Demon Slayer: Tanjiro becomes a ghost, Nezuko becomes a pillar!

Chapter 123 The Bladesmith's Fury

Upon seeing this, Tanjiro immediately rushed forward and stood firmly in front of Nezuko.

He bowed deeply to the enraged Iron Tomb while frantically trying to appease it, his tone full of urgency and apology.

Zenitsu was so frightened that he fled behind a stone pillar in the courtyard, only daring to peek out half his head, trembling, his face pale, and his voice trembling with sobs.

"This is...this is terrifying...the obsession with the sword is so terrifying...this...this isn't just anger, it's murderous intent!"

Inosuke, however, was a completely different person. He stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching the excitement with great interest. He even stood on tiptoe and whispered, his wild voice full of anticipation.

"Oh—! Are we going to fight?! Come on, let's duel! Fight, fight!"

No one expected that the next second, Steel Tomb's anger would turn in a completely different direction.

He saw Tanjiro step forward to block Nezuko's path, his hand holding the kitchen knife paused, the anger beneath his mask undiminished, but he abruptly suppressed his aura towards the girl and turned his attention to the honest and simple-minded boy in front of him.

"I can't bring myself to hit a girl hard, so I'm taking it out on you! Who told you to be her brother!"

Before he could finish speaking, Steel Mound showed no mercy, raising his cleaver and striking Tanjiro's forehead repeatedly with the hilt. The blows were quick and sharp, each one crisp and clear, echoing throughout the courtyard.

"Yes, yes, yes! It's all my fault! I failed to protect Midouzi!"

Tanjiro clutched his head and repeatedly admitted his mistake, wincing in pain but daring not to flinch, only bowing and apologizing incessantly.

"Idiot! It's not a person! It's a knife! A knife!!!"

Steel Tomb trembled with rage and pounded even harder.

"Aaaaaah! I know! It's a knife! It's a knife! I was wrong!"

"Mr. Haganezuka, please stop hitting him! Let my brother go! It's all my fault!"

Mizuko rushed over and grabbed Steel Mound's arm, apologizing profusely.

A comical and chaotic scene then unfolded.

Steel Mound gripped the handle of the kitchen knife and chased after Tanjiro, repeatedly banging on his forehead.

Mi Douzi clung tightly to his sleeve, apologizing repeatedly.

When Zenitsu saw Nezuko step forward, he gritted his teeth and rushed out to help pull her away, trying to persuade her while protecting her, afraid that his anger would be directed back at her.

Only Inosuke stood aside, clapping and cheering, shouting at Steel Mound.

"Come on, you ugly old man! Knock on him! Knock on him hard!"

Shinobu and Kanao stood there, completely stunned.

Both of them stared wide-eyed at the chaotic scene before them, their faces filled with astonishment. Even the usually calm Kanao opened her mouth slightly, her long eyelashes trembling, clearly having never seen such an absurd and lively sight before.

Shinobu Kocho held her forehead, her lips twitching slightly. Her gentle smile froze on her face, and for a moment she didn't know whether to intervene or stand by.

The farce finally came to an end when Steel Tomb had vented his anger and it gradually subsided.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and followed the swordsmiths into the front hall of the Butterfly House, looking disheveled and embarrassed.

The accompanying swordsmith looked apologetic and repeatedly bowed his head to Shinobu and the children.

"Sorry, sorry for the trouble... Haganezuka is a good guy in every other way, but when it comes to knives, he gets as stubborn as a bull, and no one can stop him."

"No, it's my fault," Nezuko immediately stepped forward, still full of guilt, and bowed deeply to Hidezuka. "I didn't cherish the Nichirin Blade you forged, which caused it to break in battle. I'm so sorry."

Steel Tomb, however, still held his head high with arrogance, his breath muffled beneath the mask, still sulking, looking like he was unwilling to forgive easily.

The red mark on Tanjiro's forehead gradually faded. He rubbed his aching forehead and hurriedly stepped forward to offer some embarrassed words of comfort, trying to ease the tension.

"It's all because you're too weak that the sword broke!" Haganezuka suddenly pointed a finger at Nezuko, his tone still sharp. "How could my Nichirin Blade, forged with all my heart and soul, break so easily? It's simply because you're not strong enough!"

"Hey! You masked old man, that's too much!" Zenitsu immediately bristled, rushing forward to retort defiantly, "Nezuko isn't weak at all! It's just that the demons we encountered were too strong!"

