The news of The Forest Hashira return quickly spread throughout the Demon Slayer Corps.
This sudden good news brings joy to many Demon Slayers and even the members of the Kakushi Corps in the logistics division were so overjoyed that they added two extra pieces of meat to their lunch dishes.
Goto patted Maru-ni head with both emotion and relief.
"I knew it—your master is a tough guy. Really, now I'm at a loss on how to explain your current appearance to Shinichi." Goto rubbed his temples as he looked at the "vehicle" that was now a Shiba Inu.
Maru-ni: "Woof woof! (Food!)"
The two Hashira stationed at headquarters—Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho and Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa—soon learned of Shinichi's return at the Butterfly Mansion.
A look of surprise mixed with faint admiration crossed Sanemi's face as he remarked in his rough voice.
"To face an Upper Rank Demon and return unscathed—that's truly remarkable."
Kanae on the other hand, clasped her hands together excitedly and said cheerfully.
"This is wonderful! Shinichi-kun is safe, thank the gods. Shinobu won't have to keep suppressing herself anymore."
At the mention of Shinobu Kocho, a small dark head cautiously peeked out from behind Kanae.
"Ara~ It's Kanao! How wonderful—Shinichi-kun is back!" Kanae happily picked up the little girl behind her and spun her around.
This child was the one she and Shinobu had rescued from a human trafficker.
Back then, Shinobu had been emotionally unstable due to Shinichi's supposed death and as luck would have it, the greedy trafficker had crossed paths with the Kocho sisters.
That guy might have gotten a hefty sum of money, but he probably still couldn't walk properly by now.
The little girl saved by Kanae and Shinobu Kocho had essentially become their disciple, with Kanae naming her Kanao Tsuyuri.
However, perhaps due to the deep trauma she suffered as a child, Kanao had developed an almost mute, doll-like demeanor.
Only after spending time with Kanae did she show slight improvement.
Even as Kanae spun her around, Kanao remained silent, lips pressed together obediently.
****
Meanwhile, on the other side of headquarters, at the Ubuyashiki estate...
The beautiful Lady Amane gently helped the Demon Slayer Corps' leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, rise from his seat on the tatami.
The purple curse marks had now spread to Kagaya's other eye.
In less than half a year, the vision in his right eye had deteriorated rapidly, leaving him able to perceive only blurry shapes and light.
Seeing her husband in this state pained Amane deeply.
To comfort Kagaya, who tirelessly worried about the future of the Demon Slayer Corps every day, she quickly shared the news she had just received.
"Is that so? Shinichi... Good, this is truly wonderful! Amane, this news is a blessing indeed!"
Just as expected, upon hearing of Shinichi's safe return, Kagaya's face lit up with both relief and joy.
"This is a milestone. For centuries, almost no Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps has ever slain an Upper Rank. But now, Shinichi has fought Upper Rank Two and survive. This proves our efforts have not been in vain—Muzan and his Upper Ranks are not invincible. The day will come when our Demon Slayer Corps eradicates all Demons! cough cough!"
Overcome with emotion, Kagay began coughing violently, prompting Amane to quickly bring him a cup of water.
After drinking the tea, Kagay gradually calmed down.
Seizing this moment, Amane shared another matter with him.
"We've located that family's residence. However, only two helpless children remain now—their parents passed away recently. Master, what should we do..."
Upon learning about the brothers' situation, Kagaya Ubuyashiki remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a soft tone.
"This is our Demon Slayer Corps' oversight. The descendants of Yoriichi Tsugikuni living in such poverty... Amane, I wish to invite those two children to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
Amane nodded solemnly and said.
"Understood. I'll go personally—representing both you and the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kagaya smiled and reached out to hold Amane's hand, deeply grateful for his wife's understanding.
In truth, if possible, Kagaya would have preferred to invite the brothers himself, but the deterioration of his health had progressed faster than he'd anticipated.
****
Meanwhile, the Hashira on missions elsewhere gradually received news of The Forest Hashira return.
Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei, Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen, Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu, Wave Hashira Sabito, and Flame Hashira Rengoku Shinjuro.
However, Rengoku Shinjuro, currently within Tokyo's jurisdiction, was in poor condition.
His eyes bloodshot and reeking of alcohol, he now slaughtered demons without a word, his demeanor growing increasingly violent.
Not long ago, he had even harshly berated his own son, Kyojuro.
Perhaps only Shinjuro himself knew why he had become like this.
While most might attribute it to the loss of his wife, that was only part of the reason.
The greater cause was Shinjuro's own despair—the despair of learning what had happened centuries ago.
****
Shifting focus to the Moriki estate a hundred kilometers away...
After Ryukawa Chinatsu departed once more, the residence—now inhabited solely by Elder Moriki.
On the grassy steps of the backyard, an aged figure sat as still as a statue.
The breeze gently ruffled the old man's white hair as his clouded eyes reflected scattered starlight.
No one knew how long the Old Man had been sitting there when a Kasugai Crow frantically flapped its wings and landed before him.
The crow was thin, its feathers no longer glossy, but its spirit was exhilarated.
The Old Man immediately recognized it as Shinichi's Kasugai Crow—Eizo.
Why is Eizo here?
The old man's murky eyes flickered.
Sure enough, the next moment, the Kasugai Crow Eizo began shouting excitedly, over and over.
"Shinichi has returned safely! Shinichi has returned safely!!..."
The crow's fervent cries echoed endlessly through the silent estate.
Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, causing the willow tree in the courtyard to dance and rustle melodiously.
The Old Man also smiled, sensing the pulse of life force around him.
His voice, aged yet powerful, slowly spoke.
"I knew it. This child is more outstanding than any of us."
****
After a long absence of over half a year, Shinichi stepped into the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters once again.
Seeing the familiar scenes, uniforms and faces, his heart gradually began to stir with emotion.
"The Forest Hashira, Shinichi Moriki, officially returns to duty!"
------------------------------
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