Several Kakushi members who had just returned from missions not long ago watched as a staff member hurried past carrying food. One of the Kakushi quietly asked his companion.
"Did you hear? The banquet today is being held for a monster."
The companion beside him had clearly heard the same rumors. He pointed at his own eyes and answered mysteriously.
"I also heard that he's someone the master brought in to help kill demons. A demon with four eyes who can walk in broad daylight."
"That's nonsense. Demons can't walk during the day. And they said we absolutely have to treat him with respect if we encounter him, never offend him, not even with a look. But killing demons is what the Demon Slayer Corps does. Why would the master invite a monster?" That Kakushi member muttered indignantly under his breath.
His companion lowered his voice and warned him. "Have you forgotten? The deaths of Water Hashira Tomioka and Flame Hashira Rengoku were his doing. And that Asakusa disaster that has everyone terrified lately—that seems to be his work as well."
"It was him?" The first Kakushi member clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"I heard all of this is necessary to show him we have no hostile intentions and to establish a peaceful, friendly relationship."
Just as they were talking, they passed by a funeral procession. The sight made them freeze. This was the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Why was there such a formal funeral procession here? And was that the master among them?
While casualties in the Demon Slayer Corps were common, a formal funeral procession like this wouldn't be for an ordinary corps member. And there hadn't been any reports of particularly troublesome demons lately. They had all gone into hiding after the Asakusa disaster.
"Wait, isn't that the master?"
After hesitating for a moment, they stopped one of the mourners and asked.
"What happened? Who passed away? Why is the master also…?"
The man they asked slowly began to speak.
"It looks like you've just returned. Wind Hashira Shinazugawa was killed after provoking Sukuna-sama."
"Sukuna-sama?" The Kakushi member didn't process it at first. "Oh, oh, you mean that four-eyed mon—"
The moment the word monster left his mouth, a hand immediately clamped over it.
Hearing his companion's disrespectful remark, the other Kakushi nearly jumped out of his skin. He had been part of the recovery team for Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa's remains and had unfortunately witnessed that horrifying scene.
"Are you insane? Calling Sukuna-sama a monster! If he finds out, we'll be killed! We'd probably die just as horribly as Hashira Shinazugawa!"
Just at that moment, he noticed Shinobu Kocho walking in the distance, with Sukuna behind her glancing their way.
He immediately dropped to his knees in terror and pulled the two Kakushi down with him, terrified that their conversation might have angered Sukuna.
Even so, the two Kakushi members couldn't help but sneak glances upward, wanting to see Sukuna for themselves.
In truth, Sukuna hadn't heard their conversation at all. He was simply looking around idly out of boredom on his way to the banquet.
Since yesterday, with Ubuyashiki's blessing, Sukuna had become an honored guest of the Demon Slayer Corps.
It made Sukuna feel as if he had returned to a thousand years ago. Back then, there were plenty of ants who did similar things for him.
Worried that the tragedy of Sanemi might repeat itself, Kagaya Ubuyashiki instructed Shinobu to continue accompanying Sukuna during this time. As the Insect Hashira, she was currently the one who understood Sukuna best.
It was ironic, really. A woman who was among the finest swordsmen, now doing the work of a servant.
Under Shinobu's guidance, Sukuna arrived at the location for the meal. He paid no attention to the already arranged feast. Instead, he looked toward the man already standing in the courtyard—Gyomei Himejima, who held a spiked flail in one hand and a hand axe in the other.
Sukuna appraised Gyomei Himejima with interest. This eldest of the Demon Slayer Corps Hashira spoke flatly.
"So you're the first?"
The reason Sukuna asked this was that after killing the Wind Hashira, he had held further discussions with the family head. He proposed not only receiving the Breathing Techniques but also learning and understanding them through combat with swordsmen who had mastered them.
Before answering Sukuna's question, Gyomei recalled his earlier conversation with his master, who had also called Shinobu to join them.
"Sukuna has proposed fighting against swordsmen who have mastered the Breathing Techniques to help him understand them," Ubuyashiki said sincerely to Gyomei. "I intend to have you go first."
Without waiting for Gyomei's response, he continued speaking. "My own oversight led to Sanemi's death. Sukuna is likely on the same level as Muzan—or perhaps even more terrifying. I'm worried that the other children, when facing him, might unknowingly do something to provoke him. So I have no choice but to ask you, Himejima. You are more mature than the others."
He understood Kagaya's concerns. Putting aside the young ages of the others, simply witnessing Sanemi's brutal death, combined with knowing that Giyu and Kyojuro had also died by the same hand—it would be a lie to say that didn't affect them.
This was different from fighting demons. No matter how powerful a demon, at least sunlight remained a weakness. Sukuna had no such fatal vulnerability. Facing such an invincible, insurmountable existence was fatally damaging to one's state of mind.
"Understood. Since you have asked this of me," he answered seriously.
"Thank you. I don't want any more of the children I cherish to die from such unforeseen accidents." Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned his head slightly toward where Shinobu stood. "Shinobu, you said that as long as we obey Sukuna's demands, even combat is not necessarily fatal. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Master. That is the conclusion I have drawn from witnessing his actions and behavior in battle. More than killing itself, he cares about obtaining what he wants."
Gyomei Himejima returned from his memories to the present and answered Sukuna.
"Yes. Today, I will demonstrate Stone Breathing for Sukuna-sama."
Sukuna placed one hand on his neck and cracked it with a quick twist, producing a series of pops. He curled his finger at Gyomei Himejima and laughed lightly.
"Fine. Consider it a pre-meal warm-up. Try to entertain me."
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