"It's alright, Zenitsu."

Mizuko gently pulled Zenitsu aside, shook her head, then raised her head, her eyes clear and unwavering, and looked at Haganezuka, speaking earnestly word by word.

"You're right, I'm not strong enough yet. But I assure you, I will do everything in my power to become stronger, and I will never let your Nichirin Blade break again, and I will never let you down again."

Those eyes were pure, resolute, and unwavering, carrying an unquestionable determination.

The rebuke that Steel Tomb was about to utter was swallowed back when those clear and persistent eyes stared at him. He only let out a heavy snort and awkwardly turned his face away.

The next moment, he said nothing more and slowly drew a Nichirin Blade that he had prepared beforehand from behind his back.

The blade is long and sleek, with delicate and sharp blade patterns. Its cold gleam is restrained, and its temperament is gentle yet sharp. The most eye-catching feature is the hilt.

The delicate and graceful pink cherry blossom design, with its layers of petals, is both gentle and lively, perfectly complementing the temperament of Midouzi.

Midouzi's eyes lit up instantly, like stars that had been lit up, staring intently at the knife, her heart filled with surprise and emotion.

She knew perfectly well that this was a Nichirin Blade that Steelzuka had long since forgiven her and had specially crafted based on her aura.

"Hmph, little brat."

Steel Tomb remained arrogant, but his tone softened slightly.

"Last time I forged a knife for you, I didn't consider your own characteristics. This time, it's custom-made just for you. Remember this—if it breaks again, I'll chop down your brother!"

Tanjiro, standing to the side, froze, scratching his head awkwardly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Don't worry, Mr. Haganezuka, I will protect Nezuko and your sword together. Nothing will happen again."

"I swear, I will give my all and never let you down, never let this knife down!"

Mizuko solemnly accepted the Nichirin Blade with both hands, her fingertips gently tracing the cool blade. Her voice was both joyful and solemn, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Hearing the two's sincere promises, Steel Mound's tense shoulders finally relaxed, and his arrogant demeanor faded considerably.

He said no more, turned to look at Tanjiro, and took out another Nichirin Blade specially made for him from behind his back.

"I heard your constitution is closely related to Blood Demon Arts and fire. Here, take this."

Tanjiro's gaze was instantly drawn to it, and he held his breath slightly.

The blade was long and sharp, with a deep, inky black base, and engraved with lively, leaping flame patterns that seemed to be alive.

The blade is entirely fiery red, its shape resembling a blazing flame.

He carefully took the knife, exerted a slight force in his wrist, and gently infused it with his breath.

In an instant, the originally jet-black blade became even deeper and darker.

The flame patterns within the design appear to be ignited, faintly revealing a flowing crimson halo.

It was as if it was burning quietly inside the blade, which made everyone present turn their heads in amazement, and even their breathing became lighter.

Seeing that everyone's attention was drawn to the work of Haganezuka, the accompanying swordsmith was not to be outdone. He immediately took out two Nichirin swords wrapped in white cloth from behind his back, cleared his throat, and asked.

"Excuse me... which one of you is Inosuke?"

Upon hearing that it was finally his turn, Inosuke immediately straightened his back, strode confidently towards the swordsmith with a wild and imposing air, his eyes shining with anticipation.

The swordsmith, overjoyed, was about to introduce the two brand-new swords, specially crafted for his wild fighting style and balancing power and agility, when—

Inosuke grabbed the twin swords and, without a word, turned and rushed into the courtyard.

Amidst the bewildered gazes of the crowd, he directly picked up an incredibly hard boulder in the corner of the courtyard, raised the brand-new Nichirin Blade he had just acquired, and smashed it down hard against the rock!

"Clang—!!!"

A crisp, piercing cracking sound rang out.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, several obvious nicks were smashed into the blades of the two brand-new Nichirin swords.

The entire room fell silent.

The next second, a fierce and desperate roar echoed throughout the Butterfly Mansion.

"Ah—!!! My Nichirin Blade! The new sword I painstakingly forged! You wild boar—I'm going to slaughter you!!!"

The swordsmith was so angry that he trembled all over and his face turned ashen. He was about to pounce on Inosuke and fight him to the death.

"Calm down! Calm down!! Don't act impulsively!!"

Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Nezuko were terrified. They rushed forward and grabbed the enraged swordsmith, frantically trying to stop him. Chaos ensued, sweeping through the entire courtyard once again.