"Uh…"
Tomioka Giyu was a bit dazed. Just as he was about to ask what use this cold iron had, Mori Tekko preempted him.
"It's said that this is a blade left by the first Water Hashira during the Warring States period. I'm not clear on the exact reason."
"Anyway, Tomioka! You've hit the jackpot, hahahaha!"
"Please wait a few more days; I need to fuse your new blade with this one!"
"Believe me, when this blade is reborn, your strength will definitely increase by another level!"
"Alright, alright, I need to continue forging!"
After speaking, Mori Tekko "ushered" Tomioka Giyu out.
Looking at the closed door, Tomioka Giyu was instantly awkward.
Mori Tekko didn't let him say a single word.
He had originally wanted to ask if the two blades could be fused together.
If they could be forged together, would it affect the original nichirin blade's abilities?
Well, it seemed it wouldn't affect it at all, and might even enhance his strength, which he hadn't expected.
He had thought it would only make the blade sturdier.
Leaving Mori Tekko's residence, Tomioka Giyu arrived at the foot of the hot spring mountain. Just as he was about to go up, a sweet voice drifted from afar.
"Tomioka-san~~~~"
Tomioka Giyu looked up and immediately saw a Young Miss with sakura mochi-colored hair waving her hand and running towards him.
"Hmm? Kanroji Young Miss?"
Kanroji Mitsuri, with a sweet smile on her lips, stopped in front of Tomioka Giyu and asked, "Yes, it's me! Why are you here, Tomioka-san?"
Tomioka Giyu briefly explained about his blade, then asked curiously, "And you? Are you also here to get a blade forged?"
Hearing Tomioka Giyu's question, Kanroji Mitsuri said somewhat shyly, "Not… not entirely…"
Seeing her like this, Tomioka Giyu suddenly remembered the last effect of the mountain hot spring: 'Broken Heart'.
Cough, cough——————
Tomioka Giyu coughed twice, appropriately changing the subject.
"Then I'll go soak in the hot springs. See you later~"
"Eh? Wait, Tomioka-san!" Kanroji Mitsuri quickly called out to Tomioka Giyu, who was about to go up the mountain.
"Um, my blade will also be forged soon."
"So I was thinking, after your blade is forged, could we spar a bit?"
After saying this, Kanroji Mitsuri quickly corrected herself, "Ah, I don't mean to challenge you, I just want to…"
Before she could finish, Tomioka Giyu smiled and waved his hand, "I know what you mean, no problem!"
"It just so happens that after getting my new blade, I also want to test its power."
"Really? Thank you, Tomioka-san! (≧w≦;)"
Upon receiving Tomioka Giyu's affirmative answer, Kanroji Mitsuri smiled very happily and skipped away.
"Ugh, as expected of the Love Hashira…" Tomioka Giyu sighed as he headed towards the hot springs on the mountain.
——————————————
On the morning ten days later, the new blade was finally forged.
Mori Tekko was full of anticipation, waiting for Tomioka Giyu to draw the blade from its sheath.
"Quick, see if it feels right! No, more importantly, see if it enhances the power of your Moves!"
Under Mori Tekko's fervent gaze, Tomioka Giyu drew the blade from its sheath.
Under the sunlight, a white glow appeared.
The entire blade was blue and white, no longer emitting cold air, but wisps of water mist!
Before Tomioka Giyu could say anything, Mori Tekko eagerly said, "Amazing, right? Hahahaha!"
"When it was just forged, it gave me quite a fright."
"But with a little thought, I understood the reason. The scarlet Ore and scarlet sand iron reacted uniquely with the cold iron."
"This directly led to the coldness in the blade being completely neutralized! It turned into water mist, and more importantly…"
Realizing he had said too much, Mori Tekko stopped talking and quickly told Tomioka Giyu to try it himself.
Tomioka Giyu nodded, gripped the hilt, and suddenly burst forward towards a distant large tree.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Dead Water Surface Slash!"
A blue flash, and the next second, not only the tree in front of Tomioka Giyu but also the two trees behind it were cut down!
Tomioka Giyu was stunned on the spot. He wouldn't have been surprised if his full-power strike could cut down one or even two large trees.
The most terrifying thing was that after cutting down the first large tree, the residual power of this Move could still cut down two more.
Tomioka Giyu stared at the blade in his hand for a long time. Finally, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved upwards, and he murmured, "Is this what they call adding wings to a tiger…"
Mori Tekko quickly ran over and asked, "How is it? Did it enhance the power of your Move!"
Tomioka Giyu nodded, his excitement unconcealed in his voice, "Thank you, it increased the power by at least thirty to forty percent!"
"Hahaha, no need, no need!" Mori Tekko waved his hand indifferently, then said seriously, "As long as it can keep you safe, that's enough."
Tomioka Giyu felt a warmth in his heart and gently bowed his head.
"Thanks, don't worry, this blade won't break again."
————————————————
After lunch, Tomioka Giyu went to the open area behind the mountain, waiting for Kanroji Mitsuri to arrive.
During this time, he recalled Kanroji Mitsuri's attack style.
"Ha, rhythmic gymnastics, huh…"
Not long after, Kanroji Mitsuri rushed over in a hurry.
As soon as she arrived, she bowed several times to Tomioka Giyu.
"Sorry, sorry, lunch was too delicious, I accidentally ate too much ꉂ(ˊᗜˋ*)"
Tomioka Giyu gently shook his head, indicating it was fine.
"How about it, do you need to rest for a bit before we start?"
Kanroji Mitsuri quickly waved her hands, "No need, no need, let's start now!"
As she spoke, Kanroji Mitsuri drew her nichirin blade, which resembled a gymnastics ribbon.
"Please guide me, Tomioka-san!"
"Love Breathing, First Form: First Love Tremor!"
A rapid, whip-like slash attacked from top to bottom.
Tomioka Giyu's expression was calm. He stepped back, drew his blade, and aimed at the weak point in Kanroji Mitsuri's attack.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Dead Water Surface Slash!"
The next second, Kanroji Mitsuri felt her attack being altered, completely unable to hit Tomioka Giyu.
"Amazing, as expected of Tomioka-san! Then I'll continue!"
After landing, Kanroji Mitsuri showed no discouragement. She charged forward even faster, simultaneously flinging her blade straight out, thrusting towards Tomioka Giyu!
Tomioka Giyu still didn't Move, adjusting the blade's angle, praising, "Such quick improvisation, very strong indeed!"
As he spoke, Tomioka Giyu seized the opportunity and struck decisively, gripping the blade with both hands and holding it vertically.
But just as Kanroji Mitsuri's blade was about to touch Tomioka Giyu's blade, her blade suddenly changed direction!
"Excuse me, I'm going to win, Tomioka-san!"