Ubuyashiki Mansion.
It was the home of Ubuyashiki Kagaya, leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, and a meticulously hidden sanctuary.
Only the Kasugai Crows and a select few knew its exact location.
It was concealed so thoroughly that no matter how desperately Kibutsuji Muzan searched for over five hundred years, he could never find it.
From the sky, a Kasugai Crow flew over and perched upon the windowsill.
"Ubuyashiki! I have come to deliver the message: Tsugikuni Michikatsu has decided to accept!"
Reflected in the crow’s eyes was the image of a man.
A man with pale violet eyes and a scar marring his forehead.
He was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps and the 97th head of the Ubuyashiki family.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Is that so? Well done."
A serene, soothing voice flowed from his lips.
The crow nodded at the acknowledgment and prepared to take flight, but—
"Is there something you are curious about?"
The bird halted its flapping wings.
"I am curious as to why you would accept him now."
It was a question the crow could not resolve.
What was the reason for bringing him back after five hundred years?
It seemed sufficient to operate as they always had, continuing to slay demons independently.
Why go to the trouble of readmitting him into the Demon Slayer Corps at this late stage?
"Because I am confident that this generation can finally bring down Kibutsuji Muzan?"
It was true that Ubuyashiki needed him to accomplish his goals.
Michikatsu was the final piece needed to bring their ambitions to fruition.
But would that truly be enough to defeat Muzan? To that question, the crow could only shake its head.
Even if this generation’s Ubuyashiki possessed a uniqueness unlike his ancestors... even the strongest of all, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, had failed to slay Muzan.
And what connection was there between the belief that they could defeat Muzan and the act of rehiring him?
Could that truly be the sole reason for reinstating Michikatsu to the Corps?
It was not even something foretold by prophecy.
Yet, Kagaya held a firm conviction that it would come to pass.
The crow grew intrigued by Ubuyashiki’s unwavering certainty.
"Reinstating him—the rank assigned to him is merely a formality. I have no intention of binding him. Once I see that sword, I intend to let him act as he wishes."
"Then what point is there in having him re-enlist? In that case, why not just leave him be as he is now...?"
"But if I do not go this far—"
He paused momentarily before continuing.
"Because he would never come to the Corps otherwise."
He will not come.
Unless I take such a strong stance as to have him re-enlist, Michikatsu would not be willing to join us...
The crow considered this as it gazed at him.
"You see, he is filled with regret—tormented by his failure to kill Muzan in the end. He even became a demon in a desperate attempt to slay him, yet he failed and now wanders a life devoid of daylight. And he left on his own, fearing his people would suffer on his account, even though he had done nothing wrong."
He gently touched the scar on his forehead and spoke again.
"Is it right... that one who has run harder than anyone should arrive at such a terminus? To be crushed under the weight of duty, unable to die, living on only by slaying demons?"
......
"I... I wish for the Corps to engage with him again. So that, as a demon, he no longer bears any guilt. I want to ease that burden here. He has done nothing wrong."
The crow remained silent.
It only stared at the man as he touched his scar.
"No matter what form, what era, or what world he stands in, he is one of the Moon Pillars and a member of the Corps."
"A record left by the Ubuyashiki of that era."
The man nodded and continued.
"Yes. So I hope he recalls those words from that time: not as a demon, but as the Moon God, Tsuki no Kami, and a Pillar. That he was undeniably a member of the Corps."
However—
"I believe that his original departure was a blunder. And five hundred years is far too long a time."
The crow pondered this.
Five centuries was an eternity to correct a single error.
He had already spent five hundred years slaying demons.
Although during the Corps’ Dark Age, the Black Sword killed in droves while the Twelve Kizuki, Muzan’s direct subordinates, hunted the Corps without respite...
And now, did the Corps have any right to suddenly set things right...?
Perhaps it was merely Ubuyashiki’s own self-satisfaction.
To that, Kagaya quietly smiled and replied.
"I must correct it, even now."
"Is that so...? I thought perhaps it would have been better to simply leave him alone..."
That shows he lacks conviction.
Or so the crow thought.
@@@
About halfway through our journey, the sisters and I came to a fork in the road.
The condition that Himejima Gyomei had laid out was this:
That each of us go to a different mentor.
Whether she intended for us to become independent or wished to test the strength of our blood ties, that was her condition.
In the old days, it might have seemed cruel, but the Final Selection was no longer the shambles it had been back then, so it should be fine.
Is it time to part ways?
I briefly scanned the girls’ faces.
Their expressions were set with determination.
Whether it was a blade of hatred or a blade of compassion, though the swords of their hearts differed, the bond of resolve was etched into their features.
"Kanae will be fine. She’s already heard about the Final Selection from Himejima, so I won’t explain further."
"Yes. I will pass the Final Selection, and we will reunite without fail."
Kanae nodded resolutely.
"I’m not worried about my older sister, but I’m really concerned about you..."
"Hey!"
Unlike her sister, Shinobu whined.
Watching her puff out her cheeks, I considered offering her Tamayo’s blood, but...
I put it back in my pocket.
I felt uneasy entrusting demon blood to a child.
It seemed she had been sleeping well these days even without the incense.
And so, it was time for farewells.
"It was fun, little ones."
Without looking back, I waved my hand and continued on my journey.
"Um..."
At that moment, Shinobu spoke to me one last time.
"We’ll see each other again, right?"
There was a childish whine in her voice, laced with regret and longing.
Again...
I wonder.
I think it might be better for you if we end things here without meeting again.
I was not certain myself.
Though the word "re-enlistment" had momentarily thrown me off...
The reason I would go through with this damn formality is to behold the face and conviction of this generation’s Ubuyashiki that the crow spoke of.
I wanted to see for myself in this Revealed World whether the man serving as head of the Ubuyashiki family is truly the card capable of defeating Muzan.
Whether it’s an old man’s trap or not, I have no intention of being led around by that fellow’s whims.
Even if I decide to leave again after that, the Corps cannot stop me.
After all, the rank granted by the Corps holds no meaning for me.
I imagine that with the Corps’ current strength, they wouldn’t be able to detain me even if they tried.
That is something Ubuyashiki knows better than anyone.
So, this might be the last time I meet the little ones.
Still.
In life, one never knows what the future holds.
"Little one."
"Why?"
"‘When were you born?’ None of us ever truly remember that. We can only believe the date told to us by someone we trust. Whether it’s true or not isn’t the point. The fact that you ‘know your birthday’ is already something to be happy about, in my view."
"That is..."
"If you want to, simply strive on as you are. If you choose to meet, you will meet; if you choose not to, you won’t. And..."
I did not look at her face.
After all, these were all just empty words.
Whether we will reunite or not is something neither the Revealed World, which sees through all things, nor Ubuyashiki’s prophecy can know.
Just...
"The world is full of chaos, and we know nothing of what lies ahead. The world is frightening because we cannot see it. Yet it is human to walk forward even when the path is unseen. It depends on the resolve in your heart."
Go wherever you wish to go; then the world will answer you.
I simply smiled, kept walking, and set off on my journey.
"Then take care, little ones. For humans, you were remarkably interesting."
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