After leaving the Hashira Meeting, the Kakushi came to retrieve Yoriichi's blade, saying they would engrave the words "Demon Slayer" on it and further modify the sword according to his needs. During this period, Yoriichi would have to remain at headquarters for a while longer.
"Alright, thank you," Yoriichi said as he handed the sword to Kakushi. "Would it be possible to find me a regular Nichirin Blade in the meantime? It feels strange not having a sword with me."
"No trouble at all!" The Kakushi clutched the blade with such excitement he looked ready to faint. "I'll deliver the Nichirin Blade to your quarters shortly! Do you have any specific requests for the weapon?!"
"Hmm... just make it sharp. I don't really have a place to maintain it here."
"Understood! Then I'll take my leave! Wishing you great fortune in battle!"
Yoriichi watched him sprint away. After pausing to sense his surroundings, he headed in Hiru's direction.
I wonder where he's wandered off to this time...
Just as Hiru hadn't managed to change how he viewed himself for hundreds of years, Yoriichi had never managed to change Hiru's habit of being distracted by scenery and unknowingly wandering who-knows-where.
In truth, Yoriichi hadn't been able to track Hiru's location at first. That limitation came from the Primordial Demon's natural suppression over a Transformed Demon. Even though Hiru couldn't read his thoughts, Yoriichi could clearly sense that if Hiru died, he—as one transformed into a demon—would lose everything demon, and all harm and lost time would return to him.
Yoriichi accepted this balance and never attempted to break the restriction. He believed one must always place limits upon oneself.
But when Hiru disappeared for three months after going down the mountain to purchase pigments, and Yoriichi couldn't find him after searching—
He had no choice but to attempt breaking the innate suppression between the transformed and the Demon King. After pushing through that barrier, he managed to use that single thread of source blood to locate Hiru and bring him back home.
Fortunately, Yoriichi could feel that even though he had broken the restriction, he did not possess the Primordial Demon's power to turn humans into demons. Otherwise, he might have immediately sought out Muzan back then, instead of suppressing his anger until Muzan recently slipped, giving him a reason to leave the mountain at last.
Thinking this over, Yoriichi finally reached the location he sensed. Only...
He looked up at the pharmaceutical workshop marked No Outsiders Allowed, then at Hiru, who for some reason was sitting in the medicinal garden painting. Yoriichi sighed helplessly. "Honestly..."
He glanced at the sky, not the least bit impatient, and simply stood at the gate, quietly waiting for Hiru to come out.
...
After returning home, Rengoku Shinjuro couldn't wait to tell his wife, Ruka, that the Demon Slayer Corps had gained three new Hashira today.
"The Stone Hashira's a kid who can't see! But his build alone gives you a sense of security! Though he always looks so sad—it makes you worry he'll do something foolish!"
"The Sound Hashira is strange, but unbelievably competent! It's just—having three wives and showing off about it is simply unacceptable!"
"And the last one! The Sun Hashira—apparently he created his own Breathing Technique! He just passed the trial and immediately became a Hashira! Remarkably talented! He even volunteered to take on the entire Kanto region to purge the demons there! Admirable, yes, but a bit reckless for a newcomer!
And there's an interesting new recruit too! The Sun Hashira's younger brother."
"He can use the legendary Bright Red Nichirin Blade—a crimson Nichirin Sword that stops demons from regenerating! Its color is completely different from the simple blade red. Just looking at it feels oppressive! And in his first battle, he killed more than a dozen demons without a scratch! I believe he'll become a Hashira soon!"
The woman seated before Shinjuro had delicate features and wore a light-colored kimono. Her crimson eyes held a gentle smile as she sat upright. "That truly is wonderful, Shinjuro."
"It is! New blood is flowing into the Corps again!" Shinjuro laughed, but soon frowned in confusion. "Still, something bothers me..."
"What is it?"
"I just feel like something's off about those brothers. The Sun Hashira and that younger brother with the Bright Red Nichirin Blade." Shinjuro's brows tightened. "But I can't explain why. If the former Water Hashira, Urokodaki, were here, it might be easier...
And Sun Breathing—it sounds familiar. I feel like I've heard or seen it before, but I can't recall it. It feels like something I should be paying serious attention to..."
"Then simply ask them," Ruka said softly with a smile. "From how you described him, the Sun Hashira sounds gentle, patient, and responsible. Unless he has a reason he can't say it aloud, I think he would tell you."
"You're right! Gossiping behind someone's back is shameful! I'll ask him next time we meet!"
"Have you been assigned to a new region this time as well?"
"Yes. But before that, the Master asked me to investigate Hachijō Island. Travelers have been disappearing there in recent years." Guilt flickered in Shinjuro's eyes. "I'm sorry. I promised to take you to the fireworks festival after the next Hashira Meeting."
"Next time is fine. But Shinjuro, you must be careful." Ruka smiled, though worry filled her crimson eyes as she brushed back a loose strand of hair. "Shinjuro... the children and I can't lose you. So please, protect yourself."
"Don't worry!" Shinjuro pulled his wife into his arms, lowering his head to kiss the top of her hair. "I'm a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. A Hashira never loses to a demon!"
...
Hiru was eventually thrown out by Shinobu. After finishing his painting, he'd noticed some medicinal flowers with gorgeous colors and wanted to pick them to use as pigments. Shinobu burst out of the building almost instantly, grabbed his haori, and dragged him out—honestly, if Hiru hadn't seen Yoriichi standing at the outer gate, he absolutely would have taken those flowers today. Worst case, he could replant them later!
"Even the brother of a Hashira can't be this willful!" Shinobu snapped, but the moment she saw Yoriichi crouching before her, looking up slightly as he apologized in a gentle voice, all her anger vanished like water on hot iron. "You have to keep him in check from now on!"
"Yes, I will. I'm sorry for causing trouble." Yoriichi glanced toward Hiru. "I'll keep a close eye on him."
Only then did Shinobu huff, pouting. "Well then, let me wish you good fortune in battle right here! Make sure you slay lots and lots of demons, okay?"
"Alright. I'll carry your hopes with me." Yoriichi stood and lightly ruffled her hair before turning to Hiru. "Come on. Don't argue with a child—you were the one who messed with the herbs first, weren't you? Let's go home."