The moment Kyojuro Rengoku's voice rang out
Kokushibo's instincts reacted immediately.
His demonic features vanished, his six eyes closing as he resumed the appearance of the blind swordsman, "Iwakatsu."
At the same time, Rengoku Shinjuro's eyes snapped open.
He had not expected his sons to return at such a moment.
Kyojuro hurried into the courtyard, arms full of vegetables, his voice bright with energy
But the sight before him froze him in place.
The courtyard was in ruins.
The ground was torn apart, scorch marks and blade fractures covering the area like scars.
His father lay on the ground, blood staining his clothes.
And before him stood Kokushibo.
"…Father? Adoptive Father… what happened?"
Despite the tension, Kyojuro stepped forward.
Shinjuro's heart tightened.
He wanted to shout to tell him to run.
But seeing Kokushibo remain still, making no move to attack…
He held his silence.
Moments later, Ruka Rengoku arrived, supported by Senjuro Rengoku.
Her expression changed instantly upon seeing the scene.
She rushed forward, kneeling beside Shinjuro.
"Husband! Are you hurt? What happened?"
At the same time, she subtly pulled her children behind her, her gaze fixed cautiously on Kokushibo.
Before Kokushibo could speak
Shinjuro laughed.
A rough, forced laugh.
"We were sparring," he said. "Seems I'm still lacking… I couldn't keep up."
Kokushibo followed naturally, revealing the shallow cut across his neck deliberately keeping it from regenerating.
"You were reckless," he added lightly. "I nearly lost my head. Hardly fair against someone who cannot see."
Ruka quickly examined Shinjuro.
The wounds
Though bloody
Were not fatal.
Her shoulders loosened slightly.
She helped him up, then bowed deeply toward Kokushibo.
"I am sorry. My husband was too rough."
Kyojuro and Senjuro both exhaled in relief.
"Father, you must be more careful!" Kyojuro said earnestly.
Shinjuro gave a strained smile.
"…Yes. I understand."
The tension eased.
Slowly.
Almost unnaturally.
Inside, the family resumed their routine.
Ruka prepared dinner.
Kyojuro and Senjuro washed vegetables together.
Before leaving, Ruka placed a medical kit beside them so they could tend to their injuries.
Kokushibo sat quietly.
Then
His eyes opened slightly.
The markings within them briefly visible before closing again.
"…You are fortunate," he said.
His voice was calm.
"To have such a household."
A gentle wife.
Two sons filled with life.
Something warm.
Something distant.
Shinjuro said nothing.
Moments ago, he had accepted death.
But now
That resolve had changed.
"Leave the Demon Slayer Corps," Kokushibo said suddenly.
The words fell like a stone into still water.
Everyone froze.
Shinjuro did not hesitate.
"…Very well. I will withdraw."
The decision came too easily.
But the truth was
The battle had shaken him.
Not just his body.
But his belief.
The gap between himself and an Upper Rank demon…
Was absolute.
And beyond that
He had made a promise.
Kokushibo's gaze lingered on him.
"…Do not speak of Tamayo."
He paused.
"She has not taken a human life."
Shinjuro let out a breath.
"…And you?"
Kokushibo did not answer.
He did not need to.
Silence was enough.
Shinjuro understood.
Demons were still demons.
Even if exceptions existed.
Dinner was served.
"Please, try this!" Kyojuro said brightly, placing dishes before Kokushibo. "My mother's cooking is excellent!"
Kokushibo took a bite.
No taste.
No nourishment.
But he nodded regardless.
"…It is good."
He played the role well.
Watching the interaction between Kokushibo and his son, Shinjuro found himself thinking
Is coexistence… possible?
After the meal, Kokushibo stood to leave.
Kyojuro did not insist on him staying this time.
"…Travel safely," he said instead.
Kokushibo gave a slight nod.
"I will."
That night
Within their room
Ruka finally spoke.
"…That man… he is a demon, isn't he?"
Shinjuro froze.
He had never lied to her.
Not once.
And in his silence
She found her answer.
Ruka leaned into him, her voice trembling.
"He is stronger than you… Should we leave? Go somewhere he cannot find us?"
"Ruka."
He held her gently.
"I have already made my choice."
Her eyes widened.
"You… left the Corps?"
"The Rengoku name will continue," he said firmly. "Kyojuro will inherit it."
"As long as we remain silent… he will not be in danger."
Ruka hesitated.
"But he is a demon…"
"The one who saved you," Shinjuro said quietly, "is also a demon."
Silence followed.
In the end
She said nothing more.
Before dawn, Kokushibo arrived at Eternal Paradise Faith.
Doma's domain.
He had no time to return to his own residence before sunrise.
From the shadows, Kokushibo observed.
Followers entered one by one.
Crying.
Begging.
Pouring out their suffering.
And Doma
Smiling.
Listening.
Playing the role of salvation perfectly.
Kokushibo watched in silence.
Then looked away.
Footsteps approached.
Kotoha Hashibira entered and bowed.
"Upper Rank One."
Kokushibo glanced at her.
"…What is it? Do you wish to see your child again?"
Or
"To flee?"
Kotoha shook her head.
"The Lord has treated me kindly. I will not run."
Kokushibo studied her briefly.
"…You have grown attached."
She lowered her gaze.
Her silence was answer enough.
Then
She remembered something.
"…There is something else."
Kokushibo's attention sharpened.
"Recently, a woman carrying a sword has been asking questions nearby. I saw her while out."
A pause.
A flicker of thought.
A name surfaced.
Kanae Kocho.
The Flower Hashira.
Kokushibo's gaze darkened slightly.
The timeline…
Was converging.
In the original course of events
This was the night she would encounter Doma.
The night she would fall.
But now
Things had already begun to change.
And even Kokushibo
Could no longer predict what would happen next.
Tonight
Fate was waiting.