Chapter 60: The Sword Has Arrived

"I think this demon has probably been living on Mount Fujikasane for a long time, growing stronger by eating the batches of people who come to participate in the selection," Haru continued with his analysis.

Sakonji Urokodaki did not immediately respond but instead thought for a long while before speculating, "Perhaps it's a demon I captured when I was young. But I don't understand how it could have survived for so long. Demons imprisoned on Mount Fujikasane are usually regularly cleared by the Demon Slayer Corps every five years to prevent them from becoming too powerful from consuming too many people. Afterward, a new batch of demons is captured and confined there."

"Maybe this demon has been hiding, planning to take revenge on me one day."

After saying this, Sakonji Urokodaki sighed deeply.

Upon hearing Sakonji Urokodaki's story, Haru was not surprised, as it matched his own speculations.

After the sigh, Sakonji Urokodaki took a sip of hot tea, paused for a moment, then continued, looking at Haru, "However, this year marks five years. Since you've wiped out all the demons on Mount Fujikasane, you've saved the Demon Slayer Corps quite a bit of trouble."

"Haru, Tanjiro, although you've passed the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps, you must not become overly confident. As I mentioned before, the demons used for the selection are not particularly strong."

"The demons you will face in the future will be much stronger than the ones on Mount Fujikasane. These demons are different and may even use blood demon arts similar to sorcery. When fighting them, you must be extra cautious!"

Upon hearing this, Tanjiro suddenly spoke up, "Um, I think Nezuko is different from the other demons. Could it be because of the blood demon arts?"

Sakonji Urokodaki immediately denied Tanjiro, saying, "That's not the case. Your sister's situation doesn't involve blood demon arts. Based on my guess, Nezuko chose to sleep in order to restore her strength without consuming human flesh."

Upon hearing Sakonji Urokodaki's words, Tanjiro felt a sense of relief, as if he were happy with the choice his sister had made.

"I'm full! Tanjiro~ you take care of the post-meal cleaning!" Haru said contentedly as he placed his bowl and chopsticks down.

"...Okay," Tanjiro replied with a resigned expression but could not refuse.

---

Fifteen days later

On a morning in the misty mountains of Fog Mountain, a man with a long rectangular box wrapped in cloth was walking along the mountain path. The man wore a brown kimono with a sun pattern, and a bamboo hat adorned his head. The edges of the bamboo hat were decorated with many wind chimes. As the breeze blew, the wind chimes produced a pleasant sound.

The man walked at a leisurely pace through the mountain and finally arrived in front of the small cabin where Haru and Tanjiro were staying.

Sakonji Urokodaki, who had been sitting and resting inside the room, had already heard the sound of the wind chimes. He then said to Tanjiro, "Tanjiro~ we have a guest, go greet them."

"Guest?"

Tanjiro was momentarily puzzled. At that moment, Haru spoke up, "The sword has arrived!"

Just three simple words, and Tanjiro immediately understood. He stood up and went outside to greet the visitor.

Outside, Tanjiro indeed saw the man who had come to deliver the sword. As he looked at the mysterious figure in front of him, Tanjiro was unsure of how to start the conversation.