi naturally wouldn't do anything to intentionally damage it.
'Is he really not a girl?'
Facing that beautiful and lovely face, Kiyokawa Izumi couldn't help but ask a Soul-searching question in his heart.
Being this pretty, he must be a girl.
Piggy had long blue-black hair and emerald eyes like gems, yet they carried a hint of wildness.
"What on earth are you looking at!"
Piggy stomped his feet in anger, clearly feeling that this group had a problem with his face.
Whatever!
Charge Headlong!
He charged like a wild beast but was easily subdued by Kiyokawa Izumi.
With a knife-hand strike, he accurately chopped the back of Piggy's neck.
The sudden force caused him to lose consciousness instantly.
Vaguely, he seemed to hear the Red-Eyed One speaking.
"What a pity. Why can he talk?"
Bastard!
What kind of problem did he have with his face anyway?
..."Huh, did you wake up so fast?"
By the campfire, Kiyokawa Izumi's eyelids twitched slightly as he spoke with some surprise.
Looking at that flawless face, he shifted his gaze away somewhat unnaturally.
Fearing he might be led astray, Kiyokawa Izumi could only stare intently at Kochou Shinobu's exquisite profile.
If you see a boy who's too pretty when you're young, it's possible for your sexual orientation to be led astray.
He had to look at Kochou Shinobu more to alleviate it.
"Let me go right now! If you've got the guts, fight me fairly!"
As soon as Piggy woke up, he became extremely restless, struggling desperately—but he couldn't break free from the hemp ropes binding him tightly.
To be safe, three hemp ropes had been used.
Piggy's strength might not be small, but he couldn't break free from the restraint of three hemp ropes.
"Wasn't that a fair fight just now? I didn't bully you, did I?"
Kiyokawa Izumi couldn't help but tease, his eyebrows arching slightly.
So what if he used the Sharingan?
He didn't mean to bully the guy.
He wasn't someone who liked crushing weaklings; he only chose to go all out out of respect for his opponent.
"That didn't count! Let me go, fight me again if you're so capable!"
Piggy's eyes began to dart around; when he saw the mask Kiyokawa Izumi had gently placed aside, he finally settled down a bit.
Living in the mountains, he had nothing important except for this mask.
"Sure, as long as you come with us, I'll fight you every day!"
Kiyokawa Izumi said nonchalantly; he wasn't exactly a peaceful person himself.
Besides, it was far too early for Piggy to even think about surpassing him.
"Then let me go first!"
"That's off the table!"
"Red-Eyed One!"
Hearing this nickname, Kiyokawa Izumi turned his head in confusion. "What are you saying? Are my eyes red? Are you colorblind?"
"?"
Piggy's eyes widened, looking on in disbelief.
They were clearly red before... how?
"You might be sick, which is why you can't tell colors apart."
"?"
"Have something to eat first!"
Kochou Shinobu had long since grown accustomed to Kiyokawa Izumi's serious-faced nonsense. She picked up a grilled rice ball; gentle as she was, she heard Piggy's stomach growling and was about to feed him when she saw a certain someone suddenly draw his blade.
"On second thought, I'll untie you first."
The nichirin blade, swung silently, precisely cut the ropes on Piggy.
Kiyokawa Izumi looked natural as he casually took the rice ball Kochou Shinobu had picked up, not forgetting to say thank you politely.
"..."
Having regained his freedom, Piggy looked at Kiyokawa Izumi warily. After a moment's hesitation, he began to wolf down the rice ball wildly.
____________
This is the last chapter for today, and if we reach 800 energy stones, I will publish the bonus chapter.
I will also publish an additional chapter if the novel receives five ratings, and if it receives ten, I will publish two chapters. Goodbye.