CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: TOMIOKA GIYU

"It’s the Water Pillar," Kanae’s voice drifted over, and Sosuke suddenly understood.

Then Kanae added, "He’s been here for quite a while, but I seem to have forgotten about him."

"...?" Sosuke stared at her in disbelief. This doesn’t seem like something you would do, Kanae.

Kanae’s gaze shifted away, unwilling to admit that she had been too absorbed in watching a certain man focused intently on his forging.

He was lost in his hammering, and Kanae was lost in watching him. In the end, the Water Pillar, whom she had brought here herself, had been forgotten at the entrance and left standing there until now.

After inviting Tomioka Giyu, the Water Pillar, inside, Tetsu no Sosuke offered a sincere apology.

Ignoring a guest was his fault, after all.

Tomioka showed little emotion. He glanced at Sosuke, then at Kanae standing beside him.

Silently, he drew his Nichirin Blade. "This blade... can you reforge it for me?"

"Yes," Sosuke nodded immediately.

Sosuke accepted Tomioka’s Nichirin Blade with both hands, drawing it from its scabbard to examine it closely.

"This blade has been exceptionally well-maintained," he remarked, carefully scrutinizing the blade’s surface. "The blade is thick and heavy, with a razor-sharp edge. Despite the meticulous care, there are still significant signs of wear. Even if you hadn’t come to me this time, you’d likely need a new blade within two months."

With that, he sheathed the blade and returned it to Tomioka. "Should I forge a blade identical to this one? Or do you have any other specifications?"

Silence was Tomioka’s only reply.

After a long, awkward silence, he turned to leave.

Sosuke was stunned. What’s going on?

He glanced at Kanae, who seemed accustomed to this behavior.

The Pillars generally regarded Tomioka as a aloof and arrogant man. His habit of ignoring questions and turning away was considered standard operating procedure.

But Sosuke knew better.

This man... was likely just too embarrassed to speak.

He quickly called out, "Please wait!"

Tomioka stopped in his tracks and turned around, his gaze more blank than cold as he fixed it on Sosuke. His expressionless face only served to sharpen the impression of ferocity.

Sosuke found himself both amused and exasperated. "Are you not speaking because you don’t know what to ask for?"

Tomioka remained silent.

Kanae looked at Sosuke with surprise. ’Why would you think that?’

Then she heard Sosuke say, "I’m completely unfamiliar with the sword techniques of Water Breathing. If I’m to forge a Nichirin Blade that perfectly complements your techniques or enhances their power, I’ll need you to demonstrate them for me. Additionally, if you want your blade to be lightweight and move as an extension of your will, I’ll require a drop of your blood. Do you have any specific requests regarding poison resistance? If so, please let me know. I’ve recently made some breakthroughs in that area..."

Tomioka remained silent for a moment, then his blade flashed from its sheath. He swiftly drew his finger across the edge.

Blood immediately began to flow.

"Holy shit!"

Sosuke turned and rushed into the house, emerging moments later with a small bottle, bandages, and medicinal ointment.

He caught the blood in the bottle, then tossed the bandages and ointment to Tomioka. "Bandage yourself."

Tomioka nodded silently, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began applying the ointment and wrapping the wound.

By the time Sosuke had processed the blood and returned, Tomioka was using his teeth to bite the bandage and tie it off.

Once finished, he stood up and turned to leave.

"Wait," Sosuke called out, stopping him again.

Tomioka turned back, his gaze blank. On his usually expressionless face, a hint of confusion seemed to flicker.

He clearly didn’t understand why he was being stopped again.

"You don’t need the first point at all?" Tetsu no Sosuke asked. "Sword technique enhancements or anything like that?"

Tomioka shook his head. "No time."

Is there no time to demonstrate your sword techniques?

"Do you have time for just one demonstration?" Sosuke asked. "Just once, and I’ll record it."

"Alright," Tomioka agreed readily.

Sosuke went inside to fetch paper and ink, then pulled Kanae to sit with him on the veranda as they watched Tomioka perform his sword techniques.

During the demonstration, Sosuke couldn’t shake the feeling that Tomioka seemed slightly flushed.

Could he be embarrassed to perform his sword techniques purely for display, without the purpose of slaying Demons?

Sosuke didn’t dwell on it. His brush flew across the paper, meticulously capturing the ten sword forms Tomioka demonstrated.

Afterward, Sosuke realized he hadn’t clearly seen a few of the forms and asked Tomioka to repeat them.

Tomioka complied expressionlessly.

By the third repetition, Tomioka’s breathing had grown slightly labored. Only then did Tetsu no Sosuke feel he had captured the key details of all ten sword forms.

The primary purpose of these records was to document the sword’s trajectory through the air.

By analyzing these patterns, Sosuke aimed to redesign the sword’s shape, allowing the blade to manipulate airflow during swings.

This would transform resistance into propulsion, enabling a sword that originally required immense strength to wield to be swung with minimal effort.

As he studied the ten sword shapes on the paper, Sosuke fell deep into thought.

Just as he began to grasp a glimmer of insight, he looked up to find that Tomioka had already slipped away unnoticed.

"That guy..."

Sosuke scratched his head, only to find Kanae’s large, bright eyes fixed on him, blinking expectantly.

"What is it?" Sosuke asked, startled, instinctively wiping his face. "Is it still dirty?"

Kanae shook her head. "I’m just a little surprised. I always thought the Water Pillar was cold and aloof, but today he seemed quite different from what I imagined."

Sosuke couldn’t help but chuckle softly. "You can’t judge a book by its cover, you know."

Having memorized the ten sword forms, Sosuke threw the recorded paper into the still-burning furnace.

Though his notes didn’t contain the core principles of the sword forms, he believed that such knowledge, passed down through generations, shouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.

"Let’s go eat," he said, approaching Kanae and instinctively reaching out her hand.

Kanae didn’t hesitate, grasping his large hand in return. They began walking out together... but after only two steps, they both jolted awake!

They were holding hands!

They abruptly pulled apart, as if repulsed by each other.

As they continued walking, Sosuke felt strangely awkward, unsure which foot to step with first.

His heart raced with a mischievous urge. Finally, he steadied his breath and, with the tip of his little finger, gently brushed Kanae’s palm. It felt warm... almost feverish.