CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: PURPOSE

This outcome was completely unexpected by Sosuke.

He had believed that if the Sun Breathing Forging Method could be successfully implemented, that would be the end of it.

In reality, while the method itself had indeed succeeded—albeit with a dismal success rate of only three successful practitioners—the resulting Nichirin Blades possessed the desired efficacy.

When Sosuke returned this time, he had even planned to share the second part of the breathing technique with them.

But the current situation was something he couldn’t accept.

Afterward, Tecchin took him to see the three young blacksmiths.

LSosuke couldn’t recall the names of these three men, but he recognized them all.

They were likely younger than him, yet their faces were gaunt and withered. The robust physiques forged by years of hammering iron were now unrecognizable. It seemed they had exhausted not only their physical strength but, even more alarmingly, their life force.

"I don’t know exactly what kind of breathing technique you’ve obtained," Tecchin said to Sosuke, "but it’s incredibly dangerous. It possesses immense power, far beyond what’s needed for forging weapons. However, it’s not something ordinary people can control. It requires exceptional talent, and so far, you might be the only one capable of mastering it. Therefore... if you wish to see more Nichirin Blades with special properties, you must seek out suitable children. Teach them, guide them, and watch over them carefully in case of any accidents."

Tecchin’s words echoed in Sosuke’s mind as he gently rubbed his face.

He was already home. The house seemed to have been cleaned, as there was no dust to be seen.

He sat down, took out paper and pen, and wrote a letter to Shinobu.

He clearly explained the condition of the three individuals, hoping she would come visit. At the very least, he hoped she could send a prescription to help them recover.

As for the Sun Breathing Forging Method, Sosuke knew he would have to put it aside for now.

After finishing the letter to Shinobu, he wrote another to Kanae, informing her that he had safely arrived at the Swordsmith Village and would return to the Butterfly Mansion once his business there was concluded.

After sending both letters, Sosuke sat in the smithy, lost in thought.

Although he had decided to set aside the Sun Breathing Forging Method for the time being, his mind couldn’t help but continue to explore its feasibility.

Yet after pondering for a long time, he couldn’t come up with any breakthroughs. Finally, he sighed and looked up to find a mischievous child standing before him.

The familiar fire-man mask seemed slightly larger, and the child had grown taller. He’s gotten bigger, Tetsu no Sosuke thought.

"Brother Sosuke!"

The familiar voice beneath the mask lifted Sosuke’s spirits.

He smiled faintly. "It’s been a while."

"Mm-hmm! I heard you became a swordsman?" Kotetsu leaned closer. "You don’t look very happy. Is it because being a swordsman is too hard?"

Sosuke shook his head. "It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something else. What brings you here?"

"I heard you were back, so I came to see you." Kotetsu sat down beside him. "Even though you haven’t been back lately, there’s been a lot of talk about you in the village. They say you can forge incredibly powerful Nichirin Blades that can even suppress a Demon’s regeneration. Everyone in the village is so envious! The elders always said it was a waste for you to become a swordsman. If you’d stayed a swordsmith, you might have become the God of Swordsmiths!"

"... ..."

Sosuke was speechless. Did such a god truly exist?

He shook his head. "I’m just an ordinary person."

There were so many things he wanted to do, yet he couldn’t accomplish any of them.

He had tried to inherit the forging techniques of Sun Breathing, but his efforts had ended in utter failure.

He had wanted to save Tanjiro’s family, but he couldn’t even find them...

People often said that human strength had its limits, and now he understood the truth of those words.

He slapped his cheeks to rouse himself. "Kotetsu, I came back specifically to find you this time."

"Find me?" Kotetsu blinked in surprise. "Why?"

"Of course, for the Yoriichi Type Zero!"

A faint smile curved Sosuke’s lips.

Kotetsu froze, then abruptly stood up and bolted away.

But Sosuke was no longer the same as before. Though the brat’s short legs churned furiously, Sosuke’s reflexes were far quicker. Before Kotetsu could accelerate, Sosuke grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him into the air.

Kotetsu’s stubby legs flailed wildly like miniature windmills as he dangled helplessly.

Finally realizing he couldn’t move, Kotetsu pitifully said, "Brother Sosuke, the Yoriichi Type Zero is severely damaged! Really, really... it’s beyond repair!"

"No duh, I know that," Sosuke retorted, rolling his eyes. "But even though it’s damaged, it’s not completely useless."

"But... but..." Kotetsu racked his brain for a solution.

Sosuke chuckled. "I never said I wanted to use it for training."

"Huh? Then what do you want it for?" Kotetsu asked. "Isn’t the whole point for swordsmen to train with the Yoriichi Type Zero? That’s why so many come to the Swordsmith Village!"

"...You forget, I didn’t come to the Swordsmith Village—I’ve always been here," Sosuke said. "I’m not a true swordsman yet, so I’m still more of a swordsmith. And lately, I’ve learned so much and grown a lot. So, I want you to give me the Yoriichi Type Zero first. I’ll try to repair it, and I also want to build a new automaton."

"A new... automaton?"

Kotetsu stared in disbelief. "Really?"

Before Sosuke could answer, Kotetsu crossed his arms, rested his chin on his hand, and began to ponder while being half-carried by Sosuke. "It must be true. Brother Sosuke wouldn’t lie to me. Besides, everyone’s been saying lately that his talent for forging is terrifyingly good. If he can really fix Yoriichi Type Zero, or even create a new Automaton, that would be... that would be absolutely amazing! Hmm, though I don’t know why creating a new Automaton would be so great, since Yoriichi Type Zero is already the best. But... it just would be!"

He looked up at Sosuke. "I promise, Brother Sosuke, I’ll give you Yoriichi Type Zero. But you have to promise me one thing in return."

"What is it?"

"Until you’ve successfully repaired Yoriichi Type Zero, you can’t use it for training!"

"...That’s obvious. I don’t want to die," Sosuke said, his face darkening. He had witnessed Yoriichi Type Zero’s power firsthand in the manga.