"It's about time we parted ways."
At a fork in the road at the foot of Mount Fujikasane, Fang Hao said to Tanjiro.
"You're right." Tanjiro nodded, "I also need to return to Mr. Urokodaki's place."
Saying this, he scratched his head sheepishly, a look of anticipation on his face, "My sister is there too. Although it hasn't been long since we parted, I can't wait to see them."
"Fang Jun, Zenitsu, then let's part ways here. Thank you all for taking care of me this time. I hope we can meet again in the future."
"Then I wish you a smooth journey, Tanjiro." Fang Hao smiled slightly, "We'll meet again."
"Tanjiro, goodbye." Zenitsu was a bit reluctant. Tanjiro had taken good care of Zenitsu during their journey, and he had even drawn his sword to stand in front of Zenitsu when they encountered a demon. Meanwhile, his good older brother chose to throw him in front of a demon; people are afraid of comparisons.
Thinking of this, Zenitsu was overcome with grief and began to sob uncontrollably within a few seconds. This series of changes made Fang Hao and Tanjiro, who were saying a normal farewell, feel a bit out of place.
However, unlike Fang Hao's cold indifference, or rather, his desire to draw a clear line, and even wanting to punch his little brother, Tanjiro was deeply moved.
"I didn't realize I held such a high position in Zenitsu's heart? Our parting actually makes him so sad." Thinking of this, Tanjiro was also infected by Zenitsu's emotions. His eyes reddened in an instant, and there was some wetness around them.
"No, what happened?" Fang Hao looked at this scene in confusion. How did it turn out like this in the blink of an eye?
Looking at the two teary-eyed, reluctant individuals in front of him, Fang Hao felt no ripple in his heart, only wanting to complain: "It's not like you'll never see each other again. In the grand finale, Zenitsu calls you 'Big Brother-in-law,' isn't that exciting? Do you want me to sing 'Outside the Long Pavilion, Beside the Ancient Road' for you?"
"I always feel like my thought process is a bit different from those around me. What should I do? Am I being isolated? Or are there too many 臥龍鳳雛 around me?" Fang Hao fell into self-doubt, but after thinking about Kuwajima Jigorou, Zenitsu, and Tanjiro, "It's fine, I'm indeed too normal, and I haven't been led astray by them. That's great."
Looking at the two who were already hugging, Fang Hao still decided to interrupt them slightly. Although it was unlikely, it wouldn't be good if they accidentally kissed later. That would achieve the accomplishment of Tanjiro cuckolding his sister, which isn't good.
"Um, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu, are you two leaving or not?"
"Big Brother is so cold!" Zenitsu's complaint had barely left his mouth when he suddenly felt a chill from behind him. He turned his head and met Fang Hao's Straight-Death Mystic Eyes.
"Σ(°△°|||)!" Zenitsu reflected for a moment. He had indeed gotten too carried away after passing the exam. He then turned to Tanjiro and said, "Tanjiro, I know you're reluctant to part, but can you please let go first?"
Tanjiro felt Zenitsu's hand on him quickly withdraw and fell into thought, "Wasn't Zenitsu holding me just now? Did I remember it wrong?"
Fang Hao rolled his eyes at Zenitsu in disdain. Zenitsu was truly like a scumbag who pulls up his pants and denies everything.
The three still said their goodbyes.
After bidding farewell to Tanjiro, Fang Hao and Zenitsu set off on their journey home. Fang Hao had not expended too much energy during these seven days of trials. After the battles, he felt invigorated, and with ample rest, he was now in excellent condition.
However, Zenitsu was also in similar shape. He had been terrified hiding in the tree hollow for days. After Fang Hao and the others found him, although he couldn't avoid fighting demons, he also got plenty of rest.
So, the two of them didn't rest much on the way and headed straight for Peach Mountain.
Along the way, Fang Hao secretly reviewed Zenitsu's excellent performance on Mount Fujikasane, including but not limited to: playing dead in a tree hollow for several days, refusing to leave the tree hollow when he learned Fang Hao was taking him to kill demons, silently shielding everyone in front of a demon, and choosing to collapse on the ground when facing a demon. This series of outstanding performances truly delighted Fang Hao beyond measure.
Although Zenitsu eventually killed a demon and firmly joined the Demon Slayer Corps without a single word of retreat, Fang Hao felt that he definitely didn't perform this way because he was afraid of being beaten to death by his grandfather (dog head).
Thus, Fang Hao, with the idea of everyone being happy, decided to tell his master about Zenitsu's excellent performance on Mount Fujikasane. He figured his master would surely be delighted upon learning of Zenitsu's perfect assessment, would definitely praise Zenitsu afterward, and Zenitsu would then also feel pleased. Everyone wins big.
"Grandpa! We're back!" Zenitsu was very happy, shouting loudly from a long distance away from their residence. Although he would now be a formal member of the Demon Slayer Corps and would fight demons to the death, he had his older brother to protect him, so he wasn't flustered at all.
Seeing the old man walking in the distance, Fang Hao also smiled slightly, "Master, we're back."
Kuwajima Jigorou looked at his disciples before him, secretly pleased. Although he knew Fang Hao's strength and believed Zenitsu could protect himself, he couldn't help but worry. Now, he was completely relieved. But he showed no emotion on his face, only nodding and saying blandly, "Mm, I know."
They returned inside. Zenitsu was about to share his feelings with his grandpa, but then he saw Fang Hao step forward, his mouth like it was smeared with honey, and he began to praise Zenitsu. His speech was so fast that it simply couldn't stop.
As Zenitsu listened to Fang Hao's praises, the smile on his face could no longer be maintained, and his face gradually crumpled into a mournful expression. He wanted to interrupt Fang Hao, but he didn't dare.
Kuwajima Jigorou still wore the same expression as before—serious, without a hint of anger—but the air pressure in the room seemed to get lower and lower, and Zenitsu felt himself gradually gasping for breath.
After a while, Fang Hao's praises also ended. He felt a bit thirsty. He looked at Kuwajima Jigorou and felt that the water outside was sweeter. So, he walked out and thoughtfully closed the door for them.
"Master is thin-skinned and too embarrassed to praise me in front of me. I'll just wait outside. Zenitsu should be very happy too." Fang Hao's face was full of righteousness at this moment. Although he didn't recall Zenitsu's pleading gaze before he went out, he wasn't doing it on purpose. Zenitsu's name on the previous little notebook was temporarily crossed out.
He listened to the sounds of fists meeting flesh and Zenitsu's pleas for mercy from inside the house, and a knowing smile appeared on his face. "Everyone has a bright future."