One Piece: With Sign-in System-Chapter 274 - 25 – The First Thing He Did at the Swordsmith Village

From that day onward—

Ron began living within the Demon Slayer Corps.

What had happened that day was quietly suppressed by Kagaya Ubuyashiki. No one was allowed to spread it any further. The Hashira solemnly forbade their Tsuguko and subordinates from disturbing that man’s rest without good reason.

Within the entire Corps, the only people permitted to freely enter and exit that secluded house were the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, and her Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri.

But neither of them were the kind to pry or extract information.

As a result, many within the Demon Slayer Corps became aware that a mysterious outsider was now living in the Butterfly Mansion—yet no one really knew who he was or what his purpose might be. The mystery only deepened, becoming the subject of endless speculation.

Whenever someone passed by that courtyard, their gaze would instinctively drift toward it, curiosity tugging at them.

...

That day—

Shinobu stepped into the courtyard.

Ron was lounging comfortably in a reclining chair beneath a tree, quietly reading a book. On the side, delicate wagashi [A type of confectionery] sat neatly arranged on a tray.

In the open space before him, Kanao was diligently practicing her swordplay, her Nichirin Blade flashing under the sun.

Under Ron’s tutelage over the past few days, her swordsmanship had improved at an astonishing pace.

"Any updates lately?" Ron asked, lifting his eyes to Shinobu.

She nodded. "It’s about Tanjiro. After a recent battle, he and his companions arrived at the Wisteria House to recover. Along with him are two other Demon Slayers from his Final Selection cohort."

Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, huh...

Ron gave a small nod.

Looks like the core group of protagonists was finally assembled.

Next stop... must be Natagumo Mountain.

Whoosh!

Kanao unleashed the Fourth Form of Flower Breathing – Crimson Hanagoromo, then immediately shifted her stance and followed up with Fifth Form – Peonies of Futility.

The two sword techniques flowed together seamlessly, forming the illusion of a blooming peony across the yard—beautiful, yet deadly.

Shinobu’s eyes widened slightly.

To connect those two forms so fluidly... that wasn’t just practice.

Her strength’s already grown this much in such a short time?

Shinobu turned her eyes to Ron.

Ron noticed her gaze and looked back. "Something wrong?"

In a soft voice, Shinobu asked, "Ron-san... As a Hashira, I’m usually busy during the day. Would it be alright if I came to you at night... to learn swordsmanship?"

"Sure."

Ron answered casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Shinobu’s face immediately lit up with joy.

Ron picked up another piece of wagashi, popped it into his mouth, then glanced at her and asked, "Any breakthroughs on the Mark or the Crimson blades?"

Shinobu shook her head. "We’ve uncovered quite a bit of old documentation, but as for how to activate them... we haven’t found the key yet."

"No need to rush it," Ron replied. "Once your strength reaches a certain point, and you experience the right kind of life-or-death pressure, you’ll find the way naturally."

Saying that, he stood and stretched. "Still, staying holed up here all the time is getting a little dull. Come on, take a walk with me."

"Walk? Where to?"

"The Swordsmith Village."

Shinobu blinked. "...Eh?"

Ron smiled. "If I’m going to be teaching you all swordsmanship, I’ll need a sword myself, don’t you think?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Hearing that, Shinobu quickly agreed and accompanied Ron toward the hidden village of the swordsmiths.

When the Kakushi [Demon Slayer Corps Attendant], Goto, caught wind of this, he immediately reported it to Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

"The Swordsmith Village, huh... Understood."

Ubuyashiki nodded and penned a letter on the spot, handing it to Goto to be delivered to the village chief—Tecchin Tecchikawahara.

The letter conveyed a simple yet important message: Ron was an honored guest of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Swordsmith Village was instructed to treat him with the utmost respect. If he had any requests, they were to fulfill them to the best of their abilities, with all expenses covered by the Corps and the Ubuyashiki family.

Without delay, Goto took the letter and set off for the Swordsmith Village.

Once he left, Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s wife, Amane, approached her husband and softly said,

"Sanemi seems to have woken up."

"Has he?" Kagaya smiled gently. "That’s wonderful news. I’ll go see him."

"I’ll come with you."

"No need," he replied warmly. "My body hasn’t felt this good in years. I’d like to enjoy the feeling while I still can."

Amane didn’t press further. Instead, she leaned her head gently on his shoulder and whispered,

"I’m just so glad..."

Kagaya placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice full of emotion.

"It’s all thanks to Mr. Ron. We must never forget what he’s done for us."

...

Kagaya Ubuyashiki arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.

Aoi Kanzaki and the three little girls with her looked on in confusion as a perfectly healthy Kagaya walked by, accompanied by a member of the Kakushi. At first, none of them recognized him.

It wasn’t until Kagaya entered the mansion and the Kakushi member remained outside that the man turned to the stunned group and asked,

"You’ve never seen the Master before? Why didn’t you greet him?"

That was when realization finally dawned.

The three girls, with their wide, teary eyes, gasped in unison.

"EHHH?!"

"That was—just now—was that the Master?!" Aoi stammered, nearly choking on her own words. "But... the Master... wasn’t he critically ill?!"

The Kakushi member, Maeda, crossed his arms, looking toward the closed door.

"I don’t know the full details myself, but... the Master’s illness really did vanish overnight. It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? Without a doubt, this must be the blessing of the gods."

"The gods... blessed him?" Aoi echoed dumbly.

Maeda nodded solemnly.

"Yes. The gods’ blessing."

...

Inside the mansion.

Sanemi Shinazugawa, heavily bandaged and looking worse for wear, lay in bed.

Kagaya approached and called gently,

"Sanemi."

Sanemi slowly opened his eyes, his vision hazy at first—until he saw Kagaya’s face clearly. Not only was his complexion healthy, but his face was unscarred, and his eyes gleamed with clarity.

"Master...?" Sanemi blinked rapidly. "Your face... your eyes..."

Kagaya smiled softly.

"Yes. Thanks to Mr. Ron, I’ve made a remarkable recovery. I can even see again."

Sanemi stared, dumbfounded.

"That guy? That guy healed you?"

Kagaya nodded once more, then added,

"Also, about what Mr. Ron said before... when he called you an idiot, he didn’t mean it the way you thought."

He then calmly recounted everything that had happened after Sanemi was knocked unconscious and what Ron had said and done since.

Sanemi lay there in stunned silence, his brain struggling to process the series of revelations.

...

Meanwhile.

Ron and Shinobu had arrived at the Swordsmith Village.

And the very first thing Ron did...

Was—

Take a bath.

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