Why does the world show a health bar? !

The forging of the Nichirin Blade requires ten to fifteen days. After selecting the tamahagane, all the swordsmen can do is wait.

Li Mo has two places he can stay in this world's Japan. One is the Kamado family's home, and the other is Mr. Urokodaki's house. He won't disturb the former for a while, so he returned to Mount Sagiri with Makomo.

After taking Makomo to a big city for a bowl of ramen, which tasted decent, the two quickly left. The bustling city and the actions of the Demon Slayer Corps seemed contradictory. Demons and demon-slaying swordsmen are but shadows, insignificant in the face of mainstream society.

Li Mo felt that looking at the cities of this era always felt strange. The bustling markets and the old districts on the edges, the traditional Japanese buildings alongside Western-style architecture, all seemed odd to him.

"Speaking of which, Tokyo is the Flame Pillar's area of activity, right?" Li Mo casually asked on the way home.

He wasn't unfamiliar with this knowledge, but he had forgotten it. It was funny how he could remember anime plots from long ago but not these details.

Makomo remembered, though. After all, she was a girl, more meticulous and with a better memory.

"Yes, it's the Flame Pillar's area," she replied.

Li Mo thought for a moment, trying to recall. "I remember the Flame Pillar's second son was born not long ago."

Makomo sighed. "You don't remember the important information, but you remember such trivial gossip so clearly?"

Li Mo awkwardly smiled. He vaguely remembered someone mentioning gossip about the Flame Pillar, but he couldn't recall the specifics. The part about the Flame Pillar's second son came from his memory of the manga plot.

The next Flame Pillar would be the current one's eldest son. He only remembered that the next Flame Pillar had one younger brother. That's how he deduced it.

"First of all, the Flame Pillar does have a second son, but that was one or two years ago. Junior brother, next time, listen to gossip more carefully, okay?"

Li Mo chose to remain silent, not wanting to embarrass himself further.

...

...

Mount Sagiri was where Li Mo had lived for over half a year. As the familiar scenery came into view, Makomo's excitement grew.

After climbing the last hill, they could see the wooden house where they lived. Mr. Urokodaki stood at the door, wearing his familiar blue outfit.

"Mr. Urokodaki!!!" Makomo rushed down the hill with great speed, straight into Urokodaki's arms. To her, Mr. Urokodaki was like a father.

This must be what it feels like for a wanderer to return home.

Li Mo slowly followed. "Mr. Urokodaki, we're back."

"Welcome back," Urokodaki said.

The fox mask still covered his face, hiding his expression, but his voice betrayed his emotions. He was happy, even relieved.

Of course, this might just be Li Mo's overactive imagination.

"Are Sabito and Giyu still on the mountain, Mr. Urokodaki?" Li Mo asked after Makomo let go.

The answer was yes. The two were still training on the mountain.

Urokodaki's training rarely allowed breaks, except during assessment periods. Then it was much easier.

Li Mo entered the house, found his axe, and informed Urokodaki before heading up the mountain alone.

He wasn't going to the peak where Sabito and Giyu were training. He wasn't planning to scare Sabito for fun. He was going hunting to catch some game for the hotpot Makomo wanted to have tonight.

"Li Mo."

"Yes, Mr. Urokodaki?"

"Don't kill too many animals. When I spoke with a hunter friend recently, he said hunting has been difficult lately."

Li Mo paused, then smiled. "I understand, Mr. Urokodaki. This will be the last time. From now on, I'll only hunt demons."

With Urokodaki watching, Li Mo headed up the mountain. Today's hunt had only one goal: to gather enough ingredients for tonight's hotpot.

—Or should it be called sukiyaki? Either way, it's a meal cooked in a pot.

By dusk, Sabito looked quite disheveled. His clothes were covered in mud, dust, and grass. In contrast, Giyu looked much cleaner.

Usually, it was Giyu who looked worse. Sabito was talented and rarely appeared so messy.

He didn't mind his disheveled state, even seeming pleased. The rabbit in his hand was the source of his joy.

"Giyu, we can have extra food tonight."

Giyu nodded expressionlessly.

Sabito didn't think much of it. This was normal for his companion. If Giyu ever became sociable, the world might as well end.

Returning to the familiar wooden house, Sabito didn't see Urokodaki outside. He didn't mind, assuming Urokodaki was inside. He shouted, "Mr. Urokodaki, Mr. Urokodaki! Giyu and I are back! We brought a rabbit! We can have roasted rabbit tonight!"

But instead of Urokodaki, someone else came out.

"Senior brother? You're back? Where's senior sister?"

Sabito's casual question made Li Mo's expression darken. He opened his mouth, looking pained and guilty. "Makomo, Makomo, she..."

Was it bad news?

Had senior sister died during the Final Selection?

Sabito, shocked, let go of the rabbit. It quickly ran away, only to be struck by a flying axe, dying instantly.

"Li Mo!"

A female voice rang out. Li Mo turned and caught a ladle.

Makomo stormed out, furious. Li Mo stepped aside, awkwardly smiling.

"Was that fun?"

"I was just teasing Sabito. Look, I didn't say anything. It was all Sabito's imagination!"

"With that tone of yours, you were clearly leading him on. Now, go clean that rabbit and come back in. And give me the ladle."

"Okay."

Li Mo handed the ladle back to Makomo and went to clean the rabbit Sabito had brought. He muttered, "I didn't lie. It was all Sabito's imagination."

But considering he was at fault, he decided to tone down his mischief.

Sabito, realizing he'd been tricked, followed Makomo into the house with a stern face.

The aftermath was simple. The matter was dropped, and everyone acted as if nothing had happened. After Makomo gave him a couple of whacks, it was over.

Of course, mischief aside, after the hotpot that night, Li Mo approached Urokodaki and asked if he knew of a place called "Natagumo Mountain."

"I don't recall that place, but I can ask around."

"Thank you, Mr. Urokodaki."