"He actually wants to see me..."
Yoriichi held the letter.
"This is quite unexpected."
"So are you going, Brother?"
"Yes. I'll head to Mount Kumogakure first, then rush to headquarters. The timing should work out perfectly," Yoriichi said with a faint smile. "This is truly something to look forward to. Are you going too, Hiru?"
Hiru simply shook his head.
"I'll wait for you at the Hashira Meeting. If I go too, I'm afraid he'll chop me down before I can react—and if his child sees that, it'll be even harder to explain."
"Alright," Yoriichi nodded.
"But we can't neglect the training here either."
With that, Yoriichi designed a training schedule overnight and handed it to Aoba, instructing him to oversee Yuichiro and Muichiro's training.
"It's not really a problem…"
Aoba lowered his head to look at the densely packed schedule.
"But isn't this a bit too full?"
"It's fine. Those two have exceptional talent and solid physical foundations. This level of training won't be an issue for them."
"True," Hiru leaned over to glance at the schedule.
"After all, you trained for two months and still couldn't master Aura at all."
Aoba: …
Indeed, the twins' talent in this area was unexpectedly high. Within two months, they had both mastered the use of Aura. In contrast, Aoba—who had once been a Hashira—still made no progress whatsoever.
Even more pitiful was the fact that he discovered he couldn't defeat the two children even in a one-on-two fight. In one-on-one matches, the wins and losses had begun to even out as well.
This was no longer something that could be brushed off as a simple "decline in strength."
"I must be the most pathetic Hashira ever…"
Aoba sighed deeply. "To be outmatched by kids who've only touched swords for half a year…"
"Yeah, it just proves you're not cut out for swordsmanship either," Hiru said, patting his shoulder. "You might as well give up early—just like me."
"That's harsh… I'm not quite at your level yet, okay?"
"In terms of swordsmanship alone among the Hashira, I'm dead last, and you're second to last. It's just the pot calling the kettle black."
"What's there to compare?!"
"Don't worry, Yukinashi. Your talent for swordsmanship is far better than Hiru's."
"That doesn't comfort me at all… if anything, it's even more discouraging."
Yuichiro, who had passed by and witnessed everything, silently intercepted Muichiro—who was about to join the commotion—and led his still-bewildered younger brother away.
[This happens every single day… I really can't fathom what goes on in that man's head.]
Yoriichi departed for Mount Kumogakure that very day.
Hiru didn't know what exactly Yoriichi and Tanjuro had discussed. He only knew that when he saw Yoriichi again at the March Hashira Meeting, Yoriichi was in an unusually good mood.
At this Hashira Meeting, Kochou Shinobu and Iguro Obanai were officially appointed as Hashira.
There was little need to elaborate on Shinobu. Using medicine to assist in demon slaying, she had steadily killed fifty demons and wielded her self-created Insect Breathing—making her a fully qualified Insect Hashira, even if she had yet to truly decapitate a demon in the strictest sense.
Iguro Obanai, however, was far more noteworthy.
He was a genius who had created his own Breathing Style and possessed formidable strength.
He had even participated in the Hashira assessment a full year earlier than Kochou Shinobu, so logically, he should not have become a Hashira only now.
Unfortunately, he was far too careless with his own health.
He would go without eating for three to five days at a time. Sometimes, after killing demons, his bad habits would land him in the medical ward for forced recuperation.
Then, being compelled to eat by the medical staff would leave him mentally drained, dulling his sharpness during demon investigations.
As a result, his pace had slowed instead of quickened.
Sanemi was deeply worried. After the meeting ended, he pulled Hiru aside and asked whether there was any medicine that could substitute for a proper meal.
"...What do you take me for?"
Hiru looked at him with open disdain.
"How could I possibly have that kind of medicine? Even the Corps doesn't carry anything like that."
"Even if something like that exists, you still need to eat," Uzui chimed in as he walked over.
"No medicine replaces a real meal. At best, it just keeps you on your feet in an emergency."
"What does that stuff even taste like?"
"Want some? I happen to have some here," Uzui said, pulling out a small pouch filled with knuckle-sized black pellets. "But don't get your hopes up about the flavor."
Hiru lowered his head, sniffed the suspicious odor wafting from the pouch, and silently took a step back.
"No. Just forget I asked."
"Why ask something like that all of a sudden?"
Uzui shrugged, tucking the pouch away as he looked Sanemi up and down.
"What, something wrong with your body?"
"He and that Iguro were friends before," someone interjected. "He's worried."
"That new guy with the flashy eyes?" Uzui's eyes lit up. "Just imagining those differently colored irises is already dazzling."
"I agree with that part."
Watching the conversation veer off course, Sanemi shook his head and turned to leave, planning to ask Kanae and Shinobu whether they had any methods to help someone eat properly.
Uzui watched him go, then hooked an arm around Hiru, who was also about to leave.
"Hey. What's your relationship with that guy?"
"Huh?" Hiru tilted his head. "Who are you talking about?"
"That Rengoku kid who sat in on the meeting today," Uzui said, lowering his head. "You two seemed pretty close."
"Kyojuro…" Hiru lowered his eyes. "Probably because I introduced a good doctor to his family, so he's grateful. He's the type I'm bad at dealing with—too hot-blooded."
"Yeah, that hair color really is way too flashy. Kind of annoying."
"...How many more colors do you plan to pile onto yourself?"
"Ha! The God of Festivals can never be too flashy!"
"You're practically a walking color palette…"
"I am the God of Festivals!"
"Hiru-san!"
Hiru slapped Uzui's hand away, turned toward the voice, and smiled.
"Kyojuro. What's up?"
"I'll definitely pass the exam and fight alongside you as soon as possible!"
Kyojuro lifted his chin slightly. "Please look forward to it!"
"Alright. I'll be waiting," Hiru said with a faint smile. "But… you don't need to speak quite so loudly."
"I'm very sorry! I injured my ears during my last demon-hunting mission, so I can't really control my volume right now!"
"Oh dear. Didn't you get that treated?"
"I did! I asked the Flower Hashira, the Insect Hashira, and Miss Tamayo!"
Kyojuro crossed his arms, his face bright with a cheerful smile.
"But they all said it couldn't be cured!"
"I see…"
"Tamayo?" Uzui stroked his chin. "Who's that?"
"She's the physician Brother Hiru recommended!" Kyojuro said enthusiastically. "Her medical skills are incredible! She even cured my mother's illness!"
"Oh—then I'll have to find an opportunity to visit her," Uzui said thoughtfully. "Ninjas get injured easily, after all. It's important to build good relationships with doctors."
"Better not…"
"Hm?"
Uzui looked down at Hiru.
"What's that supposed to mean? Is there some kind of taboo?"
After a brief silence, Hiru raised his head and met Uzui's gaze, his expression solemn.
"I'm afraid she might have a sudden heart attack."