"Your Tanjiro is really something," Yasumori said with a smile as he watched the boy bustling about.
"To be this sensible at such a young age—truly impressive."
Tanjuro shook his head.
"If only I weren't so useless, he wouldn't have to suffer like this…"
Hearing that, Yasumori sighed.
"You're still so young—how did your body suddenly give out like this? You used to be as strong as an ox."
Tanjuro only smiled, offering no reply.
"Alright, alright. Come inside and warm yourself up," Yasumori said. "I wouldn't dare make you wait out here—no one could handle seeing that pitiful look Tanjiro gets when he's worried."
"Then thank you," Tanjuro replied.
Because everyone was preparing for winter, the charcoal they had brought down sold quickly. By afternoon, Tanjiro returned with an empty cart. After warming themselves in the sweets shop, he and Tanjuro pulled the cart back together.
"You did very well today, Tanjiro," Tanjuro said.
"I just did what Father taught me," Tanjiro replied, carrying the basket on his back as he looked up at him. "It's really thanks to everyone supporting us."
"That's true—relationships between people are important," Tanjuro said, freeing one hand to rub his eldest son's head. "But you shouldn't overlook your own effort either. You're more capable than you think."
"Yes! I'll work even harder!" Tanjiro smiled brightly. "Next time, I can come down by myself. Father, you should rest properly. Take a few more doses of medicine—you'll definitely get better soon."
"Is that so?" Tanjuro chuckled softly. "Then let's hope things turn out the way you say. Come on—everyone at home must be getting impatient."
"Mm!" Tanjiro nodded, then suddenly sniffed the air and looked toward the side of the road.
"…Huh?"
"What is it?" Tanjuro asked.
"There's an unfamiliar scent coming from the cliff," Tanjiro said, his expression turning uneasy. "Uncle Yasumori mentioned someone was looking for us earlier. Do you think they might've taken the wrong path?"
"Hmm…" Tanjuro paused and scanned the surroundings before shaking his head. "The way up the mountain is obvious. It's probably not that."
"I can't help worrying… I remember there being a huge bear in these mountains."
"Maybe it's someone hunting the bear?"
"If that's the case, that would be great. I've always been afraid the bear might suddenly show up…"
[Perhaps I should search the mountains before leaving.]
Yet the moment Tanjuro saw the extra person in his home, that lingering hesitation instantly turned into hostility and vigilance.
It was the first time Tanjiro had ever smelled panic and anxiety coming from his father. He instinctively looked at the newcomer—a boy about his own age. Despite the cold that had already set in, the boy wore only a thin, light-green kimono, with a long gray-blue haori draped over it.
The boy was smiling gently as he used a straw-woven rabbit to amuse Tanjiro's younger siblings. No matter how one looked at him, he seemed like a completely harmless child.
[Strange… it's a gentle, sweet scent, but there's something aggressive about it…] Tanjiro thought in confusion. [I've never smelled anything like this before.]
"Stay away from them."
Tanjiro froze. When he looked up, he saw an expression on his father's face colder than he had ever seen before.
"Don't be nervous. I don't mean any harm," Hiru said, handing the straw rabbit to the children before standing up. "I wasn't completely sure at first, but it looks like I didn't come to the wrong place."
Tanjuro frowned. "What is your purpose?"
"Let's talk outside. This isn't a good place," Hiru said. After giving the little ones' heads a casual ruffle, he walked toward the door. "I'll wait for you in the woods behind the house."
Only after Hiru left did Tanjuro relax slightly. As a child, he had heard stories of demons and monsters—creatures said to be beautiful or grotesque, beings with power that reached the heavens. But he had never imagined such things truly existed.
In his vision just now, that child's body had an abnormally high muscle density, and more than one brain and heart. The former could perhaps be explained as an extraordinary gift—but the latter was something no human should possess.
[Just what kind of monster was that?]
"Tanjuro?"
Tanjuro came back to himself and looked at his wife's worried face, forcing a faint smile. "I'm fine, Kie. When did that child arrive?"
"About an hour after you left," Kie replied. "He said he wanted to visit the Kamado family, so I let him in…" Knowing how sharp her husband's intuition was, she couldn't help stepping forward and taking his hand. "Is something wrong?"
