"Master! The Butterfly Mansion has reported—Aoyama has awakened."
Tengen Uzui stood before Kagaya Ubuyashiki, giving a full report.
He detailed everything—
Including the battle against the Upper Rank demons.
A rare smile appeared on Kagaya's face.
"That's wonderful, Tengen!"
"You managed to slay an Upper Rank demon…"
"Aoyama did beautifully."
He tilted his head upward, facing the clear blue sky.
"One hundred years…"
"A century-long stalemate—finally broken."
"Tengen, do you know what this means?"
"I… do not, Master."
Uzui replied honestly.
"It means—"
Before he could finish—
"Cough—! Cough—!"
Kagaya suddenly broke into violent coughing.
When he lowered his hand—
Blood stained his palm.
"Master!!!"
Uzui rushed forward in alarm.
Beside him, his wife Amane quickly supported Kagaya.
"Hurry! Bring hot water!"
"And his medicine—quickly!"
At that moment—
A crow swooped in from above.
"Aoyama is missing!"
"Master! Aoyama is missing!"
"Caw—!"
Kagaya's grip tightened around Amane's hand.
"Tengen… go find him…"
"He must not… come to harm…"
"Yes!"
Uzui didn't hesitate.
He immediately left to search.
Meanwhile—
At a distant lake—
Aoyama slowly regained clarity.
His body rose from beneath the water's surface.
He stepped ashore and sat on a rock, catching his breath.
The Mark…
The system had activated his Demon Slayer Mark.
His expression turned serious.
From what he knew—
The Mark granted immense power in a short time.
But it came with a price.
During the Sengoku era—
The first to awaken it was Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
He had guided others—
Including his brother Michikatsu Tsugikuni—
To awaken it as well.
But—
Aside from Yoriichi—
And his brother, who later became a demon—
Every single marked swordsman…
Died before the age of 25.
Aoyama let out a bitter laugh.
"I'm 20…"
"So I've got… five years?"
"…Great."
He stared at the rippling lake.
Since the system had granted him the Mark—
There had to be a solution.
After all—
There were exceptions.
At that moment—
He sensed someone behind him.
Turning around—
He saw Shinobu Kocho.
She looked at him cautiously.
Aoyama frowned slightly.
"…Shinobu."
"I'll apologize, okay?"
"Just don't look at me like that."
Shinobu blinked—
Then smiled softly, tilting her head.
"Aoyama-kun, you misunderstood."
"Tanjiro said your body is acting strangely."
"Come back with me. I'll examine you again."
Aoyama let out a quiet sigh of relief.
So she wasn't angry about earlier.
He stood up and followed her.
When the Mark had awakened—
He had lost control briefly.
Instinctively, he had sought water and isolation.
He hadn't realized he'd come this far.
After walking for a bit—
He spoke again.
"…About earlier—"
Shinobu stopped.
"If it's an apology, you don't need to say it."
She turned back with a gentle smile.
Aoyama paused—
Then nodded.
The two walked side by side.
Along the way—
They ran into Kyojuro Rengoku and Mitsuri Kanroji.
Seeing Aoyama safe—
Mitsuri beamed with relief.
"That's such a relief! Aoyama-kun is okay!"
"Zenitsu said you went berserk and hit him!"
Her expression suddenly turned serious.
Fighting among Demon Slayers—
Was punishable.
"I—!"
Aoyama nearly choked.
That idiot is spreading rumors now?!
"This is a misunderstanding."
He explained patiently—
Though killing intent flickered faintly in his eyes.
When I get back, I'm definitely beating that idiot again.
"Haha! As long as it's a misunderstanding!"
Rengoku laughed heartily.
"Still, you made everyone worry."
"But defeating an Upper Rank—splendid work!"
Elsewhere—
Tanjiro and the others received word from their crows and began returning.
Far away on Mount Sagiri—
Sensei Urokodaki received a letter.
It was from Giyu Tomioka.
The letter detailed the battle—
Aoyama's condition—
And everything that had happened.
As fellow disciples—
Giyu believed Urokodaki should know.
After reading—
Urokodaki quietly put the letter away.
Back then—
He had chosen to train Aoyama because of his potential.
Now—
Seeing him contribute so much to the Corps—
Saving countless lives—
He felt deeply satisfied.
Back at the Butterfly Mansion—
Aoyama ran into Giyu.
Giyu handed him a letter.
"From the Swordsmith Village."
Aoyama opened it on the spot.
While he had been unconscious—
Tanjiro had, once again…
Broken his sword.
So he had written to Haganezuka—
And mentioned Aoyama's blade as well.
During the fight with Daki—
Tanjiro's blade had chipped.
And after blocking Gyutaro's attack—
It was nearly destroyed.
But Aoyama's own sword…
He didn't remember it being damaged.
He drew it slowly.
His gaze sharpened.
The blade wasn't chipped.
There were no cracks.
But—
It lacked its former sharp brilliance.
It looked…
Dull.
Aoyama frowned.
The system had clearly stated—
Blade sharpness +10.
So why did it feel worse instead?
That didn't make sense.
"Aoyama-kun, is something wrong?"
Shinobu spoke gently.
"I asked Tanjiro to include your blade in the letter."
"It's dulled—it needs to be reforged."
Aoyama blinked—
Then smiled lightly.
"…I see."
He sheathed the sword.
Looks like—
He'd have to make a trip to the Swordsmith Village.
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