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Chapter 40 - CHAPTER 40

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Hayashi thought it should be Gyōmei Himejima.

But to his surprise, the visitors were Shinobu Kocho and the Kakushi carrying her.

Hayashi noticed that the Kakushi carrying Shinobu was breathing with relative ease.

Her petite frame clearly caused far less burden compared to himself.

Even with the additional weight of her Nichirin Sword, it was negligible.

After all, Shinobu's blade was specially modified to suit her unique fighting style:

a lightweight design with only a sharp stinger-like edge at the tip.

As soon as she sensed the Kakushi halt, Shinobu flipped down gracefully, landing lightly.

She saw Hayashi waiting at the entrance and smiled in greeting.

But seeing him remain still, she tilted her head and asked softly:

"Yoriichi san, why are you just standing here?"

The moment Hayashi saw her, he allowed himself a faint, somewhat peculiar smile.

Although he had set out earlier than Shinobu, she arrived at the Swordsmith Village nearly at the same time as he did.

It didn't take much for him to realize why Gyōmei Himejima had yet to appear.

He only answered calmly:

"Gyōmei left before me, but he hasn't arrived yet."

Shinobu was momentarily taken aback.

Her smile didn't fade, but a flicker of worry passed through her eyes.

"My lord arranged our departures in separate batches. Even if our Kakushi didn't take the same route, it's normal I arrived first.

Perhaps Himejima-san was delayed by an urgent mission…

Or maybe they encountered a demon along the way?"

Hayashi didn't respond, only stood silently, his eyes fixed on the path.

Shinobu caught on to his unspoken intention.

Her expression shifted, and after a pause, she too stood at the entrance beside him, waiting.

Not long after, more footsteps approached.

But once again, it wasn't Gyōmei.

This time, it was Muichiro Tokito, carried swiftly by another Kakushi.

Once unblindfolded, Tokito noticed Hayashi and Shinobu already waiting.

He gave them a slight nod in acknowledgment, then wordlessly squatted nearby, apparently fascinated by an ant hole in the ground.

The next to arrive was Obanai Iguro.

He stopped in mild surprise at the odd tableau: two standing, one crouched, all silently gathered at the entrance.

Shinobu explained briefly.

Obanai remained quiet for a long moment, then muttered only one word:

"Boring."

With that, he turned to leave.

Hayashi chuckled lightly and remarked:

"Mitsuri Kanroji should be here soon."

At once, Obanai froze mid-step, as though struck by a spell.

The next to arrive were indeed Mitsuri Kanroji and the Kakushi carrying her on his back.

Hayashi could clearly hear the exchange between Mitsuri and the one supporting her:

"I'm so sorry, I must be really heavy."

"Ah—I shouldn't have eaten so much before we left..."

The Kakushi who carried her happened to be a woman, and she chuckled softly at Mitsuri's apology.

"Not at all—you're actually very slim. Besides, you're a Hashira who slays demons. Eating well is only natural."

Yes—Mitsuri Kanroji was indeed a glutton. It was even said her muscle fiber density was eight times greater than that of an ordinary person. Yet in truth, she was not heavy at all. Hayashi still remembered her measurements clearly: 167 cm tall, weighing 56 kg. For trained Kakushi, such weight was hardly a burden.

When Mitsuri saw the group gathered at the Swordsmith Village entrance, her eyes sparkled and she called out happily:

"Eh? Everyone—you're all here to welcome me?"

Hayashi only smiled quietly, while Shinobu Kocho stepped forward, taking Mitsuri's hand and gently explaining the situation.

Mitsuri's face showed the slightest flicker of disappointment—then she laughed brightly:

"So that's how it is! Then I'll wait here as well!"

Soon after, others arrived almost at the same time: Rengoku Kyojuro, Tomioka Giyu, and Sanemi Shinazugawa.

Even from a distance, Hayashi could already hear Rengoku's booming voice:

"Sanemi Shinazugawa! Why do you insist on quarreling with Tomioka the instant you see him?

Hahaha—but hearing your voices, I know your spirits are high!"

Then, as if struck by a thought, Rengoku suddenly tore off his blindfold, exclaiming in surprise:

"Take off your blindfolds and look! Everyone's waiting for us at the village entrance!"

Hearing this, Sanemi Shinazugawa's irritable tone abruptly ceased. He removed his blindfold, and when he saw the group gathered, he froze in shock.

For Hashira, visiting Swordsmith Village together for training under Tsugikuni Yoriichi was a rare occasion—besides the Hashira Meetings, such a gathering scarcely happened. But... was it really necessary for everyone to be standing here at the entrance?

Rengoku, however, thought nothing of it. Cheerful and open-hearted as always, he strode forward to join the others without hesitation, even grabbing Tomioka by the arm. Seeing this, Sanemi had little choice but to suppress his doubts and stand alongside them.

"Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! I never expected everyone to be waiting here to greet me!"

At once, Hayashi recognized the voice—it was none other than Uzui Tengen.

Behind him, the Kakushi carrying the flamboyant Sound Hashira was gasping for breath, nearly collapsing. Hayashi couldn't help but feel sympathy. After all—Uzui Tengen stood 198 cm tall and weighed 95 kg.

And that was without considering the two massive cleaver-like swords he carried, nor the countless accessories he adorned himself with in pursuit of "gorgeousness." Truly, to bear him was no easy task.

Yet even Uzui wasn't the true test. Because now... the heaviest arrival was about to make his entrance.

From the distance came a low Buddhist chant:

"Namu Amida Butsu... Thank you for your efforts. Truly, I can walk on my own..."

But his voice was betrayed by reality. The Kakushi carrying Himejima Gyomei staggered into view, legs trembling, as the Stone Hashira towered heavily on his back.

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