Chapter 58: You Can't Wriggle Out of It This Time
When Dojima Kazuma arrived with several swordsmen who were still able to move, gripping his Nichirin Sword tight, the sight before him made him pause.
All the wounded had been properly bandaged and treated.
Yukibashiri Seiko was softly comforting the traumatized civilians, while Natsuya knelt nearby, meticulously tying a bandage for an injured man.
A certain tension in Dojima's chest finally snapped.
I knew it.
The words that demon had spoken earlier were nothing but a smear campaign against the Lord Successor. He had seen with his own eyes how Natsuya fought with mind-bending combat techniques, physically crushing a demon that had pushed Dojima into a corner of doubt and despair.
He had heard the demon claim that Natsuya was just like it—a "killer who disregards life."
Yet here he was, this "Successor" he had privately questioned, kneeling silently in the dirt to clean a scrape on a shivering child's knee. His movements weren't exactly "gentle," but they were practiced and efficient—far more steady and thorough than many doctors Dojima had seen at the Wisteria Houses.
How ridiculous.
How could a man who truly disregarded life immediately stoop down to do this right after a high-intensity battle?
I almost believed that monster's poison...
How pathetic of me!
Dojima stood by Natsuya, waiting until he finished bandaging the child. Then, he spoke in a heavy, resonant voice.
"Lord Tsuguko."
Natsuya looked up.
Dojima looked him straight in the eye and bowed deeply—a full ninety-degree angle.
"I am deeply sorry, Sir Kokonoe. A short while ago, I allowed the demon's lies to cast doubt upon you."
"I offer my sincerest apologies for my baseless assumptions."
"You are no cold-blooded killer."
"In comparison, I, Dojima Kazuma—who failed to defend your honor immediately—am the one who wasn't man enough."
He kept his head lowered, his voice booming with solemnity. The surrounding area went quiet. Seiko, Kojiro, and even the civilians peeked over.
Seiko's gaze drifted between the two, a hint of worry in her eyes. Did Natsuya-kun and Mr. Dojima have an argument?
Dojima continued, "Thank you for the rescue today, and... for everything you have done. Lord Kokonoe, you are a truly exceptional Demon Slayer."
Natsuya blinked.
Wait, do I look that heroic to these NPCs?
This is actually getting kind of embarrassing...
He waved a hand dismissively. "It's whatever. Anyone would have overthought it in that situation."
He still wasn't great at handling these overly serious "Roleplay" moments.
Dojima straightened up and nodded. While he didn't say anything more, the suspicion in his eyes was gone, replaced by a deep, acknowledging respect.
He turned around and began barking orders at the surviving members, organizing them to move the injured and the civilians to a safer, more open area.
Natsuya, meanwhile, continued "farming" proficiency on the remaining wounded. He occasionally exchanged a few words with Seiko, who had moved over to act as his surgical assistant.
"Natsuya-kun, your bandaging technique is incredible. Did you undergo special training for this?"
"I can't believe Kojiro-kun ran into you twice now. What are the odds?"
"Sir, please relax. If Natsuya-kun says you'll be fine, you'll be fine!"
A short while later, the Kakushi arrived silently. They were met with over a dozen civilians and Slayers who had already been stabilized. Even the scrapes on the children's knees had been tended to.
This technique...
One of the Kakushi looked over the standing Slayers and his gaze quickly locked onto Natsuya.
It's this gentleman again.
Rumors were already circulating among the logistics units. Whenever this specific swordsman finished a mission, the civilians involved were always found in suspiciously good health.
The "Cold Outside, Warm Inside" Slayer, they called him.
Once the Kakushi took over the scene, their leader approached the trio and bowed. "You have all worked hard, My Lords."
"We will transport the injured to the nearest Wisteria House immediately for emergency care and psychological stabilization."
"If the injuries exceed the local doctors' capabilities—for instance, residual effects from a Blood Demon Art—we will report to Headquarters and request a physician from the Butterfly Mansion for a consultation."
He nodded to the battered swordsmen. "Please, rest easy."
"Additionally, once the cleanup and intel gathering are finished, we will need a verbal mission report... which of you shall be the primary contact?"
Natsuya pointed at Dojima without a second of hesitation.
You're the squad leader, right? The "Hot-blooded Man" with the highest official rank? Tag, you're it.
Dojima: "..."
He read the "Don't bother me" look in Natsuya's eyes and sighed, stepping forward.
"I'll handle it. Dojima Kazuma, Rank: Hinoto."
Seiko giggled into her hand.
With the crisis averted, the atmosphere finally lightened. Watching the busy Kakushi, Seiko seemed to remember something. She tilted her head and looked at Natsuya.
"Natsuya-kun? Did you forget something?"
Natsuya's "Gamer Senses" pinged.
Crap. The debt collector is here.
He let out a long sigh and nodded. "The BBQ, right?"
A mischievous glint appeared in the girl's eyes, and her smile widened. After letting out a tiny, relieved breath that no one noticed, she continued:
"Natsuya-kun! We made a deal! After the Selection, we were supposed to celebrate with BBQ!"
"And you only remembered just now?"
"A man who dodges his debts... will never grow tall, you know!"
Natsuya rubbed the back of his head, trying to defend his "Build."
"I didn't forget! I just... I haven't found the right window of opportunity yet. And I owe you two bowls of Udon, right?"
Seiko didn't seem to care if it was a weak excuse. She beamed at him with pure expectation. "I'll choose to believe you, Natsuya-kun."
Natsuya: "..."
Hey, hey... if you're that nice about it, my conscience is actually going to take a hit.
He cleared his throat. "Well, how about we go today? We can count it as a reward for finishing this mission."
Seiko perked up, her voice light and cheerful. "I know a great place! It's in Shohoku, Kanagawa. If we hurry, we might make it before the owner closes tomorrow!"
Natsuya nodded. He turned to Dojima. "Want to come along? My treat."
They were teammates who had fought side-by-side, after all. It felt wrong to exclude him from the "Victory Feast."
Dojima was about to agree when he saw Seiko turn around. She gave him a polite, perfectly "friendly" smile.
"Are you coming too, Mr. Dojima?"
Translation: "Please, for the love of the Sun, DO NOT COME."
Dojima's brain did a rapid tactical reassessment. He stiffened and shook his head.
"I... I have many mission reports to organize as soon as possible. Yes. Urgent paperwork," he said, sounding like a man reading a script. "I won't disturb you two. Please, enjoy yourselves."
Kojiro, resting in the corner, blinked and opened his mouth. "Can I—"
He'd missed the last meal because he was half-dead. Now that he was mobile, he really wanted some high-tier food.
He didn't get to finish. Dojima delivered a swift, "accidental" kick to his shin to shut him up.
Kojiro looked up to see his superior giving him a look that said, 'Are you a complete moron?'
By the time he looked back, Seiko and Natsuya were already walking out of the factory gates side-by-side, discussing how tender the meat was and how special the dipping sauce at the Shohoku shop was.
The chemistry is amazing, Kojiro thought.
He scratched his head, feeling a mix of resignation and envy. Senior Kokonoe really is a popular guy.
He stood up and joined Dojima. "I guess I'll help the Kakushi with the stretchers then..."
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