Perhaps because their mother and son were abandoned by their father, Musashi felt deep sympathy for Otsu after hearing her story, but he also had many important matters to attend to and couldn't help her.
"Thank you for listening to me for so long; I feel much better after talking about it."
After recounting her experiences, Otsu exhaled deeply, feeling much relieved. Seeing that Musashi hadn't said anything, she stood up and thanked him.
"I've been out for quite a while, so I should head back. I wish you success in battle. Goodbye."
Otsu smiled and bowed slightly to Musashi, then turned and walked away.
"Miss Otsu..."
At this, Musashi called out.
Otsu turned around, looking a little confused.
"I will come find you in the future," Musashi said, looking at Otsu.
He ended up saying something vague, but whether that vague statement would become reality depended on what he would do in the future.
Otsu was slightly surprised to hear Musashi's words, then smiled and nodded, but she didn't take Musashi's words to heart and then turned and left.
Otsu gave Musashi a very comfortable feeling, especially when he heard her voice; he didn't want her to be trapped.
However, he still had many important matters of his own right now. He wanted to redeem her after he finished these tasks. As for what would happen after that, he hadn't thought it through yet, but now he had a plan for after he slays Muzan.
Otsu's figure disappeared from sight, and Musashi turned and walked back into the house...
After another lunch at the Fujino House, Musashi's clothes were ready to wear.
Changing into his uniform, wearing the kimono Kyojuro had bought for him over it, and taking his Nichirin Sword, Musashi prepared to leave.
He hadn't expected to stay at the Fujino House for so long when he had only intended to have breakfast, but it was time to go now.
Grandma saw Musashi to the door, then took out two flints.
Clack! Clack!
The flints struck each other, sending out sparks. After striking them twice, Grandma put them away.
This action was meant to ward off misfortune.
"I wish you success in battle."
Grandma bowed and wished Musashi well.
Musashi closed his eyes and bowed slightly in thanks upon hearing her words.
After leaving the Fujino House, Musashi tied Otsu's letter for Tanjirou to his Kasugai Crow's leg, sending it back to headquarters to deliver the letter to Tanjirou, and also to check if he had any missions.
When Crow left Musashi, he seemed quite happy, cawing several times.
Alright, now it's time to follow the original plan and head to the next area to search for clues about Muzan. Hopefully, there will be some discoveries...
After looking at the map, Musashi walked along the road towards the next location...
That same night, in the Swordsmith Village, Kyojuro, Muichiro, Mitsuri, and Genya surrounded a body that had been hacked beyond recognition, though it was still vaguely discernible as an old man.
"This guy isn't dead yet, is he? I think we need to cut him a few more times."
Muichiro said, looking at the body on the ground with a somewhat hazy gaze, his temporary Nichirin Sword already poised to strike.
"You guys, who only bully the weak, will surely face retribution in the future!"
Just then, the body on the ground began to turn into ashes, and at the same time, a voice emanated from within the body. Its heart had also been shattered, and Hantengu's true body hidden inside was finally slain.
Hantengu, who had failed to curry favor with Muzan and was instead scolded, and whose plan to bring another Upper Moon with him was also rejected, came to the Swordsmith Village alone, intending to target the swordsmiths there under the cover of night.
As it happened, Kyojuro was staying at the home of the swordsmith he attacked, and a battle immediately ensued. Kyojuro's body had largely recovered after resting for over half a month in the Swordsmith Village; the bandage over his left eye had been removed, and he could now barely open his left eye, though his vision was still not very clear.
However, this didn't significantly affect his strength. Moreover, he had already activated his Demon Slayer Mark and Bright Red Nichirin, and he alone had fought Hantengu to a near standstill. Afterward, Muichiro and Mitsuri, as well as Genya, who arrived later at the Swordsmith Village, also rushed over after hearing the commotion.
What followed was an almost overwhelming battle. Hantengu's individual clones were no match for a Hashira, and even when they finally merged into Zohakuten, he could only overpower one Hashira. Facing three Hashiras plus a demon eater, with one Hashira having Demon Slayer Mark and all three Hashiras having Bright Red Nichirin, Hantengu was completely overwhelmed.
In less than an hour, Hantengu's Zohakuten clone was slain by the combined efforts of the three Hashiras, and his main body, hidden within "Hatred," was also found by Genya.
The attacks of the three Hashiras and Genya all landed on this Hatred clone. Its body was directly hacked into pieces, and even the main body hidden within was struck.
"Flame Breathing First Form..."
"Mist Breathing Second Form..."
"Love Breathing First Form..."
"Blood Demon Art..."
As soon as they heard the voice from the body on the ground, Kyojuro, Muichiro, Mitsuri, and Genya all tensed up, reflexively launching attacks at Hantengu's body on the ground.
"Unknowing Fire!" "Eight-Layered Mist!" "First Love Tremor!" "Unending Trees of Misery!"
Kyojuro's flame slash, Muichiro's eight consecutive slashes, Mitsuri's rapid, whip-like slashes, and Genya's pistol bullets imbued with Blood Demon Art almost simultaneously struck Hantengu's remnants on the ground.
When the dust settled, the ground was empty.
"It seems he's truly dead this time!"
Kyojuro said, looking at the ground.
"From the looks of it, yes,"
Muichiro nodded and added.
"So that means... we've slain an Upper Moon?" Mitsuri asked, her face flushed with excitement.
Genya's mood was also incredibly excited at this moment. Although he didn't participate much in this battle, this was, after all, an Upper Moon. The opportunity to fight an Upper Moon wasn't something everyone got, and what's more, they had won. Even though he was carried to victory by the three Hashiras, it still counted as a win.
Even if he couldn't directly be promoted to a Hashira because of this, this experience must have brought him a big step closer to becoming a Hashira.
"That's right! This demon is indeed an Upper Moon! Including the two Upper Moon that Musashi and Tengen slayed before, a total of three Upper Moon have now been slain!"
Kyojuro answered loudly. This battle had allowed him to stretch his muscles well, and he felt he could immediately participate in demon-hunting missions.
"We've completed everything we needed to do on this trip to the Swordsmith Village! It's time to go back now! And it's also time for the semi-annual Hashira Meeting, so it's a good opportunity to report this exciting good news to Master!"
Kyojuro sheathed his Nichirin Sword, crossed his arms over his chest, and said loudly.
"It's a pity this battle didn't awaken my Demon Slayer Mark."
Muichiro sighed with some regret.
"Oh, right, the Hashira Meeting is coming up, so will everyone be able to sit and eat together again then? Just thinking about it makes me so happy!"
Mitsuri's thoughts were still a bit different from others.