To Oyakata-sama,
I hope this letter finds you in good health.
Yesterday, we undertook a private hunt. Though it ended in failure, there were no casualties. However, certain matters arose during the operation that require your judgment, which is why I write to trouble you.
At the last Hashira Meeting, Hiru, Makomo, and Kanae agreed to investigate whether the cult was harboring a demon.
I trust you are already aware of the outcome—during the investigation, Hiru captured one of the Upper Moons alive.
Using this, Hiru provoked Muzan and offered himself as bait to lure him out.
I lay in ambush nearby, waiting for an opening to strike, with Flower Pillar Kanae Kocho and the three Water Hashiras—Tomioka Giyu, Urokodaki Sabito, and Urokodaki Makomo—securing the surrounding area.
However, Muzan acted with extreme caution. After a single failed exchange, he immediately withdrew. I managed to land only one cut and was unable to detain him. I am deeply ashamed.
That said, although this battle yielded no tangible results, Yoriichi did gain some insights.
I therefore respectfully request that you convene an additional Hashira Meeting outside the regular schedule, so that Yoriichi may explain the situation in full to our comrades.
This will allow everyone to remain vigilant and respond calmly should they encounter him in the future.
I await your reply.
Respectfully,
Yoriichi
After finishing the letter, Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat there in a daze.
"Only a few short days…"
He pressed a hand to his forehead and let out a quiet sigh.
"Should I say this was expected… or completely unexpected…?"
If not for the people around him, he might have lost his composure entirely and started questioning the letter in his hands.
Why did they suddenly go after Muzan without a word?
And judging from the description, they even managed to scare him off?
If you were all that capable, why didn't you bring me along?
Ubuyashiki sighed again, but work still had to be done. He promptly called for ink and paper and began writing his reply.
To the Sun Pillar,
My health is stable. Thank you for your concern.
I have understood your request, and I agree that a Hashira Meeting regarding Muzan is necessary.
However, I have been informed that the Hashiras have already traveled to the area. There is no need for you to detour here. I will have my wife, Amane, go in my stead to listen and then return to relay the details.
This is not meant as a slight. My physical condition no longer allows for frequent travel, and the safety and operations of each region still depend on the presence of the Hashiras. I ask for your understanding.
Once again, thank you for everything you have done for the Demon Slayer Corps. I will await good news.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya
After sealing the letter and handing it to the Kakushi, Ubuyashiki turned to his wife.
"I'll be relying on you, Amane."
She nodded gently. "I'll prepare to depart at once. Is there anything you'd like me to convey?"
"Please pass along a message to Hiru."
"Yes?"
Ubuyashiki discreetly covered his stomach. "Tell him that I'm unwell and wish to speak with him privately."
"Understood. I'll make sure he hears it."
"Thank you."
After seeing Amane off, Ubuyashiki lifted his still-warm medicinal tea and murmured to himself, "I never imagined I'd one day be troubled by allies who are too strong…"
...
"The Oyakata-sama has agreed." Yoriichi handed the reply to Makomo. "Tell everyone to gather."
"To actually hear about how to deal with Muzan…" Sabito folded his arms, watching Makomo leave. "I can't wait."
"Deal with Muzan? At your level, you're just delivering yourself as a meal." Hiru yawned as he walked in. "When you can take ten blows from my brother, or at least leave a scratch on his haori during sparring, then you'll be qualified to join the fight."
Taking advantage of Hiru's yawn, Sabito reached out and ruffled his hair with a grin. "Then by that logic, you're still way behind too, aren't you?"
"Say what you want, but keep your hands to yourself. And how many times do I have to tell you? I have absolutely no talent for this."
Hiru shot him a glare, then looked up at Yoriichi, his hair sticking up in all directions.
"Have you figured out what you're going to tell everyone yet, Brother?"
"Yes." Yoriichi nodded slightly. "I plan to teach everyone how to sense Spatial Blood Demon Art, and how to respond when encountering the two demons with peach-pink hair and white oak–colored hair."
"The pink-haired one is Akaza—a demon who fights purely with physical techniques. The white oak–haired one is Doma, who relies more heavily on Blood Demon Art.
