"If only there were enough time…"
Hiru shook his head, glancing toward the shadow behind Tanjuro.
"That's far too idealistic."
Tanjuro did not respond. After exchanging a few more words with his family, he lit the torches around the grounds, removed his shoes, and stepped into the center.
The ritual implement in Tanjuro's hands was crimson—a short staff with branch-like extensions resembling burning flames. A golden bronze bell hung from its end, chiming clearly with every movement.
[Only the slightest deviations in form… To think it's been passed down this accurately.]
Hiru stood off to the side with his hands tucked into his sleeves, calmly watching this Hinokami Kagura adapted from Sun Breathing.
[That Sumiyoshi fellow really might have been a swordsmanship prodigy.]
Because the ritual required dancing from day through night, everyone in the Kamado household—except for Kamado Tanjiro, whom Tanjuro had specifically instructed—returned indoors. From time to time, someone would come out to keep Tanjiro company.
Late into the night, even Tanjiro, who had been standing all day, finally prepared to go back inside. What Hiru did not expect was for Tanjiro to come back out again, carrying a thick coat.
"I'm fine," Hiru said, stepping back to keep his distance. "Go back inside."
Tanjiro only looked more worried as he placed the coat neatly on a nearby wooden post.
"Then I'll leave it here. You've been standing in the cold wind all day—please put it on… The mountain gets colder at night."
Hiru watched Tanjiro turn and head back inside. His gaze lingered on the folded clothes for a moment before he looked away and returned his attention to the ritual.
[Such a gentle child… With a personality like that, he probably won't use the medicines I left him. I should still make preparations before I leave… Come to think of it, whose jurisdiction is this area again?]
"I should notify my brother as well, but I'd better write to Ubuyashiki first. I wonder if his condition will even allow him to make the trip…"
Hiru looked up at the clear night sky and sighed.
"Honestly… why does it feel like there's more and more to worry about? I'm being far too reactive…"
...
Ubuyashiki could no longer remember how many times his stomach had cramped since he learned Hiru's true identity.
At first, it had been manageable. Knowing how difficult the two were to kill, he worried that once Muzan was gone as a common enemy, Hiru and Yoriichi might bring about an even greater calamity.
Over time, however, he came to understand their temperaments—one could remain immersed in meditation for long stretches, while the other would bury himself in painting and ignore everything else. As for sustenance… one rabbit a week was more than enough.
Just as he began to feel at ease—thinking that even if Muzan were slain and the two could never return to being human, as long as they could communicate and avoided causing trouble, the Ubuyashiki family could afford dozens, even hundreds of rabbits each week—disaster struck again.
Those two ran straight into the former Upper Moon One, who centuries ago had been their elder brother. Not only did the clash turn deadly serious, it also dragged their identities into dangerous territory.
If that incident had been mishandled, the Demon Slayer Corps might not even have needed to wait for Muzan's defeat—they could have fallen apart on the spot.
Fortunately, the Rengoku family possessed deep ancestral foundations and managed to conceal the matter for the time being. Ubuyashiki believed that would be the end of it, that they could finally wait in peace for Muzan to reveal himself.
Then Hiru went and brought an openly active demon to Rengoku Shinjuro.
Are you trying to make your own flaws impossible to hide?!
In the end, due to the fire incident, Shinjuro chose to compromise. Even so, his suspicions regarding Hiru's identity resurfaced.
Had Hiru not overcome sunlight, shown no reaction to wisteria or human blood, and had Ubuyashiki not personally vouched for him, the Demon Slayer Corps would likely have torn itself apart from within.
Left with no other option, Ubuyashiki tried to keep him occupied by revealing the two Tsugikuni descendants uncovered after extensive investigation. The results were immediate—Hiru was drawn in, and even Yoriichi followed.
[This should buy us some peace, at least.]
He was wrong. Spectacularly wrong.
Not only did Hiru capture the current Upper Moon One alive during an investigation, he even planned to lie in wait for Muzan.
Before Ubuyashiki could recover from the shock of hearing about the captured Upper Moon and the ambush, more news arrived—Muzan had been driven off after only a few strikes from Yoriichi.
Ubuyashiki sincerely felt that if this continued, no matter how many physicians tended to him, he would not live much longer.
Thankfully, after that incident, Hiru finally seemed to tire of stirring up trouble.
After a frank discussion, he stated clearly that he intended to rest for a time and visit the descendants of old acquaintances. Yoriichi likewise chose to temporarily set aside matters of territory, instead focusing on teaching the Hashira how to use [Aura] to strengthen the Demon Slayer Corps.
And yet—how long had that peace lasted?
Not even two months, and another letter arrived, brimming with explosive information.
[To Ubuyashiki,
I've found them. They are indeed descendants of that family, and they live their lives with great sincerity.
The head of the household is named Tanjuro. He was born frail, but what I did not expect was that the one who truly leads the family, like my brother, possesses innate vision. Moreover, he mastered Sun Breathing on his own, without a teacher.
Once my identity was discovered, my plans were completely disrupted. After weighing my options, I told him about the Demon Slayer Corps, but earning his trust proved difficult. I tried to persuade him for two full months and failed to move him in the slightest. In the end, I could only leave behind some demon-repelling medicine and depart.
Even so, Tanjuro is a prodigy—adept in Sun Breathing, naturally transparent, and bearing half-open Slayer Marks. His talent is not much inferior to my brother's. I believe it may still be worth your effort to visit him personally.
I have enclosed the precise address and information on his family members. The decision is yours.
Happy New Year. And remember to take your medicine on time.
Hiru]
Ubuyashiki pressed a hand to his stomach as pain twisted sharply within.
"What a man who never lets anyone rest…"
"Is it a letter from the Human Hashira?" Amane asked.
Ubuyashiki looked up at his wife and calmly flipped the letter over.
"Yes. He's handed me another difficult problem."
Amane set down the medicine and knelt beside him without glancing at the overturned page.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
Ubuyashiki lifted a hand and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Would you like to go for a walk with me?"
"Did the Human Hashira find someone you need to visit in person?"
"Yes. And I'd like to talk it through with you while we walk."
Worry flickered in Amane's eyes.
"But Kagaya… your health—"
"At least I can still walk on my own, can't I?"
Ubuyashiki smiled faintly as he took her hand.
"When winter passes, shall we go see the apricot blossoms together?"
After a brief pause, Amane smiled softly.
"Yes. Let's go together."