Yoyake agreed to rest, and the room filled with joy.
Amid the cheerful atmosphere, Yoyake looked at Horitake with a wry smile. "No one's ever rallied my subordinates and children to corner me like this—not even my wife. Horitake, you're a remarkable man!"
Horitake burst into laughter. "Should I be proud of that?"
His laughter sparked everyone else's, sweeping away the earlier heavy mood.
It had been ages since such hearty laughter echoed in the Ubuyashiki household.
As the laughter subsided, Hina, holding Yoyake's hand, asked Horitake, "Mr. Horitake, if Father takes care of his health, can you really break the curse?"
Horitake replied solemnly, "As long as the Master stays healthy and I grow strong enough, I can definitely dispel his curse. Don't worry—I'll improve quickly!"
Hina nodded.
"But one thing to note," Horitake added, "I can dispel the curse in the Master's body, but not the Ubuyashiki clan's curse."
Using his spiritual vision, he glanced at Kiriya. As expected, a faint wisp of dark aura lingered in the boy's body—not fully formed, but present.
"Master, I see it. Young Master Kiriya carries the curse too, though it's not yet mature."
Yoyake's expression grew serious. "So…"
"Yes. I can dispel your curse, Kiriya's, even his future children's, but I can't keep doing it forever. We must eliminate the source: Muzan Kibutsuji. Only his death will end the clan's curse and its tragedies."
Yoyake nodded, addressing the three before him with gravity. "Then I entrust this to you all—slay Muzan Kibutsuji!"
Gyomei clasped his hands, tears streaming as he chanted, "Rest assured, Master. I'll do everything to send Muzan to meet the Buddha. Amitabha."
Miri clenched her fist, brimming with confidence. "Me too! I'll become a Hashira in no time!"
Horitake grinned roguishly. "Master, you don't know this, but my dream is to slice Muzan into bits, dry him out, hang him on a tree, and let him cure into jerky!"
Their bold words ignited a fervent, spirited atmosphere.
Horitake noticed Yoyake's energy waning—he'd spoken too much and was tiring.
"It's late, and I've disturbed the Master long enough. I'll take my leave. Please rest well."
Yoyake smiled faintly and nodded.
Horitake turned to Kiriya and Hina. "Young Master Kiriya, please take on more of the Master's duties. Lady Hina, please care for him."
"And…" He faced the sliding door. "Please, Lady Amane, keep an eye on the Master. I bet he'll try sneaking work when no one's looking. Make sure he rests!"
A gentle voice came from behind the door. "Rest assured, Mr. Horitake, I'll watch my husband."
"We'll help too!" chimed Yoyake's three other daughters in unison.
Yoyake gave a helpless smile. Cornered completely. How many times had he sighed today? He'd lost count. The usually composed Master was at a loss more than once today.
Horitake, Miri, and Gyomei stepped outside to leave.
Yoyake thanked Horitake again. "Horitake, you saved my son and daughter and helped me immensely. If you break my curse, you'll be the Ubuyashiki family's greatest benefactor."
"You're too kind, Master."
In truth, Yoyake's words weren't exaggerated. Horitake had saved his son and daughter, and if he cured the curse, he'd add a lifesaving debt. Though not yet a Hashira, Horitake's status in the Demon Slayer Corps was nearing unparalleled—second only to Yoyake himself.
If he broke the curse, became a Hashira, and grew stronger, his standing might one day rival Yoyake's. Quite the prospect!
But Horitake wasn't thinking that far. He only wanted to ensure Yoyake, a good leader, didn't die young.
With that, the trio bid farewell to the Ubuyashiki family and left.
Gyomei had other matters to attend to and parted ways with Horitake and Miri.
As Horitake and Miri prepared to leave, a Hidden member ran from the estate, calling, "Lord Horitake! Lady Kanroji Miri! Please wait!"
Horitake turned. "What's the matter?"
The Hidden member, bowing respectfully, said, "Greetings, I'm Goto, from the Hidden. The Master instructed that you both collect your uniforms from the Corps' clothing department nearby. Also, Lord Horitake, for slaying a powerful demon, you've been promoted to Rank Hei."
Horitake nodded. "Thank the Master for me."
"As for Lady Miri, though strong, you lack achievements, so you're Rank Ki."
Miri shrugged it off. "No worries! I'll climb the ranks fast!"
"I'll guide you to the clothing department," Goto said.
"Thank you."
Led by Goto, Horitake and Miri arrived at the clothing department. It resembled a bustling garment factory, filled with fabrics, sewing machines, and Hidden members working diligently.
Goto brought them to a Hidden tailor hunched over a sewing machine. "Hey, Maeda! Work's here!"
Maeda, wearing round glasses, looked up. "Huh? What work?"
Goto introduced them. "This is Lord Horitake and Lady Kanroji Miri. The Master ordered uniforms for them. Horitake is Rank Hei, Miri is Rank Ki. Don't mix them up."
"Oh, Hei and Ki, got it…" Maeda stood, glancing at Horitake impassively, then at Miri, his eyes lighting up.
Horitake felt something was off.
Maeda suddenly perked up, brimming with enthusiasm. "Please wait a moment, I'll fetch the uniforms."
He dashed off.
Minutes later, Maeda returned with several Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and handed them to Horitake and Miri. "Try them on to check the fit. Changing rooms are over there."
Horitake's unease grew.
He couldn't shake the feeling something was amiss.
Before Miri could head to the changing room, he stopped her. "Sorry, Miri, I'll go first!"
Ignoring her puzzled look, he grabbed the uniforms and stepped into the changing room.
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