Two months later, Tanjiro has a dream about his ancestor's encounter with a Demon Slayer from the past that saved their family and wore the same earrings as Tanjiro, before waking up from a coma, still recovering from his injuries while Zenitsu and Inosuke are summoned to individual missions. Because his swordsmith Hotaru Haganezuka had refused to forge him a new sword due to Tanjiro breaking his previous ones, Tanjiro is told to meet him at the Swordsmith Village to discuss the matter with him in person. He arrives with Nezuko and meets the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji and the village's chief Tecchin Tecchikawahara, who assures Tanjiro he will bring Hotaru back to build the sword.
Hotaru was born from a long line of swordsmiths from the Haganezuka Clan.[10] When he was two years old, Hotaru was so horrible to deal with that his parents had a mental breakdown[2] and the village's chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara, had to raise him.[11] The chief gave Hotaru his first name, which Hotaru does not like, because it sounds too cute and he would often badmouth the chief about it. According to the chief, he had been having a temper since he was a child, and would always throw tantrums right away and then go off somewhere.[10]
During this period the village is attacked by two Upper Rank Demons. Upper Moon Five, Gyokko, enters the shed where Hotaru is working on the blade and slashes Kozo who desperately shields Hotaru from the Demon. Unaware of their presence, Hotaru continues to fixate himself on refining the blade. When Gyokko calls out to him, Hotaru does not respond and continues muttering about the eccentricity of the blade, a level of concentration that astonishes Gyokko. Jealous of Hotaru's fixation for his craft, Gyokko slashes him multiple times, causing Hotaru's mask to fall off his face from the attack and revealing his face. Kozo tries to snap Hotaru out of his trance, with Gyokko summoning fish Demons and continue to attack Hotaru, the swordsmith still did not break his continuous persistence and keeps sharpening the blade silently.[19] This greatly infuriates Gyokko, who continues to inflict numerous severe injuries on Hotaru, including the loss of an eye. Muichiro arrives and attacks Gyokko, who then destroys the shed with his Blood Demon Art. Hotaru is knocked outside from the attack, but pays no mind to it as he returns to sharpening the blade. His stubborn persistence puzzles the Demon who believes Hotaru is not sane. Gyokko tells himself he will finish the swordsmith after taking out the Hashira first.[20]
Master Swordsmith: Hotaru is a skilled swordsmith, able to forge Nichirin Swords and repair it multiple times each time it broke in battles against demons. After Tanjiro chipped his sword in his battle against Upper Rank Six, Hotaru trained more to make a stronger sword. Hotaru demonstrated his professionalism and expertise when he polished and sharpened the 300-year-old blade left in Yoriichi Type Zero while completely ignoring the wounds he received from Gyokko.[19] The polishing techniques he used has been passed down the Haganezuka line for many generations.[2] His method is so severe that other swordsmiths have died from them.[23]
To safeguard the village from Demon attacks, strict measures are taken to keep the place concealed and its exact location is kept confidential. Demon Slayers who wish to visit the village must travel blindfolded, with their ears and noses plugged, while piggybacking a Kakushi, to prevent information from being leaked to the demons. After some time, the travelers are passed from one Kakushi to another. Furthermore, the routes and Kakushi themselves are frequently changed. Even the Kakushi who transport the travelers remain unaware of the village's precise location. Guided by Kasugai Crows, each Kakushi is directed to the next in line, although even these crows are switched constantly.[1]
Within the village, one can find bustling foundries and workshops dedicated to the meticulous craft of forging and repairing Nichirin Swords, the essential weapons of Demon Slayers. Accompanying these workspaces are the residences where the skilled swordsmiths live in.[2] Additionally, the village houses a collection of mechanical training dolls, including Yoriichi Type Zero, designed specifically to aid Demon Slayers in honing their combat skills.
Following the intense battle against Upper Rank Five and against Upper Rank Four, the village underwent a swift relocation to a new hidden location. The Demon Slayer Corps had strategically prepared multiple vacant villages for such circumstances, allowing for a rapid relocation in case of emergencies. With the looming threat of further demon attacks at nightfall, there was little time for mourning the losses. Despite the assault by two Upper Moons and many casualties, the village itself sustained minimal damage.[5][6]
Unfortunately for the pair, they don't get much time to dig into its origins as Upper Rank demons Hantengu and Gyokko invade the village. It's revealed that Hantengu, especially, is extremely hard to kill: every time he is beheaded, his body splits in two and forms 'new' personas. Tanjiro is picked up by a swooping Hantengu, while Kotestu and Mist Hashira Muichiro have to deal with Gyokko's assault.
f448fe82f3