"A failed attempt at human transformation medicine?" Rengoku Tetsushiro was stunned for a long moment before speaking again. "Hmm... In every sense, that's truly admirable!"
Yoriichi's tone carried a faint trace of amusement. "Indeed."
"Then please rest well, Mr. Yoriichi. We're at the edge of Fujinoya now. I've specifically told the others not to disturb us. Once the Master's reply arrives, I'll inform you immediately."
"Thank you. Could I trouble you to find me some paper and ink as well? I'd like to organize the information about Muzan Kibutsuji in advance." Yoriichi nodded lightly. "That way, even if I can't visit in person, there won't be any delay. And if I can, I'll be able to present things more clearly."
"No problem! I'll bring them over right away!"
That evening, Rengoku Tetsushiro received a letter from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Excited, he rushed to find Yoriichi.
"Mr. Yoriichi! The Master has replied! He's agreed to meet you at the next Hashira Meeting! We'll leave together the morning after tomorrow! Also—this is a letter the Master asked me to deliver to you!"
"For me?"
"Yes!"
Yoriichi accepted the letter, saw Rengoku Tetsushiro off, and sat quietly at his desk for a long time before finally opening it. The handwriting was small and childlike.
[To Yoriichi Tsugikuni
Greetings, Mr. Yoriichi. I am Asahi Ubuyashiki, the new Master of the Demon Slayer Corps.
I heard that you encountered Muzan Kibutsuji and dealt him a severe blow. Though it's regrettable he escaped, this is the first concrete lead we've had on him in centuries. I'm deeply grateful.
I've also heard about your two brothers who became demons, and from the children—(the Ubuyashiki family seems to call all swordsmen "children" once they become Master, regardless of age)—that you're traveling with your younger brother who turned into a demon.
To hear that there's a demon who has overcome the urge to eat humans... I was truly astonished, and I would very much like to meet him.
However, the children are strongly opposed, uneasy after the recent attack on the Corps.
But I've come to realize that these two demons are fundamentally different. One abandoned his humanity, while the other still clings to his conscience—and even created such an extraordinary medicine.
I also know that it was through your selfless guidance that the children learned about the Breathing Styles and the power of the Slayer Mark. Because of that, I was able to persuade them.
Even so, many still harbor resentment toward you. I apologize on their behalf, and I hope that when you arrive, you'll be patient with them.
Lastly, please thank Mr. Tsugikuni Hiruma for me. The incense he created not only improved our efficiency in slaying demons but also greatly reduced casualties.
Even someone as frail as I am can raise a blade and slay a lesser demon when surrounded by that incense.
I am truly grateful for all that you both have done. I look forward to your visit.
Sincerely,
Asahi Ubuyashiki]
Yoriichi unconsciously tightened his grip on the letter.
"To think that a child would worry for me... how disgraceful," he murmured, smoothing the paper gently. "My brother was the one who committed such a sin. The one who should apologize is me."
He sat silently for a long while before folding the letter carefully and putting it away. Then he picked up his brush once more, continuing to review and record every detail of his battle with Muzan Kibutsuji.
He could not allow such kindness to go unanswered.
...
The next day, Yoriichi put on the new haori sent from Fujinoya—his previous one had been damaged during Muzan's attack due to his own carelessness. The new garment was still the same vivid red and fit him perfectly.
Along with it came another set of clothes, tailored for a youth—made especially for Hiru. But since Hiru remained in deep slumber, Yoriichi could only express his gratitude and carefully set the clothes aside.
When all was done, Yoriichi found himself unusually idle.
Hiru was asleep, their departure was set for the next day, and the record of his battle with Muzan was complete...
For the first time, Yoriichi realized he had nothing to occupy himself with. In the end, he simply carried his box and sat quietly on the veranda, gazing absently at the wisteria flowers—some still budding, others in full bloom—around the courtyard walls.
[How long has it been since I've had a moment of peace like this?]
[When Hiru is awake, it's never this quiet.]
[He's always so busy, always worrying about everything.]
[If only I'd arrived sooner... perhaps now I could be sitting with him under the bright sunlight, admiring these beautiful wisteria together.]
A faint sorrow crossed Yoriichi's face.
[I've grown dependent too...]
[In the end... could I truly bring myself to raise my blade against Hiru?]
[I...]
Yoriichi closed his eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his calm had returned.
[Alright. Time to train. During the battle with Muzan, I think I completed that sword form—I need to familiarize myself with it.]
He stood, set the box against the wall, drew the long sword at his waist, and stepped slowly into the open courtyard.
The tip of his blade pointed downward as he adjusted his breathing. His other hand gripped the hilt, and after one final exhale, he swung.
The first slash—an arc wrapped in flame—seemed for an instant to exist independently from the sword itself. But Yoriichi moved again—second strike, third, fourth...
With each motion, arcs of flame flared into existence, growing faster and more numerous until they scattered outward like dancing embers.
What should have been a terrifying sight instead became solemn and divine beneath Yoriichi's tranquil expression.
When Rengoku Tetsushiro arrived to deliver his meal, he saw that sacred scene—the man within the flames moving as though he were a spirit of fire itself. His sword flowed so gracefully that one could forget the danger of the technique altogether.
In fact, rather than a deadly sword form, it seemed as if Yoriichi were performing Hinokami Kagura.
The blazing light reflected in Rengoku Tetsushiro's orange-red eyes. Though an excellent swordsman himself, he could only stand frozen in awe, his mind blank and wholly captivated by that sight.
[How dazzling...]