Chapter 66: Poor Nezuko |
"Ara, ara, what inappropriate words for a god. Are you hitting on a mortal girl?" Kanae asked, initially taken aback by such a reply before smiling in her usual manner.
"What god? I'm just an ordinary person, only a tiny bit stronger than you," Yeruashi replied, shaking his head. He then turned to Mitsuri, who was puffing out her cheeks. "And don't I already have a wife?"
At those words, Mitsuri's resentment vanished instantly, and her lips curled into a happy smile.
Meanwhile, Yeruashi stretched lazily and stood up.
"We have guests."
Immediately after he spoke, there was a cautious knock at the door.
Then...
An anxious yet tense voice drifted in from outside.
"Excuse me, may I..."
Because of this, his eyes still betrayed an extreme level of shock.
A GOD!
After his promotion, Kagaya had finally told Tanjiro about the individual capable of healing Nezuko. Who could have imagined that he wasn't a human, but a god hiding among people?
Tanjiro believed in gods, for since he was a child, he had diligently performed the ritual dance for the Fire God every year—a tradition passed down through the Kamado family from father to son, along with the hanafuda earrings.
But believing and knowing of a god's existence were two completely different things. The revelation had been so profound that Tanjiro still couldn't find the right words.
"Oh! We've been waiting for you!" Mitsuri exclaimed as the door suddenly swung open, her face beaming with a smile.
'Wait, it's that mysterious young lady!'
'Could she be the god?'
"Oh, Lady Goddess, please forgive me, a fool, for my improper attitude in the past..." The Flame Hashira stammered, dropping to his knees without a second thought as he snapped out of his shock.
"I'm no goddess," Mitsuri replied, shaking her head with a soft smile. "But I have been watching over you all this time as well."
She then glanced behind her.
"I know exactly why you've come. You can leave your sister here and go," Yeruashi said, approaching the open door before Tanjiro could even begin pleading for Nezuko's salvation.
On his way here, the young man had mentally prepared himself for any outcome, including being refused help, and had even started rehearsing ways to earn the god's favor.
But none of that was necessary.
The Flame Hashira was left speechless.
He only began to recover when he lifted his head and saw the familiar Kanao, then Yeruashi standing beside her. He abruptly turned toward Yeruashi and began bowing so vigorously that he nearly smashed his forehead through the floorboards.
"Ah, thank you so much for everything, Lord... Father... Almighty One... Thank you..." Tanjiro stammered, frantically trying to find the right title.
"You really should have been promoted to a stone statue instead of a Hashira," Yeruashi remarked, shaking his head at the cracked floor.
As he spoke, the wooden box containing Nezuko flew inside as if by magic, landing perfectly on his upturned hand. Yeruashi then turned around silently and disappeared into the room as if nothing unusual had happened.
"Go on, take care of your business for now. We'll definitely call for you when the time comes!" Mitsuri waved energetically, while Kanao gave Tanjiro a reserved nod.
Then they retreated back into the house and closed the door, leaving the anxious Flame Hashira alone on the threshold.
It went without saying that he didn't even dare to question the words of a God. If Yeruashi intended to save Nezuko, then it would be done. His sister would certainly return to a normal life; it couldn't be any other way. Now, he just had to do his absolute best when the time for the annual ritual dance to the Fire God arrived!
'Oh... I accidentally broke the floor,' Tanjiro realized, looking down. To his surprise, the floor was already as good as new, without a single scratch, saving him from trouble. 'Is this the power of a god?'
Finally, the newly minted Flame Hashira stood up, clenched his fists, and looked around the Sword Hashira Residence. 'Rest well, Nezuko. In the meantime, I will do my best to bring an end to the demons!'
He then turned and walked away with newfound determination.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
No sooner had Yeruashi brought the box inside and set it on the floor than Mitsuri tore off the lid and began examining Nezuko.
The poor girl curled up even tighter into a ball.
A delighted Mitsuri proceeded to cuddle Nezuko to her heart's content before she started tossing her up and down in her arms.
Watching this, Yeruashi nearly developed a nervous twitch. He had never imagined the girl would be treated like some kind of plush toy...
"Alright, that's enough. It's time to return Nezuko to her human form."
"Oh, just a little longer! Let us play a bit more!" Mitsuri pleaded, making a pitiful face while holding the terrified Nezuko.
"Only for a little while..." Yeruashi relented.
They weren't in any rush anyway. As for how a cured Nezuko would react to Mitsuri's enthusiastic manhandling... surely such a well-behaved and kind girl wouldn't hold a grudge. Probably.
With those thoughts, Yeruashi turned his gaze back to the water screen.
On the screen...
Tanjiro had resumed his grueling training alongside Zenitsu and Inosuke, until some time later, Tengen paid them a visit.
"Forgive me for interrupting your training, but I have no one else to turn to. The other Hashira are currently out on missions," he said politely.
Even though the newly appointed Flame Hashira was less experienced than his veteran comrades, the Sound Hashira still spoke to him with proper respect, as he was the one asking for help.
"How can I help?" Tanjiro agreed without hesitation.
"Well, it's like this..." Tengen began.