After speaking with Uzui, Yoriichi left with Tanjiro, while Hiru and the twins followed to the mission site.
On the way, Uzui repeatedly stressed that Hiru shouldn't reveal himself and should stick to support. Hiru, of course, disagreed, arguing that he was the least likely to run into trouble and should take the lead instead. The two quickly fell into another argument.
Despite that, Hiru was confident he could talk him around.
Unfortunately, Uzui had no interest in arguing. Realizing words wouldn't work, he immediately switched tactics. After explaining the situation to Yuichiro, he had the two brothers take position on either side, forming a pincer around Hiru.
Hiru clicked his tongue, saying Uzui had some nerve using two kids as pawns—no sense of honor at all.
In the end, he had no choice but to give in and agree to change his appearance for the mission, settling for a supporting role.
But none of them expected his so-called "transformation" to be this thorough.
If not for his voice, even Uzui wouldn't have recognized him.
When asked, he explained that this was the appearance he used when traveling under the alias Eiko.
"Eiko's been dead for over two hundred years. Using his face shouldn't be a problem," he said, glancing at the three of them staring in amazement. "But are you sure you don't need my help?"
"Don't worry, Hiru-nii! It's just an Upper Moon. With the three of us, we'll be fine!" Muichiro said, dressed in a casual cloud-patterned kimono. "Besides, I already made a promise to him!"
"What?"
"I told him that if no one could slay him, then I would do it myself once I got stronger!" Muichiro's eyes shone brightly. "He used to be Upper Moon One, right? So to keep that promise, there's no way I'll lose to an Upper Moon who isn't as strong as him!"
Hiru's expression grew a little complicated at that. "Hmm… then you'd better give it your all, Muichiro. After all, even all the Upper Moons combined wouldn't be a match for the one you're talking about."
"Huh? He's really that strong?"
"Of course. He's Yoriichi's brother, after all. It's only natural he'd be strong, right?" Yuichiro said, also wearing a matching cloud-patterned kimono. "Instead of getting lost in all that, focus on what's in front of you."
"Oh… but he really is so cool!"
Hiru watched as Yuichiro dragged Muichiro away, a faint smile tugging at his lips. But it didn't last long—his brows soon furrowed again.
He had just received a letter from Tamayo, delivered by Kitaro.
In it, she mentioned that after Yoriichi brought Tanjiro back, he had only briefly explained what happened at the Hashira Meeting before excusing himself and leaving, clearly downcast.
After hearing the full story from Tanjiro, she had also given Hiru a thorough scolding.
Having already spoken with Yoriichi, Hiru naturally understood why he was in such a low mood. To be honest, when he asked if there was a way to track down their eldest brother, Hiru had been caught off guard.
He couldn't understand why Yoriichi suddenly wanted to track down Kokushibo. But when he asked, the answer surprised him even more.
Yoriichi had said he intended to eliminate all potential threats before the final battle.
Not long ago, he had been trying to resolve the conflict between them, hoping the three brothers could all survive some other way. And yet now, his thinking had completely changed.
That sudden shift made it hard for Hiru, who knew him well, not to suspect that his brother either wanted to remove hidden dangers—or simply hide someone away.
So Hiru strongly opposed the plan, saying he would return after finishing the mission with Uzui, and then the two of them would go together to see their eldest brother.
However, Yoriichi replied that if Hiru refused to provide a way to track him, he would return to the mountain valley and search on his own.
Hiru then suggested a compromise. He offered to cancel his mission immediately and go with him instead. But Yoriichi remained firm, saying that since this had started because of him, he wanted to see it through himself.
No matter how Hiru tried to persuade him, he refused to change his mind. In the end, Hiru had no choice but to reveal how to track Kokushibo.
After that, Yoriichi stopped speaking to him altogether. And although his expression remained calm, his demeanor had clearly grown more distant and rigid than before.
Hiru lowered his gaze. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh.
[Could it be… that what I did this time has frightened my brother? But even if he's uneasy, shouldn't that be directed at me? Why has he suddenly turned his attention to our eldest brother?
Although he did lose his way out of jealousy toward my brother's talent, the resentment between him and me runs far deeper. What exactly was my brother thinking when he made this decision?
What worries me most, though, is what will happen when he finds him… Can he really bring himself to strike him? Will he truly show no mercy?
He'll probably be quite surprised to suddenly have someone show up at his door…
No… I just can't stop worrying about this…
But with Yuichiro and Muichiro here, I can't exactly slip away midway…]
Thinking this, Hiru let out another sigh.
"So in the end… the least troublesome—and most unexpected—option is Kitaro?"
It was only natural for him to think of Kitaro at this moment.
As a crow, Kitaro was arguably the one—aside from Yoriichi—he had spent the most time with. The two had even grown close through their constant bickering.
Kitaro would turn a blind eye to him skipping work under various excuses just to buy sweets, while he would use Hiru's head as a nest.
Even after his identity had been exposed, he had worried that Kitaro might resent him and leave—until just now, when he received Kitaro's letter.
Driven by a self-destructive curiosity, he had asked why Kitaro was still willing to remain his Kasugai.
[Caw! Who else but me could put up with your picky temper? You want to dump that on some new recruit? What are you, a demon or something?
Don't forget—I'm just a crow! You expect me to be the one to slay you?! Can't you think about anything other than new desserts, caw?!]
Kitaro's outburst left him completely speechless.
At the thought of it, Hiru tilted his head slightly, and a faint smile finally appeared at the corners of his lips.
[…But at least that's a good sign, isn't it?]