Demon Slayer: Tanjiro becomes a ghost, Nezuko becomes a pillar!

Chapter 122 The Wrath of the Steel Tomb

"Impressive, truly impressive. Nezuko, in terms of mastery of any single breathing technique, your current strength has already reached the level of a Pillar."

A gentle, soothing voice of praise softly broke the silence of the bamboo grove.

Midouzi was engrossed in contemplating the fusion of breath when she heard this and suddenly looked up.

Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke also looked in the direction of the sound.

Then, Shinobu Kocho arrived at the bamboo forest with Kanao Tsuyuri.

"Miss Shinobu! Kanao!"

Tanjiro immediately put on his usual gentle and bright smile and waved enthusiastically.

Kanao's normally calm eyes trembled slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering gently. Faced with Tanjiro's straightforward and enthusiastic greeting, she was clearly stunned for a moment, stiffly raising her hand and waving it slightly.

These subtle changes were all noticed by Shinobu Kocho, and a knowing smile flashed across her eyes as she sighed softly in her heart.

It seems that placing this child under Tanjiro's tutelage was indeed the right choice.

Midouzi quickly put away the broken wooden knife in his hand, stood up straight, scratched his cheek somewhat embarrassedly, and spoke frankly but with a hint of disappointment.

"Miss Shinobu, please don't try to comfort me. I still can't truly integrate Water Breathing and Kagura Dance. Even when I use one of them alone, my breath sometimes stagnates. I'm still far from being a true master."

"No need to rush, and no need to be too hard on yourself."

Butterfly approached slowly, her voice so gentle it could melt ice and snow.

"The mastery of breath control is extremely difficult to cultivate, and cannot be achieved overnight. Your progress to this point already surpasses the vast majority of swordsmen. Even if you encounter an insurmountable danger, aren't we Pillars still here for you?"

The gentle words were like a warm current, soothing the anxiety and stubbornness in Mi Douzi's heart.

She looked up at the gentle-smiling and powerful Shinobu Kocho, a resolute light suddenly shining in her clear eyes, and she quietly made a vow in her heart.

I must become as strong, gentle, and reliable as Miss Shinobu.

"Miss Shinobu, what brings you here?"

Tanjiro stepped forward and asked in a lighthearted tone.

Shinobu Kocho withdrew her gaze from Nezuko, her smile remaining gentle.

"I specially commissioned the swordsmiths of the sword-forging village to reforge new Nichirin Blades for you. Tanjiro, your custom sword is complete, and Nezuko's sword has also been custom-made according to her aura and fighting style."

Tanjiro was startled, clearly not expecting to be included, and hesitated for a moment before speaking somewhat awkwardly.

"I...I already have a Nichirin Blade; it was a gift from Master Urokodaki..."

"That's the old sword of the former Water Pillar Urokodaki-san. You wouldn't want to keep it for yourself forever, would you?"

Shinobu Kocho suddenly smiled, her tone playful and teasing.

Tanjiro's face flushed bright red instantly, and he frantically waved his hands, trying to explain repeatedly.

"No, no! I absolutely didn't mean that! It's just that Master Urokodaki entrusted the sword to me, and I've always kept it safe and sound, never daring to be negligent in the slightest..."

His flustered appearance was so adorable that Mizuko couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, while Shinobu Kocho also smiled softly, their clear laughter echoing gently through the bamboo forest.

"Brother, you've been tricked! Miss Ren was just teasing you."

Nezuko leaned closer to Tanjiro and whispered a reminder, her eyes full of barely concealed amusement.

Tanjiro was taken aback, then his sensitive nose twitched slightly, instantly catching a faint, mocking scent of a lie in the air.

He then realized he had been tricked, breathed a huge sigh of relief, and scratched his head, laughing sheepishly, the tips of his ears still flushed.

Before the laughter of the group had subsided, Shinobu Kocho's gaze suddenly shifted and landed on Inosuke, who was tiptoeing and slowly inching backward at the edge of the crowd, trying to sneak into the depths of the bamboo forest.

"Inosuke, where are you going?"

It was still that gentle, harmless voice, but to Inosuke's ears, it was like a spell that had frozen him in place.

His whole body stiffened abruptly, his raised foot frozen in mid-air, unable to move, and he stood rooted to the spot like a stone, not even daring to turn his head.

Zenitsu, standing to the side, watched in astonishment, instinctively straightening his back and standing ramrod straight, secretly marveling at the sight.

[This guy, who's usually fearless and even dares to talk back to the Pillars, has become so well-behaved as soon as Shinobu appears. That's so strange!]

"Your Nichirin Blade was severely damaged in battle and is no longer suitable for use. I've also had a swordsmith forge two new swords for you. Come over here with them."

Shinobu's tone remained gentle, but the undeniable power in it made the usually arrogant Inosuke dare not disobey in the slightest.

He turned around stiffly, head drooping, obediently following the crowd, not daring to utter a single word of retort, his docility completely different from his usual self.

The group chatted and laughed as they walked along the bamboo path toward the front yard of the Butterfly House.

Several craftsmen dressed in blacksmith's attire, covered in iron filings and smelling of charcoal fire, were already waiting in the front yard.

Mizuko's gaze swept quickly across the crowd, and she immediately recognized the tall figure with a komainu mask and an exceptionally striking aura. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she strode forward, her tone joyful and friendly.

"Mr. Haganezuka! I didn't expect it to be you delivering the sword this time... Huh?"

Before she could finish her words of surprise, Midouzi's smile suddenly froze on her face.

Suddenly, the pressure around Mr. Steel Tomb dropped, and his originally calm demeanor was instantly replaced by a violent rage.

He suddenly pulled out a gleaming, incredibly sharp kitchen knife from behind him, his aura beneath the mask blazing with extreme rage.

Without saying a word, he charged straight at Midouzi, his roar causing the courtyard to tremble slightly.

"Kamado Nezuko—! You actually destroyed the Nichirin Blade that I poured my heart and soul into forging! I will kill you today—!"

A flash of cold light appeared, its momentum fierce and its killing intent chilling.

Startled, Mi Douzi took a step back, her face turning slightly pale. She quickly clasped her hands together, bowed repeatedly, and apologized hastily and sincerely, her voice trembling with urgency.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry, so sorry! Mr. Hidetsuka!"