"…Not yet. I can't be sure," Tanjuro said. "You and the children stay inside. I'll go take a look."
He picked up the axe by the door and was about to leave when Tanjiro suddenly grabbed his clothes.
"Dad, that person doesn't have any bad intentions," Tanjiro said, looking up at him. "He doesn't smell like a bad person."
Tanjuro raised a hand and rubbed Tanjiro's head. "I'm just being cautious. Tanjiro, can you stay here and protect everyone?"
"…Mm."
This time, Tanjuro's departure wasn't stopped. He soon spotted Hiru sitting on a large, round log.
After closing the door securely behind him, Tanjuro approached with the axe in hand, stopping three meters away. His brow furrowed as he asked again, "What do you want?"
"First, let me introduce myself," Hiru said, looking up at him. "My name is Hiru—the Hiru of where day and night meet. And you are?"
"…Kamado Tanjuro."
"I have three questions," Hiru said calmly. "Please answer them seriously, Mr. Tanjuro."
Tanjuro narrowed his eyes slightly, tightening his grip on the axe. "…Go ahead."
"Has your family lived here for generations?"
"For the most part," Tanjuro replied. "Some siblings moved elsewhere, but according to what I've heard, our ancestors did live here."
"Then your earrings," Hiru said, pointing to his own ear, "those were passed down as well?"
"…Yes."
"Good. Then my final question," Hiru said, his eyes lighting up slightly. "Has your family passed down a Kagura dance? One related to fire."
Tanjuro's guard rose instantly. "…You mean the Hinokami Kagura?"
"That's the one!" Hiru clasped his hands together, smiling brightly. "So it really did survive! Looks like I found the right place after all!"
"I have a question for you as well," Tanjuro said.
"Go on, ask," Hiru said, smiling as he watched how tense Tanjuro was. "Relax a little. I really don't have any hostile intentions."
"…What exactly are you?"
"…Hey, that's rude. How can you just go around insulting people like that?" Hiru replied reflexively.
"Stop trying to cover it up," Tanjuro said, his brow knitting even tighter. "I saw it clearly."
"Clearly?" Hiru tilted his head, genuinely confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you seriously going to tell me that something with six brains is human?"
Hiru froze. It took him a long while to react, and when he did, he stared at Tanjuro as if he were some kind of rare specimen.
"…You can directly see people's organs?"
"And what of it?" Tanjuro raised the axe in his hand slightly. "Answer me. What is your purpose—and what exactly are you?"
"No, wait." Hiru abruptly stood up. "Is that kind of vision something you were born with?! And that mark on your forehead too—was it also natural?!"
"That has nothing to do with you."
Yet that response alone told Hiru everything he needed to know. He instinctively covered his mouth.
"Born with a mark… born with transparent sight… and from the Kamado family, no less… Is this for real? That's unbelievable…"
Watching Hiru spiral into his own thoughts, Tanjuro frowned. "You still haven't answered my question."
"Ah—sorry. I was just too shocked," Hiru said, looking back at him. "I came here because I want your family to move."
"…Move?" Tanjuro frowned. "Why?"
"Well… that's a long story." Hiru glanced at Tanjuro's complexion. "Your body probably isn't suited for such a long conversation. If you don't mind, I'd like to use a more efficient method."
"Then answer my other question first," Tanjuro said coldly. "What exactly are you?"
"…Have you ever heard stories about evil demons appearing after nightfall?" Hiru asked.
Tanjuro gave a slight nod.
"I am—"
Before he could finish, the axe blade cut through the air with a sharp howl. Hiru instinctively leaned back as the gleaming edge sliced cleanly through the loose strands of hair by his ear.
"Wait—"
Hiru didn't get the chance to say more. Visible white vapor spilled from Tanjuro's lips as his wrist twisted, the second strike following immediately. The speed was nothing like that of a frail man—and this time, the bright axe blade carried a streak of blood.
After the second strike, Tanjuro stopped, guarding his position as he watched Hiru retreat ten meters away in an instant.
Hiru was breathing hard. For just a moment, Tanjuro had made him recall those unpleasant sparring sessions with his own brother.
