After keeping his eyes closed for a long time, he slowly opened them.
The first thing he saw was a pristine white ceiling adorned with a simple chandelier.
His dark eyes darted around in confusion for a moment, but as they gradually adjusted to the soft light, his pupils constricted.
He propped himself up on his arms, slowly sitting up in the hospital bed.
This simple movement left Shinichi aching all over, as if his body had been rusting away for an age.
"What is this...?"
Shinichi sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his throbbing forehead.
He glanced at the silver mirror on the bedside table—his own.
However, when he picked it up, it felt merely cold to the touch; there was no strange energy, nothing else.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror: hair messy from long hours of lying down, dark eyes bloodshot, and eyelids swollen.
He looked like a slothful idler who had lived a stagnant life for far too long.
"How did I end up like this? Wait... I'm awake?" Shinichi murmured, suddenly snapping back to reality.
His consciousness had been drifting in dissipating darkness, but now he could clearly feel the world around him.
As his senses returned, Shinichi's body and mind became increasingly active.
He raised a hand to touch his face.
It felt warm.
He placed a hand over his chest; his heart was beating strongly.
His fingernails were a soft, healthy pink.
He opened his mouth to inspect his teeth in the mirror.
They were even, and while his canines were sharp, they didn't protrude like fangs.
After a long silence, Shinichi lowered the mirror and took a deep breath.
A faint smile graced his lips.
It was confirmed.
He was now a living, breathing, 100% pure human being.
He couldn't feel a drop of demon blood surging within him.
That powerful, violent demonic energy had vanished completely.
How could he describe this feeling? If pressed, Shinichi could only call it a profound sense of relief.
After sitting for a while, the soreness in his body subsided slightly.
He slid off the hospital bed and stretched his joints, which popped and cracked as if breaking free from rust.
Shinichi was in the middle of warming up when the wooden door to the ward was pushed open briskly.
"Honestly, making me draw blood from that grumpy guy again. It's the same every day. Doesn't he have hands? Who is he trying to fool with that arrogant act? He said he could wake the Forest Hashira, but it's been days and he still looks like... a corpse!"
Kanzaki Aoi, holding a porcelain basin, was muttering to herself as she entered.
When she looked up and saw a face staring back at her with curiosity, she nearly fainted from fright.
The basin slipped from her grasp.
Fortunately, Shinichi reacted instantly, catching the porcelain basin before it hit the floor.
However, seeing the thick, long needle inside, his expression twisted.
Recalling her mutterings, he asked, "Aoi, were you planning to draw my blood? Isn't this needle... a bit excessive?"
"That guy woke up?"
Upon hearing the news, Yushiro, clad in a white coat, gaped in surprise.
He muttered to himself, "It actually worked? Just following Lady Tamayo's prescription? I threw in a bunch of ingredients randomly, and it still worked... Am I a genius?"
Yushiro's muttering was eerie, but no one cared; they were too ecstatic that Shinichi was awake.
Tokito Yuichiro was the first to rush out of the laboratory.
As Shinichi's only and most outstanding disciple, his concern was second only to Shinobu's.
For days, he had been watching Yushiro like a hawk.
Originally, Yushiro's suggestion to save Shinichi using Tamayo's medicine met with resistance.
The Demon Slayer Corps' vigilance against demons had skyrocketed after Shokyu's betrayal.
Yuichiro had been the most vehement opponent.
As Shinichi disciple, Yuichiro had often heard Shinichi speak of Tamayo, Yushiro, and others.
But recent events proved his master was too naive and easily deceived.
Indeed, apart from his master (and Shinobu), there wasn't a single good person among demons!
Ultimately, with the support of Himejima Gyomei and Shinobu—and because the human doctors were helpless—they let Yushiro try.
After all, Yushiro had saved Ubuyashiki Kiriya, the last hope of the Demon Slayer Corps, from the ruins.
However, Yuichiro didn't let Yushiro off the hook easily.
He and his brother took turns guarding him.
If Yushiro showed any ill intent, Yuichiro was ready to let him taste the sharpness of the Breath of Maple!
Inside the lab, Kanae, also in a white coat, covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Kanao, quickly! Go tell Shinobu the good news. She has been working herself to the bone these past few days."
"Yes!" Kanao nodded vigorously and sprinted toward the temporary headquarters.
....
"Oyakata-sama's final wish was to end the mission in our generation... but we have failed him."
Tears streamed down Gyomei's face.
"The Upper Moons' strength exceeded our expectations," Muichiro said softly.
"Especially Doma. His Blood Demon Art counters our Breathing Techniques effectively..."
Sabito looked grave. "Upper Moon Three is also strong. Giyu and I found no openings in our combined attack. But... surely we aren't without hope."
"There is a way—the Demon Slayer Mark!"
Rengoku Kyojuro suddenly stood up, pointing at Shinazugawa Sanemi.
"Everyone saw Sanemi's strength nearly double after he awakened the Mark. If we can master that power, killing an Upper Moon won't be impossible!"
"The Mark..." Gyomei raised his head seriously. "Lady Amane found records of it. The power is undeniable, but those who awaken the Mark... their lifespan ends at the age of 25."
"SO WHAT?!" Kyojuro's voice boomed. "We of the Demon Slayer Corps do not fear death!"
Silence filled the room.
Kyojuro's words were resounding, moving every Hashira present.
Just then, a Kakushi knocked on the door, his face beaming with joy.
"Forest Hashira-sama has awakened!"