On the other side, Hiru had finally calmed the twins down and was leading them toward the training grounds, one in each hand. But just as they approached, the sharp sounds of intense combat reached their ears.
Passing through the gate, they saw Uzui swinging his blade again and again at Tanjiro, who was scrambling to dodge in a rather disheveled state.
Noticing the three of them, Uzui eased his assault. Tanjiro seized the moment to leap back, and the fierce exchange came to an abrupt halt.
Tanjiro wasn't seriously injured, but he was panting like a bellows.
"Hiru… Mr. Hiru… huff… you… already… huff…"
"Catch your breath before you talk. Hearing you like this is stressing me out."
Hiru's lips twitched slightly, the rest of his words left unspoken.
[This feels like listening to someone give their last words…]
"This kid's been taught well by Yoriichi."
Uzui rested his nichirin on his shoulder, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.
"With this level of skill, becoming a Hashira wouldn't be a problem."
"Isn't that just bullying a kid…? Tanjiro can't really go all out against humans."
At Hiru's remark, Uzui only shrugged before glancing at the twins trailing behind him, their eyes still red.
"Looks like you've calmed down. Not bad."
The twins didn't respond. One on each side, they held onto Hiru's hands, pressing close against him.
Uzui didn't mind. He reached out and pulled Tanjiro over.
"This kid's got potential. How about bringing him along on the mission?"
"No."
Hiru let out a quiet sigh.
"If both of us go, it won't be a hunt for an Upper Moon—it'll be Muzan launching a full-scale assault."
"Then what about him?"
Uzui patted Tanjiro's head, then pressed down firmly.
"A demon with this kind of strength can't just be let loose."
"I'll send him to Tamayo afterward—the pharmacist. Until he takes the medicine, he won't take part in any Demon Slayer Corps operations."
Hiru looked at Tanjiro.
"And don't even think about visiting your family. If you have something to say, write a letter and have Yushiro deliver it."
Tanjiro nodded, his breathing still uneven.
"I'll stay with Miss Tamayo… But will you really be okay continuing your mission?"
"Hm? Me?"
Hiru glanced down at the two children clinging to him and smiled.
"…I'll be careful."
"Ah, right!"
Tanjiro suddenly struck his fist into his palm.
"Mr. Hiru, before I go to Miss Tamayo's place, I want to see my teacher one more time. I can recognize people by scent, but I still can't get used to the Transparent World. Can I leave after I figure that out?"
"You brat… Do you know how many people would kill for that ability?"
Uzui pressed hard on his head, ruffling his hair.
"And you're actually complaining about it? I should've cut you a few times earlier."
"But I really can't get used to it…"
"Enough, shut up."
Uzui's expression darkened further.
"When it comes to showing off, you've learned perfectly from Yoriichi."
Hiru couldn't help but laugh at Tanjiro's conflicted expression, but the laughter quickly faded into a gentle smile.
"Thanks for today, Uzui."
"Yeah, yeah. You would've been fine even without me today. Aside from Iguro—who just can't accept it—you've got ties with almost everyone…"
Uzui rubbed the back of his neck.
"But the key was still that guy Yoriichi. That feeling of my hair standing on end… first time I've ever experienced that."
"I told you my brother wouldn't attack you… Are you picking a fight on purpose?"
"Quit nagging. The instincts of the God of Festivals don't miss."
Uzui clicked his tongue in irritation, then looked down at the twins.
"You two should stop clinging to him. The final battle could start at any time. If you don't want to die then, go train."
"Then we'll go on the mission with you!"
Muichiro tightened his grip on Hiru's hand.
"Anyway, fighting Lower Moons is boring, and ordinary demons aren't good for training. In the current situation, using Upper Moons for practice is the best choice, right?"
"Lower Moons are boring? You want to use Upper Moons for practice?"
Uzui's face twisted in obvious disgust.
"What's a brat who doesn't even reach my chest talking about? What's wrong with you two? Why do all the kids you've been around end up with something wrong in their heads? Even if there's a gap between demon and human thinking, it shouldn't be this ridiculous, right?"
Hiru: …
"That's just the truth."
Yuichiro looked up at Uzui.
"Demons at the level of Lower Moons are nothing but cannon fodder in front of the Hashira… Or what, are you jealous because you couldn't do that at our age?"
He let out a small snort.
"Getting jealous of children—what a pathetic adult."
"Brother, don't say that."
Muichiro, oblivious to Uzui's increasingly sour expression, shook his head.
"Even if that were true, Uzui wouldn't say things like that because of it. And he's not pathetic at all—he just spoke up for Hiru-nii very fairly earlier, and he usually takes good care of me too."
"He wasn't the only one speaking up for Brother Hiru."
Yuichiro huffed.
"If anything, this guy was just scared Yoriichi would make a move. And Sister Kanae was fair too—way better than him, right?"
Muichiro froze for a moment, then looked up at Uzui with a conflicted expression.
"…Mm, that's true. I like Sister Kanae more too. And Uzui's way of speaking is kind of weird."
Meanwhile, Hiru looked at Uzui's increasingly darkened expression and burst out laughing again.
"You really lost completely this time, Uzui."