Chapter 40: Yoriichi, carrying a song on his back, reunites with the thieving giant chicken in the Demon Slayer world...
After saying goodbye to Fukuzawa-sensei, Yoriichi and I returned to the world of Demon Slayer. Seven years had passed, and the small wooden cabin in the mountains had become quite dilapidated, but the surrounding scenery remained unchanged.
Yoriichi was still looking nostalgically at the wooden house he used to live in when I suggested, "This place is too dilapidated. We'll have to clean it up if we move in. Let's go straight to Tsugikuni. Iwakatsu has been waiting for you to come back!"
That's the truth. Although Iwakatsu feels physically nauseous whenever he sees his younger brother, he's been hoping for Yoriichi's return so he can learn the Breath of the Sun.
Completely unaware of the truth, Yoriichi, the brother-obsessed brother of Tsugikuni, smiled slightly upon hearing my words and nodded gently, clearly eager to see his brother.
So we didn't linger in the old cabin and went straight down the mountain to Jiguo.
During the journey, I felt extremely unwell. The amount of chakra I absorbed from the Naruto world was far less than the amount I absorbed in the Bungo Stray Dogs world.
To put it simply, in the Bungo Stray Dogs world, my chakra reserves were consistently around a quarter of a card. While low, it was barely enough as long as I didn't engage in prolonged battles. But now, in the Demon Slayer world, my chakra reserves are only about one-fortieth of a card. A single transformation jutsu depletes them completely, practically rendering them useless. *sigh*
Fortunately, I have been continuously sealing my chakra in my forehead all these years. Although it's not much, it's enough to support a major battle.
I formed hand seals to make the Yin Seal on my forehead visible. This way, I can use the chakra in the Yin Seal at any time if I encounter danger, and I no longer have to worry about accidentally dying in the battle against demons.
Yoriichi was slightly curious when he saw the purple diamond-shaped mark that suddenly appeared on my forehead, but he didn't ask any questions. Instead, I took the initiative to tell him about the Yin Seal and my current lack of chakra, so that he could be mentally prepared that I wouldn't be able to take him out to play around anymore.
The boy in front of him nodded knowingly, then half-squatted down and said, "It must be tiring to walk if you can't use chakra, right? I'll carry you."
I was so touched at that moment. She really is an angel, so sweet.
Thinking that Yoriichi's physique meant he wouldn't get tired even after carrying me for a whole day and night, I unceremoniously climbed onto his back, and Yoriichi easily carried me on his back as we continued toward Tsugumi Country.
On the way, having nothing else to do, I started chatting with him...
For the past four years, I've been spending all my time in the lab, and it's a good day if I can go back once a week. Every time, I'm competing with Ranpo for Fukuzawa-sensei's favor. Yoriichi isn't very talkative, so we've had a lot less interaction in our daily lives. Now, I finally have a chance to have a good chat.
Fourteen-year-old Yoriichi is no longer autistic, but he is still somewhat dull. He rarely speaks on his own initiative and only answers what I ask. He is so honest that I strongly suspect he would honestly tell me what color underwear he is wearing today.
"White."
Yoriichi's casual remark left me stunned for a moment before I realized I had accidentally blurted out my true feelings. I covered my face in embarrassment—I couldn't believe I had asked such a lewd question. I felt so ashamed.
Just as my face started to burn, Yoriichi asked with great concern, "What's wrong with Uta? Your heart is beating and your blood is flowing faster. Are you feeling unwell?"
Me: "..." Yoriichi's little angel is so innocent. What can I say? I feel like whatever I say will only taint his soul!
"I'm fine," I said, covering my face. I truly felt unworthy of Yoriichi. He was like a god who was unaware of the ways of the world, making me, a mere mortal, feel utterly ashamed.
After hesitating for a moment, I tentatively asked, "What are Yoriichi's plans for the future? I mean, after he kills the Demon King and saves the world."
"I want to join the Armed Detective Agency and work with my teacher and Ranpo. What about the song? Should I go back to the Port Mafia?"
"I haven't decided yet. I might not stay in the Bungo Stray Dogs world for long in the future. After all, the Naruto world is my home!"
My words silenced Yoriichi and made me a little anxious. He invited me to stay, which might mean he had feelings for me. What did it mean that he was not saying anything now?
Normally, I'm the type to say whatever comes to mind, but when it comes to matters of the heart, I can't help but hesitate. Especially since Yoriichi is only fourteen years old and his mind is as pure as a sheet of paper, I simply can't bring up the future with him. I always feel like I'd be tainting him, so I'd better leave it at that for now.
Slightly annoyed, I shut my mouth and stopped talking. Yoriichi also remained silent, so the rest of the journey became dull, making me drowsy. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep on his back.
When I woke up again, it was already the next day. Yoriichi was still carrying me on his back, his breathing perfectly steady. However, when I touched his clothes, which were soaked with dew, I knew he hadn't rested at all that night, and I didn't know what to say.
He's fourteen years old, how come he's still as lacking in common sense as he was when he was seven! Doesn't he know how to rest? He carried me all night like that, even if he wasn't tired, it would still be uncomfortable to maintain one position for so long!
"Take a break, Yoriichi," I said with concern, trying to get off his back. However, Yoriichi didn't put me down, but simply said in a calm voice, "We're almost there, just ahead."
I subconsciously looked ahead and saw a traditional Japanese mansion. This was exactly what Iwakatsu had shown me in my dream when he was adopted into the national residence.
"Looks like we've really arrived. Put me down, you can't carry me in, that would be too embarrassing."
I patted Yoriichi on the shoulder, and he put me down. Then, as usual, he took my hand and walked towards the Tsugukuni residence.
Because of Yoriichi's face, which resembled that of Iwakatsu, we easily entered the Tsugikuni residence. At the same time, we learned some news from the servants who were leading the way, which we didn't know if it was bad or not: Yoriichi's scumbag father was about to die.
I stole a glance at Yoriichi's expression. His face was as indifferent as ever. That's right, that kind of scumbag father isn't worth being sad about at all. He should die sooner rather than later.
Of course, this is just my personal opinion. I don't think Yoriichi felt hatred or sadness. The only person who could make him show any emotional change in the entire Sengoku period was probably Kokusatsu.
Although I absolutely despise Yoriichi, that scumbag father who became the lord of the Tsugikuni family, his death would be a huge problem. I've already successfully persuaded Kokuchi to join the Demon Slayer Corps with us now, but with the lord of the Tsugikuni family critically ill, Kokuchi's sense of responsibility dictates that he must take over as head of the family, get married, and have children…
If he can uphold his responsibilities, then I'll just take Yoriichi away and definitely won't bother him.
But Iwakatsu can't hold on. He's destined to become a scumbag who abandons his wife and children in pursuit of Yoriichi's glory. If that happens, I can't help but break off all ties with him!
So even if you hate Lord Tsugikuni, you can't let him die. You absolutely can't let Kokusatsu become a scumbag. If he wants to get married, he should wait until his resentment and obsession with Yoriichi disappear. Uh, it looks like Kokusatsu is destined to be a lifelong bachelor!
As I approached the door to Lord Tsugikuni's bedroom, a strong smell of medicine and blood wafted out as the shoji door was opened. I immediately saw Tsugikuni Iwakatsu, dressed in a purple samurai outfit, kneeling on the tatami mat. He looked down at the middle-aged man lying on the bed in front of him, breathing weakly, his expression very solemn.
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