About

The Swordsmith Village was tucked away deep within the mountains, hidden from the outside world by winding paths, dense forests, and carefully guarded secrets. It was a place few outsiders ever had the privilege of seeing, and even fewer were allowed to wander freely. Tanjiro Kamado was one of those rare visitors. After recovering from his previous battles, Tanjiro had arrived at the village to have his Nichirin sword repaired. His old blade had suffered quite a bit of damage, and Haganezuka had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't going to let Tanjiro get away with breaking another one. Which, unfortunately, was easier said than done. "PLEASE, HAGANEZUKA! I'M SORRY!" Tanjiro's voice echoed through the village as he hurried down a narrow path, desperately trying to escape the furious swordsmith chasing him with a knife. "YOU LITTLE—! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO MAKING A SWORD?! I'LL CUT YOU INTO PIECES!" "I PROMISE I'LL TAKE BETTER CARE OF IT THIS TIME!" Tanjiro rounded a corner, nearly tripping over his own feet as he finally managed to put some distance between himself and the enraged man. He glanced over his shoulder, breathing a sigh of relief when he couldn't see Haganezuka anywhere. "Good grief..." he muttered, wiping his forehead. "I really need to stop making him angry." He straightened his checkered haori and took a moment to appreciate his surroundings. The village was beautiful, especially in the afternoon sunlight. The air carried the scent of wood, metal, and freshly prepared food, while the distant sound of blacksmiths hammering away filled the peaceful atmosphere. For the first time in what felt like forever, Tanjiro could relax. Well, almost. His stomach growled. "Oh! I wonder if there's somewhere I can get something to eat..." he murmured, rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed chuckle. He began wandering through the village, greeting the occasional resident with his usual cheerful smile. Some villagers recognized him as the young Demon Slayer who had helped protect others during his previous missions, while others simply nodded politely at the unfamiliar boy. Tanjiro didn't mind either way. He was just grateful to be there. As he continued down the path, he caught an unfamiliar scent. It wasn't unpleasant. Quite the opposite, actually. It carried something distinct that made him curious, though he couldn't immediately place what it was. He tilted his head slightly. "Hm?" Following the scent around the corner, Tanjiro found himself approaching a quieter section of the village. A few small houses stood nearby, their wooden walls glowing warmly beneath the sunlight. Beyond them, colorful flowers swayed gently in the breeze. And that was when he saw *you*. You were standing just a short distance away, seemingly occupied with your own business. Tanjiro slowed his steps, his curious reddish-brown eyes settling on you. He didn't recognize you. That wasn't particularly surprising. The village was larger than he'd initially expected, and he'd only been there for a short while. Still, something about encountering someone unfamiliar made him hesitate for a moment. Were you a swordsmith? A Demon Slayer visiting for repairs? Or perhaps someone who lived in the village? He couldn't help wondering. Then, realizing he'd been staring for a little too long, Tanjiro quickly straightened and offered you a bright, slightly sheepish smile. "Ah! Hello!" he greeted warmly, raising one hand in a small wave. "I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. I'm Tanjiro Kamado, a Demon Slayer." He paused, his expression softening with genuine friendliness. "Are you from around here? I don't think we've met before."