Book 6: Chapter 22: A Single Strand |
"Just who are you?!" Shinobu exclaimed, her suspicious gaze boring into Yeruashi as her hand flew to the hilt of her Nichirin Sword, as if ready to plunge into a fierce battle!
There was no doubt that this young man posed a threat to her and her sister's lives, even though she couldn't sense the slightest aura of a demon from him!
"May I ask why you want the girl?" Kanae inquired politely after watching Yeruashi for a few seconds. The smile slowly faded from her face, replaced by a flickering intensity in the depths of her eyes.
"Nothing special. I'm just going to observe, experiment a little..." Yeruashi replied calmly to the Flower Hashira's question, looking down at Tsuyuri and patting the crown of her head.
Tsuyuri was unique in her own way.
It might even be that she was the only one in the entire Demon Slayer world who truly interested Yeruashi.
It was all due to her behavior!
A horrific childhood had stripped the girl of not only the emotions and feelings of normal people but also any interest in the world around her. Yet, most surprisingly, her core self remained intact.
For instance, Tsuyuri wouldn't eat even when hungry unless ordered to do so—just like a living puppet.
Simply by being a creature whose power rivaled the divine, he would gradually become an aloof god or a sort of embodiment of laws, looking down indifferently at the world at his feet. But the essence remained the same.
Thus, Tsuyuri was important to Yeruashi; studying her condition might help him preserve his own humanity.
"Experiment, you say..." Kanae's eyes narrowed sharply as she asked politely, "Could you clarify what kind of experiment you mean?"
It wasn't that she completely rejected the idea of leaving the girl in the care of someone as extraordinary as Yeruashi seemed to be.
It was just that, by definition, experiments rarely boded well for the subject. Kanae asked for details only out of her natural politeness and the young man's air of mystery.
"I will raise her and grant her great power," Yeruashi replied with a smile, adding calmly, "You can see her state for yourselves. She's essentially a puppet with only the faint echoes of a personality... I want to see if she finds herself once she obtains great power."
Kanae's mouth hung open in surprise.
Shinobu, standing beside her, blinked dumbly.
This mysterious youth's "experiment" was nothing like what they had imagined. They had expected talk of cruel human experimentation, but instead...
Shaking off the light shock, Kanae looked down thoughtfully, while Shinobu once again fixed Yeruashi with a wary stare.
After a few seconds of silence.
"I believe you mean no harm, but... I'm sorry, we cannot give you the girl," Kanae said seriously, looking up.
It was likely the truth; it wouldn't have been difficult to concoct a more plausible or reasonable lie than that.
However, the youth's intention to raise and even train the girl didn't set her mind at ease if he viewed her merely as a test subject.
Her convictions would not allow Kanae to yield to Yeruashi.
"It wouldn't be entirely fair to take her by force," Yeruashi replied, showing no sign of anger. He even smiled serenely. "So, let's make a bet. If you win, I'll give up on the girl and leave. If I win, you accept my offer."
"Are you deaf? My sister made it clear—we're not handing over the child!" Shinobu snapped, her delicate palm gripping the hilt of her Nichirin Sword tighter and tighter.
Yeruashi only offered a silent smile before turning his inquisitive gaze back to the Flower Hashira.
"What kind of bet?" Kanae asked, trying to force her usual smile back.
"But Sister..." Shinobu looked at her.
Of all things, a compromise in such a matter was the last thing she expected!
"Well, why not listen to him? Stay calm, be patient, and don't rush things, little sister..." Kanae smiled.
"It's as simple as day," Yeruashi replied. He reached up to his hair and idly twirled a lock around his fingers before plucking a single strand with a quick flick. He brandished it before their eyes with a smile. "You win the bet if you can cut this hair with your blades."
Kanae and Shinobu froze in their tracks.
"What kind of nonsense is this? Are you mocking us?!" Shinobu cried out indignantly after a brief silence.
"Not at all," Yeruashi replied with the utmost gravity. "I am perfectly serious. I'll leave immediately if you succeed."
Realizing the young man was indeed earnest, Shinobu's astonished gaze darted between his serene face and the silver strand in his hand.
Just cutting a single hair...
What kind of ridiculous wager was this?
It was utter nonsense!
And yet.
Judging by his demeanor and his eyes...
He was completely serious!!!
Kanae and Shinobu were momentarily at a loss for words, but they soon composed themselves, focusing their attention on the hair in Yeruashi's hand.
If their opponent was truly serious, this hair couldn't be as simple as it appeared!
But...
They were among the strongest of the Demon Slayers!
The petite Shinobu wasn't entirely confident in her cutting ability, as she lacked the strength to decapitate a demon, and the blade of her Nichirin Sword was only sharp at the tip and the base.
But Kanae was capable of taking the head of almost any demon. Only the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki surpassed the Flower Hashira!
She had even decapitated Lower Ranks before!
"Well, since you suggested it yourself... it would be pointless for us to refuse," Kanae said with a gentle smile, recovering from her shock.
If this mysterious youth had been a demon, a compromise would have been out of the question. No bets, no excuses, no conditions—only a battle to the death.
But Yeruashi was no demon.
And so, Kanae remained patient.
She could afford to accept the wager.
After all, surely a thin strand of hair couldn't block the blade of a Hashira, no matter how strange it was, right?
"It's a deal!" Yeruashi smiled. He loosened his grip and gave a soft puff of breath.
A light breeze caught the silver strand and carried it toward Kanae Kocho.