"Akaza aside, Doma… is particularly unfriendly toward swordsmen."
Hiru climbed onto a chair and sat down.
"His Blood Demon Art is ice. One of its forms is ice dust. If you don't notice it in time and avoid it, it enters the lungs through your breathing and destroys the alveoli. Once that happens, even a god couldn't save you."
"That sounds like a hard counter to swordsmen…" Sabito sat down as well. "So how did you deal with it? Kanae told me you didn't just capture him alive—you were holding his head and chatting with him."
"I don't use Breathing Styles, and demons aren't affected by lung necrosis. More importantly, it was daytime. You saw the ruins on the mountain yourself."
"Fair point. Not many people can tear down buildings with their bare hands like you…" Sabito scratched his head. "Man, the pressure's intense— Hey, since we've got time, Yoriichi, spar with me?"
"Of course. Let's call Giyu and the others too." Yoriichi nodded. "I can't replicate Doma's fighting style, but I'm confident I can imitate Akaza's to some degree."
"But demons rely on their physical advantages and trade blows, don't they?" Sabito frowned. "How do you imitate that?"
"Though this may sound like I'm bragging…" Yoriichi reached out and smoothed Hiru's messy hair. "If Hiru can keep up with that speed, then it's easy enough for me to discern. In martial arts, there's always a form of resonance. One understanding leads to many others—it's nothing remarkable for me to imitate a bit."
"That's not bragging at all…" Sabito lowered his head. "Hearing you say that just makes me feel like a complete failure."
"Sabito, you have talent. There's no need to belittle yourself." Yoriichi patted his shoulder. "Come. Let me see how much you've improved with the sword."
"Speaking of improvement…" Sabito stood up, smiling. "Giyu is definitely going to surprise you this time."
"Oh?"
"He's figured out the sword technique that suits him best—faster than I did."
Sabito laughed proudly.
"That kid who used to say nothing but gloomy things has really grown. Come to think of it, Giyu was practically raised by Makomo and me."
"No wonder you two always understand him…" Hiru stayed seated, showing no intention of joining them.
"So you've been playing mom and dad."
"In a sense, that's not wrong…" Sabito stroked his chin, smiling cheerfully. "When you think about it, I'm pretty amazing—raising Giyu all the way to this point."
"Giyu growing up safely has more to do with his sturdy constitution," Makomo said as she walked in, frowning with a helpless sigh.
"He's such a fool—getting tricked by you over and over and still following you to upset Sensei…"
"Hahaha, but I got punished right along with him, didn't I? Don't worry about it." Sabito laughed. "I was just telling Yoriichi we're going to train together. Want to join us?"
"Huh? Wouldn't that be a bother?"
"Not at all," Yoriichi shook his head. "It's a good chance for me to examine my own shortcomings as well."
"Yoriichi always makes me think of that saying…"
Makomo propped her chin on her hand and smiled.
"Even those stronger than you are still striving—what right do you have to give up? It really is true."
"Isn't it actually, 'Those stronger than you are still striving, and those weaker than you haven't given up—so what right do you have to give up on yourself'?" Hiru rested his chin on his hand. "Though if you ask me, it's all just empty talk."
Makomo tilted her head. "Why do you say that, Hiru?"
"Because sometimes, effort is just wasted."
"He's probably thinking about himself," Sabito chuckled, patting Makomo's shoulder. "After all, his older brother is Yoriichi."
Makomo smiled softly. "That's true. Yoriichi is quite strict when it comes to training."
"Alright, let's go train. The more we train now, the calmer we'll be in battle." Yoriichi smiled. "Hiru, are you coming?"
"No. I'm going to paint. I finally managed to get some white pigment." Hiru shook his head and poured himself a cup of tea. "Besides, in my current condition, I'll need to rest for a while."
"Wait." Sabito stopped mid-step and turned back. "You're resting?"
Hiru spread his hands. "Did you really expect me to fight looking like this?"
Sabito fell into a suspicious silence.
"Then what about this year's demon-hunting assignments?"
"Then I'll have to trouble you to work a bit harder, Sabito—the capable one."
Hiru clasped his hands together. "I'll be cheering you on."
Sabito: …