On the bed of his room, Goku woke up, shaking his head. (I had a dream... He was my father...) he thought, clutching his eyepatch. (He said... He loves me... Did he really mean it?) he continued to think. Suddenly, he got up. Since his fight with Daki and Gyutaro was over, Goku always wore an eyepatch, due to the loss of his right eye during the fight. (My sword... Is damaged. I should ask Haganezuka to give me a new one...) realized Goku, watching his katana. (Thanks to the sacrifice of my right eye, nobody has been heavily injured... Beside me, of course...) he thought. (So... My father and Tanjiro-kun's ancestor were friends? That's why he can use Hinokami Kagura...) he realized. "I should go to the Swordsmith Village... There, I'll get a new katana," said Goku, leaving the room.
A few minutes, Goku found himself on the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion, ready to go. "Hello, Goku-san," said a Kokushi. "I can't reveal my name to you, but I'll bring you to the Swordsmith Village." Goku tilted his head. "Okay. Give me the earplugs and carry me on your shoulders," said Goku. "What about the blindfold?" asked the Kokushi. "I already lost an eye, two months ago. I don't think I need another thing to cover my remaining eye, thanks," said Goku. And so, after a long journey and a continous switch of Kokushis, Goku finally arrived to the Swordsmith Village. "Here you are, Goku-san," said the Kokushi. "Thanks, ma'am. I wish you a good return trip," said Goku, removing his earplugs. "Oh, by the way, I've heard your best friend is here too," said the Kokushi. "Huh? Kyojuro's here too?" asked Goku. "No, not him. The one with crimson hair and Hanafuda earrings," said the Kokushi. "Oh, you mean Tanjiro-kun! Yeah, he's my best friend too..." muttered Goku. Then, with his damaged katana in its custody, Goku entered the Swordsmith Village. Minutes later, Goku reached the house of Tecchin Tecchikawara, the chief of the village. "I wonder if the chief's inside..." muttered Goku, knocking twice. The door opened, and Goku saw a tall man. "Are you Tecchin?" asked Goku. "No, I'm Tecchin," said a voice. The tall man stepped away, revealing a little, small man with a mask similar to Haganezuka's. "Hello, sir," said Goku. "I'm the smallest person in the village, but also the most important. So why don't you bow your head down so low your forehead touches the mat?" asked Tecchin. "Because you're not that important. I bow only to Ubuyashiki," said Goku. "...I see..." said Tecchin. "Tell me where I can find Haganezuka, please," said Goku. "You're searching for Hotaru, huh? Well, we're searching for him too, so we can't help you," said Tecchin. "But, in the wait, why don't you go relax at the hot springs?" he added. "That's a good idea. I'm really tired, you know..." said Goku. "Take care, Tecchin or whatever your name is..." said Goku, leaving. Then, the boy reached the hot springs. "I hope I can find some peace in the hot springs..." muttered Goku. "(Since the fight with Daki and Gyutaro, I lost my mental peace, I don't know why. I keep dreaming of my father. I'm like tormented, but... Why? What am I missing...?) he wondered in his mind. Suddenly, the boy heard a voice. "It's you, Goku-kun!". Goku turned, and downstairs, he saw Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira. "Hey, Mitsuri-chan!" exclaimed Goku, forcing a smile. "I'm very glad to see you, Goku-kun!" exclaimed Mitsuri, hugging Goku. "You're here too, as I see..." muttered Goku, hugging her in turn. "Earlier, a guy ignored me! I asked him his name, but he seemed like he didn't hear me!" complained Mitsuri. "How rude... How can a man ignore such a pretty girl?" said Goku. (He... He said I'm pretty! I feel like I'm melting...!) thought Mitsuri, blushing. "Anyway, have you seen Tanjiro-kun?" asked Goku. "Yes, I did! He's already at the hot springs!" exclaimed Mitsuri. "Fine. I'm going to say hello to him..." said Goku, starting to walk upstairs. (Goku-kun is so handsome... I can't decide who's hotter between him and Iguro-san...) thought Mitsuri, who developed genuine and deep romantic feelings for Goku. Even though, Goku didn't seem to notice. Or maybe, he did, but we don't know yet. Anyway, Goku arrived at the hot spings and saw a guy. Long hair, shaved on the sides. "Hey! Are you the one who ignored Mitsuri-chan?" asked Goku. "Don't talk to me, you privileged son of the sun!" yelled the guy. In that moment, Goku recognized him: Genya Shinazugawa, Sanemi's younger brother. "You really are Sanemi's brother..." muttered Goku. Then, the boy heard something -- or maybe, someone -- hugging him from behind. It was Nezuko. "Oh, it's you, Nezuko-chan..." said Goku, caressing her head. Then, Tanjiro arrived. "Hey, Goku!" he exclaimed, waving a hand to him. "Hi, Tanjiro..." said Goku, forcing a smile once again. "I bet you're here for a new katana too..." said Tanjiro. "Correct, my friend," said Goku. "Listen, Goku... What happened to you?" asked Tanjiro. "Since you fought those two Upper Moons, you've changed. You don't smile, you don't laugh, you don't joke with Inosuke anymore... Is it because of the trauma of losing an eye?" he continued. "Kinda," replied Goku. "I lost my right eye, yeah... But I did it to save you all. I'm prepared to lose my left arm next, if it's necessary to save you..." explained Goku. "Yes, maybe it's because I lost an eye that now I've changed. Or maybe it's because I'm trying to get Shinobu's attention by acting tough. Or maybe, I don't even know..." he said. "I don't even know who I am right now... I'm in the middle of an identity crisis."
After Goku's explanation, Tanjiro nodded and hugged his friend. "You'll always have us, Goku. Me, Nezuko, Inosuke, Rengoku-san, everyone. Even if you're a hybrid, everyone considers you human. You're not alone, Goku," he said. "I know, Tanjiro-kun..." said Goku, breaking the hug. "I'll sleep now... Tomorrow, I have to find Haganezuka..." he muttered, starting to walk away. "Oh, by the way, I think Kanroji-san has a crush on you, Goku," said Tanjiro. "I know," said Goku. "Take care, my friend." And so, Goku left. (At this points, it's undenyable: You're stronger than me, Goku. But somehow... You lost your smile. And I'm wondering why. Your identity crisis... Your trauma... I'll help you get past them... Like a good friend does!) he thought. Then, he left as well.
Chapter 30 - End.