CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: ARRIVAL

Sosuke’s recovery was surprisingly swift. The next morning, Kanae had initially planned to stay for two days to allow him to recuperate before resuming their journey.

However, upon examining his wounds, she realized that traveling at a slower pace would pose no problem.

Their only concern was the possibility of Sosuke’s wound reopening.

After discussing it, they decided they couldn’t afford to linger.

Rengoku Kyojuro’s Nichirin Blade had been damaged, and it needed to be repaired as soon as possible.

They devised a plan: Kanae would use her Kasugai Crow to send a message.

The message instructed the Kakushi to quickly set up a swordsmithing shed at the Rengoku family estate. It also directed them to send all the tools being transferred from Mt. Sagiri directly to the Rengoku family, bypassing the Butterfly Mansion.

Their journey might be slower now, but once they reached the Rengoku family estate, they could immediately begin helping Kyojuro repair his weapon.

After sending the message, they immediately packed their belongings and set off.

Most people remained unaware of the events that had transpired the previous night. The injured girl hadn’t appeared that day, likely still unconscious. Thus, the two left quietly, concealing their identities.

The initial part of their journey proved challenging. Sosuke’s body was still wounded, making his movements awkward and unsteady.

With Kanae by his side, Sosuke suddenly found the wound he had previously endured alone almost unbearable, yearning for comfort.

But when he saw Kanae’s growing worry, he realized his mistake and began insisting he was fine, that the wound was healing quickly and didn’t hurt at all...

This only made Kanae more anxious.

Moving at a slow pace, it took three days for Sosuke’s wound to begin healing.

The slow recovery was primarily due to the nature of the injury—it wasn’t a clean cut from a sharp blade.

A blade wound, no matter how deep, was still just a single incision. Once the edges closed, it would heal quickly.

But Sosuke’s injury was a gaping hole punched through his abdomen.

Healing was excruciatingly slow, but after the initial recovery, Sosuke’s exceptional physical condition meant there was little risk of the wound reopening. This allowed them to pick up their pace.

After two more days of travel, they finally reached the Rengoku family estate.

They navigated through narrow alleys until they stood before the Rengoku family’s imposing gate.

Just as they arrived, the gate burst open from within with a thunderous crash.

A pair of gleaming eyes appeared before Sosuke, followed by his signature eccentric hairstyle and attire.

This was a man impossible to ignore, like a flame burning eternally.

And the most scorching part of that flame were his eyes.

"Swordsmith boy!!"

Kyojuro strode forward and clapped Sosuke firmly on the shoulders twice. "I’ve heard of your heroic feat! With your current level of training, you single-handedly slew a Demon—a truly remarkable achievement!"

"Moreover, despite your injuries, you insisted on coming here to repair my Nichirin Blade. I’m deeply moved! I should have come to greet you myself, but I was delayed by other matters. My sincerest apologies!"

With a genuine apology, Kyojuro bowed deeply to Sosuke.

Sosuke felt a pang of helplessness.

Swordsmith boy? Strictly speaking, their ages were roughly the same.

This man, inexplicably, always carried the aura of an elder brother.

He approached everything with unwavering seriousness and dedication, like a raging flame that burned ceaselessly. His passion not only ignited himself but also inexplicably set those around him ablaze.

To be honest, Sosuke had initially wondered if this might be a side effect of Flame Breathing.

Unfortunately, there was no evidence to support this theory.

Watching Kyojuro bow deeply, as if he would never rise until Sosuke forgave him, Sosuke quickly said, "It’s fine, it’s fine. Given my mobility issues, you couldn’t have known when I’d arrive, so there was no need to greet me. By the way, have the Kakushi arrived?"

Having dealt with this man countless times, Sosuke knew the best approach was to cut straight to the chase.

"They’re here! The smithing shed has already been set up!"

As expected, Kyojuro immediately straightened up and turned to Kanae, nodding slightly. "Long time no see!"

Kanae smiled. "We’ll be imposing on you for the next few days."

"You’re always welcome!" Kyojuro said.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned to the pair and added, "Oh, right! Your rooms have already been prepared. Perfect timing—let’s take you there now so you can drop off your luggage."

Naturally, they agreed, and the two followed him into the mansion.

The estate was vast, and after winding through several corridors, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

As they entered, the doors along the veranda were already open, revealing a young man inside helping to tidy the room.

"Senjuro! Look who’s here!" Kyojuro called out from the doorway.

The young man turned and immediately beamed. "Sosuke-san! Flower Pillar-sama!"

Sosuke had visited this place before, during his desperate search for the Tanjiro’s family. He had visited nearly all the Pillars’ estates at the time, so he recognized Senjuro.

Senjuro stepped out of the room and stood on the veranda. "Sosuke-san, I’ve already prepared your rooms. I heard you two always stay together—I hope you’re satisfied with the arrangement?"

At this point, Senjuro seemed a little puzzled. "When you visited last time, you didn’t seem to be living together yet."

Sosuke froze. Since when had the rumor of them living together spread this far?

’Should I thank Urokodaki for starting this?’

’Speaking of which, if I visit the Pillars’ residences in the future, will they all arrange rooms for me to stay in?’

The thought made him feel a little excited.

He glanced sideways and saw Kanae’s face flushed crimson, but she didn’t object.

His heart bloomed with joy, and he nodded vigorously. "Satisfied! Very satisfied! If Senjuro joins the Demon Slayer Corps in the future, be sure to let me forge your Nichirin Blade as thanks for helping me set up the room."

Senjuro smiled shyly.

He had never even dared to dream of becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Neither Sosuke nor his own brother seemed to doubt it, and a sudden surge of anticipation welled up within him.

Yet he still felt too shy to nod...

Kyojuro burst into hearty laughter. "Senjuro, hurry up and thank him!"

Senjurou quickly blurted out, "Thank you, Sosuke-san!"