Yuichiro thought Yoriichi was a rather troublesome person.
He had a way of quietly blending into your life, like gentle rain soaking into the ground, rather than deliberately showering you with kindness.
He considered every detail of daily living—food, clothing, shelter, travel—and made preparations accordingly.
Yet he never tried to shield you from the dangerous side of the world. Instead, he simply made sure medicine was ready after you were injured and calmly taught you how to treat yourself.
No matter the occasion, Yoriichi always wore the same gentle smile. In front of Yuichiro and Muichiro, he never showed anything beyond kindness and tolerance.
More than that, from beginning to end, Yuichiro had never once sensed Yoriichi's aura.
Just as Hiru had said, Yoriichi was someone as faint and flavorless as a plant. Because of this, Yuichiro had always believed that the "powerful swordsman" described by Yukinashi and Aoba was nothing more than a projection of their respect for Yoriichi.
But today, during instruction, Yuichiro felt Yoriichi's ki for the first time.
Even though it lasted only an instant, it made Yuichiro understand what it meant to be someone utterly beyond reach.
"Brother, are you okay?"
Muichiro squatted down beside Yuichiro, who had suddenly collapsed onto the ground, worry clear on his face.
"Are you too tired?"
Yuichiro tried to steady his breathing, but it still felt as though something was lodged in his throat, making it impossible to draw air smoothly.
"Are you all right?" Yoriichi crouched down as well. "I'm sorry. Something came up, and I couldn't maintain my aura… Did I frighten you?"
"Did something happen?" Muichiro lifted his head and looked around.
"Nothing seems different from usual."
"I need to leave for a bit…" After helping Yuichiro calm his breathing, Yoriichi stood up. "Sorry—please let Yukinashi know for me."
"Okay. I'll tell him when Yukinashi-sensei gets back." Muichiro nodded obediently. "Travel safely."
Yuichiro clutched the fabric at his chest, his breathing still uneven.
"Huff… huff… I really didn't expect it… So it wasn't an exaggeration after all…"
"What wasn't?" Muichiro crouched with his hands on his knees.
"Did Brother Yoriichi do something just now?"
"Ha… I really envy you, you know…"
"Hm?"
Even after Yoriichi's figure had completely vanished, Yuichiro still couldn't calm the unease in his chest.
"Haa… Not being able to sense it anymore might actually be a good thing… Hey, Muichiro."
"Yeah? I'm here."
"Do you still want to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Huh? Of course!"
Muichiro smiled brightly.
"That way I can help more people, right? But didn't you say you didn't want to go? You're more important to me, so it'd be fine not to join."
"No. Let's join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Huh? Why?"
"Ha… Because it'd be safer that way, probably…" Yuichiro smiled when he saw Muichiro's confused expression.
"You remember the crow that delivered a letter a few days ago, right?"
"Yeah. It was congratulating Yukinashi-sensei on becoming a trainer."
"When Sensei gets back, we'll apply to learn Breathing Styles and start preparing to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Alright!"
Muichiro sprang to his feet, excitement written all over him.
"Actually, I've had questions about Breathing Styles for a long time! Like when I saw Yoriichi guiding Yukinashi-sensei before—"
Watching Muichiro grow more and more animated, even starting to gesture wildly, Yuichiro couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
"Go get Kanao. The three of us can train in swordsmanship together."
"Okay! I'll go right now!"
Yuichiro sat there a while longer, trying to steady himself. Still, he couldn't help frowning as he looked in the direction Yoriichi had gone.
"What could have happened to make him like that…?"
...
"What could have happened to make this happen…"
Kanae looked at the large number of people stumbling down the mountain, their expressions vacant. She directed the Kakushi to check everyone's condition and escort them home, her delicate brows knitting together.
"So many people were affected by Blood Demon Art…"
"It seems staying behind to assist was the right call,"
Makomo said, frowning as well.
"From their behavior, it's clear they were hit by Blood Demon Art… but what's strange is that it doesn't seem to have harmed them."
"That's what confuses me too,"
Kanae said, lifting her gaze toward the mountaintop.
"To use Blood Demon Art on so many people at once, with such precision, and still have the presence of mind to spare ordinary people during a battle… That means this fight was nothing to him."
"The opponent must be an extremely powerful demon. But why would such a powerful demon care about whether humans live or die?"
"Isn't Hiru still there?" Makomo lowered her voice. "That constitution hasn't appeared in over three hundred years."
"Hiru-kun…"
"If you're really worried, Kanae, you should go up the mountain and take a look," Makomo said gently. "I can handle things here."
"Are you sure?"
Makomo smiled faintly, "I am someone who's become a Hashira, after all. Have a little faith in me—senpai~"
"Then I'll leave it to you." Kanae smiled apologetically, and in the next moment her figure vanished from the spot.
Watching Kanae depart, Makomo let out a soft sigh as she gazed toward the mountaintop. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her blade as she resumed her patrol with renewed focus.
Kanae, meanwhile, moved swiftly up the mountain path and soon reached the grounds of the Eternal Paradise Faith. Passing through the empty front hall, she finally saw Hiru.
The boy sat cross-legged atop the ruins, dressed in a light green kimono patterned with pine motifs. A gentle smile rested on his face, his black hair loosely tied and falling casually over his shoulders. Sunlight streamed in from behind him, lending him an air of mystery and sanctity.
It should have been a beautiful scene—
If he hadn't been chatting animatedly with a still-bleeding severed head cradled in his arms.
Kanae: …I must have arrived the wrong way.