—"Help me get rid of Muzan."
The sentence echoed in Tamayo's memory.
She stood at the end of the street, staring blankly at Tanjuro from the distance.
The young man with black and mint-green hair stood beside Tamayo, noticed the direction of her stares, and kept a straight face, although the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.
They took in the sight of Giyu, Tanjuro, and Murata, who was bowing to the two of them in gratitude.
The boy's lavender eyes narrowed at the sight of the katanas blatantly displayed on their hips.
'A swordsman? In this era?'
'There's the word "destroy" on that guy's back... are they from the Demon Slayer Corps?'
Before he could go and take a closer look, Tamayo turned her body away and took a step to leave the street.
"Let's go, Yushiro."
Her gentle voice stopped the young man in his tracks.
"We have collected enough blood for today."
Yushiro quickly withdrew his gaze and followed Tamayo's example before they could be seen by the slayers.
"Yes, Tamayo-sama."
...
Giyu turned his head to scan his surroundings.
His instinct told him that they were being watched, but he couldn't find any clues to the culprit's whereabouts.
'Was it just my imagination?'
---
---
—The next day—
As if to make up for the depressing thrill last night, the weather today was particularly cheerful and sunny.
The clear blue sky was unobstructed by any clouds whatsoever, allowing sunlight to shine unimpeded and be reflected back gorgeously by the clear water in the rivers and rice fields.
"Caw!"
Two jet-black kasugai crows flapped their wings high in the sky, occasionally looking down at their companions.
The trio walked on a small path that leads to the mountains, where a large group of wisteria flowers were shimmering in the sun, blooming, and protecting the mansion with Japanese decorations in the middle of the flowers.
Tanjuro rubbed his eyes while also using sun breathing to drive away his sleepiness.
He looked pale and thin with shriveled muscles, weak, and likely to die suddenly at any time.
However, it won't be for long because Tanjuro discovered something last night.
After the demon was beheaded by Giyu, it seemed that only he could see and harvest the red-pink "resurrection" power rising from the ashes of the demon.
Which directly went into Tanjuro's body without him ever intending to.
He could feel the container of his "resurrection" being filled by about a quarter.
If it were before he faced Muzan, he would have died for staying up for two nights straight and running non-stop.
But now,
Tanjuro can walk steadily down the road.
No doubt, the Dragon's Heritage helps him absorb life forces to support and restore his ailing body.
If they face each other again, Tanjuro is confident he could cut up to a hundred pieces when Muzan scatters himself.
Although, unlike in Sekiro, his "resurrection" energy is being consumed at an imperceptible rate.
Right now, Tanjuro was just walking. If he fights, that energy will be depleted very quickly.
Tanjuro continued walking, deep in thought.
...
Murata walked between the two, carefully observing them; then he helplessly raised his head to look at the sky.
'Sure enough... the Hashiras are all weirdos... and scary! Sigh~'
Murata rubbed his forehead with his hand, where he accidentally rubbed against the wound caused by the demon's saliva.
"It hurts!"
Murata withdrew his hand and noticed that there was some necrotic piece of flesh stuck to his fingers.
Murata's outburst caught the attention of the two men walking beside him.
"To-Tomioka-sama..." Murata addressed Giyu, with whom he was more familiar.
"Is it really necessary for me to go to the Butterfly's Mansion with my injury?"
"I'm sure it will heal itself in a few days..."
Murata said, looking at Giyu tentatively.
"No."
Giyu replied and shook his head slightly.
"This mission has three Kanoe-rank members as casualties that died on the line of duty, except for you. The demon that you fought didn't have the strength to do it alone."
Giyu's tone of voice doesn't offer any sympathy, as he continues walking ahead.
"I believe that there are more powerful demons in that town, and it is very likely that they are one of the Twelve Kizuki."
"This matter must first be reported to Oyakata-sama. Bringing you along and making a detour to the Butterfly Mansion is more convenient that way."
'Ah... so that's how it is.'
Murata felt his thought come to a halt and his body stiffen.
'It was wishful thinking on my part.'
'I was thinking of how embarrassed I am for treating my wound while my comrades have sacrificed themselves.'
'For shame, Murata! For shame!'
'Reflect on yourself!'
Murata felt his face going red and his scalp tingle. He walked more slowly so he stayed behind the two of them, as he felt he was not worthy of the sacrifices his teammates made in their duty.
The aftermath of last night's battles was quickly swept away by the Kakushi squad, and in the process, they found the remains of the Murata's squad members.
The ranked members of the Corps are the future backbone of the organization, along with the hope that some of them will reach the level of Hashira. The deaths of three Kanoe-rank members were grounds for investigation.
Speaking of battle, Giyu still remembers the strange breathing method that Tanjuro used last night.
He knew that for Urokodaki-sensei to judge Tanjuro to have the strength of a Hashira, Tanjuro had to have mastered a breathing technique.
Except he didn't understand nor had he seen such a breathing method as Tanjuro had used.
From what he saw of the thrusting sword technique last night, Giyu sensed a resonance with the components of Water Breathing.
The rhythm and movement of the technique mimic that of the Water Breathing Seventh Form.
)—Shizuku Hamonzuki—(
(tr. Drop Ripple Thrust)
However, there is a big difference in the essence of the technique.
Just like apples and tomatoes are both red, have green stems, and can be eaten. They are not the same plants at all.
'Is it a self-created breathing method?'
"Kamado-san."
Giyu decides to just ask the person directly.
Tanjuro turned his head and glanced at Giyu.
"Just call me Tanjuro. It would confuse people quick when you called me with my family."
Giyu thought about how to pose his question carefully, but in the end his blunt persona just said whatever he had in mind.
"Tanjuro-san."
"Where did you learn your breathing technique?"
Upon hearing the question, Tanjuro was somewhat puzzled.
He thought for a moment to figure out Giyu's intention.
However, just before, he teased Giyu's poor expression and forward tone of voice.
The kasugai crow was cawing from the sky above.
"Caw! Oyakata-sama's residence is here! Is here!"
"Caw!!"