Although Chiba Yang had eaten with Kyojuro Rengoku before, the Hashira had only eaten fewer than ten bowls back then.
Now, however, there were already more than twenty empty bowls stacked on the table.
Chiba Yang walked closer and spoke again.
"Master Rengoku, I passed the Final Selection."
"Delicious!!!"
Rengoku suddenly turned his head and shouted loudly, startling Chiba Yang.
After a while, Rengoku finally finished his meal. Chiba Yang then told him everything that had happened during the Final Selection.
"Excellent! Truly impressive!" Rengoku said energetically after listening.
"You are now officially a member of the Demon Slayer Corps! Let us continue to work hard together!"
"Yes!" Chiba Yang replied respectfully.
"Today I plan to visit my home," Rengoku said after their conversation about the Final Selection ended.
"Would you like to come along, Yang?"
"Huh? Is that really alright?" Chiba Yang asked in surprise.
"Of course! My previous successor visited my home several times as well."
The successor he referred to was Mitsuri Kanroji, the current Love Hashira.
"Alright then," Chiba Yang agreed.
On the lively streets of the city, Chiba Yang walked beside Rengoku.
When they passed a kimono shop, Rengoku suddenly stopped and stepped inside.
Chiba Yang followed him in.
After glancing at the price tags on the clothing, Chiba Yang could not help sighing inwardly.
Some of these clothes cost more than he could afford even if he spent an entire year gathering medicinal herbs in the mountains.
He was still wearing the clothes his mother had made for him.
He had worn them for two years now.
As he had grown taller, they no longer fit him very well.
"Welcome. If either of you sees something you like, please feel free to try it on," the shop attendant said with a smile.
"Take a look and see if you like anything, Yang," Rengoku said warmly.
"Huh? Me?"
Chiba Yang was stunned.
Once he understood what Rengoku meant, he quickly waved his hands.
"That's not necessary. My clothes are still wearable. Everything here is far too expensive…"
"Try this one."
As if he had not heard a word Chiba Yang said, Rengoku picked up a white kimono and handed it to him.
"…Alright."
Seeing that refusal was pointless, Chiba Yang accepted the clothing and tried it on.
His long black hair was tied into a high ponytail.
His features were sharp and composed.
Dressed in the white kimono, with the flame-like mark on his forehead adding a mysterious air, Chiba Yang looked every bit like a refined young swordsman.
"Very good!" Rengoku said after looking him over.
"You look much more spirited. We'll take this one!"
Without hesitation, he pulled out money and paid the shop owner.
"Master Rengoku…"
Chiba Yang opened his mouth slightly, surprised.
He had not realized that Rengoku had brought him here to buy new clothes.
"Consider it a gift to celebrate your success in the Final Selection," Rengoku said with a smile as he gently patted Chiba Yang's head.
"Keep working hard."
A warmth spread through Chiba Yang's chest.
It felt like the sudden appearance of sunlight on a freezing night—driving away darkness and cold while filling the world with warmth.
His nose suddenly felt a little sour.
From Rengoku, he experienced a feeling he had never known before.
What was it?
A teacher? An older brother? A father? A mentor?
Perhaps it was all of those things combined.
They soon arrived at the gate of the Rengoku residence.
Inside the courtyard, a young boy who looked very similar to Rengoku was sweeping the ground.
When he noticed Rengoku, he ran over happily.
So this is Master Rengoku's younger brother… They really do look alike.
Chiba Yang observed quietly.
"You've grown taller again, Senjuro," Rengoku said with a smile.
"How have things been recently?"
Hearing this, Senjuro lowered his head slightly.
"I still cannot learn the sword techniques you taught me," he said gloomily.
"I think I might not be suited to becoming a swordsman. I simply lack the talent for it."
"That is nothing to be upset about," Rengoku replied as he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Everyone has things they struggle with. Walk the path you believe is right. As your older brother, I will always support you."
Encouraged by Rengoku's words, Senjuro lifted his head again.
The sadness on his face gradually disappeared.
After chatting for a moment, Rengoku introduced the two of them.
"This is my successor, Chiba Yang."
"And this is my younger brother, Senjuro."
The two greeted each other politely.
Then the three of them walked into the house together.
As soon as they entered the residence, a middle-aged man with messy facial hair emerged while carrying a bottle of alcohol.
"Father," Rengoku greeted respectfully.
"Still playing the fool as a demon slayer?" the man scoffed after glancing at him.
"What a pointless occupation."
He was Rengoku Shinjuro.
After saying that, he turned as if to leave and buy more alcohol.
His words made Chiba Yang feel slightly uncomfortable.
But since this man was Rengoku's father, Chiba Yang remained silent.
Just as Shinjuro was about to step outside, his gaze suddenly landed on the mark on Chiba Yang's forehead.
He froze for a moment.
Then he let out a bitter laugh.
"So what if a mark has appeared?"
"It's still meaningless."
"In the end, you'll only become another short-lived fool."
After muttering those words in a weary tone, he staggered away.
For some reason, Chiba Yang sensed loneliness hidden within his voice.
Still, the mention of a "mark" left him confused.
"Master Rengoku…" Chiba Yang said quietly, looking at him with concern.
Having one's efforts rejected by family must be painful.
As for being called short-lived, Chiba Yang did not care much.
Rengoku, however, remained calm.
He seemed unsurprised.
He simply watched his father's retreating figure with a trace of sadness in his eyes.
Chiba Yang stayed at the Rengoku residence for lunch.
After the meal, Rengoku received a mission delivered by his Kasugai Crow.
Since Chiba Yang's Nichirin Blade had not yet been forged, he could not accompany Rengoku on the mission.
He returned alone to the Demon Slayer Corps barracks.
Just as he arrived at the entrance, he encountered a familiar face—the pompadour-haired boy from the Final Selection.
The boy noticed him as well.
After snorting coldly, he turned and walked away.
Chiba Yang gave up on the idea of greeting him.
Ten days later, a strange man wearing a straw hat and a fiery mask appeared before Chiba Yang.
"I am the swordsmith Tetsumaru Yama from the Swordsmith Village," the man said respectfully.
"I have come under orders to deliver the Nichirin Blade forged for the swordsman Chiba Yang."