The Moriki residence, usually somewhat desolate, had grown even more so in the half-month since Ryukawa Chinatsu left for Kyoto to manage the family business.
With Elder Moriki having dismissed all the servants who handled chores like heating water, the deep, quiet mansion now resembled a gloomy, oversized coffin.
As the old man put it, he had long grown accustomed to living alone.
The residence had only regained a faint semblance of life after Chinatsu arrival and this solitude suited him just fine.
Still, Shinichi couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy watching the elder leaning on his cane.
Yet the old man remained unbothered.
Without servants, he personally brewed a steaming pot of Wisteria Tea for Shinichi and the two sat facing each other across a small table—just like when they had first met.
Elder Moriki knelt with perfect posture, while Shinichi sat cross-legged in his usual casual manner.
"So, how was your journey? What did you experience? Tell this old man all about it" Elder Moriki said, sliding a cup of still-steaming Wisteria Tea toward Shinichi.
Gazing at the wisteria petals floating in the cup, Shinichi fell into a brief trance before lifting the tea and slowly recounting everything he had been through over the past six months.
He began with his first encounter with the Demon Ginkan in Teranishi Village and continued until his recent return to the Moriki residence after his sword, Mori no Ryuu, had shattered during his battle with the Ox Demon.
"What a truly remarkable journey, Shinichi. I'm certain you've learned much in such a short time. Tell me—do you still harbor the same hatred for Demons as before?" Elder Moriki asked with a faint smile.
Shinichi pondered for a moment before answering calmly.
"At first, yes. I slaughtered every Demon I encountered with nothing but hatred. I never cared to learn their stories—I only saw them as stepping stones to strengthen myself. My sole motivation was my own vengeance."
"But over time, I met too many people who had lost loved ones to Demons. Their hatred resonated deeply with me and I gradually realized that many of them carried far deeper grudges than I ever could.
And then there were the Demons themselves.
As much as I despise them, I can't deny that some were pitiable in life. Some humans harbor darkness far worse than any Demon. That's when I understood—my obsession had blinded me.
I shouldn't let my hatred chain me. What I must become is someone who can truly reduce, or even eradicate, the root of all this suffering!"
Silence followed his words.
Elder Moriki held a cup of now-cold Wisteria Tea, his cloudy eyes no longer merely pleased but filled with profound astonishment.
"I see, Shinichi. You've grown well. And I can sense it—your Forest Breathing has advanced. You've mastered the sword forms beyond the Seventh, haven't you?" the old man mused.
Shinichi nodded. "Yes. The Eighth and Ninth Forms—I've grasped them both."
"Good!" Elder Moriki face lit up with excitement.
The fact that Forest Breathing had not only been passed down but could also be revived was undoubtedly the best news for him.
The greatest regret of his life had finally been resolved.
After saying this, Elder Moriki brought up one last matter with Shinichi.
"Do you still hold any grudges against the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"..."
Shinichi didn't speak, but he shook his head.
Over the past six months, his interactions with the Demon Slayer Corps had already changed his perspective. He simply couldn't bring himself to resent those brave swordsmen because of the conflicts that had occurred back at Shirai Mountain.
"Then... would you be willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Shinichi head snapped up as he stared at Elder Moriki. The old man serious expression didn't seem like a joke.
"Old Man, are you serious?"
"The Moriki family greatest regret has always been that no descendant has ever truly inherited Forest Breathing. Throughout history, none of the Moriki descendants have been worthy of the title 'Forest Hashira.' But you, Shinichi—you are the most promising candidate I have ever seen. So, for the sake of this old man final wish... Shinichi, would you be willing to take on the Moriki name and become the true 'Forest Hashira'?"
Boom!
Shinichi heart trembled violently.
A surname? Ever since arriving in this world, he had never had one.
What kind of surname could an orphaned beggar possibly have?
Shinichi himself had never even considered it.
But now...
Looking at the aged Elder Moriki, seeing the hope shining in his eyes and reflecting on everything he had experienced—in this world, Elder Moriki was truly the person who had treated him the best.
Shinichi knew very well that Elder Moriki rapid decline over the past six months was no coincidence.
Half a year ago, in order to pass down Forest Breathing to Shinichi in its entirety, the old man had forced himself to use the technique day after day, draining his own vitality just to demonstrate its most perfect form.
Shinichi had witnessed all of this with his own eyes. In truth, he had always felt that some inexplicable bond tied him to the Moriki family—the ghostly ancestor of the Moriki lineage in his mind, his own Blood Demon Art intrinsically linked to Forest Breathing... It all seemed fated.
After a moment of silence, Shinichi made up his mind and raised his head.
"Old Man, I—"
"Arf! Arf!"
Maru-ni sudden barking cut Shinichi off.
Turning his head, he saw the little Shiba Inu with drooping ears, looking utterly pitiful.
Indeed, without Ryukawa Chinatsu around, no one paid attention to the adorable pup.
Even when he was hungry, no one cared. The poor little dog missed Big Sister Chinatsu dearly—the one who loved spinning him around in her arms.
***
Just two days after returning to the Moriki estate, Shinichi was already packing his bags again.
Well, not exactly "packing"—most of the bulky items were stuffed into the silver mirror hanging at his waist.
The broken Mori no Ryuu still hung at Shinichi waist, while the severed portion had been taken back by the old man.
The old man said it was the ancestors' will—after all, Mori no Ryuu was not Shinichi own blade.
Shinichi ought to have a Nichirin Blade that truly belonged to him.
The broken state of Mori no Ryuu now signified a fresh start for Shinichi, so the shattered sword remained in his hands as a symbol.
With the noticeably shorter Nichirin Blade fastened to his waist, Shinichi stood before the gates of the Moriki residence with Maru-ni, bidding farewell to Elder Moriki.
"Old Man, we're off now. Take care of yourself. I'll bring back the glory of Moriki Family and become the 'Forest Hashira'"
Shinichi shouted toward Elder Moriki after walking some distance away.
Leaning on his cane, Elder Moriki smiled and waved.
"This old man believes in you, Shinichi. You will surely become the 'Pillar of the Forest.'"
With a new goal in mind, Shinichi—no, rather, Moriki Shinichi—set out once more on his journey.