After hearing the order from Headquarters,
Tanjiro made up his mind — he would go there himself and explain everything.
On the way, they ran into two members of the support corps.
Since the two weren't swordsmen, even after spotting Tanjiro, they didn't try to stop him — they simply turned and left.
Whether they went off to report him, no one could say.
Carl and the siblings continued walking through the forest.
It wasn't long before they came face-to-face with Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Huh?
Seeing Carl's group, Shinobu's expression was one of mild surprise.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Little brother, didn't you run away? Why have you come back again?
『Tanjiro Kamado』: I want to go to Headquarters and explain things clearly. Nezuko doesn't attack humans!
『Shinobu Kocho』: Oh my, that's quite a noble thought.
But even if you wanted to run, you wouldn't have made it far anyway.
『Carl』: Heh…
Carl chuckled softly at her remark, though he didn't bother to argue.
Shinobu caught the sound and glanced his way.
『Shinobu Kocho』: You there, young man.
Her tone was light, almost teasing.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Those two beside you are extremely dangerous fugitives. You'd best stay away from them.
I'd advise you to leave quickly.
『Carl』: Thanks for the warning.
But they're with me — no need to worry.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Oh? You're with them?
Her surprise deepened.
After all, Carl showed no signs of being a demon, nor did he wear a Demon Slayer uniform.
To Shinobu, he'd seemed like a lucky bystander who somehow survived Mount Natagumo — a mountain crawling with demons — completely unharmed.
If that wasn't luck, what else could it be?
『Shinobu Kocho』: Well, even if you're with them, I still have to take them back.
She pulled out a length of rope, smiling at Tanjiro.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Come now, little brother. Be good.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: Uh…
Although he hesitated, Tanjiro didn't resist.
He had already decided to return to Headquarters — running now would be meaningless.
So he obediently stepped forward, ready to be tied.
But before the rope could reach him, a figure stepped between them.
『Carl』: Sorry, but you can't tie him up.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Oh?
Her smile didn't falter, though her tone sharpened slightly.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Our mission is to capture him and take him back.
『Carl』: Taking him back is fine.
But tying him up? That's not happening.
Carl's voice was calm, yet his presence carried weight.
There was no way he'd stand by and let Tanjiro and Nezuko be dragged back in chains.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Oh dear, that makes things rather troublesome, doesn't it?
『Carl』: Even if it's troublesome, it has to be done.
『Shinobu Kocho』: I'm afraid I—
Before she could finish, Giyu spoke up.
『Giyu Tomioka』: Then we'll take them back just like this.
Since they've returned voluntarily, they're unlikely to flee again.
I'll keep an eye on them myself.
He remembered now — Tanjiro and Nezuko were his fellow disciples.
There was no way he could let them suffer needlessly.
Earlier, before any orders had been given, he'd even protected them from Shinobu.
Now that Headquarters had spoken, outright defiance was impossible…
But bending the rules a little to help them — that, he could do.
『Shinobu Kocho』: ...
She glanced at Giyu, then at Carl, and finally let out a soft sigh.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Very well.
With two Hashira watching, I doubt he'll get a chance to escape.
And so, the group continued on — soon meeting up with other members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
This time, it wasn't just them — support corps members and Kakushi had also gathered.
As they walked, Shinobu spoke to Carl.
『Shinobu Kocho』: You know, young man, you don't actually have to come with us to Headquarters.
It's not the kind of place one can visit freely.
『Carl』: What's wrong? You worried I'll destroy your Headquarters?
『Shinobu Kocho』: …?
『Carl』: I'm not following you — I'm following them.
Just think of me as their friend, tagging along.
Her lips curved, though her eyes narrowed slightly.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Afraid of a normal man destroying our Headquarters?
Please — even ten thousand normal men couldn't do that.
『Shinobu Kocho』: But if you insist on coming, suit yourself.
Carl smiled faintly and said nothing more.
After a while, he turned to Tanjiro.
『Carl』: I'll be gone for a bit — I'll be right back.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: Huh? Okay.
And in the blink of an eye—
Carl's figure vanished.
『Shinobu Kocho』: …?
Shinobu, who had been keeping a close eye on the trio, immediately sensed something was wrong.
The "ordinary man" had just… disappeared?
Gone — without a trace.
Where did he go?
He'd been right there a moment ago!
Her smile faded as her mind raced.
Could it be that this man wasn't as ordinary as she thought?
Was he actually someone powerful — perhaps unbelievably so?
Otherwise, how could one explain such a disappearance?
Her expression grew serious.
Even so, she didn't believe Carl could destroy the Demon Slayer Corps.
After all, there were nine Hashira — the strongest swordsmen alive.
Roughly twenty seconds later, Carl returned to the world of Demon Slayer.
He had gone back to his own world briefly — it was late there, and Zhang Manyue was already asleep.
He had just gone to check in before returning.
Now, having finished his task, he reappeared quietly beside them.
『Shinobu Kocho』: My, that was fast. May I ask where you just went, young man?
『Carl』: Of course.
I went to another world.
『Shinobu Kocho』: …
For a moment, she was speechless. Then she smiled lightly.
『Shinobu Kocho』: Another world, is it? My, you certainly are full of surprises.
Her tone was polite — but it was obvious she didn't believe him.
Who would?
Disappearing for a few seconds and claiming to have traveled to another world?
No normal person could take that seriously.
Carl merely nodded.
『Carl』: Mm.
Beside them, Giyu said nothing, though his skeptical silence spoke volumes.
Only Tanjiro believed him.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: (thinking) Carl-san really did go to another world…
He believed it because he knew.
Carl wasn't from this world to begin with — returning to his own world would be perfectly natural.
And given his overwhelming power, crossing between worlds didn't seem impossible at all.
The group hurried on toward Headquarters.
Carl followed easily — neither teleporting ahead nor moving at inhuman speed, simply walking quietly beside them.
After some time, dawn broke.
Because Nezuko couldn't stand sunlight, Tanjiro had her shrink her body and hide inside the box on his back.
A little while later, they finally reached their destination—
The Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
The surroundings were beautiful — birds chirping, flowers blooming, and the air fragrant with wisteria.
Since it was still early, they didn't meet anyone important right away.
Instead, they were led to a small courtyard to rest.