Back then, even holding a wooden sword, Yoriichi had always been able to leave wounds on him with ease. That same oppressive pressure had made Hiru's body react on instinct—
Run.
[My body moved on its own? Am I… afraid? But if I instinctively dodge attacks like this, then what happens if, after killing Muzan, the worst possible outcome arrives? Could it be—no. Don't think about that now. I need to deal with this first.]
Hiru tried to speak, but the movement tugged at the wound on the side of his neck. He reached up to touch it. The cut wasn't deep, yet it hadn't healed the way a normal wound should.
[Why hasn't it healed…? Well, I suppose it makes sense. Someone with a natural mark and the Transparent World, just like my brother—knowing a bit about the Bright Red Blade wouldn't be strange. Didn't my brother also once kill demons with ordinary weapons…? Probably.]
Feeling the hostility radiating from Tanjuro, Hiru let out a small sigh and raised both hands.
"I know you don't believe me, but I can say this responsibly—I'm not a man-eating demon. Yes, I need blood, but I've never eaten a human. I only consume animals. And this time, I truly came without malicious intent.
"If I meant you harm, I would've threatened your family instead of coming out here alone to talk. Please calm down. Let's try to discuss this peacefully."
"You want me to calmly chat with a demon who could eat my family at any moment?" Tanjuro said coldly.
Seeing how resolute he was, Hiru sighed again. "This really is difficult… Fine, I'll keep it short.
"I became a demon over four hundred years ago. Back then, I followed my brother here to visit Kamado Sumiyoshi—who should be your ancestor.
"The Hinokami Kagura was derived from my brother's sword techniques. The earrings were also a gift my brother gave to Sumiyoshi. I don't know whether Sumiyoshi recorded our names, but my brother's name was Tsugikuni Yoriichi. Mine is Tsugikuni Hiru."
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi…" Tanjuro murmured. "I've never heard that name."
"Anyway, I'll continue," Hiru said, sighing. "As you've seen, I'm a demon. But like I said, four hundred years ago I was human. After my clan was wiped out by demons, I devoted myself to researching them. In the end, through medicine, I became a primordial demon.
"But my enemy is another primordial demon—Kibutsuji Muzan—who predates me by nearly six hundred years. My brother and I have always sought to kill him. After one encounter, he was severely wounded by my brother's sword techniques and went into hiding, only resurfacing recently.
"And my brother and I managed to scheme against him once more…"
"What does any of that have to do with me?"
Tanjuro interrupted.
"It's because of what came after," Hiru said, touching the wound at his neck. Noticing that it had already scabbed over, he relaxed slightly and continued. "My brother was a swordsman who used Sun Breathing. The techniques of Sun Breathing are the origin of the Hinokami Kagura. Muzan would have sensed that that day.
"Because of that, he'll investigate everything connected to Sun Breathing."
Tanjuro's brow furrowed. "You're saying that demon—Muzan—might come here?"
"Yes," Hiru nodded. "And unlike me, he's a man-eating demon, far stronger. Over the years, I've studied medicine to some extent. I can tell your body is already nearing its limit.
"Even if you could defeat Muzan, would your lifespan allow it? Demons live for a very long time. After you're gone, what happens to your family?"
Tanjuro lowered the axe in his hand, remaining silent with a deeply furrowed brow.
Hiru finally let out a breath of relief and continued, "I understand why you don't trust me after seeing what I am. If you're still uneasy, I can have someone human who knows the truth come explain everything to you."
"Someone who knows?" Tanjuro frowned. "Who could have records of a demon from four hundred years ago? Some great noble family, or an organization that hunts demons?"
"Both, in a way," Hiru replied. "The one who knows is the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. My brother and I are members of the Corps as well. Everyone there wants to completely eradicate Muzan.
"I'm hoping your family can move to a Wisteria House, or—with the help of the Kakushi, the Corps' support personnel—relocate to a more secluded place to avoid drawing Muzan's attention.
"After all, four hundred years ago, my brother and Sumiyoshi were close friends…"
"I have a question," Tanjuro said.
"Go ahead."
"You said…" Tanjuro stared straight at Hiru. "That you joined the Demon Slayer Corps as a demon?"
"…Do you think I'm incapable of thinking for myself?"