Hearing this, Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, rolled her eyes at Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, and said with a sarcastic tone:
"Can you stop being so self-indulgent? I only ordered these because I already had breakfast this morning. Otherwise, I definitely would've killed you!"
Tomioka Giyu smiled faintly. "Then why did you come? Don't tell me you're at a loss for how to spend your morning?"
Shinobu took a slow sip of her drink and gave a theatrical shrug.
"How could I dare not come when the great Water Hashira himself invites me?"
"…"
Giyu could only fall silent, inwardly sighing at how much more audacious this girl was getting.
After a short pause, it was Tomioka Giyu who broke the silence.
"Yesterday… until the very end, you didn't express your thoughts about Nezuko Kamado. Are you still opposed to her?"
Shinobu Kocho bit her straw, remaining quiet for a long time. Giyu didn't pressure her—he wasn't here to interrogate her. If she didn't want to answer, that was fine.
But eventually, she spoke—quietly, and not without pain.
"I once believed that happiness would continue forever…"
"Until it was destroyed, I never realized how fragile it was."
"After our parents were killed by demons, it was just my sister and me. We wanted to get stronger—to protect what happiness others still had left."
"We made a vow: 'Let's defeat the demons. It doesn't matter if it's one or two of us!'"
"But over time… I began to understand my sister less and less."
"'Coexist with demons'? They killed people—am I supposed to pity them?"
"What a joke. How could anyone believe something so absurd?"
She finished her drink, paused for a few seconds, and added, "I've never felt sympathy for demons. That's why I was so furious when you stopped me yesterday. Subconsciously, I thought you were betraying everything we stand for."
"But… I should be the one apologizing to you. Nezuko really is different."
Tomioka Giyu shook his head lightly. "No need to apologize. It's natural you wouldn't trust me in that moment."
"But I believe this anomaly—Nezuko—might be the key to defeating Muzan Kibutsuji."
The two talked casually after that.
They didn't finish their meal until noon.
"I had a really good time today. Thank you, Tomioka." Shinobu smiled as she stood at the Butterfly Mansion's entrance, waving. "Don't forget, you still owe me two more meals. Bye~"
Tomioka replied with a faint smile. "Yeah… I'll remember. See you next time, Shinobu."
After parting ways, Giyu returned to his post, where Kanzaburo, his Kasugai Crow, soon arrived with a new assignment.
The following days were quiet and focused. Besides exterminating demons, Tomioka trained relentlessly, continuing to polish his swordsmanship.
And notably—his Fourteenth Form of Water Breathing had begun to take shape.
A few days later, on a crisp morning, his swordsmith Tecchin Tecchikawahara arrived from the Swordsmith Village.
Due to continuous high-intensity battles, Tomioka's Nichirin Blade had become badly worn down. It was time for a replacement.
"Here you go, Giyu! I had a feeling this would happen."
"So, I started forging this as soon as I got back—"
Ten minutes into the overly enthusiastic explanation, Tomioka quickly changed the subject to stop the smith's passionate rambling.
"Well, thank you for the sword. It feels perfect in my hands."
"It just so happens I have a mission nearby—I'll go try out its strength right now."
"Oh? That so?" Tecchin beamed under his iron-blue mask. "Well, go ahead—but don't let your rank as a Hashira make you reckless!"
"Don't worry," Tomioka replied. "I trust your craftsmanship."
Hearing that, the old smith almost burst with pride. "Hahaha! Good! Just wait—I'll forge an even better blade next time!"
Tomioka watched him leave, sighing with a smile.
"He's a good man… just can't stop talking about swords."
***
Later, in the open courtyard, Tomioka gripped the hilt of his new Nichirin Blade and began testing it with several forms.
"This sword is amazing. I'm certain it will help when I eventually face Akaza…"
Yes—Tomioka Giyu remembered the timeline clearly. The Mugen Train incident was drawing near.
Compared to Doma, the brutal cultist, Akaza—a martial artist obsessed with strength—was an even more dangerous match-up for Giyu.
But no matter what… Rengoku Kyojuro must be saved.
There was no way he could let such a noble soul die before dawn.
Giyu knew time was running out, but his growth had hit a wall. Improvement was slow.
He could either:
Awaken the Demon Slayer Mark
Open the Transparent World
Or complete the Fourteenth Form
The Fourteenth Form was unfinished. He had a strong sense that it could only be used after the Demon Slayer Mark appeared.
As for the Transparent World—he had no clue how to access it.
Even though he had memories of the manga from his past life, they were only theoretical. No real techniques were passed down.
And then—half a month later—a butterfly arrived.
That morning, Tomioka was in his courtyard, still developing the Fourteenth Form.
"Water Breathing: Fourteenth Form!"
When Shinobu Kocho arrived at the entrance, she was stunned.
Massive currents of water surged outward from Giyu's body toward his blade. The pressure in the small courtyard was suffocating—so intense that Shinobu hesitated to step forward.
She also noticed something alarming.
In the heart of that violent current, Giyu's Nichirin Blade shimmered faintly, transitioning from light blue to a deep, saturated blue—and it was still changing.
But suddenly, without warning, the swirling water exploded outward!
When Shinobu looked again, Giyu Tomioka was on one knee, supporting himself on his sword, breathing heavily.
"Tch… Failed again. It still doesn't work…"
"Tomioka!"
Shinobu rushed to his side, worry evident in her violet eyes.
"What are you doing?! Are you alright?"
Giyu waved a hand, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm fine. Don't worry—I was just testing a new technique."
"By the way, why are you here? Have Tanjiro and the others recovered?"
Shinobu ignored his deflection and examined him carefully before breathing a sigh of relief.
"Yes. They've already departed to rendezvous with Rengoku."
"And you—don't push yourself like this again! You scared me!"
Giyu stood, sheathing his sword, and chuckled at her tone.
"You're that concerned about me? Seems that lunch we had wasn't wasted after all."
"Huh?! I'm just worried about the Demon Slayer Corps losing a Hashira, that's all! Don't flatter yourself!"
Her cheeks flushed as she looked away, refusing to meet his eyes.