"They call this thing 'Demon-Repelling Incense'?" Sakurai's voice was dry. "Do they have some kind of misunderstanding about 'repelling'?"
"Didn't that swordsman named Yoriichi say this was made by his brother who turned into a demon?"
"...We should report this to the new Master"
"Yeah, report it."
"Agreed."
"It's terrifying that a single demon could create something like this."
"...But isn't the most shocking part that he's still alive?"
"Tsukimi, could you not bring that up?"
"I'm just stating the facts..."
The swordsmen, gradually regaining their strength, guarded the incense for a while longer. When no more demons appeared, they finally extinguished it and took the incense with them as they left.
They needed to deliver this item to the Kakushi for research right away. If the incense hadn't been tampered with and truly worked as it appeared to, then they had to distribute it as soon as possible.
Still, the fact that it was created by a demon left a sour taste in their mouths.
Why did it have to be a demon who made it?
Most who joined the Demon Slayer Corps carried deep, unhealed hatred toward demons. Asking them to acknowledge something made by one felt almost as repulsive as becoming one themselves.
But if this demon had really created something that benefited humans...
Then the next time they met, they'd apologize first—then fight.
Yes, that sounded about right.
...
Meanwhile, Yoriichi faced a rare dilemma.
"Hiru, it's already night. I'll take you—"
"No!"
"But you should—"
"Not hungry!"
"But you didn't eat yesterday—"
"I said I'm not hungry!"
"Hiru, that day I actually—"
"Not listening!"
Yoriichi sighed helplessly, staring at the tightly sealed box. He truly didn't care much about being slandered a few days ago. What mattered now was only his younger brother.
If his brother wanted to become human again, then he would hunt demons for him to aid in his experiments.
If his brother believed demons were tragic beings, then he would seek out the Demon King and end this chaotic age.
He had already lost so much. The reason he never joined the Demon Slayer Corps was because, after losing his wife, he'd been drowning in grief—until Rengoku Tetsushiro awakened him, reminding him of the little boy who once tugged at his sleeve and asked if he'd always stay by his side.
So he declined Tetsushiro's invitation. Later, upon learning that no one in the Corps could use Breathing Styles, he taught those who became the Hashira how to wield them—as a gesture of gratitude.
Not long after, he accidentally saved his elder brother. Years later, he finally returned home and saw his younger brother again. But his little brother had already grown up, no longer in need of his protection. The Tsugikuni family, too, had long since forgotten him. So he set out once more on his journey to slay demons.
At that time, he truly intended to join the Demon Slayer Corps and devote everything he had to their cause.
But his elder brother had already joined.
He knew his brother's feelings toward him were complicated—filled with both affection and resentment.
So he chose not to join alongside him. Instead, he revealed the secret to unlocking the Slayer Mark, hoping it would make the Corps treat his brother more kindly. Yet, in the end, he never expected his brother would...
...
Pulling his thoughts back, Yoriichi let out a quiet sigh.
"Then I'll go hunt demons," he said softly. "Hiru, do you still want to collect stones?"
This time, the box was silent.
Yoriichi smiled faintly and knocked on it gently. "According to the information I gathered, there might be a demon nearby who uses Blood Demon Art."
"..."
"I haven't confirmed it myself yet, but it should be stronger than the ones we've faced before. Do you want to come with me, Hiru?"
A soft click came from inside the box. Yoriichi's eyes curved in amusement. When he opened it, he found a doll-sized Hiru sitting cross-legged with his back turned, a book spread out before him—a clear "Do Not Disturb" sign.
"Hiru?"
"Let's be clear! I still haven't forgiven you!" Hiru turned his head with a scowl. "I won't forgive you until you learn to express your feelings!"
"Alright." Yoriichi lifted Hiru onto his shoulder. "Then you can supervise me."
"Hmph." Perched on Yoriichi's shoulder, Hiru tugged lightly at the loose strands near his ear and grumbled, "If this happens again, I'll run away from home just to show you."
"Fine. Then I'll follow you wherever you go."
"I said I'll run away!"
"Mm."
Hiru was utterly helpless against his brother's patience. In the end, all he could do was keep muttering nonstop on Yoriichi's shoulder.
Yoriichi simply listened quietly, nodding now and then to show he was paying attention.
He never had any grand ambitions. His only dream was to live peacefully with his family—to have a modest home small enough that everyone would always stay close.
That alone would have made him happy.
But even such a simple dream was hard to realize in this world...
"Brother, you're totally spacing out again! You're not listening!"
"I was listening. You said the herbs you used before weren't working, so you're planning to adjust the formula—but you're out of Atractylodes, and you want me to keep an eye out next time I pass through town."
"But you were clearly distracted just now!"
"No, I was listening carefully."
Hiru froze, then glared sharply and yanked a strand of hair from Yoriichi's ear, waving it angrily. "I told you to express your feelings—not to use this kind of trick on me!"
"Is that so?" Yoriichi tilted his head slightly, looking at his small, doll-like brother. "But besides you, I don't know who else I can express myself to—or who would even want to listen."
Hiru was silent for a moment, then pouted and wrapped his small arms around Yoriichi's cheek. "Fine. I'll forgive you this time."
"Mm, I kno—"
Yoriichi's voice stopped abruptly. His expression hardened as he turned toward the two figures that had appeared before him—no, two demons.
One was a woman in a fitted purple kimono, her eyes filled with sorrow. The other was a handsome man with slightly curled hair, his features marked by arrogance and malice.
From the man's body, Yoriichi could feel a violent, molten energy—like lava surging from a volcano—boiling and ready to devour everything in its path.
This demon was strong.
Yoriichi's hand tightened around his sword hilt.
Hiru turned his head, and the instant the man's figure came into view, his entire body went rigid.
It was him.