Shinobu's words were watertight, also containing a subtle warning… continue to harass us, and you might offend someone even your superiors wouldn't dare mess with.
The major's face alternated between red and white. Sweat even beaded on his forehead.
He opened the documents in his hand once more, trying to find even a hint of possible forgery.
Unfortunately, the seal was clear, the format rigorous.
".....Hmph!" He irritably tossed the documents back to Shinobu, forcibly suppressing his anger and reluctantly withdrawing his hand.
He glared at Taka and growled with bluster: "Since you're from the Ubuyashiki Family, I'll let it slide this time! But remember, don't even think about causing trouble or obstructing our military affairs here in Utsunomiya! Otherwise, even the noble family won't be able to protect you!"
Having said that, he turned and walked away with his soldiers, cursing. He then grabbed a soldier who hadn't positioned a sign correctly and used it as an excuse, viciously slapping him twice.
Watching the officers walk away, Shinobu finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The smile faded from her face, revealing a deep and complex expression of disgust. She carefully put away the documents.
"Shinobu, what was that about?" Taka asked, somewhat puzzled.
He had no memories of the present world. The only violent organization he knew of was the Shinigami swordsmen, and those people certainly wouldn't grab a stray like him to become a Shinigami.
"I know what you were about to do, Taka." Shinobu's expression was very serious, her gaze still fixed on the ferocious soldiers in the distance. "Drawing your blade won't solve the problem. It would only drag us into bigger trouble. This is the rule of human society. It's no easier than facing demons."
She gestured for him to follow her, heading towards the Rengoku Residence.
"You saw it. This is the vortex Oyakata-sama is trying his utmost to prevent us from being drawn into."
Her voice was very light, yet especially heavy. "The powerful people of this country are busily preparing for a new war, fighting over land, resources, or what they call imperial glory.... These conscription activities are the signal."
"They treat these young men as expendable pawns, pushing them onto brutal battlefields just to satisfy their own ambitions."
Speaking of this, her tone was filled with undisguised contempt: "For profit, they can so easily deprive others of their chance to live, deprive everyone of their peaceful daily lives.... Such conduct, what difference is there from demons...."
Taka listened quietly, his hand holding the oilcloth bundle tightening: "If we killed them all, would the world be better?"
"You can't kill them all, Taka." Shinobu shook her head and sighed softly. "As long as this extreme ideology doesn't disappear, new ambitious people will always emerge. This isn't something we insignificant swordsmen can influence...."
Listening silently to Shinobu's words, Taka only felt that this matter was far more complex than slaying demons. At least when slaying demons, he only needed to swing his sword.
"Also, the Demon Slayer Corps is not a government-recognized organization. Oyakata-sama can only rely on the Ubuyashiki Family's influence to keep our strength as far away from these unjust wars as possible, preventing our members from being forcibly conscripted..."
Shinobu added: "Showing our identity just now was a last resort. Remember, in Utsunomiya or anywhere in the future, stay away from these people. Don't have any interaction with them."
She extended her little finger, her gaze blazing as she looked at Taka: "Remember? Our promise: The blade of the Demon Slayer Corps can only be used to slay demons, not to be turned against ordinary people."
"I understand." Taka nodded, his voice deep and firm.
"Enough of this. The Rengoku Residence isn't far. I hope Rengoku-san's condition is well."
Shinobu adjusted her emotions and once again resumed that gentle, heartwarming smile.
After about half an hour's walk, they stopped before an ancient residence hidden in a residential area on the outskirts of the city.
It was a traditional Japanese-style building. The dark wooden structure was weather-beaten, its thick, bright tiles shimmering in the sunlight.
The outer enclosure of the residence was a low stone wall, its top also covered with tiles of the same deep color. A few faint flame patterns seemed to remain on some of the eaves.
This was the former family crest of the Rengoku Family as samurai, but now it too had declined.
The heavy brown wooden door was left ajar, exuding a heavy sense of history.
Taka and Shinobu announced their names loudly at the entrance and walked straight in.
From the outside, it wasn't apparent, but the Rengoku Residence also had a fairly spacious courtyard: no complicated decorations, the ground covered with fine white gravel meticulously raked into neat water ripple patterns, symbolizing purity and order.
Several ruggedly shaped large rocks were dotted among them, backed by two verdant, resilient dwarf pines, creating a unique, secluded tranquility.
In the center of the courtyard, on the wooden veranda near the main house, a familiar figure was sitting, leaning against a pillar.
It was the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro.
He was now wearing a loose white robe. His eyes were slightly squinted, letting the warm sunlight fall on his face, as if absorbing this warmth to heal his internal injuries.
However, the occasional dull cough still revealed the weakness of his body.
The iconic flame-patterned haori casually draped over his shoulders trembled with each cough. His gold-red hair also seemed somewhat dulled, no longer as flamboyant as before.
Not far from him, a relatively slender boy was sweeping the courtyard with great focus.
The boy had orange-red hair similar to, but slightly lighter than, Kyojuro's. His features were delicate, and his gentle gaze held a lingering hint of worry.
"Nii-san, are you alright!" He spoke anxiously, looking at Kyojuro.
He was Kyojuro's younger brother, Rengoku Senjuro.
Senjuro had no swordsmanship talent and had always admired his older brother.
During this period while Kyojuro was recuperating at home after the attack, he had carefully tended to his daily needs, just to help as much as possible.
"Haha, it's nothing! Just a bit of an itchy throat!" Kyojuro coughed lightly a few times and laughed heartily.
He turned his head, and the corner of his eye caught the figures at the entrance.
Those eyes, always burning like flames, instantly lit up, as if once again ignited.
"Umu! Taka! Shinobu!" Kyojuro's voice was still loud and powerful, a sunny smile blooming on his face as he struggled to stand up from the veranda to greet them.
However, this was clearly a bit too much, causing another fit of violent coughing. His hand unconsciously pressed against his left chest.
Shinobu quickly flashed to his side and gently placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat:
"Don't push yourself too hard, Rengoku-san. Your bones have only just started to heal. Be careful."
"Haha! Sorry! Shinobu! For making you worry!"
Kyojuro waved his hand, signaling he was fine, then looked at Taka again: "Long time no see, Taka boy! Seeing you in such good spirits is truly wonderful!"
Taka walked over slowly, nodded to Senjuro as a greeting, then said to Kyojuro:
"You don't look well. Maybe you should consider stepping down. I just became a Hashira, so there's an extra position."
"Umu! I heard! The Storm Hashira, truly remarkable!"
He stood up and vigorously patted Taka on the shoulder. The force was still steady:
"That Upper Rank Three's kick was really heavy! It seems I'll still need... cough... some time to fully recover!"
"I really envy you, Taka! Having such astonishing recovery abilities! You're as tenacious as... cough... a weed!"