Two Kakushi supported Shinichi as they made their way through the ruined streets.
His head hung limply, and the gruesome wound across his neck had been given a rough bandage, but blood was still seeping through it, staining even the Kakushi's hands red.
Despite how severe the injury looked, Shinichi's breathing was at least relatively steady, his chest rising and falling faintly.
"We're almost there! Just ahead!" one of the Kakushi shouted between heavy breaths.
Not far ahead, a half-collapsed wooden house stood crookedly among the ruins.
Nearly half of it had been torn apart when the Infinity Castle suddenly erupted from underground, and cracks now covered what remained of the walls.
A small figure was busy at the entrance.
It was the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kiriya Ubuyashiki.
Under his direction, numerous Kakushi were tending to the injured.
There were not only wounded Demon Slayers, but also many ordinary civilians who had been caught in the destruction.
"Is that… Shinichi-san? Hurry! Bring him inside!"
Kiriya's voice was young, but carried a composure far beyond his age.
The moment he realized the two Kakushi were supporting Shinichi, shock flashed across his face and he immediately waved them over.
"Take Shinichi-san into the house first!"
The Kakushi carefully carried Shinichi inside and laid him on a tatami mat already stained with blood.
The cramped house was filled with severely wounded patients. Kiriya's two younger sisters, Kanata and Kuina Ubuyashiki, moved among them helping wherever they could.
Once Shinichi had been settled down, the two girls came over as well.
With their small hands, they carefully adjusted his position and gently wiped the blood from his face with a clean cloth.
"Lady Tamayo!" Kiriya called toward the shadows. "Please come and look at Shinichi-san!"
Two figures emerged.
Tamayo's kimono was also stained with blood, and her complexion looked somewhat pale from exhaustion.
Ever since joining up with the Demon Slayer Corps, she had been continuously treating the wounded.
Even with the endurance of a demon, the nonstop work had clearly taken its toll.
Yushiro followed close behind her, concern written across his face.
Farther back in the shadows, another small figure in a pink kimono peeked out.
Nezuko.
Her pink eyes reflected Shinichi's pale face. She leaned forward slightly as though she wanted to help too, but Yushiro stopped her.
"It's all right, Nezuko. Let Lady Tamayo handle this. If Lady Tamayo is here, he'll be fine."
Realizing there was probably little she could do, Nezuko nodded and continued looking worriedly at the blood still seeping from Shinichi's neck.
Tamayo quickly walked over and knelt beside him.
She reached for his wrist and checked his pulse, her long, slender fingers resting lightly against his skin as she felt the faint but steady beat.
"Shinichi-san's vital signs are relatively stable, but…"
Tamayo's voice became grave.
"The wound on his neck is extremely severe. His body is devoting so much energy to repairing it that he has temporarily lost consciousness."
Tamayo took a breath and reached toward the wound on Shinichi's neck, intending to examine it more closely before beginning treatment.
Yushiro had already taken out her medical kit.
But just as Tamayo's fingertips were about to touch Shinichi's neck—
Swish!
The black eyes that had been tightly shut suddenly snapped open.
Shinichi's hand shot up with startling speed and caught Tamayo's wrist with perfect accuracy.
His grip was not particularly strong, but it immediately stopped her movement.
"Shinichi-san?"
Tamayo froze at first, then surprise and relief flashed through her eyes.
"You're awake?"
Kiriya quickly stepped closer as well, his young face filled with concern and happiness.
"Shinichi-san! Thank goodness. How do you feel?"
Shinichi slowly looked around the room.
Tamayo.
Yushiro.
Kiriya Ubuyashiki.
Kanata and Kuina.
And Nezuko, still peeking out from behind Yushiro.
"I… cough…"
When Shinichi spoke, his voice sounded strangely dry.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Not very long, I think," Kiriya answered, clearly relieved. "I'm very glad you woke up. Shinobu Kocho and the other Hashira are currently fighting Muzan. The situation is extremely urgent."
Shinichi's pupils contracted slightly, as though the news genuinely surprised him.
"Who? Muzan? How could he… No. I suppose it's possible. Shōkyū…"
"Shōkyū is dead," Kiriya quickly explained. "But after his death, somehow Muzan used Shōkyū's remains to revive himself. Muzan now possesses a body that no longer fears sunlight. We're currently fighting him here on the outskirts of Yokohama. We absolutely cannot allow him to escape and endanger the rest of the world."
Shinichi fell silent for a moment.
Something seemed to shift rapidly behind his dark eyes.
Then he released Tamayo's wrist, placed one hand against the tatami, and slowly pushed himself upright.
"Shinichi-san!"
Tamayo immediately tried to stop him.
"Your injuries are still severe. The wound on your neck is still bleeding. You can't—"
Shinichi shook his head, cutting her off.
Then, in a calm voice carrying unquestionable resolve, he said, "My comrades are fighting. How can I lie here?"
"But your body…" Tamayo's voice was filled with concern. "At least let me examine you again. Your injuries could be more serious than they appear."
She reached toward him once more.
Shinichi took a step back.
"No need."
His voice was colder than before.
He raised his head and looked at Tamayo. There was something almost indifferent in his black eyes.
"I know my own injuries. My life force is still circulating. I won't die."
Tamayo froze.
She stared into Shinichi's eyes.
That gaze felt strangely unfamiliar.
She had never seen him look like this before.
'Shinichi-san was never like this.'
An inexplicable unease rose within her.
"Shinichi-san."
Kiriya had noticed something as well. He stepped forward and looked up at Shinichi.
"Are you certain you don't want to rest a little longer? If you force yourself to fight, your injuries may worsen."
Shinichi lowered his gaze to the small figure in front of him.
After a brief silence, he said, "Master, don't worry. I'll end all of this."
He then accepted the Nichirin blade handed to him by a Kakushi and walked toward the entrance, preparing to return to the battlefield where Muzan was fighting the others.
"Shinichi-san!"
Tamayo called out to him again, unable to hide the worry in her voice.
"Please, let me examine your body one more time."
Shinichi paused.
Then he turned his head slightly, his stern profile sharply outlined by the morning light.
"Don't worry, Lady Tamayo. I'm completely conscious. There's nothing wrong with my body."
With that, Shinichi did not linger any longer.
He stepped out into the sunlight.
Inside the wooden house, Tamayo remained where she stood, watching his retreating figure with a slight frown.
Yushiro came to her side and asked quietly, "Lady Tamayo, is he really all right?"
Tamayo did not answer immediately.
She simply stared at Shinichi's back.
Beneath that calm exterior, she felt as though something was hidden—something she had failed to notice.
The feeling made her uneasy, yet she could not explain exactly what it was.
Kiriya was also watching Shinichi leave, his young face thoughtful in a way that did not match his age.
After a moment of silence, he turned toward Tamayo.
"Lady Tamayo, is there something wrong with Shinichi-san's condition?"
Tamayo shook her head, then nodded, seemingly choosing her words carefully.
"There is a very subtle disharmony in Shinichi-san's presence. It's like an undercurrent beneath a calm surface. It isn't obvious, but it is definitely there."
Kiriya's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not press further.
He simply nodded.
"I understand. But right now, all we can do is trust Shinichi-san. He has never let us down."
Tamayo remained silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
"I hope you're right."