CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: TROUBLES

The transition from unfamiliarity to familiarity always requires a process.

After a good night’s rest, Sosuke woke up the next morning and began to reflect on his experiences from the previous day.

This was a good habit.

First, he didn’t believe it was some miraculous supernatural event, nor did he think it was caused by some special energy surging within him.

The only thing flowing through his body was the breathing technique of Total Concentration, which he had persistently practiced, gradually transforming his physical constitution.

He concluded that the phenomenon was a result of his deep familiarity with weapons, his profound understanding of materials, and the accumulated experience from years of forging.

While this outcome had produced astonishing results, applying this effect in combat against Demons was an entirely different matter.

To make it combat-ready, he needed to focus on two key points.

First, he needed to find this feeling and ensure he could trigger it at will.

Second, he had to channel this feeling into a specific form of attack, confirming he could use it in combat, anytime, anywhere.

Only by achieving these two steps could he begin to apply this ability in battle.

However, what effect it would have in actual combat remained uncertain.

For one thing, demons weren’t stones; they moved and wouldn’t let him smash them indiscriminately.

Furthermore, whether a hammer blow capable of shattering stone would have the same effect on a demon’s body was still an unknown factor.

After listing all the possibilities and key points, Sosuke realized that the final point was the most critical.

If he went through all this trouble to create a new hammer technique, only to find that striking a demon with it was less effective than slapping its face, then all his efforts would have been wasted.

But for now, thinking about that final step was premature.

He was completely unfamiliar with this ability. His immediate task was to familiarize himself with it, gradually transforming it from a stranger into a trusted tool he could master.

After breaking down his next steps into manageable stages, Sosuke let out a sigh of relief.

Next, he took Kanae to bid farewell to the Flame Pillar.

With the Automaton successfully crafted, he now needed to head to the Thunder Pillar’s domain.

Two days prior, he had received a letter from the Lord informing him that the Thunder Pillar was aware of Sosuke’s ability to create Automatons and had repeatedly requested his urgent arrival. The Thunder Pillar had a disciple in dire need of an Automaton for training.

The letter’s contents brought two distinct images to Sosuke’s mind.

The first was of a wailing young man, his face contorted in despair.

The second was of the same young man, but with his eyes tightly shut, his focused demeanor commanding respect.

"Agatsuma Zenitsu," Sosuke murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The weakest yet most powerful man..."

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Kyojuro was reluctant to part with Sosuke, but he understood that Sosuke had important work to do.

As they said goodbye, Kyojuro clapped Sosuke on the shoulder and said, "Swordsmith Boy, never forget to temper your heart! Let it shine with a dazzling, brilliant light!"

Faced with this, Sosuke could only nod in response.

Senjuro, ever thoughtful, had carefully prepared dried rations and water for Sosuke and Kanae’s journey. After a heartfelt farewell, he vowed to work hard and never disappoint the expectations of his brother and Sosuke.

As for Shinjuro, his presence remained as faint as ever. He hadn’t appeared when they arrived and was still at home drinking when they left.

Finally, with the brothers’ farewells echoing in their ears, Sosuke took Kanae’s hand, and they slowly walked out of the Rengoku family Mansion.

"Sosuke-san will definitely become incredibly strong, won’t he?" Senjuro murmured softly, watching the pair disappear from view.

"Of course he will!" Kyojuro replied, glancing down at his younger brother with a smile. "But whether you want to join the Demon Slayer Corps or live a different life, that’s a choice you must make for yourself."

As she spoke, she reached out and gently ruffled her younger brother’s hair.

Senjuro nodded softly in response, then turned to gaze thoughtfully at the Automaton standing motionless in the courtyard.

After leaving the Rengoku family estate, they didn’t return to Butterfly Mansion but headed straight for the Thunder Pillar’s residence.

The journey was far from short.

They even spent New Year’s Eve on the road. Though only Sosuke and Kanae were present, they celebrated as best they could.

Along the way, they received a letter from Shinobu. In it, she inquired earnestly about their well-being and lamented how unusually quiet Butterfly Mansion had become this year—so quiet, she joked, that she was tempted to run away and join them.

Kanae quickly wrote back to reassure her, assuring Shinobu that they were both safe and sound. She promised to return to Butterfly Mansion immediately after concluding their mission with the Thunder Pillar, where they could spend an extended period together at home.

After finishing the letter, she entrusted it to a Kasugai Crow to deliver to nearby Kakushi members, who would then relay it to Butterfly Mansion. As she watched the crow take flight, she couldn’t help but exchange a knowing glance with Sosuke.

"I could sense the wistfulness in her letter," she murmured.

Sosuke couldn’t help the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.

Kanae thought for a moment before saying, "It seems like even after we became Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, we still celebrated New Year’s together."

Sosuke smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Don’t worry. We’ll celebrate every New Year’s together from now on."

After a moment’s pause, he added, "Speaking of which, why is she writing to us so urgently? Could she be warning us not to get up to anything...?"

"...Anything?" Kanae blinked, then realized what he meant.

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing crimson. "You... you wouldn’t actually try anything, would you?"

"Of course not!" Sosuke shook his head. "I just think Shinobu’s probably worried we’ll come back as three instead of two."

"How could that even..." Kanae didn’t finish her sentence before pinching his arm. "You... you’re getting worse and worse!"

"Hey, I’m just saying..." Sosuke mumbled. "I bet that little brat is thinking the same thing."

Butterfly Mansion.

Although two of its most important members were absent, a table laden with delicious food had been prepared.

However, the diners were unusually quiet. Kanao, as always, remained a silent presence.

As for Aoi and the others, they usually had their own lively chatter.

Shinobu, normally strict, made them feel somewhat restrained in her presence.

But Shinobu had no time to worry about them. Instead, she pondered the two heartless absentees while considering a crucial matter: "Should I prepare some children’s clothes? What exactly is their current situation?"

This question plagued her deeply.