Tanjiro explained his sister's situation. Everyone admired his strength and courage.
"I haven't yet developed a medicine to turn demons back into humans, but I think I'm close," Tamayo said, glancing at Gusion. "Lord Gusion has collected a lot of Twelve Kizuki blood; I'm sure my research will have a breakthrough soon."
Tanjiro bowed again. "Thank you so much, Gusion-san."
Gusion shrugged it off. "Don't thank me, I just want to help with anti-demon research, so we can fight Muzan in the end."
Before leaving the mountain, he'd used Tamayo's sampler to collect blood from Upper Five and Lower One, and even the explorer-turned-demons—every bit helped.
Tamayo smiled gently at Tanjiro. "Don't worry, protect your sister and get stronger. I still need more blood samples, especially from the Twelve Kizuki. Let's work hard together."
She'd already drawn blood from Nezuko—someone who'd broken free from Muzan's control was invaluable to her research.
"Um...Lady Tamayo, could you treat us too?" Explorer Whirlwind asked timidly, bringing along Cammelia.
During the battle, Cammelia had been put to sleep by Enmu, and Whirlwind had carried her down.
They hadn't even known each other before this world, but after surviving life and death together, they'd gained trust.
Not being the main targets, their injuries weren't severe, but they still needed treatment. After descending the mountain, everyone was busy with Uzui, so only Tanjiro had shown any care, helping to bandage them.
"Of course, come here," Tamayo said, always willing to help fellow demon slayers.
After treating and disinfecting their wounds, the pair hesitantly approached Gusion.
"Hashira-sama, we'll follow your lead from now on," Whirlwind said.
"Oh? Haven't you two enjoyed your freedom?" Gusion was annoyed at how they'd led the main cast into danger.
He'd told Zenitsu and Tanjiro to go train; the two should have known, but their actions had disrupted his plans.
If he hadn't happened to pass by, Zenitsu and the others would have died for sure.
"We were wrong, sir. We'll obey from now on," Camellia vowed, realizing just how dangerous the world was. Clinging to a powerhouse was their only hope.
Gusion scratched his chin.
"You can follow me, but I won't protect you specifically. You'll have to do something for me," Gusion said, already knowing how to use these two. Their combat abilities were useless, but they could still serve a purpose.
"Big Boss, please instruct us!" Whirlwing responded instantly, almost choking Gusion on the word "Big Boss."
"No, just call me Hashira. What I want you to do isn't hard..." He handed them a note, keeping his voice low so Zenitsu's sharp ears wouldn't overhear.
They looked at the note, startled, then nodded. "We'll complete the task!"
The note said only one thing: "Kill Kaigaku."
Kaigaku was currently a rank C demon slayer, weaker than even Zenitsu when asleep. For explorers with high stats, killing him would be easy.
Gusion had planned this—Muzan's forces would soon move, hunting Hashira and recruiting power. Kaigaku, though considered weak, was still high-level and could be a pain if left unchecked.
Gusion didn't want the original tragedy to repeat, so he decided to have Kaigaku killed early.
Entrusting this to Camellia and Whirlwind was perfect—if things went wrong, they'd cut all ties with him, and as explorers, they could just leave this world when it ended.
"Afterwards, just wait for my signal. I'll handle the rest," Gusion said cryptically, but the pair understood.
The gist: Do this, then hide and let Gusion take on Muzan's forces alone.
After settling this, Gusion rejoined the group, got Uzui into a cart, and prepared to take him to a wisteria crest house for recovery. Then they'd head straight to the Master.
A breeze rustled the wisteria trees; the courtyard was quiet and peaceful, the sound of the bamboo clapper adding to the calm.
Only one boy, tightly bound, was in the courtyard, looking around nervously, guarded by a Kakushi.
It was Tanjiro, who'd been tied up upon arrival at HQ. Zenitsu was worried but didn't act, trusting Gusion's guarantee.
Uncertain of his and his sister's fate, Tanjiro was under a lot of pressure. As he pondered, footsteps approached the courtyard gate.
He turned to see a group of people in various uniforms enter. They all eyed him warily, making his heart skip a beat.
Though Gusion wasn't among them, Tanjiro guessed this was the Hashira meeting.
He was relieved to see his mentor, Tomioka Giyu, but Giyu was as cold as ever, not even glancing at Tanjiro, just taking his place.
Soon, the last Hashira for the meeting—Gusion—arrived.
Among the group, the pink-haired Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, peeked at Gusion, thinking, "So that's the new Hashira...so handsome and strong!"
"Hahaha, so this is the new Hashira? He looks strong! Let's slay many demons together!" said the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro, voice booming with energy.
"A strong swordsman, but he's brought annoying company..." said the small, butterfly-robed Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, eyeing Gusion with a smile. She admired his achievements but knew she'd now have to work with demons because of him.
"Only Upper Six and Upper Five, but for a new Hashira, not bad," said the Snake Hashira, Iguro Obanai, perched on a branch.
"Why is it you get to kill two Upper Moons? Why can't I ever find them?" grumbled the white-haired, scarred, irritable Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, staring Gusion in the eyes, but finding nothing there.
Last was the massive, blind Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, weeping, hands pressed together, "How pitiful...so strong, yet still forced to join the Corps."
His meaning was clear—he felt sad for Gusion, seeing him as another strongman forced to join after losing loved ones.
"To keep others from being pitied, we join the Corps, isn't that so?" Gusion replied only to Gyomei, ignoring Sanemi and the others.
All the Hashira had acknowledged him, except for two: their cool guy Giyu, and the dreamy Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, who just stared at the sky.
"Tomioka-san, there's a new friend—won't you say hello?" Shinobu teased.
Giyu replied coldly, "Hello, Gusion."
Such a simple greeting, yet so distant.
"Water Hashira, nice to meet you too," Gusion nodded, then turned and caught Sanemi's wrist as he approached Nezuko's box.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Sanemi growled, trying to pull free, but couldn't budge Gusion's grip.
"I should ask you—what are you doing?" Gusion glanced at the box.
'Can't you stop acting like a villain?'
"What do you think? There's a demon in there! I'm going to kill it," Sanemi said, trying to break free, even using his breathing style to no effect.