Chapter 54 "Don't be nervous, just treat him like a piece of wood..."
Before Giyu Tomioka could speak, Muichiro Tokito had already approached Ori.
If something were to happen next, the girl who has never received any training would be the most vulnerable among them. The others all have the ability to protect themselves, but A-Zhi clearly does not.
She hadn't even reacted yet, her dark eyes filled with a blank, dazed look. She staggered, almost falling, her fingertips on the ground turning white.
Muichiro Tokito's body reacted before his mind. He was incredibly fast, and the mint green ends of his hair shimmered as he naturally shielded the girl in front of him.
Even though he wasn't much taller than the girl.
"…………"
The deep darkness around them was like a ferocious beast with its jaws wide open, threatening to devour everyone. An invisible pressure slowly gathered in their hearts.
Can a normal human body remain incorrupt for a hundred years?
The answer is obvious without needing to think.
Zenitsu Gasai started covering his face and screaming, "—Ah!"
Inosuke Hashibira was unusually quiet, his expression hidden beneath the hood, but he drew two swords from his waist.
Tanjiro Kamado was so shocked that he was speechless.
He subconsciously touched his earlobe, and a strange figure suddenly appeared in his mind.
The tall, imposing swordsman gazed into the distance, a sword at his waist, his deep red hair tied up fluttering in the wind, and his sun-shaped earrings rustling softly in the breeze.
In a daze, the person in his mind... seemed to overlap with the person in the coffin.
Tanjiro Kamado took a step forward.
Zenitsu Agatsuma keenly sensed that something was wrong with his friend. He tugged at the red-haired boy's arm and asked suspiciously, "Tanjiro?"
"…………"
Giyu Tomioka and Sabito were also caught off guard by how things had turned out; they hadn't sensed any danger beforehand.
Until the very last second before the stone coffin was opened, they were still more inclined to believe that the secret was some kind of object, an object that, like wisteria, was naturally warding off ghosts.
And now... everyone subconsciously felt that the one lying in the stone coffin was a ghost, and their scalps began to tingle instantly.
However, after careful investigation, Giyu Tomioka and Sabito arrived at a rather absurd answer: the sarcophagus did not contain the demons they had imagined; it was indeed a human.
It is precisely because they are not yet capable of making a mistake in this matter that their confusion deepens.
A painting by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, which conceals the secret of exterminating demons, guides them to this mysterious place.
Then the strangest thing happened: in the obviously ancient tomb, there was a person whose body was incorruptible.
Time seems to have a special fondness for the person in the coffin, allowing him to be perfectly preserved in his burial state, as if he were still alive. This can only be described as a miracle.
The retro attire, the strange markings on his forehead, even the swords nearby—if there's nothing wrong with any of this… all these signs point to one answer.
Giyu Tomioka and Sabito saw their own trembling pupils, and a name that was definitely not unfamiliar slipped out.
"—Sequel, Country, Connection, One!"
********
With his taut forearms across his waist, the boy's still-growing body came into view, slightly thin. Tokito Muichiro lowered his brows and stared ahead, yet his aura was already formidable.
Azhi felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. She was just as frightened as the other person present, and even her toes in her white socks curled up involuntarily.
She certainly hadn't overlooked that resounding name. She stood blankly behind Tokito Muichiro, stammering, "But, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, isn't he from the Sengoku period?"
Azhi's mind went blank. She bit her lip, a possibility occurred to her, and she asked tremblingly, "This...you did this?"
Yes, he's the ultimate weapon I told you about before; he'll help you complete your mission.
Upon seeing familiar faces again, 000 felt a pang of emotion, but it perfectly concealed this subtle feeling.
All of this was done by 000, of course.
The unexpected mission failure during the Warring States period brought a host of troubles, even for the experienced 000, who was at his wit's end and finally managed to find a way to remedy the situation.
On one hand, they bring Aori to the Taisho era, three hundred years later, and change their mission target to "Tomioka Giyuu" to start a new mission.
This time, 000 learned from its failures and didn't let Azhi do whatever she wanted. Instead, it planned out the actions for each stage from the very beginning.
