Moreover, Hotaru Haganezuka's curiosity wasn't limited to the color that the Nichirin Blade would reveal in Ren Kuroda's hands—she was equally fascinated by Ren himself.
When she first began forging Ren's Nichirin Blade, Hotaru Haganezuka had firmly believed that adding fragments from a previously broken sword would only degrade the blade's quality.
However, after learning Ren's true intentions, she chose to reforge those fragments and incorporate them into the forging process.
What followed completely defied her expectations.
The forging was not only successful—it resulted in something she could not explain.
Under normal circumstances, adding ordinary materials to a Nichirin Blade should have lowered its overall quality compared to a standard blade.
Yet the moment Ren's Nichirin Blade was completed, Hotaru Haganezuka—a swordsmith with decades of experience—felt it unmistakably.
This was the finest sword she had ever forged.
The realization left her deeply perplexed.
The forging techniques she used were no different from before. The materials were excellent, yes—but the addition of ordinary iron should have introduced flaws.
And yet, it was precisely this imperfection that opened the door to something more.
After long contemplation, Hotaru Haganezuka finally came to a conclusion.
What had transformed the blade was not the materials—but the intent embedded within it.
To a master swordsmith, a sword is not merely steel. It possesses life of its own, though the conditions required to awaken it remain unknown.
And within Ren's Nichirin Blade, Hotaru Haganezuka saw the potential for the birth of something legendary—
A sword spirit.
Because of this, when she personally delivered the blade, her curiosity toward the man named Ren Kuroda had only grown stronger.
And the moment she saw him in person, she immediately sensed it—
That astonishingly pure essence of swordsmanship within him.
"You're Ren Kuroda?""The kid who made that outrageous request for a sword?"
Wearing a fireman-style mask and a straw hat, Hotaru Haganezuka held a long sword encased in a black-lacquered wooden scabbard and presented it before Ren as she spoke.
The Nichirin Blade she offered was slightly longer than standard, due to the reforged fragments integrated into its core.
It featured a glossy black scabbard, a purple diamond-patterned hilt, and a pale violet bandage wrapped around the grip—giving it an eerie yet dignified presence.
"That's right. I'm Ren Kuroda," he replied."So… this is my Nichirin Blade?"
Ren accepted the sword from Hotaru Haganezuka.
The instant his hand closed around the hilt, he felt it.
A connection.
Unlike the Nichirin Blade he had once borrowed from a girl at Fujikasane Mountain, this blade felt as though it had been created specifically for him.
Instinctively, Ren activated the system's appraisal function.
In an instant, a flood of information appeared before him.
Nichirin Blade (Unnamed)Item Rank: A-Rank
A Nichirin Blade meticulously forged by the Demon Slayer Corps' master swordsmith, Hotaru Haganezuka.Exceptional materials were used, and the forging process was imbued with profound gratitude and intent, elevating the blade beyond conventional limits.
Effects:
Slashes possess the properties of sunlight, suppressing demonic regeneration and ensuring complete annihilation.
When paired with its compatible breathing style, Demon Breathing, the power of attacks and slashes is greatly amplified.
The blade houses a powerful will, granting limitless growth potential and the capacity to unleash extraordinary power under specific conditions.
Staring at the lengthy appraisal, Ren stood frozen, his mouth hanging slightly open.
He had never imagined that his Nichirin Blade would reach an A-Rank.
Previously, when he had borrowed a Nichirin Blade at Fujikasane Mountain, the system's evaluation had only rated it as C-Rank.
He had assumed that most standard Nichirin Blades fell within that range.
In fact, he had even feared that insisting on adding fragments from a broken sword might lower his blade's rank to C- or perhaps even D.
Yet not only had the rank failed to drop—
It had skyrocketed.
An unprecedented A-Rank.
It even surpassed the demon sword he once possessed in his original world—Oni-Kujira.
Originally, Ren had only felt that trampling on the will behind another sword was wrong, and had impulsively chosen to carry on the mission of the previous blade.
Who could have imagined that this decision would yield such an overwhelming reward?
Seeing Ren's stunned expression and half-open mouth, Hotaru Haganezuka revealed a deeply satisfied look beneath her mask.
Clearly, she believed he was a genuine swordsman—someone who could sense the extraordinary nature of the blade the moment he grasped it.
In truth, her own reaction during the forging process hadn't been much better than his.
"Well?" she said proudly."Impressed by my craftsmanship?"
"This sword is probably the greatest work I've forged in my entire career."
"Though the materials had flaws, it gained something far more precious."
"To be honest… while forging this blade, I—the swordsmith—was the one who learned a lesson."
"No matter how perfect the materials or how flawless the technique, without a matching heart, a true masterpiece can never be created."
"The finest sword without heart is nothing more than cold steel."
"But a sword imbued with heart… becomes a living companion."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Cherish this blade, kid. If I ever find out you broke it carelessly, I won't forgive you."
Hotaru Haganezuka spoke at length, yet surprisingly, she never once criticized Ren.
On the contrary, she was genuinely grateful to him—for teaching her this truth.
If other members of the Demon Slayer Corps witnessed her demeanor at this moment, they would undoubtedly be stunned.
After all, Hotaru Haganezuka was notoriously terrible with people.
She cared only about swords—and almost nothing else.
Words like these were exceedingly rare from her.
"I should be the one thanking you," Ren said sincerely as he held the blade."This is truly the finest sword I've ever seen. Your craftsmanship is extraordinary."
Without her, he would never have obtained such a weapon.
"Enough with the formalities!" Hotaru Haganezuka snapped impatiently."Hurry up and draw it already!"
"Let me see its color!"
"I've been dying to know whether a Nichirin Blade this exceptional will reveal something unusual!"
Seeing her barely contained excitement, Ren couldn't help but chuckle.
Slowly—
He drew his Nichirin Blade.
..
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