Chapter 88 88: Arriving at the Swordsmith Village

As Muzan's order spread through the Infinity Castle, Nakime had already begun moving.

Her eyeball familiars slipped through space and appeared in the forest outside the Swordsmith Village. One after another, they took their positions in silence, forming a passage connected directly to the Infinity Castle.

All that remained was to wait for nightfall.

Once darkness covered the mountains, the Upper Ranks would descend in one strike and erase the village before the Demon Slayer Corps could react.

...

At the same time, Tanjirou reached the mansion where Kagaya Ubuyashiki resided.

Inside, Kagaya was reviewing reports when he heard footsteps approach. He lifted his face slightly, his gentle expression unchanged.

"Tanjirou," he said softly. "Did something happen?"

Tanjirou knelt on the floor with proper respect.

"Yes, Master. Asuramaru said that some of his power has recovered. He can now foresee certain things that may happen in the future."

Kagaya's faint smile slowly faded.

His cloudy eyes turned serious.

He did not interrupt. He only waited, calm and patient, for Tanjirou to continue.

"So," Kagaya asked, "what did Mr. Asuramaru see?"

Tanjirou's expression grew solemn.

"He saw demons attacking the Swordsmith Village. Asuramaru asks that you send as many people there as possible."

The Swordsmith Village.

Kagaya's fingers stilled over the report in his hand.

For the Demon Slayer Corps, that place was not merely important. It was one of the foundations that allowed the Corps to exist. Without the swordsmiths, the supply of Nichirin swords would collapse. If the village were destroyed, countless Demon Slayers would be left unable to fight.

And the warning came from Asuramaru.

Kagaya had no reason to take it lightly.

"I understand." His voice remained steady, but the air around him changed. "I will dispatch as many members as possible. As for the Hashira, including you, there are currently only four at headquarters who can move immediately."

He turned his head slightly.

"Then I will issue the order at once."

But before he could call for a Kasugai Crow, Tanjirou raised his head.

"Master, if all the Hashira leave, what will happen to your safety?"

Kagaya paused.

Then a small, reassuring smile returned to his face.

"Do not worry. The location of headquarters is even more hidden than the Swordsmith Village. And Gyomei has already completed his mission and is on his way back."

His tone was gentle, but there was no hesitation in it.

"The Swordsmith Village must be protected."

Tanjirou lowered his head.

"Yes."

Kagaya summoned a Kasugai Crow and issued the order immediately.

Before long, the sharp cries of crows rang through headquarters.

"To the Swordsmith Village! All assigned members are to head to the Swordsmith Village and prepare for battle!"

The order spread rapidly.

Zenitsu and Inosuke received it.

So did Kyojuro Rengoku, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Mitsuri Kanroji.

Sanemi looked up at the crow circling above him, his brows drawing tight.

"The Swordsmith Village?"

Without wasting a moment, he rushed toward Kagaya's mansion to demand an explanation.

Rengoku and Mitsuri followed soon after.

Once the three Hashira arrived, Tanjirou repeated Asuramaru's warning. There was no time for lengthy discussion. The moment they understood the situation, they began gathering every available combatant.

The Kakushi led the lower-ranked Demon Slayers toward the village with their eyes covered, preserving the secrecy of the route.

The journey was swift and tense.

By the time the group reached the entrance to the Swordsmith Village, afternoon sunlight was already slanting across the mountains.

The village appeared ahead of them, quiet and old-fashioned, tucked deep among the ridges like a secret the world was never meant to find. Wooden houses lined the mountain road, and the faint scent of hot springs drifted through the air.

A Kakushi stepped aside and pointed down the path.

"Please explain the situation to the village chief first. His house is at the end of this road, then left."

After giving the instruction, he turned and left without lingering.

Mitsuri spread her arms, her eyes sparkling.

"I'm back! It's been so long since I soaked in the hot springs here!"

Sanemi shot her a sharp glare.

"Don't forget why we came. Be serious."

Rengoku nodded with the same intense seriousness he brought to everything.

"Indeed! Tonight may decide the fate of this village. We must not let our guard down!"

Tanjirou stepped forward at the right moment.

"Let's meet the village chief first and explain everything."

No one objected.

Sanemi turned toward the Demon Slayers waiting behind them.

"You lot stay inside the village and remain on standby until we return."

There were not many of them, but each was at least Kinoto rank. Zenitsu and Inosuke were among them.

Tanjirou followed the three Hashira deeper into the village.

As they walked, Mitsuri's gaze kept drifting toward Asuramaru at Tanjirou's waist. Her cheeks slowly warmed.

It had been so long since she last saw Asuramaru.

She really wanted to say hello.

Before long, the group arrived at the village chief's home.

Inside sat a tiny old man with sparse white hair. He wore a mask, as all the swordsmiths did, but the moment his gaze landed on Asuramaru, everyone could feel how brightly his eyes were burning beneath it.

Even so, he spoke with proper dignity.

"I am the chief of this village, Tecchin Tecchikawahara. It is an honor to meet you."

His masked face turned toward Tanjirou.

"And you must be the new Sun Hashira, Tanjirou Kamado. To become a Hashira at such a young age is truly remarkable."

Then his gaze shifted again, almost uncontrollably, back to the sword at Tanjirou's waist.

"And that sword must be the legendary Asuramaru."

"That's right," Tanjirou replied respectfully.

Tecchin's excitement became impossible to hide.

"May I have a look?"

Tanjirou remembered very clearly that Asuramaru disliked being touched by others.

This time, he did not even ask.

"I'm very sorry," Tanjirou said. "Asuramaru does not wish to be handled by anyone else."

Tecchin waved a hand at once.

"No, no, it was my request that was abrupt. Pay it no mind."

His tone then became serious.

"I already understand why you have come. The blacksmiths have begun evacuating in an orderly fashion. Everything that remains will be in your hands."

He slowly rose.

"I will also be leaving the village shortly. I hope we meet again at Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters."

Even as he said that, his gaze remained fixed on Asuramaru.

Inside the sword, Asuramaru could feel countless stares on him from the moment they entered the village.

For a sword, being looked at by this many swordsmiths was hard to describe.

It was not dangerous.

Just very uncomfortable.

Tanjirou looked at the small old man before him and smiled.

"We will meet again."

Tecchin nodded.

"Then I will not disturb you further. I leave the village to you."

With that, he departed with two swordsmiths following behind him.

Tanjirou and the others remained in the room and began arranging their forces.

The Swordsmith Village was already being emptied. The priority was to protect the remaining villagers, prevent the enemy from reaching the forges, and hold out until the evacuation was complete.

Time passed quickly.

The last light of dusk faded from the mountains.

Night descended.

And the moment darkness settled over the forest, the sound of a biwa echoed inside the Infinity Castle.

A passage opened outside the Swordsmith Village.

One Upper Rank after another stepped through.

The entrance had appeared in the forest some distance from the village itself. Tall trees surrounded them, their branches swaying quietly beneath the moonlight.

Douma opened his fan with a soft flick.

He glanced past Kokushibo, then turned his smiling eyes toward Akaza.

"Akaza-dono," he said lightly, "would you like to come with me?"

…..

Check out my newly released fanfic: Titled:

I Became the Alien God in Tokyo

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.