For example, when she first came to Fujisaki Mountain with A-Zhi, she had already consumed a lot of energy, and with the addition of healing the mission target, 000 was basically in a semi-dormant state at that time.
Fortunately, A-Zhi established contact with the person she was tasked with.
Then 000 let Aori seize the opportunity to go to the Tokitoya, keeping her at a distance from Tomioka Giyuu. During this time, it restored its energy while waiting for the right moment.
In its prediction, Aori should have been able to safely evacuate from the Tokitoya after Upper Moon Six was destroyed. At that time, she would have plenty of time and money to find someone to dig out Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
She could have remained completely hidden from the public eye, avoided all hardship, simply asked for an answer at the right time, and then quietly waited for the mission to be completed.
Although it may sound irresponsible, 000 really already knew what Giyu Tomioka's answer would be, which was nothing more than "destroy the demons" or something like that.
The Pillars of this generation are already quite strong, and Yoriichi Tsugikuni will ensure that the mission is completed faster and more flawlessly, which can be considered making the best use of them.
In a month at most, everything will be over.
However, this was just a beautiful fantasy. The problem arose when Aori actually encountered Muzan Kibutsuji, and then the girl was taken away by Kokushibo.
It's quite frustrating that so many unexpected twists and turns have occurred.
000 suddenly sighed: "I'm telling you, this time you have to listen to me!"
Azhi clearly heard the words "help her complete the task".
She immediately expressed her admiration, hurriedly repeating, "I know, I know."
Azhi never knew that 000 had such great power. She thought it could only give her a buff at most, but she never expected it could bring out people from the Warring States period.
She exclaimed again, "You're amazing!"
The girl spoke sincerely, her eyes sparkling, which made 000, who had been hiding something, feel ashamed for a moment.
It mumbled, "The bad news I told you before... the bad news is..."
000 abruptly brought up the previously tense topic, and Azhi immediately held her breath, her heart pounding again as she quietly awaited the bad news.
"As you can see, he's currently in a 'stagnant' state, which is essentially a dead state..." 000 could hardly bring herself to say it, her mind filled with absurdity. "It's...it just requires a little of your blood to awaken him."
Not long ago, it returned to the system space to awaken Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
This ability, which is similar to freezing time on a single person, is obviously incredibly troublesome.
It's not just that it requires a huge amount of energy, but also that this behavior cannot be decided by a single entity, not to mention that Yoriichi Tsugikuni was Ori's previous mission target.
The decision to "retain" Jiguoyuan was made after applying to the system center, undergoing strict approval, and taking into account various factors before the higher-ups finally agreed.
Now that he's to be released, there's a procedure to follow, which was easily completed.
However, before leaving, 000 was told some devastating news that would bring tears to anyone who heard or saw it.
Because it had helped its previous host hide when she was in danger, its remaining energy could only keep Yoriichi Tsugikuni at a standstill, rather than revive him.
000: [Protest! This is utterly outrageous!]
System Center: [Protest invalid. The world difficulty level is high, and we have already made things much easier for you. System 000, do not violate the rules or interfere excessively with the host's behavior!]
000 grasped the key point: "So Azhi can wake him up!"
System Center: [...]
000: […………]
On the way back, 000 thought and thought and finally came up with the wake-up method, which almost caused the whole system to explode.
Of course, it's exploded now too.
It had worked so hard to assist Azhi for so many years, always trying to help her develop healthily and coax her in everything she did. I never expected that it would pull this stunt at the very end.
This is utterly disgraceful.
000 looked extremely troubled, and Azhi immediately began to think of a very serious situation.
Her voice trembled, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead: "It won't be like in the stories, where they put a bowl or a basin of blood, will it?"
Aori once read a story that celebrated love, back when she was at the Tokitoya.
The story is roughly about a loving couple. The husband unfortunately contracted a serious illness and was about to pass away. On her way back from praying for his recovery, the wife encountered a miracle doctor.
The miracle doctor told the wife that she could use her own blood as a medicinal ingredient, drinking a bowl of it every day. He said that sincerity could move even the hardest heart, and her husband would recover.
Just as he predicted, the husband recovered, but the wife died from daily bloodletting. After learning the truth, the husband was very grateful to his wife and recorded the story.
