Originally, news of the Upper Ranks wouldn't spread easily; those who encountered them almost always died.
However, ever since Muzan ordered all Upper Ranks to find and kill Chiba Yo, they have been appearing and operating outside more frequently to fulfill his command.
Even with their immense strength, some people still managed to see them and survive, which allowed the Demon Slayer Corps to gather intelligence on them.
"According to the Demon Slayer who saw that Upper Rank... its ability seems related to aquatic creatures... and it's incredibly powerful... I want to send you to eliminate it..." Kagaya said to Chiba Yo.
"Yes, Lord Kagaya, I will definitely cut it down!" Chiba Yo replied firmly, feeling a mix of sadness for Lord Kagaya's health and a touch of excitement.
Although it wasn't news about Muzan's whereabouts, among the demons, the Upper Ranks are the most powerful besides Muzan himself. Most of the Pillars lost by the organization were due to these Upper Ranks, so slaying even one Upper Rank is a great boon for the Demon Slayer Corps.
It both weakens the demon side and reduces casualties within the corps.
"I believe you can do it, Yo... Recently, the overall frequency of demon appearances has decreased. I suspect Muzan hasn't shown himself for a long time... This should be a result of your last encounter with him.
Muzan's reaction likely means your strength can threaten him, which is why he has become so cautious... This era has seen the emergence of Pillars who surpass their predecessors, the appearance of Crimson Blades and Breath Styles / Marks. This is a sign, a sign that humanity will completely defeat the demons, a sign of eliminating Muzan...
Therefore, we must unite all forces we can. Besides this mission, I also want you to help me write a letter to contact Tamayo. I wish to discuss strategies for eliminating Muzan with her..."
Kagaya spoke softly to Chiba Yo.
His health had been deteriorating during this time, reaching a point where he could barely walk. Lying in bed, he had thought a lot and finally decided to cooperate with Tamayo sooner.
"I understand, Lord Kagaya," Chiba Yo replied.
"Mm... I'm troubling you..."
After speaking so much, Kagaya felt even more tired, and his voice dropped.
Chiba Yo heard his fatigue and wanted to say something, but in the end, he only managed to utter, "Lord Kagaya... please take care of yourself..."
He had never felt his words so powerless. He could see that Kagaya's body was already broken and gradually worsening, yet he was helpless.
The Pillars had said similar words countless times, but Kagaya's body had not improved with their wishes. Chiba Yo knew his words this time would be no different...
Kagaya smiled upon hearing this and softly replied, "Mm..."
...
After receiving Kagaya's command, Chiba Yo planned to set off immediately, first eliminate the exposed Upper Rank, and then contact Tamayo.
"Chiba."
As he was walking, a voice called out to him. He turned his head and saw it was Gyomei Himejima.
"Mr. Gyomei."
Chiba Yo greeted Gyoumei. Seeing that Gyoumei wasn't on a mission, he guessed that Gyoumei had likely received the letter Sayo asked him to send, and calling him might be for this reason. Gyoumei's subsequent words confirmed his suspicion.
"Namu Amida Butsu, I have received that letter, and I have had someone read it for me," Gyoumei said with tears streaming down his face.
In the letter, Sayo sincerely apologized to Gyoumei and told him the true situation at the time. She also thanked Gyoumei for protecting her for a night and expressed her wish to meet him in person to apologize.
After learning these details, Gyoumei's emotions were very complex. He was glad that Sayo hadn't lied at the time, but rather others had misunderstood her meaning.
He no longer cared about being imprisoned; his knot in his heart was completely untied. But at the same time, he felt a slight pang of guilt for having misunderstood Sayo for so many years.
Then he asked Chiba Yo, "Did you really meet Sayo?"
Actually, from the letter accurately stating the names of the children he adopted, Gyoumei already knew it must have been written by Sayo. He asked this to know Sayo's current situation.
"Yes, my last mission was at the Temple where you used to live. I met her by chance after coming down the mountain," Chiba Yo nodded and said.
"Can you tell me about her current situation?" Gyoumei asked Chiba Yo.
Sayo had not informed Gyoumei of her current situation in the letter, only saying that she was atoning for her past actions.
"She currently lives by selling some handmade accessories, and every day she makes many wisteria flower sachets, which she gives away for free to others, cautioning people to carry them when going out at night. She is atoning for the sin of causing you to be imprisoned and almost executed.
Her neighbors all take good care of her. Although her life is rather humble, she seems content with her current life," Chiba Yo replied.
Then he took out a cloth bag and a wisteria flower sachet. The cloth bag contained the accessories he had bought from Sayo. After leaving the Ubuyashiki Estate, he had planned to put these back in his residence, but unexpectedly, he happened to meet Gyoumei.
"These are some accessories Sayo made herself, and this is the wisteria flower sachet she gave me," Chiba Yo handed the cloth bag and the wisteria flower sachet to Gyoumei.
"Namu Amida Butsu... What a kind child, I misunderstood her..."
Gyoumei exclaimed after hearing Chiba Yo's words, and at the same time, he took the cloth bag and the wisteria flower sachet.
Opening the cloth bag, Gyoumei fumbled inside for a while, feeling the accessories made by Sayo, and then he took out a string of prayer beads.
...
"When I grow up, I want to be a doctor! I'll study medicine and find a way to cure Teacher's eyes so he can see us one day! If everyone gets sick in the future, I can make them better too," a bald child shouted loudly.
In the small Temple, a group of children chatted about their future dreams. Gyoumei was among the children, his eyes blind, but his face was beaming with a smile, especially after hearing the children's words, his heart deeply moved.
The other children also had smiles on their faces.
"How amazing!"
The other children around were astonished by this child's dream and exclaimed in admiration. The bald child showed a proud smile.
"What does Sayo want to do in the future?" a little girl with a hair tie asked the youngest, Sayo.
"That's right, what's Sayo's dream?" the rest of the children followed up, asking. Sayo was the youngest among them, and everyone usually treated her like a younger sister, taking great care of her. They also wanted to know Sayo's dream.
Being looked at by everyone, Sayo seemed a little embarrassed.
"I... I want to be with everyone and Teacher always," Sayo said nervously.
"What kind of dream is that? We'll always be together, of course. Besides that, don't you have anything else you want to do?" a little boy said to Sayo, holding the back of his head.
"Um... I also want to learn how to make handicrafts. I heard that monks all carry a string of prayer beads, but Teacher doesn't have one. I want to make one for Teacher with my own hands in the future."
Sayo said a little shyly. She felt that her dream was too insignificant compared to those of her friends.