Hiru finally managed to get his sword back from Akiha, and also told Akiha he wasn't skilled with swords, asking him to think of a weapon more suited to him and easier to carry.
Though he seemed extremely reluctant to forge weapons for Hiru anymore, Akiha still carefully noted down Hiru's requirements, saying he'd think about it when he got back.
After receiving his blade, Yoriichi naturally headed to his jurisdiction to purge the evil spirits, while Kasugai Crow, Kitaro, brought a new mission.
"You want me to catch demons?"
"Caw! Precisely!" The Kasugai Crow perched on Hiru's shoulder. "For the next Swordsman assessment, we need to fill Mount Fujikasane with evil spirits!"
"True... Brother did wipe them all out last time." Hiru nodded. "But why me? Isn't that the Hashira's job?"
"Because you can wield the Bright Red Nichirin Sword! If the demons can't be restored, Kakushi transportation will be much easier! Plus, it'll lower the exam difficulty somewhat!"
"My Bright Red Nichirin Sword can't do that... At best, it delays their recovery," Hiru protested. "And there's another issue—I can tell if a demon is present, but I can't pinpoint their exact location. If you really need demons captured, you'd be better off asking my brother—wait, never mind. Sending him to catch demons is probably impossible anyway."
"Caw?"
"After all, very few demons survive my brother's hands..." Hiru muttered, glancing at the Kakushi who'd come to escort him out. "Sigh—I really wish I could go on missions with my brother."
"Caw! Your mission territories are different! Completely different!"
"Honestly! You crow, just shut up already! You're so noisy!"
...
Meanwhile, Yoriichi followed one Kakushi after another out of the compound. After becoming a Hashira, while the location of the Swordsmith Village would remain classified, the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps was now known to him.
"Well then, I'll see you off here! May your martial fortune flourish!"
"Thank you." After briefly orienting himself, Yoriichi prepared to head toward the Kantō region he was assigned to patrol. Just as he took a step forward, someone called out to him. Turning around, Yoriichi couldn't help but pause in slight surprise. "Oyakata-sama? Were you waiting for me?"
"Are you about to depart?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya stood beneath blooming wisteria, smiling faintly as he gave a slight nod. "There's something on my mind. Might I take a moment of your time?"
"Certainly, please speak." Yoriichi stopped about three meters before Ubuyashiki Kagaya. "I shall answer truthfully."
"Sun Breathing Style—it was something you discovered through your own insight, not learned from any source, correct?"
"Yes." Yoriichi nodded. "I've known it since I was very young."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya watched Yoriichi, his expression gentle in the sunlight. Words formed on his lips but were swallowed back. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Yoriichi, you truly are a powerful and gifted individual."
Yoriichi shook his head slightly. "I'm just one among many Swordsmen. You flatter me."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya shook his head again, stepping out from the shade of the trees to stand before Yoriichi. He looked up at him. "Actually, someone asked me to convey their apologies to you."
Yoriichi froze in place, then tilted his head, a puzzled expression forming. "But I only met the Master a few days ago. Before that, I was living in the mountains with my younger brother..."
"We'll discuss it in detail another time," Ubuyashiki Kagaya murmured softly, then glanced toward his hidden retainers appearing nearby, searching for him. He changed the subject. "Seems sneaking out still isn't working."
"Please take care of yourself," Yoriichi said, concern flickering in his eyes. "If possible, try to get more sunlight."
"I will," Ubuyashiki Kagaya replied, lifting his gaze to meet Yoriichi's. "Then I entrust the safety of the Kanto people to you."
"I will do my utmost to purge the demons there," Yoriichi nodded slightly. "Wishing you good health, I shall depart now."
That matter-of-fact tone sounded less like a promise and more like stating an established fact.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya stood frozen for a long moment, watching Yoriichi's retreating figure. Then his brow furrowed slightly. "Could it truly be that one? But why would..."
"Oyakata-sama!"
"Oyakata-sama! If you were leaving, you could at least have told us!"
"Even if you didn't tell us, you could have told Mrs. Amane!"
"Yes! You left without a word, and Lady Amane is beside herself with worry!"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya stopped speaking, glancing at the two Kakushi filled with anxiety. He offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I only intended to get some fresh air at first. I didn't realize I'd wandered so far. I worried you. Let's return."
...
After leaving the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Hiru first went to the Wisteria House to obtain a box. Then began his journey to hunt demons.
Once found, he severed their limbs or beheaded them before stuffing the remains into the box and returning them to the nearest Wisteria House. But after capturing seven demons this way, Hiru examined his increasingly dull blade and decided a change in approach was necessary.
"Mr. Hiru."
Hiru sheathed his sword and turned to the approaching Kakushi . "What is it?"
"There have been reports of people disappearing in Tokyo Prefecture."
"Tokyo Prefecture?" Hiru considered the route. "Ah, is that one of my brother's jurisdictions? My brother... I mean the Sun Hashira. Isn't he in the Kantō region?"
"In the half-month since his promotion, Hashira-sama has slain over a dozen demons, but he's been following his own path the entire time. This makes it extremely difficult for us to track his movements."
The Kakushi looked uneasy.
"A few days ago, the Kasugai Crow informed Sun Hashira- that in the current Flame Hashira's jurisdiction, Fukushima, there might be a Twelve Kizuki. Since the current Flame Hashira is out on another mission, the closest senior swordsman to that area—Sun Hashira—was dispatched there. Now, the closest senior swordsman to Tokyo Prefecture is you."
"Understood. I'll investigate."
"Yes, thank you for your assistance!"
"Where's Kitaro?" Hiru drew the black cloth from his chest and tied it over his eyes. "If he's unavailable, find me any Kasugai Crow to guide me. Otherwise, I can't guarantee where I might end up."
"Understood! I'll fetch one immediately! Please wait here!"
Soon, Hiru felt a Kasugai Crow land on his shoulder. "Ready to go?"
"Caw! I am Uemon! It is my honor to guide the Tsuchinoe-rank, Hiru! Caw!"
"Why does a Kasugai Crow have a catchphrase..."
"I don't know either! Caw! Forward! Forward!"
"Yes, yes—seriously, couldn't you find a quieter Kasugai Crow?"
"Caw! I don't know either, I say!"
"Honestly! You're so noisy! Just point the way and shut up, you!"