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After receiving emergency treatment... the Hashira, Tanjiro's group, and the remaining Corps members helped each other onto carriages—preparing for the journey back to headquarters.
Destroying Muzan should have been cause for celebration. Yet no one could summon joy.
Over twenty swordsmen had been brutally slaughtered during the battle. Worse—the Corps had lost its most vital Pillar.
Within the illusion, Inosuke had learned the truth—seen his mother sacrifice herself to protect him from Doma's claws. The weight crushed him.
Upon waking to news of Kaido's disappearance, he couldn't contain himself. He fled to a corner and wept.
After extensive searching, Kakushi operatives and several swordsmen recovered Kaido's greatsword—broken in two. They placed the fragments in a case and carried them back with heavy hearts.
Kiriya and his sisters received the news. The atmosphere turned oppressive. Shinjuro Rengoku felt the same.
"Urokodaki-san..."
"Rengoku-san, you don't need to say anything. I know. I understand. Kaido was my pride."
"I see..."
Shinjuro glanced at Sakonji, then exhaled slowly.
He understood—Sakonji's pain ran deepest. As Kaido's teacher, he'd treated him as family.
Learning of your student's death after eliminating Muzan—what agony that must be.
'But am I any different? Without Kaido, I never would've seen my wife again. Without Kaido, even my son Kyojuro might have died...'
"Kaido... why did you never value your own life..." Watching the sunrise, Sakonji turned toward the building. "Master, we should return to headquarters..."
"...Yes."
━━━━━━━━
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
"The Eleven Pillars united to slay Muzan! The Dragon Hashira Kaido has fallen!"
"The Eleven Pillars united to slay Muzan! The Dragon Hashira Kaido has fallen!"
"The Eleven Pillars united to slay Muzan! The Dragon Hashira Kaido has fallen! CAW!"
Kuroha returned to headquarters, broadcasting the announcement three times before flying to Kaido's estate.
Everyone at headquarters refused to accept the news.
"Mother, Kaido-san..."
"Senjuro, come with me to welcome Kaido and the others home..." Ruka Rengoku's tears fell as she spoke. She'd genuinely loved that boy, considered him family.
Hearing this news broke her heart. If Kaido hadn't resurrected her, she never would've seen her husband and children again...
"Yes, Mother."
━━━━━━━━
Butterfly Mansion
"Aoi-neesan, this isn't real, right?"
The three youngest girls looked at Aoi together, refusing to believe what they'd heard.
"I... I don't know..."
"Dragon Hashira-sama... sob... how could he die?? He promised to play with us, sing for us, teach us so many things... sob..." The three embraced, sobbing uncontrollably.
━━━━━━━━
"This is impossible! Impossible! Kuroha, you're lying, aren't you?? You made a mistake, right?? Kaido-niisan couldn't have died... I don't believe it... I... sob... I don't believe this is real! Kaido-niisan promised to stay with me... I... sob..."
Her words dissolved into tears. Retsuki collapsed to her knees, hands covering her face as anguish poured out.
Hearing Kuroha's report, she refused acceptance. She'd rather believe the crow was mistaken than accept her brother's death.
Lisa and Tamayo knelt beside her, holding her close—silent tears streaming as they shared her grief.
"Kaido-niisan... you liar... sob... why... I finally had family. I finally had a brother who loved me... why did you have to take him away... sob..."
Kagaya felt the weight of sorrow. He'd hoped his premonition was mere delusion. But reality proved otherwise...
"Kaido... my swordsman child... Amane, everyone will be returning soon?"
"Yes,"
"When they arrive, accompany me to welcome Kaido home."
"...Yes."
In the courtyard, ten Kinoe-ranked swordsmen stood in two lines—silent tribute. They'd all interacted with Kaido. They understood what kind of person he'd been. They'd all received his help.
Jigoro Kuwajima stood aside, gazing at the brilliant sunrise—so radiant, yet...
━━━━━━━━
After half a day's journey, everyone finally reached headquarters. Kanae clutched the case containing the shattered greatsword, walking at the front of the procession—each step weighted with grief.
