"Urokodaki-sensei, we're back!"
Luo En smiled and bowed to him.
Urokodaki Sakonji simply strode over, not speaking,
He just extended his calloused, broad arms and tightly, tightly embraced Luo En, Tanjiro, and even Nezuko, who was still on the ground.
At this moment, the tears streaming down from behind his mask were even more visible.
"Welcome back..."
His aged voice was thick with a nasal tone,
"You... all returned alive... that's wonderful..."
After this emotional outburst, Tanjiro finally returned to his usual self.
And Urokodaki Sakonji, with both of them returning safely, also released the knot of worry that had been weighing on his heart for many years.
After returning to the wooden house, they began to talk about what had happened during the Fujikasane Mountain selection.
That night, the fireplace in the wooden house burned exceptionally brightly.
After listening to Luo En and Tanjiro recount the entire story of slaying the Hand Demon, Urokodaki Sakonji remained silent for a long time.
"Is that so, you killed the morphed demon!"
"I didn't expect all this to be because of me..."
"It's truly wonderful that you returned alive!"
Urokodaki Sakonji also felt deeply remorseful about this.
However, Luo En and his companion successfully slaying the Hand Demon and returning safely also brought him a sigh of relief.
Urokodaki once again emphasized his knowledge about demons to the two:
"There are several types of demons, among them are the ones I mentioned before, demons that can use special demonic arts called Blood Demon Arts."
"These are the so-called ability demons, and you will fight such demons in the future."
"Fighting them will be even more difficult than it is now..."
There was still some time before their personalized nichirin blade would be forged.
This free time was perfect for him to go to the waterfall where he had previously trained and practice his Breathing Technique.
He aimed to reach the state of Total Concentration Breathing as soon as possible.
At this moment, the thin morning mist had not yet completely dispersed.
Water poured down from a height, crashing against the rocks with a roaring sound.
He closed his eyes, feeling the coolness brought by the mist, and began to adjust his breathing.
"Exhale—Inhale—"
As the Breathing Technique circulated, the magic power within his body began to flow slowly, perfectly aligning with the rhythm of his breathing.
After the experience of this final selection, he felt that his understanding of the Breathing Technique had deepened considerably.
"Ice Breathing Style: Third Form: Concentrated Ice Piercing!"
Luo En had modified this technique based on the agile footwork of Water Breathing's "Flowing Dance."
With every dodge, slide, and turn, magic power would instantly condense into numerous sharp ice cones (senbon) at the end or side of his movement trajectory, launching them out.
The trajectories of these ice cones were tricky, like an extension of his dance steps, capable of both pursuing enemies and blocking their movement.
The perfect integration of magic power significantly enhanced the power of the Breathing Technique.
For the next few days, Luo En came to the waterfall to train every day. He continuously tried to combine magic power with various Breathing Technique forms.
"Ice Breathing Style: First Form: Ice Surface Severance!"
Luo En drew his sword and unleashed a slash, and a faint ice-blue light could be seen flashing along the trajectory of his blade.
"Third Form: Concentrated Ice Piercing!"
Luo En felt more and more in tune with his practice, his continuous slashes flowing as smoothly as water, each strike carrying an bone-chilling cold.
"It seems your training is very effective."
Urokodaki Sakonji's voice came from behind him.
Luo En turned around and bowed to his master:
"Urokodaki-sensei!"
"Hmm, I saw the technique just now."
Urokodaki Sakonji walked over to Luo En's side,
"There seems to be a peculiar power integrated into your Breathing Technique."
"Yes."
Luo En did not hide it,
"I am trying to combine my special abilities with the Breathing Technique."
Urokodaki Sakonji nodded:
"Hmm, that's the right approach. Every swordsman should find their own fighting style."
"But remember, fundamentals are always the most important. No matter how strong a technique, if the foundation is not solid, it's just a castle in the air."
"I understand, Master."
Such days continued until the fifteenth day.
Luo En, who was training his Breathing Technique near the waterfall as usual, suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder.
Luo En opened his eyes and saw the aloof crow perched steadily on his shoulder.
Its shiny black eyes stared at the waterfall, seemingly quite interested in this training method.
"Do you want to try it too?"
Luo En teased.
The crow tilted its head, let out a "caw," and then flapped its wings against Luo En's cheek.
"Hey, stop that."
Luo En reached out to shoo it away, but found the crow to be exceptionally agile, easily dodging his hand.
"Caw caw caw!"
The crow let out a sound similar to laughter, appearing very smug.
Luo En shook his head helplessly and continued his training.
"Brother Luo En! We have a visitor!"
Just as Luo En was immersed in his training, Tanjiro's voice came from a distance.
"The swordsmith is here?"
Luo En's eyes lit up; this was much faster than expected.
Luo En stopped his training and hurried towards the wooden house.
In front of the wooden house, a man wearing a sedge hat and a Hyottoko mask on his face was already sitting impatiently, a huge bundle beside him emanating the scent of steel and furnace fire.
He was Haganezuka. Seeing the two approach, he eagerly patted the bundle, his voice coming from beneath the mask:
"My name is Haganezuka. The swords for Luo En and Kamado Tanjiro are forged, and I've come to deliver them."
Tanjiro was about to invite him inside to sit down and talk.
However, Haganezuka seemed to not hear him at all, sitting down directly and taking out a box from the bundle on his back.
"This is a nichirin blade, a sword I forged."
"The raw materials for the nichirin blade are 'Scarlet Crimson Ore' and 'Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand' collected from the mountain closest to the sun, so the iron forged from it can absorb sunlight."
"..."
"..."
"This way, your sword might even turn red!"
Haganezuka said excitedly, then looked at Luo En,
"Ice Breathing Style, huh? I wonder what color your sword will turn!"
Watching Haganezuka, who had finally finished talking to himself and was preparing to enter the house to hand over the swords to the two.
Luo En was somewhat helpless; this person really didn't listen to anyone else speak!
He couldn't be interrupted at all, he could only be listened to until he finished.
After entering the house, Luo En, Tanjiro, and Haganezuka sat facing each other.
Haganezuka eagerly handed the two swords to Luo En and his companion.
"They were forged using the tamahagane you selected."
Then he began to urge them to draw their swords,
"Alright, quickly draw your swords and see. nichirin blades are also called 'color-changing swords'; the sword will change color with its owner!"
Tanjiro took a deep breath and slowly drew his sword.
Within seconds of the blade touching the air, its silvery steel color was gradually dyed a deep, serene jet black.
"Black?"
Haganezuka seemed somewhat disappointed by the color Tanjiro's sword turned.
Tanjiro also became a little nervous at this, asking aloud:
"Is a black sword not good?! Is it very unlucky?"
Urokodaki Sakonji spoke up to explain:
"No, there's no such saying; it's just uncommon to see such a jet-black sword!"
However, Haganezuka was now going frantic:
"I thought I'd get to see a vivid red sword, it's infuriating!"
Haganezuka's anger could only turn to his last hope, he stared intently at Luo En:
"You! Quickly! Your sword! At least give me a surprise!"