After reading the story, Azhi felt depressed for several days. She didn't understand why such a story was used to glorify love, when it was clearly a tragedy.
However, thinking about this story now seems inappropriate, because Ori obviously has no relation to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, so... should she also shed a bowl of blood like the people in the story?
Azhi blinked.
000's voice boomed: "How is this possible?!"
000 was shocked. What gave the girl such a misconception?
It was always quite kind to Azhi, although it would occasionally tease her with mischievous intentions, but that was only because Azhi was too cute.
Just one drop, that's all. We're a legitimate system.
Even with an extra 000, it still disagreed, determined to pester the system center to open the backdoor again. Finally, it was still somewhat resentful, saying, "[If it weren't for that last time, you wouldn't have had to do anything.]"
Azhi breathed a sigh of relief, a look of ease appearing on her face. She pouted, "What kind of bad news is this?"
A drop of blood, it's just a mosquito bite.
She felt that some of the things she had just imagined were many times more terrifying than this, and comforted herself, saying, "Okay, okay, it's just a little bit of blood."
However, Azhi didn't mind needing a little blood; she just felt the method of awakening sounded a bit casual, silently complaining: "But this doesn't sound very scientific."
000 lifts the electronic eyelid: [Are you talking science in a world with ghosts?]
Azhi: 【。】Yes.
You need to ask them to leave for a moment.
The reason had already been thought of in advance: 000 knew that there was a memory inheritance technique in this world, and since Azhi was a descendant of "Azhi", anything that couldn't be explained could be attributed to this.
Azhi, however, was troubled. She pouted, expressing her fear without any embarrassment: "But I'm afraid to be alone."
Although we already know that he is Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a very powerful swordsman from the Sengoku period.
000 felt a little like rubbing Azhi's head again: [Aren't I here with you?]
Azhi puffed out her cheeks: "That's true."
I'm still afraid.
As expected, after Aori shared her thoughts, the first thought that popped into the minds of Giyu Tomioka and Sabito was that the girl had found her lost memories.
Ultimately, the only person who really knows the situation right now is probably A-Zhi, even though she seems a little out of it.
"Have you... found your memories?"
Sabito's lips unconsciously pressed into a straight line, his eyes calmly fixed on Aori, his expression very serious, "After this is over, I hope we can talk."
If Sabito previously felt that there was no need to delve too deeply into the girl's little secrets that were inconvenient to talk about, she would naturally speak up when she was willing to.
Now he felt it was necessary to investigate this secret, since it was just too outrageous.
Over time, he naturally figured out various ways to get along with girls, the most important of which was to speak to her without reservation and to tell her his truest thoughts.
Otherwise, she might not be able to perceive other people's true emotions at all due to her slowness. Some people may do this on purpose, but Azhi would not.
She simply couldn't see it.
Azhi seemed a little guilty. She answered softly, her long, thick eyelashes drooping down to cover her dark eyes: "Okay."
The girl's eyes darted away, and Sabito took a deep breath: "Are you sure nothing will happen?"
He guessed that Ori had recalled something, so she wanted to spend time alone with Yoriichi Tsugikuni, which would then trigger new memories.
Now that things have come to this, apart from Yoriichi Tsugikuni opening his eyes, there shouldn't be anything that can shock him anymore, but... how could that be?
Azhi wanted to say that nothing would happen, but she changed her words at the last minute, tilting her head back and saying, "I'll call if anything happens."
********
So, Azhi slowly crawled downwards.
Such a depth was indeed somewhat difficult for her. Holding onto the edge, she awkwardly tried to step on the ground with one foot, and finally managed to stand up.
000: [...]
The task force should have brought her down first.
After huffing and puffing her way to the bottom of the pit, she broke out in a sweat and was a little out of breath. Then she smelled a fresh scent of grass and trees, which reminded her of vibrant life.
The reality was quite the opposite; Yoriichi Tsugikuni, lying there, showed absolutely no signs of life.
That sounds a bit scary.
The swaying trees cast flickering shadows, waist-high weeds rustled in the wind, and a coffin lay before them, inside which lay a person…
Even though she knew Sabito and the others hadn't gone far, Aori still couldn't help but shudder, feeling a chill run down her spine.
