"Well..."
Tomioka Giyu was a little confused. Just when he was about to ask what the cold iron was used for, Mori Tetsuqing spoke first.
"It's said this is the sword once wielded by the first Water Hashira during the golden age period. I don't know the specifics."
"Anyway, Tomioka! You're in luck, hahahaha!"
"Give me a few more days. I want to fuse your new blade with this one!"
"Believe me—once this sword is reborn, your strength will rise even further!"
"Alright, alright, I need to get back to forging!"
With that, Mori Tetsuqing politely "invited" Tomioka Giyu to leave.
As the door shut behind him, Tomioka stood stunned.
He hadn't even managed to ask if fusing the two blades would affect the Sun Blade's original abilities.
Still, from the sound of it, there wouldn't be any negative impact. On the contrary, it might enhance the sword's strength even more than he'd expected.
Leaving Mori Tetsuqing's forge, Giyu made his way toward the foot of the hot spring mountain. Just as he was about to climb up, a familiar, cheerful voice called out from afar.
"Giyuuu~!"
He looked up and saw Kanroji Mitsuri, her sakura-colored hair bouncing as she waved and ran toward him.
"Hmm? Kanroji?"
With a bright smile, she stopped in front of him. "Yup, it's me! What brings you here, Giyu?"
Tomioka briefly explained about his sword. Then, curious, he asked, "And you? Are you also here for sword forging?"
Kanroji hesitated, looking a bit bashful. "Well… not entirely…"
Seeing her flustered, Giyu suddenly remembered the mountain's hot spring was said to have a peculiar effect: 'Love Severance.'
Ahem—
Tomioka coughed awkwardly and shifted the subject.
"Then I'll go take a soak in the hot spring first. See you later."
"Eh? Wait, Giyu!" Kanroji called out just as he turned to leave.
"My sword will be finished soon too. So I was wondering… after your blade is done, could we spar?"
Before he could answer, she quickly added, "Ah! I'm not challenging you or anything! I just want to, you know…"
Tomioka gave a rare smile and waved off her embarrassment.
"I get it. No problem. Since I've got a new sword, I'd like to test it out anyway."
"Really?! Thank you, Giyu!" she beamed, practically glowing with joy.
As she skipped away, Giyu chuckled to himself.
"She really is the Love Hashira…"
***
Ten days later.
On a clear morning, the new sword was finally completed.
Mori Tetsuqing looked excited, practically buzzing with anticipation.
"Go on, draw it! Let's see what it can do! Or more importantly—how much stronger your techniques have become!"
Under his eager gaze, Giyu unsheathed the blade.
In the sunlight, a pale white gleam shimmered across the blade. It was now a stunning blend of blue and white, no longer emanating coldness but surrounded by a faint mist.
Before Giyu could say anything, Mori Tetsuqing burst out:
"Incredible, right?! Hahaha!"
"I was shocked too while forging it. But then I figured it out—the ore and sand reacted strangely with the cold iron."
"The chill was completely neutralized! It's transformed into mist. And more importantly…"
Realizing he was rambling, he quickly shut up and motioned for Giyu to test it himself.
Tomioka nodded, gripped the hilt, and dashed toward a tree in the distance.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
A flash of blue light—and not just the tree in front of him, but the next two behind it fell in succession!
Giyu stood stunned.
It wasn't the fact that he'd cut three trees—it was the fact that a single slash had continued with enough residual force to slice through three.
Staring at the blade, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
"…This is what they call giving wings to a tiger."
Mori Tetsuqing rushed over. "So? Did your techniques improve?"
Tomioka nodded seriously, his excitement showing. "At least 30 to 40 percent more power. Thank you."
"Hahaha! No thanks needed!" Mori waved him off, his expression turning earnest. "As long as it keeps you alive, that's all that matters."
Tomioka's heart warmed.
"…I won't let this sword break again."
That afternoon, Tomioka headed to the open training ground behind the mountain, where he waited for Kanroji Mitsuri.
While waiting, he recalled her fighting style.
"…Ha. Rhythmic gymnastics."
Soon enough, Kanroji came hurrying over, bowing repeatedly.
"Sorry, sorry! Lunch was just so delicious I overate!"
Tomioka shook his head, indicating he didn't mind.
"Want to rest a bit before we begin?"
"No, no! Let's start now!" she said, pulling out her thin, ribbon-like Nichirin Sword.
"Please go easy on me, Giyu!" She said then dashed toward Giyu.
"Breath of Love, First Form: First Love's Flutter!"
Her whip-like slashes came fast and heavy from above.
Tomioka stepped back calmly, drawing his blade and identifying the gap in her technique.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
In a heartbeat, her attack was redirected, unable to land on him.
"Wow! Amazing as always, Giyu! But I'm not done!"
Without hesitation, she lunged again, this time thrusting straight at him with remarkable speed.
Tomioka didn't retreat. He adjusted his blade and said with a rare note of praise, "Your reaction speed is impressive. And you're strong."
As he raised his sword in both hands, ready to counter…
Her blade suddenly twisted directions mid-air!
"Here I come! I'm going to beat you, Giyu!"
***
A hint of surprise flashed in Tomioka Giyu's eyes as he glanced at the blade that had stopped at the other side of his neck.
"Your body's flexibility is really incredible."
That's right—just a moment ago, Tomioka Giyu had thought there was no way her blade could change direction mid-attack.
Yet Kanroji Mitsuri had used a seemingly impossible spin, twisting her body with an astounding motion.
"No, it's just that you don't quite understand my fighting style."
