Tanjiro turned to look at Aoyama.
Since when did Senior Brother know Haganezuka's full name?
The village chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara, tilted his head back, recalling the past.
"When that boy heard how cute his name sounded, he scolded me fiercely."
"He's always been like that—quick to lose his temper, then run off on his own."
He sighed deeply.
"I truly apologize to you both."
Tanjiro hurriedly waved his hands.
"No, no! That's not it!"
"I'm the one who should apologize!"
"I keep breaking the swords Haganezuka-san forges for me… it's because I don't use them properly…"
"That's why they get damaged!"
The chief shook his head firmly.
"No. That's not your fault."
"It's the fault of the swordsmith who forged it."
"…Huh?"
Tanjiro was stunned.
I broke the sword… and it's not my fault?
"You're still injured, aren't you?"
"There's a healing hot spring in the village. You should go soak in it."
"As for Haganezuka—if we can't find him, or he still refuses…"
"I'll have someone else forge a sword for you."
Tanjiro didn't dare say more.
He quickly nodded in gratitude.
Aoyama unsheathed his own blade.
"Chief, my sword wasn't damaged during the battle."
"But afterward, it became dull."
"Could you take a look?"
Rather than waiting for Haganezuka—
He decided to ask directly.
The chief took the sword—
Examined it carefully—
Then handed it back.
"It's normal for a blade to become dull."
"That's because…"
"Your sword has died."
"…Died?"
Aoyama frowned.
"Died?!—cough, cough!"
Tanjiro choked on his snack in shock.
"A sword is forged with the heart and spirit of its maker."
"And when used by its owner…"
"It resonates with them."
"It becomes a part of its wielder."
"If your blade suddenly dulled…"
"It means it can no longer resonate with you."
"It can't sense you anymore."
"And so—"
"In a sense…"
"It has died."
Aoyama's eyes sharpened.
He understood.
During the battle against Gyutaro and Daki—
He had pushed his body to the absolute limit.
At the final moment—
He struck down Gyutaro—
Then lost consciousness.
In that state—
His connection with the blade had severed.
Just as the chief said—
That was when his sword "died."
"…Then what should I do?"
Aoyama asked.
"A dead blade…"
"Must be reforged."
Aoyama nodded.
That made sense.
With that settled—
They were led to the hot spring.
Along the way—
Tanjiro looked troubled.
Knowing Haganezuka's personality—
If he came back, he'd probably argue with the chief.
And if it was because of him—
That thought filled Tanjiro with guilt.
"Up there is the hot spring."
"I'll prepare dinner below."
The guide left.
Just then—
Aoyama's ears picked up a sound.
Heavy breathing—
A girl's voice.
"Ahhh—!"
A scream echoed—
And suddenly—
Mitsuri Kanroji came running down.
Her cheeks were flushed—
Clearly from the bath.
But because she was running—
Her robe had loosened slightly at the front.
Aoyama froze for a moment.
Tanjiro, on the other hand—
Panicked completely.
"Ahhh!!! Please be careful!"
"It's open—open!!!"
"Miss Mitsuri, please—please watch yourself!!!"
But Mitsuri didn't hear him—
Still running toward them.
"Aoyama-kun! Tanjiro-kun!"
"Listen to me! Listen—!"
Tanjiro kept backing away.
It's opening more…!
Just as she reached them—
Her sandal strap snapped.
She stumbled—
And fell straight toward Aoyama.
Thud!
"Cough—!"
Aoyama coughed from the impact.
He quickly steadied her—
Hands on her shoulders—
And pulled her robe closed.
"Aoyama-kun, listen! I just met someone—"
She clutched his clothes tightly.
"…Mitsuri."
"Fix your robe first."
Aoyama turned his head aside.
Tanjiro had already turned away completely.
"Ahhh—!"
Mitsuri finally realized—
She spun around—
Quickly tying her robe.
Her face turned bright red.
She crouched down—
Covering her face.
"…I'm sorry…"
Tanjiro turned back.
"No, Miss Mitsuri, it's our fault!"
"We shouldn't have seen that—"
Smack!
Aoyama slapped the back of his head.
This idiot!
She's already dying of embarrassment—
And you're bringing it up again?!
Aoyama immediately changed the topic.
"Mitsuri, what were you trying to tell us?"
"Oh!"
She snapped back to it.
"I just met someone up there!"
"And they ignored me!"
"I'm a Hashira, you know!"
"I greeted them, and they just ignored me!"
The more she spoke—
The more aggrieved she felt.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
"My good mood after bathing is ruined…"
"Waaah—!"
She started crying again.
Aoyama patted her shoulder.
"Alright, don't cry."
"You must be hungry after bathing, right?"
"I heard there's a big meal prepared below."
"Go eat something—you'll feel better."
"…What are they serving?"
Instantly—
She stopped crying.
Aoyama paused.
He hadn't paid attention.
He looked at Tanjiro.
Tanjiro quickly answered—
"I heard it's matsutake rice!"
Mitsuri's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's my favorite!"
"Bye-bye, Aoyama-kun! Tanjiro-kun!"
"I'm going to eat first~!"
She skipped away happily—
Humming a tune.
Aoyama held his forehead and sighed.
Girls' emotions—
Really do come and go quickly.
"…Is she possessed or something?"
Tanjiro muttered—
Watching her leave.
To Read 60+AHEAD advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146