Rengoku Kyojuro rushed over and couldn't help asking:
"Yoriichi san, did that demon escape?"
Hayashi nodded.
"Indeed. Upper Rank Four also arrived here just now. Although I cut down three of his clones, one still managed to escape together with that one."
Rengoku Kyojuro was momentarily stunned, but then laughed heartily, his voice carrying his trademark brightness:
"It's fine. I've already engraved that demon's face into my memory! Next time I encounter him, please allow me the honor of fighting him!"
Seeing that unwavering smile that shone like the sun, Hayashi was slightly taken aback. It seemed he had been worrying too much.
With Rengoku Kyojuro's nature, though he would feel regret that the demon escaped, he would never waver or wallow in despair. He would only sharpen himself further and challenge the enemy again until he achieved victory.
Thinking this, Hayashi also smiled.
"You've heard that in the Swordsmith Village, I'll be teaching all of you Pillars some new techniques. Once you've mastered them, even defeating Upper Rank Three on your own will not be difficult. I'll be waiting for your good news."
Rengoku's eyes shone like fire, his spirit blazing as he responded with a loud voice:
"Very well! I eagerly look forward to your guidance!"
Hayashi wasn't merely offering words of comfort—he truly meant it.
In the original events, even before reaching his true peak, Rengoku Kyojuro had been able to fight Akaza, Upper Rank Three, to a standstill. And it should be remembered: Rengoku never received the full inheritance of the Flame Pillar. His father, once the Flame Pillar, had abandoned his duty in despair.
Rengoku had risen to the position relying only on three thin guidebooks recording the techniques of Flame Breathing. Yet even with that, he grasped the Secret Ninth Form: Rengoku (Purgatory) through his own talent and will.
That kind of genius and strength was simply unreasonable.
If, at that time, Rengoku had already awakened the Red Nichirin Blade to stop Akaza's regeneration…
If he had gained the Transparent World, or even awakened the Demon Slayer Mark…
The outcome of that tragic battle would surely have been entirely different.
Hayashi exhaled, his eyes gleaming with renewed determination.
"Let's return to Headquarters."
…
As soon as Hayashi Yuichi and Rengoku Kyōjurō entered the headquarters courtyard, they saw Ubuyashiki Kagaya waiting there.
Despite his frail health, Kagaya immediately stood up to greet the two when he saw them.
He used his remaining eyesight to carefully look at Yuichi and Kyōjurō, and only after confirming that both were unharmed did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Encountering Upper Rank Three (Akaza) and Upper Rank Four (Hantengu) at the same time—when he received the news from the Kasugai Crow, Kagaya's heart had tightened.
Although the crow also relayed that Hayashi and Kyōjurō were safe, it was only after seeing them in person that Kagaya could fully put his mind at ease.
Rengoku Kyōjurō bowed his head and said loudly:
"Forgive me, my lord, for causing you so much worry!"
"Thanks to Yoriichi san help, I was able to fulfill the mission you entrusted to me!"
"Thinking of this, I feel deeply ashamed!"
Kagaya smiled gently and patted Kyōjurō on the shoulder.
"No matter what, I am simply glad you have returned safely."
Then, Kagaya turned his gaze toward Hayashi Yuichi.
"Yoriichi san, now that the Hashira are returning, we can prepare for the journey to the Swordsmith Village at any time."
Yuichi nodded, then voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind during the trip back:
"With nine Hashira, how can we all reach the Swordsmith Village at the same time?"
According to tradition, whether Hashira or regular corps members, anyone traveling to the hidden village must be guided by the Kakushi. To prevent the location from being exposed, travelers would be blindfolded, their ears plugged, and even their noses blocked—so that even someone with a keen sense of smell like Kamado Tanjirō could not track the path.
Each Kakushi only knew a single portion of the route, carrying their passengers in a relay to ensure secrecy.
But sending all nine Hashira along with Yuichirō this way would be extremely difficult.
Kagaya, however, had already anticipated this problem. He smiled softly.
"I will have the Kakushi escort you in staggered groups. Before you and Kyōjurō returned, I had already sent Himejima Gyōmei to the Swordsmith Village."
"If you are ready to depart, the next is Kochō Shinobu's turn."
Yuichi nodded as a prepared Kakushi stepped forward.
The Kakushi bowed respectfully.
"Forgive me, I cannot reveal my name. I am the one assigned to guide you to the Swordsmith Village."
Yuichi accepted the earplugs and blindfold, securing them as instructed.
Soon after, he felt himself being carried swiftly on the Kakushi's back. Though the guide used no Breathing Technique, their stamina was remarkable—running at full speed with Yuichi on his back, breathing only slightly heavier.
After several relay handovers, Yuichi finally arrived at the Swordsmith Village.
As soon as he removed the blindfold and earplugs, the faint smell of sulfur greeted him—evidence of the village's famed hot springs.
He thanked his final escort sincerely, but noticed unease on the Kakushi's face.
The man muttered under his breath:
"This isn't right… We've already reached the route assigned to Yoriichi sama. Why does the crow's message say that Himejima Gyōmei, who set out earlier, still hasn't arrived…?"
Yuichi froze at those words.
His first thought was that Gyōmei might have been delayed by some urgent duty—or worse, encountered a demon en route.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed nearby…
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