[Original Author's Note: Regarding Mitsuri, it was indeed my oversight, and there was an error in the timeline. However, given the current situation, it's difficult to correct now, so I'll have to stick with the mistake.]
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As they spoke, the person had already approached Tetsu no Sosuke.
Extending a hand, she said, "Um, I didn't mean any harm. You're not angry, are you?"
'If you're worried about me being angry, why did you do that in the first place?!'
Sosuke couldn't muster the energy to retort. He gripped her hand. Though small, her grip was surprisingly strong. Normally, pulling someone up like this would require cooperation.
But Sosuke felt like he hadn't exerted any effort at all; she had simply yanked him to his feet.
"I'm Kanroji Mitsuri. You're Tetsu no Sosuke, right?" she said with a smile. "Are you practicing swordsmanship? I've heard about you—that you're training under the Flower Pillar and will eventually join the Demon Slayer Corps. I look forward to working with you!"
Sosuke nodded. "You've mistaken me for someone else."
'Hmph!'
'So what if I'm angry?!'
''Who doesn't know who you are?'
'So what if you're a girl? Does having a great figure make you superior? Kanae's figure is just as impressive, you know! Why should I have to chat with you politely after you cheerfully knocked me flat on my face?''
'Tch!'
"I... I mistook you for someone else?"
Mitsuri's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Since we're near the Butterfly Mansion, and most of the residents are women, I assumed you were... I'm terribly sorry! Please forgive me!"
Sosuke nodded. "Since you apologized so sincerely, I'll forgive you. Just don't mistake me for someone else next time."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Mitsuri's eyes welled up with emotion. "You're such a kind person!"
The legendary "nice guy" card?
Being given this card by you doesn't feel disappointing at all!
"Well, I have to go now. But I'd be happy to spar with you sometime."
With that, she leaped high into the air and darted toward the Butterfly mansion.
Sosuke glanced at the girl. It was obvious she had come to commission a sword from him.
"The Love Pillar—Kanroji Mitsuri, right?"
He stroked his chin. "Probably here for the same reason as the Serpent Pillar. Speaking of which, are all the Pillars going to line up to ask me to forge their swords now?"
His first reaction was annoyance, but then he reconsidered. It wasn't so bad after all.
For him, forging swords was a form of training.
And with sword forging in the morning and sword practice in the afternoon, he wouldn't be wasting any time.
He immediately dismissed Mitsuri from his mind and focused on swinging his sword with unwavering concentration.
As for what the girl would do after going to the Butterfly mansion... what else could she do? Either she'd come back to find him again, or she'd obediently wait at the Butterfly mansion.
Sosuke spent the entire afternoon in the bamboo forest.
As dusk approached, he finally turned back toward the Butterfly Mansion.
His timing was perfect—he arrived just in time for dinner. However, considering that Kanae was away, Sosuke hesitated about whether to join the others for the meal.
When Kanae was home, the tension between Sosuke and Shinobu was already like a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark, almost impossible to contain!
Now that she was away... their silent battle of glares might escalate into physical conflict.
"Forget it. Harmony, harmony is what matters most!"
Sosuke decided he'd rather eat in his own room.
On his way, he greeted the Kakushi members, mainly to let them know he was back. He didn't want them to think he wouldn't be returning that night and assume he'd run into a demon or something.
Imagine the chaos if they organized a search party while he was sound asleep in his room!
His dinner was delivered to his room, where he ate in peace.
The rest of the night passed without incident. By dawn, Sosuke washed his face when he heard someone call out from the doorway, "Is Tetsu no Sosuke home?"
Just hearing the voice was enough to know who it was.
Sosuke said irritably, "I'm not home. Please close the gate when you leave. Thank you."
"Ah, that voice! It really is you!"
The gate swung open with a whoosh, revealing a face that could be both delighted and reproachful, framed in the courtyard entrance.
'Wait, shouldn't she be furious after I tricked her? Why is she making that expression?'
Sosuke couldn't quite grasp Mitsuri's thought process. He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it's me. What do you want?"
"Oh, thank goodness! I was worried you might be difficult to get along with."
Mitsuri laughed heartily, clapping Sosuke on the shoulder. "So it really is you after all!"
Sosuke's body jerked violently from the force of the blow, and he quickly waved his hand. "Stop!"
Mitsuri obediently halted her hand mid-air, her face filled with confusion. "What's wrong?"
'Doesn't she know her own strength?'
'If she keeps hitting me like this, I'm going to die!'
Sosuke felt like he was on the verge of internal injuries. Despite his significant attribute boosts, he realized he was still far from being a match for a true monster like Mitsuri.
He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and adopted a serious expression. "Alright, what do you want from me?"
"To forge a sword, of course!" Mitsuri replied with a smile. "Actually, I hadn't really thought about what I could offer you in return for forging my sword. But now I've got an idea: how about I become your sparring partner?"
Sosuke wanted to live at least a few more years. If he had to die someday, he wanted it to be in Kanae's arms, to die a fulfilled man.
If he sparred with this tiger girl who had no sense of restraint, he might accidentally get beaten to death.
With that thought, he immediately shook his head. "I don't spar while I'm forging a sword!"
"But others told me yesterday that you forge swords in the morning and practice swordsmanship in the afternoon," Mitsuri persisted. "I even saw you in the bamboo forest yesterday."
Sosuke paused to consider before replying, "The Flower Pillar was with me."
"Ah, the Flower Pillar... She's too gentle. I doubt she could truly show you the brutality of combat!"
Mitsuri's expression turned stern and rigid. "But I will make you understand what true brutality means!"
'Why would I need to know something like that?'
Sosuke took a deep breath and fell silent.
Then, he quietly looked at Mitsuri. "Speak. What do you want?"
"What?" Mitsuri pondered for a moment. "How about this: within three days, can you withstand my attacks for one minute?"
"I'm talking about the requirements for the Nichirin Blade!" Sosuke roared.
"Oh, oh, oh."
Mitsuri quickly interjected, "Before we go any further, please take a look at this sword."
With a clang, she drew her Nichirin Blade and handed it to Sosuke.
Still simmering with anger, Sosuke snatched the sword with a huff and swung it carelessly. The blade immediately flopped to the ground...
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P.S. Every 250 power stones = 1 Bonus chapter