Just as she said, Shinobu Kocho did nothing beyond drawing Takeo's blood.
Later, Takeo realized that the reason Shinobu Kocho had used such gentle words to "threaten" them was because she had genuinely been angry about the injuries they had sustained during their fight.
But once her anger subsided, she returned to her usual self.
The main reason was that Muichiro recovered very quickly. Within just a few days, his injuries had completely healed.
"Although the human body isn't as resilient as a demon's, with the aid of the Breathing Techniques, even a human can possess recovery abilities far beyond the average person's… though still not comparable to demons—or to you," Shinobu Kocho remarked.
She was mixing sothing using Takeo's blood. At last, she poured the solution into a test tube, sealed it, and placed it inside a box beside her.
"The conditions here are still too limited. We'll need to return to the Butterfly Mansion to properly analyze the results."
Takeo didn't know what she intended to do with his blood, and he didn't ask.
As Hashiras, there existed a fundantal level of trust between them. They didn't ask questions that didn't need answering. This unspoken understanding held true between Takeo and Shinobu Kocho.
However, though Takeo didn't ask, Shinobu Kocho spoke up on her own.
After she had packed her things, she turned to him and asked:
"Aren't you curious what I'm doing with your blood?"
"Not really."
"Ah, aren't you worried I might do sothing bad to you? After all, your recovery ability is sothing anyone would envy," Shinobu Kocho asked with a smile.
Takeo sat cross-legged on the corridor, basking in the sunlight with his two Nichirin swords resting on his knees. He appeared to be ditating. At her words, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Shinobu Kocho.
"I trust you," he said calmly.
"That's really…" Kocho Shinobu paused for a mont, clearly taken aback. Then she shook her head helplessly and finally said, "Well, it is your blood, after all. There are so things I should explain to you."
"I want to use your blood to study the secret behind your extraordinary recovery ability. If I can replicate even a fraction of it… maybe, just maybe, fewer people in the Demon Slayer Corps would have died."
Shinobu Kocho spoke frankly.
Ever since discovering Takeo's powerful regenerative ability, she had harbored this idea.
Normally, Shinobu didn't concern herself with others' unique physiques, but when it ca to recovery ability, she couldn't ignore it.
Just imagine—if the other Hashira could possess a similar level of regeneration, even just one-tenth of Takeo's, their combat endurance would rise dramatically.
Perhaps in a future life-or-death battle—one that should end in tragedy—they might be able to survive, all thanks to improved recovery.
This was sothing that affected every mber of the Demon Slayer Corps, and Shinobu couldn't help but care about it.
After hearing Shinobu Kocho's words, Takeo nodded in understanding. Not only did he understand—he agreed with her completely.
Takeo nodded and said, "If you need blood in the future, you can co to directly."
Shinobu Kocho wanted more people to survive—and in that regard, Takeo felt the sa.
He even wondered, if Iori and Asato had possessed the sa recovery ability as him, even if just a weaker version, would they have been able to survive?
But no matter how much he thought about it, the dead would not co back to life.
All Takeo could do now was prevent more people from dying, to stop more tragedies from happening.
And Shinobu Kocho's goal aligned perfectly with his.
Since Shinobu Kocho's Nichirin sword only needed repairs, she didn't stay long in the Swordsmith Village before leaving.
That sa day, Muichiro—who had arrived much earlier to have his sword reforged—also left the village to resu his duties as a Hashira.
In the end, Takeo was the only Hashira left in the Swordsmith Village.
After all, he wielded two swords, and forging and tempering both of them would naturally take more ti, so he had to stay longer.
However, Takeo wasn't bored during this ti.
Because—Tanjiro received a letter.
As expected, Giyu Tomioka had told Tanjiro about Takeo. And after Tanjiro slled the scarf Takeo had given him, he imdiately confird his identity.
A few days later, his letter arrived in Takeo's hands.
...
Takeo, long ti no see… how are you?
I've heard from Mr. Giyu that you're still alive… That's great. Besides Nezuko, I still have family in this world. It's really great…
But at the sa ti, I'm also very sorry. I'm sorry, Takeo. I'm really sorry. I didn't check carefully that day and didn't find that you were still alive. I didn't take you away with . I'm really, really sorry!
When we et, hit ! Even if you break my bones with your fists, I will never resist!
Also, I heard that you also joined the Demon Slayer Corps and almost beca a Hashira? That's amazing. I have to keep working hard as your brother too!
Oh, oh, I forgot to ntion that I am currently training under Mr. Urokodaki. Training with Mr. Urokodaki is really hard. Every day I have to dodge traps and swing swords. Recently I have to learn Breathing Techniques, but I cannot master the breathing rules and I am always beaten by Mr. Urokodaki.
He said to breathe with your belly… it's really hard to understand.
But I will try my best! My brother has beco so strong, and as his elder brother, I must at least not hold him back!
And… I heard from Mr. Urokodaki that you seem to have lost your mories of the past? I don't know how much mory you still have of your family, but it doesn't matter even if you've forgotten everything! I will tell you bit by bit!
I'm sorry, I said a little too much in this first letter. Mr. Urokodaki is urging to go to training again. I'll talk about the rest next ti!
——Kamado Tanjiro
...
The content of the first letter wasn't very long. It mainly expressed Tanjiro's joy at discovering that Takeo was still alive, as well as his deep regret for not realizing it that day.
It was clear that he had been genuinely excited, happy, and remorseful.
The letter was covered in wrinkles and water stains, suggesting that Tanjiro had likely been crying as he wrote it.
The first letter was sent on the day of Takeo's duel with Muichiro, but because it had to be delivered through the Kakushi, it didn't reach Takeo until the next day.
Then, on the day Shinobu Kocho left, the second letter also arrived in Takeo's hands.
...
Takeo! Congratulations on becoming a Hashira! That's amazing! So amazing! I'm really happy for you! I'll have to work even harder now too!
But Takeo, while being a Hashira is great, please take care of yourself and don't push too hard! Also, please try not to get hurt, or else your brother and sister will be very sad!
So please, look after yourself!
By the way, I don't think I ntioned Nezuko's situation? Your sister Nezuko is doing well right now. For so reason, I can't tell you the details, but don't worry—she's safe, and your big brother will protect her and you!
Even though it seems like you don't need my protection right now… I'll still keep working hard! Yeah! Keep working hard!!
…I've recently learned so clues about the Breathing Technique from Mr. Urokodaki. The sensation of the body being strengthened is called 'Total Concentration Breathing.' I heard you mastered it in less than a day. That's incredible. I'm a little ashad.
Oh, I almost forgot—I still want to talk to you about our family. Where should I start?
Let's start with Rokuta. Rokuta was the youngest in the family, our little brother. If he were still alive… he would be four years old this year…
...
The handwriting here was blurred in places, likely from tears, but it didn't affect readability.
In the latter part of the letter, Tanjiro focused on describing Rokuta's personality—what he liked and disliked, who he enjoyed spending ti with the most, and what gas he liked to play in daily life.
_________
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