33 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Before the first snow of winter, Haruto returned to Sagiri Mountain from the Swordsmith Village.
Sakonji Urokodaki was sitting calmly in front of his cabin, greeting him with a steady gaze.

Over the years, Master Urokodaki's children—one by one—grew up and left, each departing to fulfill their duties with the Demon Slayer Corps. Once lively and bustling, Sagiri Mountain had gradually grown quiet with time.

But things will be different after the New Year, Haruto thought.

He planned to bring Tanjiro here after the celebrations. Kie, Nezuko, and the younger siblings—Hanako, Rokuta, and Shigeru—would move to a nearby town, where they'd be safer. Takeo, who had shown an interest in swordsmanship, might even follow in his older brother's footsteps and become a Demon Slayer himself.

(T/N: Kie is their mother.)

And with Genya joining them, Sagiri Mountain could once again regain its former liveliness, just like it was in the old days.

That night, Haruto went on his usual patrol around the area.

"Oh? It's snowing?"

As icy winds swept through the forested slopes, snowflakes began to fall, shimmering in the moonlight. Before long, Sagiri Mountain was draped in a silvery blanket.

Haruto exhaled a misty breath toward the night sky. Snow meant the New Year was close.

When the celebrations came, he thought, he'd take Shinobu and Genya to visit the Swordsmith Village.

He couldn't help but recall the rumors that had swept through the Demon Slayer Corps like wildfire. Apparently, the gossip about him and Shinobu had been carried far and wide, thanks to the chatter in the Butterfly Estate. Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki, their leader, had sent a teasing letter, his handwriting unsteady due to his failing eyesight.

To his surprise, it was Sabito who had brought the news to the village. Gotokawa, hearing about it, had flooded Haruto with over ten letters, all demanding the same thing: "Bring that girl here so I can meet her!"

It seemed that being too well-connected wasn't always a good thing. Nearly everyone passing through the Swordsmith Village knew Shinobu, and from their descriptions, Gotokawa had conjured an image of an elegant, kind, and charming young woman in his mind.

As the letters grew increasingly eccentric, Haruto decided he'd better pay a visit before Gotokawa started spreading even wilder tales—perhaps even that they were already married!

Yes, this New Year, he'd bring Shinobu and Genya to the Swordsmith Village.

Kanae might join them too. Ever since the sisters lost their parents, they had spent every New Year together.

With Genya and Kanae, who knew what other unexpected characters might show up?

If Haruto's New Year wish was for Master Gotokawa not to lose his mind, Tanjiro's wish was undoubtedly for his family's well-being.

Or perhaps, if he could sell more charcoal before the New Year, he could ensure his family was well-fed and warm during the winter.

Although Haruto had given them enough money to last, Tanjiro had saved it all, intending to repay every last coin once he had earned enough.

Rubbing his tired eyes, he pushed open the door and stepped outside to stretch his limbs.

"Oh? It snowed so much overnight?"

The heavy snow meant he'd have to carry the charcoal basket by hand when he went down the mountain. He had promised Hanako and Shigeru they could come with him today, but that plan was now ruined.

The snowy landscape reflected the dim sky, casting a bright glow over everything. Tanjiro stood in the snow, practicing with his Nichirin blade.

No… it still wasn't right.

He wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve, smudging dirt across his cheeks.

Though he remembered every movement of the Hinokami Kagura, incorporating them into his techniques remained a challenge.

He'd been trying for weeks, but each attempt ended in failure.

After the New Year, when he moved to his teacher's residence, he'd ask for advice about breathing techniques.

As the sun rose, Tanjiro sheathed his blade, dressed warmly, and strapped a basket full of charcoal to his back.

"Tanjiro," Kie's voice called from the doorway. She smiled warmly at her eldest son, motioning for him to come closer.

"Why is your face all dirty? Come here."

Back in the cabin, Haruto picked up a few letters dropped off by the crows.

One was from Master Gotokawa, one from Shinobu, and another from the Rengoku family… Wait, even Giyu Tomioka had written to him?

That man—was it laziness or his disdain for correspondence?—rarely ever replied to letters.

As expected, Gotokawa's letter exuded sheer frustration, even without opening it.

Shinobu's, on the other hand, was lively and cheerful. She'd accepted his New Year invitation.

"Of course! I happen to have time off then. I was planning to gather herbs, but on second thought… that can wait~"

Haruto chuckled softly, imagining her expression as she wrote the letter.

The letter from the Rengoku family bore a more elegant touch—sometimes from Kyojuro, sometimes from Senjuro.

Kyojuro's writing was bold and vigorous, while Senjuro's was neat and delicate, reflecting his gentle nature. This one was from Senjuro.

"Father still refuses to attend the Hashira meetings. He's been drinking heavily and said some hurtful things to Brother, but Kyojuro doesn't seem bothered at all.

Oh, Brother recently took on a new apprentice—Kanroji Mitsuri. She's such a sweet girl, always full of energy. Her striking hair color makes her stand out, and… well, she has quite an appetite!

Honestly, she eats as much as Brother does, if not more. It's like having another big brother around, doubling our food expenses.

Anyway, I can't wait for you all to meet her—maybe we'll have an eating contest!"

Haruto folded the letter, still smiling.

A girl who could match Kyojuro's appetite? That was rare indeed.

Training in the Flame Breathing style, she must be a passionate and lively person. Kagaya had mentioned that the Flame Breathing lineage might hold clues about the Sun Breathing technique.

Sadly, Shinjuro still hadn't recovered from his slump. If Haruto wanted to dig deeper, he'd need to visit the Rengoku family after the New Year.

New Year, New Year…

Everything seemed to hinge on the New Year, as if it marked a turning point, splitting his life into two halves.

This looming sense of change unsettled Haruto. Shaking his head, he tried to dispel the unease and opened Giyu's letter.

It was brief and to the point, much like its writer.

"Received orders from headquarters. Reports of a demon near Mount Kumotori. Several hunters have already gone missing.

I'm heading there now."

Mount Kumotori…

Haruto's fingers stilled. That same unease surged back, stronger than ever.

Snow, overcast skies, demons…

Was the story finally moving into its main arc?