"Understood." Giyuu, Shinobu, and Musashi replied in unison, then the three of them left the residence and headed for Mount Natagumo.
The other Hashira also began training to turn their Nichirin Swords into Bright Red Nichirins.
...
Along the way, the three of them didn't talk much. Musashi originally thought his relationship with Giyuu had made significant progress, but now he found it was still difficult to communicate with him, only exchanging a few words with Kochou Shinobu.
Additionally, Musashi also discovered that Kochou Shinobu was a rather enthusiastic person; even with someone as aloof as Giyuu, she would continuously try to engage him in conversation, just like now.
"It would be wonderful if humans and demons could coexist harmoniously, don't you think, Tomioka-san?" Kochou Shinobu asked Giyuu.
This was something her sacrificed elder sister had always hoped for, and when her elder sister sacrificed herself, Kochou Shinobu began to live as her sister had.
However, all of this was merely a disguise; although she spoke of it, her hatred for demons was arguably no less than Sanemi's and Obanai's.
Giyuu still maintained a poker face, calmly replying, "It won't work, as long as demons still eat humans."
"What do you think, Musashi?" Hearing Giyuu unequivocally reject the idea, Kochou Shinobu then asked Musashi.
"My thoughts are the same as Tomioka-san's. As long as demons still eat humans, then humans and demons cannot coexist harmoniously. Although these demons were once human, from the moment they became demons and ate humans, they already committed unforgivable sins. Only by slaying them can the souls of those who died by their hands find peace," Musashi replied to Kochou Shinobu.
"Ah, that's truly regrettable. But Musashi, does that mean demons who haven't eaten humans can still be forgiven?" Kochou Shinobu asked him again after hearing Musashi's words.
This question stumped Musashi for a moment. He hadn't considered the possibility of demons not eating humans. Currently, all the demons he had seen had eaten humans, excluding those who were brutally savage, not only eating humans but also enjoying torturing them to death.
Even newly formed demons would eat humans, as they are very weak when they first appear and urgently need to eat humans to recover. They wouldn't even spare their own blood relatives, and blood relatives actually have a stronger attraction for them.
After thinking for a while, Musashi gave Kochou Shinobu his answer.
"If there truly are demons who don't eat humans, then I believe they could be allowed to live under supervision, and we could try to find a way to turn them back into humans.
If we can't find a way, then, on the premise that they don't eat humans, I believe they should be killed at the age they would have naturally died as humans," Musashi stated.
If it were in the past, Musashi might not have thought so much, and would have simply killed them.
But after meeting Tanjirou and experiencing his first mission, his thoughts changed. Even if some people became demons, they were still deeply loved by others, and the most painful part of such an event was for those who loved them.
If they had eaten humans, there would be nothing more to say, but if they hadn't, then Musashi felt there could be options other than killing.
Hearing Musashi's words, Giyuu and Kochou Shinobu both seemed to fall into thought.
Musashi continued to explain to them, "Eternal life itself violates the rules of this world and should not exist.
Moreover, if there's a demon that doesn't eat humans, it means it should still retain human thoughts. Then eternal life would already be a Demon for it. Its relatives and friends would pass away one by one, and how long could its remaining human thoughts be preserved?"
After listening to Musashi's words, Kochou Shinobu and Giyuu felt a subtle increase in their admiration for him; they had never considered such deeper implications.
"I never thought Musashi would think so deeply. It seems what you said should be the most suitable method, don't you think, Tomioka-san?" Kochou Shinobu said with a smile, expressing agreement with Musashi's idea, and also asking Giyuu.
"Mm." Giyuu hummed in response and offered no further comment.
Subsequently, the few of them said nothing more.
Soon, the three arrived at Mount Natagumo. Nightfall enveloped the mountain, making it appear extremely eerie and sinister, and faint screams could still be heard from within.
"How about we split up?" Musashi suggested to Giyuu and Kochou Shinobu.
With such a large mountain, if the three of them moved together, their progress would surely slow down.
Giyuu and Kochou Shinobu nodded, and then the three of them entered the mountain separately.
In the dark forest, Musashi headed towards the center of the mountain.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounded, and Musashi looked up in the direction of the noise.
In the sky, a yellow-haired figure obscured the moon, his right hand gripping the hilt of his Nichirin Sword, whether sheathing it or preparing to draw it, and beside him, a demon's head also flew high, then both fell downwards together.
"Zenitsu?" Musashi felt the figure somewhat resembled Zenitsu, and worried, he changed direction and began running towards that area.
...
Suspended on the rooftop of a house in the air, the poisoned Zenitsu lay face up, the moon exceptionally clear in his eyes at that moment.
Thoughts gradually emerged in his mind, one after another.
I think I had a dream... It was a happy dream...
I am very strong... Stronger than anyone...
Able to help the weak and those in trouble...
Zenitsu recalled the scenes from his dream. Kuwajima Jigorō's figure appeared in his mind, and the scenes of Kuwajima Grandpa teaching him in the past also emerged.
No matter what... what Kuwajima Grandpa taught me, and the time he spent on me... it wasn't in vain...
"Zenitsu!"
Just as Zenitsu was lost in thought, a figure in white landed on the rooftop and called out to him.
Who is it... Such a familiar voice...
His reverie was interrupted. Zenitsu found the voice by his ear very familiar, but his body was already unable to move, he couldn't even turn his head.
"Zenitsu! Hold on, I'll take you to a doctor!" Musashi shouted loudly at Zenitsu, hoping to keep him conscious, while carefully lifting Zenitsu into his arms with both hands.
Zenitsu could be said to be the first close friend Musashi made after joining the Demon Slayer Corps, and he was very important to him.
At this moment, Zenitsu also saw the face of the newcomer.
It's Musashi... Am I dreaming now too...? It shouldn't be such a coincidence... It seems... I can't go on...
Zenitsu's consciousness gradually blurred, and his eyes closed.
"Don't give up, Zenitsu!"
"Don't give up!"
Two voices simultaneously rang in Zenitsu's ears. Zenitsu's eyes reopened at this moment, and tears flowed out.
Kuwajima Grandpa...
Amidst the jostling, Zenitsu recalled Kuwajima Grandpa's teachings. He slowly began to use his Breathing Technique to slow the spread of the poison.
Musashi, holding Zenitsu, felt a little relieved seeing this situation.
With the Breathing Technique, he should be able to hold on for a while longer. Now it just depends on whether Shinobu-nee-san can save him.
Musashi ran towards the direction Kochou Shinobu had gone. He now regretted suggesting they split up earlier, but fortunately, they hadn't been separated for too long, and Musashi quickly found Kochou Shinobu who was still on her way.
"Shinobu-nee-san, please help me save him!"
Musashi rushed urgently to Kochou Shinobu's side and said to her.