When rushing toward headquarters with Tomioka Giyu, Hayashi raised a question:
"Are these crows really able to transmit messages so quickly?"
Giyu opened his mouth to answer, but then recalled Kocho Shinobu's instructions.
There was no need to keep too many secrets from this swordsman, someone whom even the Master had shown interest in meeting.
Moreover, from the way Hayashi had reacted calmly when Haruko mentioned the Wisteria House, it was clear he already knew a fair amount about the Demon Slayer Corps.
So when Hayashi directly called the messenger birds by their proper name, Kasugai Crows (鎹鴉, Kasugai-garasu), Giyu wasn't surprised.
What Hayashi did not realize, however, was that the Corps didn't rely solely on crows. Alongside them, telegraphs were also used to transmit information.
The crows often carried telegram messages directly to swordsmen in the field. Conversely, swordsmen could send reports through their crows to a telegraph station, which would then relay the information straight to the Master.
Finally, Giyu spoke in his usual blunt way:
"You know about the crows, but not the telegraphs?"
Hayashi was speechless.
Good, good… this stiff, clipped way of talking really is just like Tomioka Giyu!
But Giyu's words also reminded him of something he'd overlooked. Watching the original story, he had often forgotten that the setting was the Taishō era—a time when electric lamps, telegraphs, and even telephones were already in use across Japan.
If things continue like this… in just over a decade, I might even be able to invite the members of the Demon Slayer Corps to watch "Tom and Jerry" when it airs, Hayashi mused half-jokingly.
Then another thought struck him.
Could it be that Muzan Kibutsuji, hiding away for centuries, isn't familiar with the latest technology? Could that ignorance be used against him?
Just as his thoughts ran deeper, he noticed Giyu watching him silently.
So Hayashi suddenly leaned in and said:
"Tomioka Giyu, you actually…"
"You've always been hated!"
Giyu's eyes widened. That stiff, stone-like face, usually so expressionless, suddenly showed genuine emotion.
But almost at once, he muttered firmly:
"I… I'm not hated."
Hayashi's lips curled into a teasing smile, his tone almost persuasive:
"Haven't you ever experienced this? The moment you open your mouth, people get annoyed—sometimes even surround you with anger?"
Of course, he was alluding to the Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, and the Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi, both of whom frequently clashed with Giyu.
A phrase had even been coined to describe the phenomenon:
"Dare to stand up for justice."
Giyu fell silent.
Hayashi pressed on:
"In the Corps, is there anyone who always tries to speak with you?"
For a moment, Giyu thought of Kocho Shinobu. Now that Hayashi mentioned it, she really was the only one who would consistently approach him in conversation.
But then Hayashi added slyly:
"And yet… doesn't her expression suddenly turn sour when she does?"
Giyu had no response.
Hayashi's smile grew sharper:
"Have you ever felt that, because of your unique past, your abilities and your current status don't quite match?"
Giyu gave a slight, subconscious nod.
Hayashi leaned closer, delivering the final blow:
"And when you interact with others, do you ever try to put those feelings into words?"
Tomioka Giyu nodded again.
Yes—what Hayashi San said was exactly his situation.
Wait…
Why did I subconsciously address him as "san"?
Tomioka frowned slightly, sensing something strange.
But the next moment, Hayashi's words made his eyes widen.
"Tomioka Giyu, the phrase you use to describe yourself should be—
'I'm different from you,' right?"
Every word hit the mark.
Tomioka stared at Hayashi Yuichi in surprise and doubt.
They had only spent a short time together, yet this man seemed to understand him completely.
A sudden thought flashed through his mind:
So… am I truly hated?
He opened his mouth several times, wanting to speak.
But in the end, he fell into silence.
Hayashi looked at the quiet Giyu and suddenly recalled a lyric—
"Your silence is deafening."
For the rest of the journey, Tomioka never spoke.
Even when Hayashi asked questions, his only responses were a nod or a shake of the head.
Seeing this, Hayashi felt awkward.
Could it be… I've made Tomioka Giyu retreat into himself with just a few words?
By the time the two set out from Mount Kumotori, dawn had already broken.
A whole day passed on the road, and once again, night spread across the sky.
At last, Tomioka broke his silence:
"When the sun sets, demons begin to move.
We, the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, usually travel and search during the day.
At night, we rest in Wisteria Houses—or anywhere safe.
But if the Kasugai crows bring a report, or if we discover traces of a demon, we act immediately."
Hayashi looked at him with genuine surprise.
So… he can hold a normal conversation without it sounding so suffocating.
Just then, a crow suddenly swooped down:
"Gah! Gah!
Nannandong! Nannandong!
Genin Murata has encountered a demon!
Requesting immediate support! Requesting immediate support!"
Tomioka's eyes sharpened at once.
Wisps of white mist escaped from his lips as he exhaled.
The next instant, he surged forward with astonishing speed.
Hayashi followed closely behind.
Soon, they arrived at the scene—
Murata was pinned to the ground, trembling in terror beneath a demon's grasp.
The demon was human-sized, but its mouth stretched grotesquely all the way to its ears.
Sensing the newcomers, the slit-mouthed demon froze, then snarled with irritation:
"Damn you! How dare you interrupt my meal!
Especially you, the black-haired one!
That expression on your face—ugh, it makes me sick just looking at you!
Hey, I'll say it straight—black-haired guy, I hate you!"
At that moment, Hayashi heard Tomioka beside him inhale deeply.
Then—
[Water Breathing • Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust]
With speed like flowing ripples, Tomioka's blade flashed forward—
and in an instant, pierced through the demon's neck!
As the severed head rolled, Hayashi faintly heard Tomioka's quiet murmur:
"I'm not… hated."