"Thank you."
In Kamado Tanpei's home, Oboro sat on the floor, feeling completely at ease.
He took a bowl of hot soup from Tanpei's wife.
He had purchased a small courtyard at the foot of the mountain and settled there.
Whenever Tanpei took Tanjiro down the mountain to sell charcoal, they would visit his residence and bring him some charcoal.
Of course, Oboro paid for it.
Then he would follow them up the mountain. They would go in the morning and return together, arriving just in time for lunch.
As for the jade ornament he had given to Tanjiro, it was returned, as expected.
Out of gratitude for the Kamado family, and knowing that Oboro enjoyed wild vegetable soup, Kamado Tanpei's wife would also brave the wind and snow to pick wild vegetables... Oboro only then learned that wild vegetables could grow in winter, and only during the brief period around noon when the sun was strongest.
The Blue Spider Lily.
No wonder... Muzan couldn't find it.
He had initially thought that with his frail body, he would have to wait until spring and summer when the snow melted and everything revived, perhaps then he could taste the Blue Spider Lily... This was common sense.
In winter, on the mountain, besides trees, flowers and grass should all be withered.
Oboro lowered his eyelids, looking at the game simmering in the pot, and took a sip from the bowl.
It was called wild vegetable soup, but it seemed to have some unknown herbs added, with a faint medicinal taste, but it didn't affect the flavor.
These herbs were likely bought by the woman with money, not picked... As for the reason, it was naturally to repay him.
After all, Oboro was seriously ill, and the woman was expressing her gratitude in this way, without words... nor direct gestures.
She was silently giving through her actions...
The Kamado family's income from selling charcoal was very limited. In such economic circumstances, they still spent money to buy herbs for him, showing their sincerity.
Of course, Oboro wasn't one to just take.
He would occasionally guide Kamado Tanpei's breathing...
Oboro taught him the modified Sun Breathing, which was more than enough for Tanpei. He was not a greedy person... nor did he want anything from Oboro. Every time, it was Oboro who initiated the conversation.
He firmly believed Oboro's intention was to ensure the continuation of 'breathing' at the end of his life...
Oboro's physical condition was similar to his, irreversible.
Just like their other benefactor from the Kamado family, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The Kamado family had continued for so many generations. To say that Tanpei was unaware of demons would be a lie.
He also knew the great trouble demons brought to the world... but his ancestors' will was to pass down this breathing technique, not to fight demons. Therefore, he only needed to do his part. He also had his own life and family.
He enjoyed this peaceful and beautiful life... so he never mentioned anything about demons in front of his family.
What he wanted Tanjiro to do was to learn the Kagura dance and pass down the breathing technique...
Just as their ancestors had promised Yoriichi Tsugikuni, not to let this power be lost.
After a while, having finished the meal, Oboro and Tanpei sat outside the door chatting.
As their relationship grew closer, Oboro also learned about the Kamado family's past.
"Only one bloodline survives in each generation..."
After hearing this, Oboro sighed, "Perhaps it's fate..."
It turned out that no matter the era, no matter how many children the Kamado family had, only one seemed to survive in the end.
The other children would die prematurely due to various reasons.
Some died of illness, some in war, and some due to accidents...
This reminded Oboro of Muzan's appearance in later generations, who killed Tanjiro's entire family, leaving only him to escape.
If Muzan hadn't appeared, there wouldn't have been a series of subsequent events, and Tanjiro's younger siblings wouldn't have died... Kamado Tanjuro had many children.
Only Tanjiro was left.
Logically speaking, Nezuko also belonged to the 'dead'... and it was this fated intersection that led Muzan to their doorstep.
Ultimately, Tanjiro and Nezuko worked together to break through their original destiny.
Ending this karma.
Looking at it this way... Muzan's death at Tanjiro's hands was also fate.
This kind of thing... based on Oboro's understanding of Kamado Tanpei, he probably wouldn't tell Tanjiro. Perhaps it was only in his generation, after combining past experiences, that he realized this.
