Hayashi Yuichi and Tomioka Giyu rushed back to headquarters.
At first, Yuichi assumed that Ubuyashiki Kagaya had, through a Kasugai crow, sent word to Giyu to return immediately — perhaps to assign him a new mission.
However, upon entering the courtyard, Yuichi was surprised to see Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Nichika (Kagaya's daughters) waiting on the terrace. Their ethereal voices rang out as soon as they saw Tomioka:
"Tomioka Giyu, congratulations on passing the Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane."
Giyu froze at those words.
The Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane had always been a thorn in his heart.
He had long felt that he survived not through skill, but because he fell into a coma and, by sheer luck, endured the seven days. Because of this, he believed he was unworthy of the Corps.
Even after becoming a Hashira, that lingering doubt never left him.
But with Yuichi's guidance, he returned to Fujikasane Mountain, defeated the Hand Demon that had slaughtered Urokodaki's disciples, and finally avenged them.
Now, to hear the words "Congratulations on passing" with his own ears…
That thorn buried deep in Giyu's heart at last dissolved.
As part of the ceremony, a fresh set of Demon Slayer uniforms was presented to him, along with a choice of tamahagane — steel made from the "scarlet crimson ore" mined from peaks closest to the sun, essential for forging a Nichirin Blade.
Even his Kasugai crow joined in, circling above before alighting on his shoulder, as though recognizing him anew.
From the side, Yuichi watched in silence, moved.
This ritual was reserved for newly accepted Demon Slayers after passing the Final Selection. Yet, in order to free Tomioka from his burden, Kagaya had prepared it once again especially for him.
In that moment, Yuichi truly understood why every member of the Demon Slayer Corps loved and revered their lord, Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Just then, Ubuyashiki Kiriya (the young son of the family) stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said:
"Yoriichi san, please follow me to the back.
My lord is waiting for you."
Yuichi was taken aback — Kagaya himself wanted to speak with him?
He followed Kiriya around the back of the mansion, where a vast cemetery came into view. It was the resting place of countless fallen Demon Slayers.
There, Ubuyashiki Kagaya knelt in front of an old tombstone, carefully wiping its surface with a cloth.
"Father's health is very poor," Kiriya whispered, "but he still insists on cleaning the swordsmen's graves himself every day. I've told him not to, but…"
For the first time, Yuichi saw not a calm guide, but just a child — a boy burdened with worry for his father.
The words "every day" and "death anniversary" echoed strangely in Yuichi's mind. As if sensing his confusion, Kiriya explained softly:
"Because in recent years, Demon Slayers have been killed almost every day. Most of these graves are only cenotaphs. The bodies of many who fell to demons could never be recovered…"
Yuichi fell silent.
No matter how much of the "original story" he knew as a traveler, nothing could have prepared him for the sight of this cemetery — a place that embodied the true cost of the Demon Slayer Corps' struggle.
And when he saw Kagaya, despite his frailty, tenderly wiping each gravestone with his own hands, Yuichi finally understood the weight of a lord who remembered every single warrior under his command.
He reached out, gently ruffling Kiriya's hair, and whispered:
"I promise you. I will end Muzan Kibutsuji."
Then, he walked toward Kagaya.
"Ahem…"
Though the weather was warmer that day, Kagaya still wore heavy clothing. Looking up at Yuichi, he said apologetically:
"That child, Kiriya, didn't trouble you with his words, did he?"
Yuichi shook his head.
Kagaya continued, his tone tinged with guilt:
"I was told by those stationed at Fujikasane that you and Tomioka Giyu went together… to defeat the demon that had lurked there for so many years."
"This is my responsibility. I feel guilty toward Master Urokodaki and his disciples. I will apologize to him..."
Hayashi interrupted softly:
"Please don't tell Master Urokodaki about this. That is also Tomioka Giyu's wish."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya remained silent for a long time before he sighed:
"Giyu has truly grown so much."
Then his expression steadied, his tone shifting as he addressed Hayashi directly:
"Yoriichi san, the reason I summoned you today is because I have a request."
Hayashi quickly waved his hand, smiling faintly, signaling that such formality was unnecessary:
"Is this about the train you had Tomioka Giyu and Murata investigate earlier?
I heard from him that they found no clues related to demons."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze grew serious:
"That is precisely what makes it more suspicious.
In addition, I received an even stranger report—"
He paused deliberately before continuing:
"The missing passengers and crew from that train have been found."
Hayashi's brows furrowed.
"Found?"
Kagaya nodded.
"Yes. They were all located later. And during questioning, each of them gave reasons for why they suddenly left the train mid-journey.
Because only a small number had disappeared and they eventually reappeared, the matter was not considered urgent. But I pressed further, using my own channels. And what I discovered was troubling—"
His voice lowered.
"Their explanations were… strange. It was as if they were recounting the fragments of a dream they had just awakened from."
Hearing that word, Hayashi's expression sharpened. His mind immediately connected the pieces.
Dreams…
A name surfaced in his thoughts—
Lower Moon One: Enmu.
This demon's Blood Demon Art was the manipulation of dreams—exactly as Kagaya described.
Hayashi's thoughts raced.
So in this altered course of events, Enmu hadn't fused himself with the train to devour every passenger at once.
Instead, he ensnared chosen targets, lured them into fabricated dreams, made them believe they had reasons to leave the train, and only then sought opportunities to consume them.
As for why those victims had been released instead of eaten, the answer seemed clear: Enmu must have received a sudden order from Muzan Kibutsuji to conceal his presence and bide his time.
While Hayashi pieced together the implications, Kagaya's next words made him freeze in surprise:
"I have already dispatched Rengoku Kyojuro to investigate first."
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