She tilted her head playfully, then added with sincerity, "Also, I know you were holding back just now. You haven't even used the Thirteenth Form, right?"
Tomioka shook his head slightly and replied, "It's just a spar. Using the Thirteenth Form would make it boring. Let's keep going."
"Yeah!" Mitsuri didn't hesitate, drawing her whip-like sword and attacking again without missing a beat.
Tomioka leaned forward. If he didn't take this seriously, he might actually lose again. That would be humiliating.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance."
His body glided forward like a current, evading and deflecting Mitsuri's slashing blade.
But Kanroji didn't retreat—she advanced, her lithe figure springing into the air with agility.
"Love Breathing, Third Form: Catlove Shower!"
Clang! Clang! Clang—
In the space of a few seconds, the two exchanged several fierce blows. Tomioka gradually picked up speed, and his strikes became sharper and more precise.
He had completely adjusted to the new blade.
With a sharp bang, another powerful clash launched Mitsuri into the air.
Even so, Tomioka couldn't help but admire her strength. As expected of the Love Hashira—her muscle density was said to be eight times that of an average person.
In terms of raw strength alone, few in the Demon Slayer Corps could match Kanroji Mitsuri.
"Careful, Giyu!"
In midair, Mitsuri didn't panic. Her remarkable flexibility allowed her to move with grace even while airborne.
"Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Swaying Love, Wild Claw!"
Instead of taking a defensive stance, Tomioka rushed straight into her flurry of blows.
Now that he wielded this newly reforged blade, he could finally use the offensive techniques he'd once hesitated to unleash.
"Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow."
Surging through the storm of slashes, he parried each strike and maneuvered through the chaos with fluid precision.
As he closed in on Mitsuri, a dragon of water spiraled forth from his blade.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
Mitsuri reacted quickly, spinning in midair and repositioning her blade.
"Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Wind of Love!"
Meow—!
Their swords clashed again. After a fierce collision, both landed on the ground.
Tomioka tightened his grip on the hilt and murmured, "This is what it feels like to have your attacks cut short. It's an unpleasant sensation."
On the other side, Kanroji recovered swiftly. She twirled her sword and rushed at him once more.
"Love Breathing, Fourth Form: Love Pangs!"
Hiss—
Tomioka took a deep breath and raised his blade behind his back in both hands. He didn't rush to strike—he was waiting for the perfect moment.
As her sword drew within half a meter, he suddenly lunged forward.
Clang—
First, the tip of her sword was kicked away. Then, in a flash, he unleashed several rapid slashes.
He completely disrupted Mitsuri's attack trajectory, and for the first time, she lost control of her blade.
Though she instinctively tried to retreat, it was already too late.
Tomioka's sword stopped inches from her neck.
"Thank you, Mitsuri." He sheathed his Nichirin Blade. "Thanks to you, I was able to get used to my new sword."
Before he could finish, Kanroji waved her hands, flustered.
"No, no! I got in some great training too~"
"Anyway, I have an urgent mission, so I'll be going now."
"Take care!"
After watching her skip off, Tomioka turned and walked toward Mori Tetsuqing's forge.
It was time to leave the Swordsmith Village. Before departing, he intended to say goodbye to Mori.
When he arrived at the smith's home, he saw Mori Tetsuqing snoring loudly, reeking of alcohol.
Tomioka smiled wryly.
After spending the past few days with him, Giyu had learned that when Tetsuqing had nothing to do, he passed the time by drinking.
"Take care. If anything happens to the Swordsmith Village, I'll rush over immediately."
***
A few days later, in a remote forest.
A demon was on its knees before Tomioka, trembling with fear.
"I'm sorry! I won't eat people anymore! Please, let me go! Please!"
Suddenly, the demon leapt forward and lunged at him.
But Tomioka had already seen through its act—and its intent.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
Slash—
With one clean strike, he ended it.
As he turned to leave, a crow's call stopped him.
kaaah!— Kaawww!!—
"Tomioka Giyu! Tomioka Giyu!"
"You are summoned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters by our master! Immediately! Immediately!"
Tomioka blinked, pausing to think. He didn't have any pressing duties at the moment.
"…Wait a minute. Isn't this around the time—?"
"Ah. That's right." He clapped his hands. "I'd almost forgotten."
There had been so much going on lately that he'd lost track of time.
Of course—this was the period when the Entertainment District incident would begin.
"Heh… Gyutaro. I still remember that kick."
By the time Tomioka arrived at the estate, it was almost afternoon.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya was already kneeling on the tatami, waiting patiently.
Seeing him, Tomioka quickly stepped forward and knelt respectfully.
"My lord, I apologize for the delay. Do you have a mission for me?"
With a gentle smile, Ubuyashiki spoke softly.
"Welcome, Giyu. Yes—Tengen has been investigating a disturbance in the Entertainment District."
"I believe it's related to the demons you once encountered… Gyutaro and Daki."
"Your experience dealing with them is invaluable. Please assist Tengen in this matter."
Tomioka bowed his head. "As you command, Master Ubuyashiki."
"Uzui is likely at the Butterfly Mansion now," Ubuyashiki added. "If you leave immediately, you can depart together."
At the Butterfly Mansion, Giyu saw a strange scene from afar.
Uzui Tengen, the three girls from his household, Aoi, and Tsuyuri Kanao—were all tangled in some sort of scuffle?
Just then, Tanjiro returned from a mission with Nezuko on his back. Seeing the chaos, he shouted in alarm:
"Hey! What are you doing to that little girl?! Let her go!!"