Swish!!
With just a light tug from the blind Demon Slayer, the meteor hammer lying quietly in the pit was instantly retrieved with a whoosh, landing steadily in his hand.
Then, those unfocused white eyes turned toward Shinichi and Maru-ni direction.
A deep, soothing voice emerged "A swordsman enveloped in vibrant life energy, accompanied by a combat partner radiating demonic aura... So you must be the successor of Forest Breathing that our leader mentioned. Namu Amida Butsu. A pleasure."
The pressure on Shinichi shoulders abruptly vanished.
This Demon Slayer, who seemed to recognize him, must have withdrawn his hostility, making Shinichi sigh in relief.
It wasn't surprising that a Demon Slayer knew of him.
Over the past several months of slaying demons, Shinichi had encountered fellow Demon Slayers multiple times.
Though their initial meetings had been far from pleasant, subsequent interactions forced him to acknowledge that many who joined the Demon Slayer Corps were fearless warriors, possessing remarkable guts.
In Kawanishi, Shinichi had even witnessed a young Mizunoto-ranked swordsman, after having both arms torn off by a demon, stubbornly clenching his Nichirin Blade between his teeth, determined to fight to the last breath to protect civilians.
Faced with such a scene, Shinichi couldn't help but feel deep respect.
"Demon Slayer, who are you? Why have you come here?" Shinichi lowered his guard and asked the towering figure.
He thought he'd heard the man say something like "Namu Amida Butsu" earlier and with those prayer beads around his neck—was he a monk?
Sure enough, the next moment, the Demon Slayer clasped his hands together.
"Namu Amida Butsu. I am Himejima Gyomei, the Kinoe-ranked swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps."
***
Dawn broke.
Inside the Butterfly Mansion, uniformed members of the Kakushi were handling the aftermath.
Kanae Kocho and her younger sister huddled together, watching as these "Kakushi" marked with the character for "hidden" on their backs collected their parents' remains and swiftly cleaned the bloodstains that had splattered everywhere.
"Gyomei-san is truly incredible—over fifty demons, right? Does that mean he'll be promoted to 'Hashira' when he returns?" one Kakushi member said in admiration to his companion.
His companion replied with equal reverence "Yes, with Gyomei-san becoming a Hashira, our Demon Slayer Corps grows even stronger!"
Their gazes simultaneously turned toward the towering figure standing in the courtyard.
Gyomei, hands still clasped, stood silently beside Shinichi.
Seeing Shinobu Kocho standing alone with her sister, Shinichi couldn't help but ask Gyomei.
"What will happen to them now?"
After a moment of silence, Gyomei answered "The Kakushi will take them to their relatives, so they may grow up like normal children. For those who have lost their family, this is the best path. Children are fragile, yet the world is cruel. Namu Amida Butsu."
As if recalling something painful, two clear tears trailed down from his clouded eyes.
Shinichi opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
As Gyomei had said, sending these two children to their relatives might indeed be the best choice.
Not long after, Elder Moriki arrived at the Butterfly Mansion, leaning heavily on his cane.
In the half-year since they'd last met, the old man had aged dramatically.
When Shinichi had left, Elder Moriki had still been a sly old fellow, but now when they reunited, he was hunched over, relying on his cane to walk steadily.
"You've... gotten old, Old Man" Shinichi said, his gaze complicated as he looked at Elder Moriki. But the old man only smiled and shook his head.
"You've grown, Shinichi. Now, you are truly a worthy successor of Forest Breathing. I can see that in these past six months, you've improved greatly and learned much."
"But, Old Man, I've failed your expectations. I didn't join the Demon Slayer Corps—I even avoided them deliberately. And... I broke your ancestral Nichirin Blade, 'Mori no Ryuu' (Forest Dragon)." Shinichi spoke with guilt as he drew the shattered sword from its sheath.
Elder Moriki took the broken Nichirin Blade with trembling hands.
Though his eyes held regret as he examined the fractured edge, there was even more pride in his gaze.
"Shinichi, whether or not you join the Demon Slayer Corps, as long as you wield Forest Breathing correctly and pass it on, you will always be my most accomplished disciple. As for Mori no Ryuu... it was merely a tool. If our ancestors could see you now, they would praise your bravery in slaying demons, not blame you for breaking a blade in the process."
"Old Man..." Shinichi heart trembled, unsure how to put his emotions into words.
At that moment, Gyomei Himejima also approached, bowing respectfully.
"Namu Amida Butsu. Greetings, Elder Moriki. The Master sends his regards and wishes you all the best."
Elder Moriki returned the gesture. "Moriki Mitsuyo is ashamed... I have failed the Demon Slayer Corps."
"The Master has said that the Moriki family has been valiant for generations. The Corps will never forget their contributions."
Hearing this, Elder Moriki clouded eyes grew slightly moist.
Time passed slowly.
Watching the figure in the distance, the young Shinobu Kocho clenched her fists, gritted her teeth and mustered her courage before finally stepping forward and tugging at his sleeve.
Feeling the pull on his clothes, Shinichi turned and found his heterochromatic eyes meeting a pair of violet ones.
An inexplicable pressure made Shinobu feel as though speaking had become difficult.
"C-Can... you... teach me? I... I want to be like you—to kill demons!" Though her words were halting, her final declaration was firm.
Shinichi understood her meaning clearly.
Shinobu had just made a vow with her sister—they, too, would become people like Shinichi, capable of slaying demons.
They would eradicate demons and ensure that the tragedy of last night would never befall another innocent soul.
Shinichi could understand Shinobu feelings.
He glanced at Elder Moriki, but the old man slowly shook his head. Having known the Kocho family for years, whether out of personal sentiment or the objective frailty of Shinobu small frame, Elder Moriki did not believe she was suited to become a swordsman.
Understanding Elder Moriki meaning, Shinichi had no choice but to crouch down and speak to Shinobu Kocho with sincerity and a hint of apology.
"Shinobu, I understand how you feel, but demon hunting isn't an easy task. It means constantly risking injury or even death, living with danger at every moment. Such responsibility shouldn't fall upon your shoulders."
"Promise me you'll live well with your sister. Entrust your will to me instead. I vow to carry your will forward and slay more demons in the future!"
It was the first time Shinichi had ever called Shinobu Kocho by her name so gently, yet his tender tone carried unmistakable refusal.
Shinobu bit her lip without speaking, but her tightly clenched fists revealed her inner turmoil.
Nearby, Kanae Kocho stood behind Gyomei Himejima with similarly dejected expression, clearly having been refused as well.
Shinichi sighed and was about to stand up to leave when Shinobu grabbed his sleeve again.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have called you 'cold-face man' before. I'm truly sorry. And... thank you."
Shinichi paused slightly.
"It's alright."