76. Gozo, the Blunt Lover
With a good night of rest, Kotaro was rejuvenated. Since he had enjoyed the hot springs and food, it was time to complete the work he had come here for in the first place.
"Why does he live in such a weird place?!"
Unlike other smiths, Gozo was indeed an odd one out. His workplace was distant from the village itself, somewhere deep in the forest.
Kotaro wanted to complain, but he held back, remembering this was Swordsmith Village. Here, not just Gozo, but even the rest were a bit eccentric.
Bang! Bang!
Soon he heard sounds through the trees, quickening his pace.
"It should be there."
The rhythmic sound of a hammer striking iron echoed through the forest, somehow oddly soothing.
Following the sounds, it didn't take long for Kotaro to reach the place.
"There he is. Goz—"
As he entered, a huge gush of hot air blew onto him, making him close his eyes.
'This place is too hot!'
Smithing was in full swing, and the furnace was blazing, making the space unbearably warm.
Kotaro quickly adapted and looked at Gozo, who continued his work, ignoring Kotaro's presence as if he didn't exist.
"I should wait until he's finished."
Not wanting to disturb someone in deep concentration, Kotaro found a spot to lean on and observed the smithing process.
Bang!
The hammer struck the hot iron, removing impurities in the form of small, sparking fragments. The rhythm continued, the same sound Kotaro had heard on his way.
"Hmm… This is amazing."
Kotaro had never seen a blacksmith at work before. After all, he was a reincarnator who had only watched such scenes in anime. Although he couldn't wield a sword, a love for blades lingered in his heart.
Curiosity about weapon-making had always been there, and now, seeing it in person, he found it fascinating.
The monotonous movement might seem boring to some, but to him, it was oddly relaxing.
After several minutes, Gozo stopped hammering and plunged the iron into water, releasing a rapid burst of steam. It was to cool the iron before working on it again.
Now, he turned to Kotaro, wiping his sweat even with that strange mask on. Kotaro's eyes twitched at the sight, realizing it was just lazy writing from the mangaka.
Who would bother drawing so many faces? Just put them in masks, and problem solved!
"Kotaro-san, you're here?"
"Yes. But still, Gozo-san, do you really need to live so far from the center of the village? I almost got lost on the way up here."
"Sorry, sorry. It's just…"
Hmm, what was it? Did he dislike commotion and prefer a quiet place? Or did he like working among the trees?
Kotaro wondered, only to be taken aback.
"I don't like those swordsmiths! What swords! Bah! Blunt weapons are the best! You agree with me, right, Kotaro-san?"
Was Gozo's character like this? How had he missed that? Kotaro just trembled under that intense gaze and nodded.
"I knew it. Otherwise, Kotaro-san would never wield a blunt weapon!"
If I could wield a sword, I would! Kotaro wanted to shout but kept quiet, understanding his blacksmith's personality.
Now, he feared that if he said anything favorable about swords, he might not get his Playful Cloud!
"Of course. I like blunt weapons!"
Damn! He had known all the smiths here were eccentric, but how did his blacksmith turn out to be the weirdest of them all? He hadn't signed up for this!
Putting the bickering aside, Gozo finally asked Kotaro about the weapon he wanted—the blunt weapon he'd requested.
"I want a three-section staff."
"A three-section staff?"
Gozo's eyes widened at Kotaro's request.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Kotaro noted Gozo's surprise and wondered if there was an issue with wanting a three-section staff.
"No, it's not a problem. It's just that no one has ever wielded a three-section staff in the Demon Slayer Corps, so I'm a bit surprised."
"Isn't it the best?"
"Hmm?"
"If no one has wielded it before, it means I'll be the first. I'll be unique!"
It was a bit embarrassing, but a reincarnator had to make a name for himself, right? Kotaro Kenshin, despite his sword-like name, couldn't wield a sword like others. Sure, the fact he couldn't wield a sword even if he wanted to played a part, but that was a totally different matter.
Despite being a mature, married man, something childlike awakens in men when it comes to weapons.
"Oh! Kotaro-san, you're right! And if that's the case, then won't the weapon I make be famous?"
"Huh?"
"Hahaha! Take that, swords! Now, my weapons—the blunt weapons—will be famous!"
Though Gozo despised swords and swordsmiths, he also envied them. After all, their creations were wielded by the best warriors—the Hashiras.
And him?
He'd only made a spiked ball for the Stone Hashira, which was just one part of the whole weapon.
But now, he had a chance! Just like the others, he wanted to make a renowned weapon. And Gozo could feel that Kotaro was the one who would make the three-section staff famous!
The red colour in the Nichirin was a sign!
"Hahaha! I will be famous!"
"He sure looks happy."
Kotaro watched as Gozo laughed madly in the middle of the forest. It seemed someone was even more excited than he was to wield a three-section staff, aka Playful Cloud.