Hiru stared at the words in his hand, looking thoroughly displeased. "My brother being ranked Tsuchinoe—fine, I get that. But I clearly defeated a demon that even Sabito couldn't beat, right? So why is he Mizunoe while I'm still Mizunoto?!"
"This ranking is based on the number of demons you've killed. Roughly every five demons gets you a rank-up."
Sabito smiled as he walked slowly down the steps. "I'm nowhere near Yoriichi, of course, but I've still killed eight demons.
As for you—Hiru—didn't you slack off afterward and run to the mountaintop to paint landscapes? Me being higher-ranked is just how it is."
Hiru: ...Tsk.
"Speaking of which, how far is Mount Sagiri from here?"
"Not very far. If we keep a steady pace, we can get there in a single day." Sabito's smile faded. "Hiru… there's something I want to ask you."
"What is it?"
Sabito looked a little awkward. "About the mask—could you not tell Urokodaki-sensei about it?"
"...But I'm literally going there to study carving."
"Not for that reason."
Hiru gave him a puzzled look. "Do I have some other motive?"
Sabito froze for a long moment, then suddenly laughed. "Right, you don't have any other motive... Anyway, thanks."
"...That was weird."
"Haha, come on, let's hurry. If we speed up, we can make it back today. And the Kasugai Crow already flew ahead to report—there'll be a feast waiting when we get home."
With that, Sabito sped ahead.
...
Mount Sagiri.
Urokodaki Sakonji stood outside his home, gazing down the mountain path. No one knew what expression lay beneath the formidable tengu mask he wore.
"Sensei, the Selection should have only just started. Sabito and Giyu are both strong—they'll definitely come back."
"I know." Urokodaki turned to Makomo and gently brushed her hair. "I just feel a little more at ease this way. How about you? Have you finished today's training?"
Makomo nodded, but before she could say anything more, the Kasugai Crow's cry rang out.
"Caw—Sabito and Giyu have passed Final Selection! They both passed!
They are now heading for Mount Sagiri with the other swordsmen who passed! Heading for Mount Sagiri!"
"Eh? Passed? But isn't the test supposed to have only just started?" Makomo looked shocked.
"Caw—A swordsman in the Selection killed every demon on the mountain! The Selection ended early, caw—"
The crow landed on Makomo's hand. "The swordsman who killed all the demons is being invited here, caw! Being invited!"
"All the demons in such a short time? That's amazing..." Makomo couldn't help admiring it, but quickly looked up at her teacher with bright excitement. "Sensei, it's wonderful that Sabito and Giyu both made it!"
Urokodaki was silent for a long time before he finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "...Yes. It truly is wonderful."
Makomo could hear the genuine relief in his voice, and her smile grew even brighter. "Then I'll go to town and buy ingredients. Giyu's definitely going to want radish and salmon. We need to reward him properly."
"Mm. I'll come too." Though hoarse, Urokodaki's voice carried a hint of laughter. "Buy plenty."
...
The group returning from the Selection reached Mount Sagiri just as the moon rose. Hiru immediately spotted the elderly man with white hair and a tengu mask—his eyes lit up at once. The master woodcarver!
"Urokodaki-sensei, we're back." Sabito ran up with a smile and hugged the old man. "But my mask broke while blocking a demon's attack."
Giyu also hurried over, tilting his head up. "Mine broke too."
"It's fine. They fulfilled their duty. Masks can be remade—what matters is that you're both safe."
Urokodaki pulled both students into a tight embrace, then turned toward the two boys who had arrived behind them. "You two must be the swordsmen the Kasugai Crow mentioned—welcome."
"Hello. My name is Yoriichi, and this is my younger brother, Hiru." Yoriichi greeted him politely. "Thank you for receiving us."
"Mm. I heard from the crow that among the invited swordsmen, one killed every demon on the mountain during the Selection. That must be you."
Urokodaki looked Yoriichi over with a hint of admiration. "Young people these days are truly incredible."
"You flatter me." Yoriichi smiled, shaking his head. "I only took the test because my brother wanted to learn woodcarving. When we left, I even heard Kakushi grumbling about having to go out again to assist with demon hunts. In a sense, I'm the one being complained about..."
"They only complain on the surface. In truth, nothing makes them happier than having a swordsman like you appear."
Urokodaki smiled before shifting his attention to the dark-haired boy who had been staring at him intently. "You wish to learn woodcarving from me?"
"Yes! Your carving technique is incredibly beautiful! And your solution to the ventilation issue in wooden masks is brilliant!"
Hiru's eyes shone with excitement. "If possible, could you please teach me?"
"Come to think of it," Sabito suddenly laughed, "when the Selection was first mentioned, Hiru looked totally unwilling. But his desire to learn woodcarving won out, so Yoriichi brought him along. Honestly, if they hadn't joined the test, I might not have come back this time."
"Huh? Something happened?" Makomo stepped forward in concern. "Is there a demon even Sabito couldn't beat?"
"Actually, one demon hid itself extremely well. It must've eaten at least thirty people..."
Sabito recalled the moment his Nichirin Blade shattered. "If Hiru hadn't happened to pass by, I would've been its next meal."
"What?! But isn't Mount Fujikasane supposed to only have demons that ate two or three people?" Makomo looked furious. "How many skilled swordsmen has that thing devoured over the years?!"
"Haha, it's fine now. That thing is dead, and Yoriichi checked the entire mountain—there isn't a single demon left."
Sabito grinned. "Who knows, maybe my first mission will be delivering demons to Mount Fujikasane with the Kakushi."
"You really are something..."
Urokodaki watched Hiru, who was still absorbed in marveling at the woodcarving technique, and doubt began to grow in his heart.
Joining the Demon Slayer Corps just to learn woodcarving?
Even if someone like that had the strength... would they truly devote themselves to slaying demons?
Now that he thought about it... these two brothers carried a strange scent—not human, but faintly demonic.
Yet if they were demons, they wouldn't be able to walk in sunlight...
Could they be the legendary demon-eating constitution?
Urokodaki's expression shifted beneath the mask. [I'll observe them for now.]
Lowering his gaze, he spoke, "You must all be exhausted from the Selection. Come in, eat, and rest."