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The next morning, Kaito left the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Led by a member of the Hidden Corps, he set out for another secretive branch of the Corps: the Swordsmith Village.
"Listen, Goto-kun, this really isn't necessary. Even with my eyes covered, I can still see my surroundings perfectly."
At this moment, Kaito was blindfolded, carried on the back of a young Hidden Corps member named Goto, traversing a concealed mountain path.
"U-Uchiha-san!" Goto's body stiffened, his voice sounding on the verge of tears.
"Even though you're someone Master trusts, this is a Demon Slayer Corps rule—I have no choice! Even the Hashira have to enter and leave the Swordsmith Village this way!"
"Alright, alright, have it your way," Kaito said lazily. "If I don't have to walk myself, I've got no complaints."
"Yes, sir!"
Goto's voice immediately brightened, and he picked up his pace.
"Speaking of which, you really don't weigh anything, haha..."
His awkward laughter echoed in the wind.
For the rest of the journey, several Hidden Corps members took turns carrying Kaito, relaying him forward in segments.
It seemed even the Hidden Corps members didn't know the exact route to the Swordsmith Village and relied on Kasugai Crows to guide them from ahead.
"Have we arrived?"
When Kaito was finally set down, it was already afternoon.
"Yes, Uchiha-san, we've reached the Swordsmith Village."
The Hidden Corps member spoke briefly before swiftly retreating.
Kaito removed his blindfold and looked at the figure waiting at the village entrance.
"Hello." The man, wearing a rather comical Hyottoko mask, hurried over to Kaito. "Are you Uchiha-san? I'm Haganezuka Hotaru, sent by the village chief to receive you."
"Then I'll trouble you, Haganezuka-san. Please lead me to meet the village chief," Kaito said with a smile, nodding.
"Right this way, please."
Haganezuka turned and guided Kaito into the village.
As Kaito walked through the Swordsmith Village, he heard the clanging of forging hammers and sensed the intense aura of fire and metal permeating the surroundings.
"Kotetsu! Watch where you're going!!"
Ahead, Haganezuka used his hand to stop a child who nearly collided with him.
"Sorry!"
The child, called Kotetsu, shouted perfunctorily before darting off.
"You little brat, still messing with that broken doll? It's about time you gave up and focused on learning to forge!"
Haganezuka called after the child's retreating figure.
"Nonsense!"
Kotetsu spun around and shouted back.
"Yoriichi Type Zero isn't broken! It's a treasure left by our ancestors!!"
"But it's already broken, isn't it? The techniques for crafting dolls like that were lost long ago. Stop wasting your time," Haganezuka advised earnestly.
"Hmph! I'll definitely fix Yoriichi Type Zero!!"
Kotetsu yelled before running off again without looking back.
"Tch, that kid!"
Haganezuka grumbled in annoyance, then caught sight of Kaito smiling at the side.
"Sorry, that was rude—terribly rude!"
Snapping back to attention, he bowed in apology.
"No worries," Kaito waved it off with a cheerful smile. "By the way, what's this Yoriichi Type Zero the kid mentioned?"
"Oh, that... Are you interested in that antique doll?" Haganezuka ask. "It was crafted by Kotetsu's ancestors during the Warring States period, modeled after a powerful swordsman. Apparently, the doll could perfectly mimic that swordsman's techniques and was a rare tool for training swordsmen. Unfortunately, it's long been broken, and only Kotetsu is still obsessed with fixing it. No one else can help much." He then explained.
"I see," Kaito nodded. "Thanks for explaining."
"You're welcome. This way, please—the chief is waiting."
Haganezuka resumed leading the way.
'A doll crafted based on Yoriichi Tsugikuni?' Kaito mused.
'Interesting. It might just come in handy.'
...
The village chief of the Swordsmith Village was a diminutive old man, also wearing a comical Hyottoko mask.
"Honored guest, welcome to the Swordsmith Village. I am the chief here, Tecchin Tecchikawahara," the chief said from inside the house, welcoming Kaito.
"Thank you for having me, Chief." Kaito knelt on a cushion nearby, politely bowing slightly to the elderly chief.
"Such a courteous young man. Care for some candy?" The chief suddenly offered a plate of karinto.
'What are you doing, Chief?!!' Haganezuka, standing by, felt his face twist beneath his mask.
'Don't just offer candy because he looks young! Didn't Master's letter say it?! This guy's an ancient relic from the Heian period!! Don't forget that so casually!!'
Unfortunately, his silent outcry didn't reach the chief.
The old man continued to shakily offer the candy to Kaito.
"Thank you."
Kaito smiled and accepted the candy, setting it before him.
"As for the purpose of my visit, I assume Ubuyashiki-sama has already informed you, Chief?" he said, getting to the matter at hand.
"Ah... yes, I know." The chief nodded.
"The Nichirin Blades of fallen Demon Slayer Corps members through the ages are enshrined in the shrine within the village's mountains."
"May I ask, what do you intend to do with those blades?" Haganezuka asked hesitantly. "Since Master has ordered it, we'll hand them over. But those blades are relics forged by generations of Swordsmith Village craftsmen and nurtured by Demon Slayer swordsmen. Out of personal attachment, I hope you can clarify."
"No problem. After all, those Nichirin Blades are under the Swordsmith Village's care. I'll explain clearly," Kaito said good-naturedly.
"Are you aware that, per the plan Ubuyashiki-sama and I have devised, the final battle with Muzan Kibutsuji is likely not far off?"
The chief nodded. "Though I'm not privy to the specifics, Master did send a heads-up to the Swordsmith Village."
"My role is that of an onmyoji," Kaito said with a smile. "In the battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, my primary task is to set up a formation barrier to trap him completely."
"I've heard vague rumors of your feats, but is that really true?" Haganezuka couldn't help but ask.
Facing the skepticism, Kaito smiled unfazed.
"I doubt I'd be able to deceive Ubuyashiki-sama."
He turned back to the chief and continued, "With the decline of mysticism in the world today, I lack sufficiently spiritual materials. So I came up with the idea of using the Nichirin Blades, imbued with the lingering will of countless fallen Demon Slayer Corps members, to construct a barrier to trap Muzan."
"In this way..." he said solemnly, "it's like letting those blades fulfill their late owners' unfinished wishes."