"I'm telling you, that ancient ritual is seriously unlucky," Uzui circled back after the Hashira Meeting. "It's a ritual involving live burial sacrifices. Are you really okay using that title while doing such dangerous work?"
"…Uzui, would you die if you didn't talk?"
"Just reminding you, reminding you." Uzui rubbed the back of his neck. "Whatever. If you don't care, fine."
"I'm not that easy to kill," Hiru curled his lip, watching the departing Ubuyashiki. He turned on his heel. "Alright, alright. Stop bothering me. I've got business to discuss with theMaster."
Watching Hiru follow Ubuyashiki away, Uzui leaned closer to Yoriichi. "Hey Yoriichi, aren't you going to try to talk some sense into your brother? It's rare these days, but the very concept of a Human Hashira isn't exactly something to be proud of."
Yoriichi watched Hiru's retreating figure, readjusted his mask, and smiled. "No need. As long as he's happy, that's enough."
[How can you tell he's happy with that sourpuss face?]
Uzui looked utterly perplexed.
"Wow—your brotherly bond is truly enviable."
"Is it?" Yoriichi smiled and nodded at Uzui. "The meeting's over. I should head back to my jurisdiction. Care to tag along?"
"Nah, I've got stuff to do." Uzui waved his hand. "See you next time. Maybe by then I'll have flashily surpassed you!"
Yoriichi chuckled softly. "Mm, see you then."
"Oh, bye. Thanks for earlier." Uzui waved at Yoriichi, then stopped a passing Kakushi. "Hey, has Mikazuki from the pharmacy arrived yet?"
"Ah, yes.Master Mikazuki is at the pharmaceutical lab."
"Awesome! I'll swing by too… By the way, what was that healing potion called last time?"
After watching Uzui depart, Yoriichi pondered for a moment. Finding nothing pressing to worry about, he turned to head back to his jurisdiction. But before he'd gone far, someone called out—
"Yoriichi, wait a moment!"
Yoriichi halted again and turned. "…Mr. Rengoku? Is there something you need?"
"I'd like to have a little chat with you," Shinjuro approached with a warm smile. "How about it? Do you have time?"
"Sure. Here?"
"If you don't mind, let's go to my place!" Shinjuro smiled. "Ever since you were actively fighting demons, I've wanted to have a proper chat with you."
Yoriichi paused slightly, then nodded. "Then I'll impose."
...
Hiru placed a hand on Ubuyashiki Kagaya's wrist, his brow deeply furrowed. "All your vital organs have deteriorated. It's a miracle you're still alive…"
"Ahem… It wasn't like this before," Ubuyashiki replied, his own brow slightly creased. "The deterioration happened suddenly seven days ago."
"Seven days ago…" Hiru propped his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
The curse of the Ubuyashiki clan was linked to Muzan. If the curse had intensified, it could only mean Muzan had grown stronger—significantly stronger.
A demon's power came from blood. Had Muzan devoured countless victims in an instant? Or perhaps reclaimed the blood of his fallen subordinates? Yet there were no reports of large-scale demon disappearances or mass human vanishings.
Could Muzan have discovered another way to grow stronger?
Hiru's brow furrowed deeper.
Ubuyashiki didn't interrupt Hiru's thoughts. Instead, he spoke to his wife, Amane. After listening, Amane nodded and rose to leave.
Hiru noticed this and paused his musings, turning to Ubuyashiki K. "What is it?"
"Ah, I have something I wish to give you. I've asked Amane to fetch it." Ubuyashiki a smiled. "Well? Might my condition be delayed for a while longer?"
"I'll try. Might I see the medicine you're currently taking,Master?"
"Here…" Ubuyashiki retrieved a medicine pouch from beneath the table. "This was delivered today."
"Smells like a tonic… Oh, with painkillers added. Seems my advice last time was heeded." Hiru cradled the packet, sniffing it lightly. "Is breathing difficult due to organ failure yet?"
"Not yet. Just intermittent organ pain for now."
"That's not too bad… I'll prescribe some medicine to see if it helps. Take this for now. After I return from the Swordsmith Village, I'll check on you again. By then, we should have a clearer diagnosis." Hiru handed the medicine packet back. "But be aware—the medicine might cause loss of appetite as a side effect. You'll need to monitor your food intake carefully."
"Understood." Ubuyashiki looked toward Amane, who had returned holding something. "I heard Hiru is quite fond of paintings, so I thought you might appreciate this."
"Hm?" Hiru extended both hands to receive what Amane brought, but froze the moment he recognized it.
It was a painting, now yellowed with age.
It depicted rolling mountains and a tall, upright figure. The person in the painting gazed intently at the sunrise over the distant peaks, a fiery red mark adorning their forehead.
[It was from that time…]
Hiru held the frame, frozen in place.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya turned to Amane again, handing her the medicine pouch. "Would you mind taking care of this, Amane?"
Amane understood her husband didn't want her to hear what followed. She nodded and took the pouch, leaving quietly—but not without casting one last glance at the boy who remained motionless, lost in the painting.
Ubuyashiki sat quietly nearby, waiting for Hiru to return to himself.
After a long while, Hiru lifted his head. "This is Yomi-sensei's final work. Judging by the inscription, it was meant for someone… How did you come to possess it?"
"It is indeed a painting passed down from long ago," Ubuyashiki replied calmly. "It was the only item found with the body of the First Swordsman—the one who taught the Breathing Styles to the Demon Slayer Corps—besides his Nichirin Blade."
"A relic…?" Hiru lowered his head again. "…Indeed."
"Yet there are some discrepancies."
"Hm?"
"According to records, this painting wasn't found in the First Swordsman's embrace. Instead, it was cleverly wedged into a crevice nearby. As the sole painting capturing his likeness, it was carefully preserved."
Hiru gently stroked the wooden frame, then lifted his gaze to Ubuyashiki. "…What are you planning to do?"
"I wish to give it to you, Hiru."
"…Isn't it the only record? It doesn't seem quite right to give it to me."
"I simply feel it should be yours." Ubuyashikis lips curved into a smile, meeting Hiru's gaze without flinching. "Also, someone asked me to convey their apologies."
"Haah—you Ubuyashiki are annoyingly perceptive…" Hiru lowered his head, setting the frame aside with a hint of impatience. "And there's nothing to apologize for."
At Hiru's response, Ubuyashiki's fingers tightened briefly before he relaxed again. "No, it is the Demon Slayer Corps that owes you both. And rather than saying I'm perceptive, it's more accurate to say you two never intentionally concealed anything."
"Going out of your way to send people away and then revealing my identity…" Hiru tore his gaze from the painting. "You wouldn't have just come here to say that, would you?"
"Actually…"
"You'd better think carefully before speaking further." Hiru stared intently at Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the ink-black pupils of his eyes tinged with gray. "I'll decide whether to preserve your memories of the present based on your words and actions—I have no desire to wait another few hundred years because of Muzan Kibutsuji."