The next day, at the Hashira Meeting chaired by Amane, Yoriichi carefully detailed the battle from the day before.
He explained how to use one's Aura to defend against—or sense—an opponent's Blood Demon Art, and requested time to personally guide the Hashira in learning to control their own aura.
However, as an ordinary human, Amane did not fully understand Aura's role in combat. After consulting the other Hashira and learning that all of them wished to continue training, Amane entrusted the matter entirely to Yoriichi.
Amane then relayed to Hiru that Ubuyashiki Kagaya wished to meet with him. Hiru nodded without hesitation, indicating that he would leave together with Amane later.
After the meeting concluded, Yoriichi asked everyone to return to their respective territories to maintain stability. He would visit each Hashira in turn for one-on-one instruction.
This year, he planned to begin with Himejima, who had already started to sense and make use of Aura. As for his own territorial duties, he handed them over to Hiru.
Hiru couldn't understand how a perfectly good vacation had suddenly turned busy again.
But when he looked at Yoriichi—so earnest in his desire to help everyone grow stronger—he could only nod with a pained expression and agree.
There was no helping it. He really was born with the fate of a workhorse.
Afterward, Hiru followed Amane back to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. Using his Blood Demon Art to enter dreams, he conveyed everything he knew to Buyashiki Kagaya from a first-person perspective.
After spending a full day organizing the information, Ubuyashiki shared several of his own conjectures with Hiru regarding Muzan's possible next moves, stating that the Demon Slayer Corps would make preparations accordingly.
After taking his leave from Ubuyashiki, Hiru went to visit Tamayo.
He obtained a large number of medicines designed specifically to deal with demons and left behind another blood sample for her research. This time, however, he did not notify Shinjuro. It was a private exchange between the two demons.
At that point, the chain of events triggered by the investigation into the Eternal Paradise Faith could, for the time being, be considered concluded.
Once everything was taken care of, Hiru hurried back to the valley where Aoba lived. With his new appearance, he successfully startled Yuichiro and Muichiro, teasing the two genuine children for quite a while before Aoba finally exposed him and put an end to it.
The end result of his antics was that Yuichiro—whose attitude had only just begun to soften—once again raised his guard against Hiru.
"I mean, seriously," Aoba said, looking down at Hiru, who barely reached her waist now. "Things had finally started to improve between you, and then you go and trick them with that nonsense about 'needing the twins' souls to break a curse.' Do you think you're acting in a play? Just look at how Yuichiro's staring at you now."
"Ah, I didn't expect them to be that easy to fool," Hiru laughed. "But the fact that they actually thought it through so seriously was way too cute. I almost felt bad about it. Besides, with Yuichiro around, it's fine. That kid's dependable."
"Reflect properly, you idiot! Stop giving those children unnecessary trouble!"
Aoba sighed.
"Still… are you really okay continuing to fight like this? Weren't you hit by a Blood Demon Art? And Yoriichi just handed the territory over to you without worry?"
"It's fine, it's fine," Hiru said, waving it off. "This time, aside from my appearance getting smaller, it hasn't affected me at all."
"As long as you know what you're doing…" Aoba paused. "Oh, right. Yuichiro and Muichiro have started formally learning Breathing Styles from me."
"Then teach them," Hiru said with a smile, looking up at her. "If training needs it, I can even go catch some demons for you."
"You're really reckless…"
"Ah, right, right—there's one more thing," Hiru said, deliberately dragging out his words. "I'm going to be away for a while. I probably won't be able to come back for some time. Could you look after the nearby territory for me?"
"If they don't have any troublesome Blood Demon Arts, I should be fine," Aoba replied. "How long will you be gone?"
"I should be back before the New Year—if that family hasn't moved away."
"Visiting relatives?"
"Sort of…" Hiru crossed his arms. "No, not really. We've never even met."
"Well, you must have your reasons again," Aoba said, scratching her head. "In any case, go without worry. I'll handle your territory."
"Thanks!"
Hiru raised a hand and patted Aoba on the back. "Alright! Then let's go say goodbye to my kids!"
"Hey! I just managed to calm them down! Stop right there!"
"This is how family bonds!"
"That's just you stirring up trouble! You're already bad enough as it is—don't let your smaller body make you even more uncontrollable! Hey!"