Kamado Tanpei was a man who respected fate.
He didn't want this matter to have any impact on his descendants.
"It's getting late... I should be going."
Today's harvest was good. Previously, when chatting with Tanpei, he wouldn't have revealed these things.
Oboro finished his last cup of tea and slowly stood up.
At this moment, Tanjiro suddenly ran over and handed Oboro something.
It was a cane.
"Father made this for Mr. Oboro."
"Thank you."
Oboro patted the young boy's head and nodded to Tanpei.
Then he took the cane and slowly walked away down the mountain path.
Tanpei's wife also came out of the house and bowed deeply to Oboro's retreating back.
"Father..."
Tanjiro looked at Oboro's gaunt figure, wandering on the snow, with a worried expression, "Is Mr. Oboro really okay?"
Oboro would go up the mountain with them.
But every time they went down the mountain, he declined their offer to see him off.
He also didn't let the maids accompany him.
He always went alone.
"He's fine... he's already home."
Tanpei said softly, comforting him.
Home?
Tanjiro was confused.
Mr. Oboro had just left... how could he be home already?
...
"With my current flesh and blood vitality, I don't have much time left... However, during this period, I should be able to consume a large amount of Blue Spider Lily, which will have some effect. After accumulating some, I'll become a demon... I originally thought I'd have to wait longer... This way, it saves some unnecessary trouble."
Walking on the mountain path, Oboro thought to himself.
To make the world of Demon Slayer radiate new power systems, it's not just the swordsmen and breathing techniques of the Demon Slayer Corps that need to evolve... The demons on Muzan's side also need to keep pace. Only then can strong sparks be created.
"The inherited power I carry... depends on whether you... have the ability to obtain it."
The seeds of the Kamado family have been sown.
There are still other soils waiting to be explored.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Oboro encountered some familiar hunters who greeted him.
The town was not large, and news traveled fast. Everyone knew that a distinguished figure had come from outside, seemingly acquainted with the Kamado family.
The person was very young... approachable, without airs.
Just that his health was not good.
After walking around the town, Oboro arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.
It was an old residence, not large in area, recently tidied up by the maids, who had also hired some maids and servants.
At this moment, several people stood at the gate, looking forward expectantly.
Oboro's personal maids also stood by, not ushering the people in... seemingly waiting for his return.
And the other party had no intention of leaving.
Oboro recognized the people from the Ubuyashiki family at a glance. Although their hairstyles and facial features had changed slightly, their unique aura and eyes as leaders of the Demon Slayer Corps remained unchanged.
Not to mention the white-haired woman beside him... she was too distinctive.
The moment Oboro looked at Kuno Ubuyashiki, the latter sensed it and looked back.
A wide black haori... He was even younger than himself.
In his hand, he held a cane... not a samurai sword.
His face showed illness...
Was it him... who killed the demon with one sword?
The moment Kuno Ubuyashiki saw Oboro, the despondency in his eyes erupted with brilliance, but quickly dimmed... Yanagiwara's view that night was limited; he only witnessed the grace of the mysterious person's sword strike, nothing more.
Kuno found it hard to imagine that the person he had longed to meet... would be like this.
His physical condition seemed no better than his own.
Despite thinking this, Kuno still rallied himself.
He was just afraid... that the so-called opportunity was not as good as he had imagined.
"Master."
Seeing Oboro, the maid hurried forward and explained the purpose of the Ubuyashiki couple's visit.
"Come in..."
Oboro left a sentence and stepped into the courtyard first.
A moment later, he led the Ubuyashiki couple to the main room.
Oboro took off his haori, looked at Kuno Ubuyashiki kneeling on the cushion, and smiled faintly, "You must be disappointed to see me..."
"Not at all. A person's strength is not solely reflected in their appearance... Master, you give me a very special feeling."
"Heh heh."
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