She spoke haltingly, as if trying to bolster her courage, her voice slightly strained: "It was rather frightening."
000: [Don't be afraid, everything will be alright.]
The flashlight was placed on top; Aori hadn't taken it down earlier, so she needed to get closer to see Yoriichi's face clearly.
His eyes were closed, his eyebrows were deep and sharp, and his high nose bridge cast a profile on his face. He was handsome but pale, and the lines on his forehead were made more prominent.
For some reason, the closer she got to this person, the faster A-Zhi's heart beat. She even unconsciously pressed her hand against her chest, trying to calm herself down.
Even just lying there, he exuded an extremely oppressive aura.
Azhi took a half-step back, looking uneasy. After a moment, she frowned and said, "Those two really look alike."
She was referring to Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kokushibo.
Aori suddenly remembered that they were twins, and she happened to have seen Kokushibo's human form before, so she couldn't help but draw this conclusion by comparing the two.
000: […………]
Although it is true, saying this is enough to offend two people at the same time, and offend them thoroughly.
Perhaps it was just psychological, but 000 felt something was off and urged, "Okay, the sooner we finish, the better."
Azhi nodded obediently: 【Okay.】
She felt a slight stinging sensation at her fingertips, like being pricked by a needle, and then tiny beads of blood, the size of rice grains, slowly appeared on her fair fingertips.
Next, she had to feed the blood to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, which would require her to be in close contact with him.
Azhi took a deep breath and carefully tried to pry open the man's lips with her fingers, but she was startled and withdrew her hand as soon as she touched his skin.
—I got chilled.
This person has a temperature as cold as ice.
However, this is the most logical thing to do. If it were warm to the touch after being buried underground for so many years, it would feel even more eerie.
Azhi suddenly felt deflated. Hesitant and uncertain, her eyelashes trembling, she stammered, "He...he won't suddenly sit up, will he?"
Faced with the unknown, the girl seemed to want to understand all her questions before she could feel at ease, showing both vulnerability and timidity.
Knowing that this was still difficult for her to accept, 000 comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, he won't be able to get up."
000 isn't worried about that, after all, he's been lying down for over three hundred years, even an iron man would need some time to recover.
Even Yoriichi Tsugikuni wouldn't be able to do it; he'd have to stay in bed for at least half a month.
Azhi nodded, still a little nervous.
She unconsciously breathed very shallowly, as if afraid of waking him, even though she knew from 000 that Yoriichi Tsugikuni wouldn't suddenly wake up.
Her fingertips were trembling, and she applied a little too much force, so she missed her mark. Her fingertip brushed against Yoriichi's lower lip, leaving a bright red stain.
Like a woman putting on lipstick, her complexion did look much better, though it was a bit funny.
000, however, was deeply saddened by this waste, having been trying to soothe the girl's emotions: "Don't be nervous, just treat him like a block of wood."
Azhi curled the corners of her lips and, amidst 000's banter, gradually completed the task that sounded simple but was actually quite difficult for her.
In just a few breaths, the wound on my fingertip healed.
She knew it was 000 again, and breathed a sigh of relief as she prepared to back away. She wondered if it was just her imagination because her tense nerves had suddenly relaxed, but she felt that Yoriichi's Adam's apple seemed to move slightly.
Azhi felt a shiver run through her body. After looking closely, she realized that the person was still lying there obediently, and she thought it was just her imagination.
However, at this moment, she no longer wanted to stay here alone.
Without 000 urging her, Azhi had already turned to the side, preparing to gather her strength and call out loudly for Tomioka Giyu to come and take her out.
Therefore, she did not notice Yoriichi Tsugikuni's hand slowly emerging from the stone coffin.
His large palms were calloused from sword wounds, his knuckles were long and slender, and the veins on the back of his hands were prominent. At first, his movements were a little hesitant, as if he was getting used to it, but then he accurately encircled the girl's wrist.
Azhi looked up and only managed to let out a short gasp from her nose before she was dragged inside.
000: [Holy crap!]
-----------------------
The author's note: Not even Yoriichi Tsugikuni could do that a second ago.
The next second, holy crap!!!
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