Yushiro accompanied them. Being daytime, he'd wrapped himself in thick black cloth to block sunlight.
"Kaido-kun, we're all bringing you home together."
Suddenly, they noticed a crowd waiting in the distance.
Ruka and Senjuro Rengoku. Aoi and the three youngest girls from the Butterfly Mansion. Jigoro Kuwajima. Tamayo wrapped heavily in black fabric to avoid sunlight. Other swordsmen.
And beyond them—Kagaya and Amane Ubuyashiki with their two daughters. Retsuki standing beside them.
"Master?? This..."
"Father! Mother! Sisters!" Kiriya, Kanata, and Kuina stared in disbelief. Seeing their parents and siblings alive felt surreal.
"Children, welcome home." Kagaya and his family bowed deeply to the returning warriors.
"Master, please don't!"
"Compared to what you've accomplished, this means nothing..."
"Father, how is this possible?" Kiriya was overjoyed to see his family alive—yet utterly confused.
"Kaido orchestrated everything. He used his family's secret techniques to save us..."
"So Dragon Hashira-sama did all this. But he..."
Kiriya couldn't continue. He turned toward the case Kanae held, bowing deeply. "Dragon Hashira-sama, thank you."
Retsuki approached Kanae, eyes fixed on the case. Understanding, Kanae opened it—presenting the broken blade cradled in her palms. Retsuki's fingers traced every surface of the fractured weapon.
"I'm sorry, Retsuki-chan. I... I couldn't protect your brother. I'm so sorry..."
Seeing the shattered sword, hearing Kanae's words—Retsuki's composure broke. Tears fell again, yet she smiled through them. "Kaido-niisan, welcome home."
"Kanae-neesan, may I take him? I want to bring Kaido-niisan home. He's tired. He needs rest..."
"Let me help you."
"No, Kanae-neesan. I want to carry my brother home myself. This is my duty as his sister. And also my duty... as the one who loved him."
Seeing Retsuki's determined expression—so reminiscent of Kaido himself—Kanae relented.
She closed the case and handed it to Retsuki. The hundred-pound container settled onto Retsuki's back. Through sheer willpower, she began walking toward Kaido's estate.
"Kaido-niisan, let's go home."
Step by step, Retsuki carried the case. Others moved to accompany her—but she stopped them. "Please tend to your wounds first. Kaido-niisan wouldn't want to see you like this. Once you've recovered, you can visit him."
Her tone and determination mirrored Kaido's so closely that Kagaya instructed everyone to respect her wishes and focus on recovery.
Kagaya's family of seven, Jigoro, Tamayo and Yushiro wrapped in black cloth, Ruka and Senjuro with Shinjuro, and Kuroha flying overhead—all accompanied Retsuki to Kaido's estate.
After over half an hour, Retsuki and the procession arrived.
She entered the building, placing the case on the tatami floor. Opening it, gazing at the broken blade, she smiled. "Kaido-niisan, we're home."
Standing, she turned and bowed to everyone. "Master, honored guests—thank you for bringing my brother home. I'd like to spend time with him now. Please forgive my inadequate hospitality."
"Of course. If you need anything at all, please tell us. We'll do everything possible to help. Please... take good care of Kaido."
"Thank you, Master. Thank you all."
Finally, Ruka and Tamayo volunteered to remain—ensuring Retsuki had support if needed.
Yushiro was dispatched to the Butterfly Mansion to assist with treatment. The warriors still carried traces of Muzan's poisoned blood in their systems—requiring immediate care.
Fortunately, Tamayo and the Kocho sisters had researched extensively and prepared numerous antidotes. The toxins could be purged completely. After that—only recovery remained.
After everyone departed, Ruka and Tamayo sat in the main room. They understood—Retsuki needed solitude right now...
Alone in the garden quarters, Retsuki collapsed against the case, sobbing without restraint. Perhaps crying would ease the pain...
"Why?? Kaido-niisan... you promised you'd never leave me... sob..."
Kuroha stood nearby, silent tears falling—remembering every moment spent with his master...
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