Yoriichi packed very little, just some simple clothes and daily necessities. As for Si Shu, he simply strapped his Nichirin Blade to his waist, and that was it. For the two of them, supporting themselves was more than easy.
"Are you all packed?" Yoriichi asked, walking over to Si Shu.
"Yes. There's nothing here for me to miss."
As Si Shu said, as long as he was with Yoriichi, he could accept anything. After this incident, he realized the Demon Slayer Corps was full of different factions. Perhaps centuries later it would be different, but for now, he never wanted to stay there again.
Just as he was about to close the door and leave, Si Shu paused. He rushed into his room, as if he had remembered something. Finally, he came out with a small box. Inside were seven ordinary pieces of paper. On them were drawings of Si Shu and Yoriichi. One showed a sleeping Si Shu being held by Yoriichi after being found. Another showed a walking Si Shu, practicing his sword swings. Another...
Without a doubt, these seven pages were the condensed memories of the seven years he and Yoriichi had been together.
"Almost forgot this," he said with a small smile, tucking the box away. He could leave everything else behind, but not these seven pages.
After packing, before they left, Yoriichi took Si Shu to the Rengoku estate. There, he expressed his apologies to Yojuro and Sadatoshi. He also verbally recounted his battle with Muzan Kibutsuji. This was all he could do now.
Leaving the Rengoku house, they walked towards the exit of the Corps' headquarters. Along the way, the slayers they met all moved aside. The news that the master and student had failed to kill the demon, let a female demon go, and had a relative become a demon had already spread throughout the entire organization. Though they didn't do anything, the anger and disdain in their eyes were unconcealable.
"Si Shu, I hope you won't resent the Demon Slayer Corps because of this," Yoriichi said suddenly from ahead, as if comforting him, or entrusting him with something. "After I die, you will be the only successor of Sun Breathing. The burden of defeating Muzan will fall on your shoulders. If the Demon Slayer Corps encounters disaster in the future, I hope you will help them as much as you can."
Hearing this, Si Shu said nothing, not even a nod. It was the first time he hadn't given a clear response to Yoriichi's words.
As they were leaving, they were even asked to hand over their Nichirin Blades. In the eyes of some, the swords were weapons provided by the Corps. Since they were being expelled, they no longer had the right to wield them. Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Sadatoshi appeared and said they could take their swords.
"This is the last thing I can do for you," he said, then turned and left. Watching his retreating back, Si Shu was slightly taken aback. If Tojuro could see this, he would be very proud.
And so, Si Shu and Yoriichi left the Demon Slayer Corps, beginning their long journey to find Muzan. They ventured into remote, uninhabited mountains just to verify a local legend. They stepped into vast ancient forests because of rumors of a demon sighting. They even participated in thousand-man battlefields just to confirm if one side's commander was a man-eating demon.
This life continued for two years. During this time, Yoriichi's twenty-fifth birthday naturally came and went. Although he was a bit surprised that he had lived past twenty-five, he didn't think much of it. Si Shu, tactfully, said nothing either. Perhaps, in Yoriichi's mind, he was living on to atone for his failure to kill Muzan.
One morning, the two arrived at the foot of a mountain. They had been here two years ago, and now, they were here again to visit that same friend. This would be their last mission together. After this, they would go their separate ways to hunt demons, as previously discussed.
Walking deep into the mountains, they soon spotted a wisp of cooking smoke.
"Eh?" Sumiyoshi Kamado was startled by the two figures who suddenly appeared. Just as he was wondering who they were, a voice called out.
"Sumiyoshi, it's been a long time."
"Ah! Mr. Yoriichi! And little Si Shu!"
Surprised by their sudden visit, Sumiyoshi was filled with joy. It had been two years, and he had missed them. "I'll go prepare some tea."
Soon, Sumiyoshi came out with hot tea and snacks. Yoriichi sipped his tea while telling Sumiyoshi stories of the past two years. As for Si Shu, he was once again entrusted with a great responsibility: babysitting!
The little girl had now learned to crawl and was unsteadily learning to walk on the floor. Si Shu followed behind her, preventing her from falling or bumping into things. As if she thought the person behind her was playing a game, Sumiyoshi Murasaki walked more and more excitedly. Her small body swayed left and right, and finally, she stumbled and fell into Si Shu's arms.
Tilting her head up, Murasaki looked at Si Shu's face and gave a happy smile. "Giggle." She reached out with her tender little hand and gave his cheek another firm pinch.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Si Shu felt that the little one's grip was getting stronger and stronger. But he knew this was just her way of showing affection. Suddenly, Murasaki pointed to the grass outside. Blinking her eyes, she looked at him with an innocent expression. Unable to refuse her, Si Shu put on his shoes and took her out to the lawn.
Just as he was holding her under her arms, teaching her to walk, the little girl suddenly tugged on his clothes. "Up, up~"
Sumiyoshi, who was nearby, heard this and said with a smile, "If you can, Si Shu, could you pick her up? This child loves to be held up high."
Without a word, Si Shu held Murasaki with both hands and lifted her high into the air. As her small body was lifted high, Si Shu saw a sliver of sunlight through the edge of her shadow.
"Yahahaha Yahahaha"
Not only did Murasaki laugh happily, but a smile spread across Si Shu's face as well.
Nearby, Yoriichi watched Si Shu and Murasaki, and suddenly froze. The ten-year-old Si Shu holding the two or three-year-old Murasaki high was a perfect embodiment of young life and childhood life. Golden sunlight sprinkled on their bodies and faces, illuminating their pure, innocent smiles.
At that moment, Yoriichi's heart was profoundly shaken.
At that moment, he seemed to understand the meaning of life.
Drip.
At some point, two streams of tears slid down Yoriichi's cheeks. For the first time in his life, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who had never known how to express his emotions, felt his feelings break through their dam.
He was crying.
-------
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