"I… am destined to meet my end as a demon."
"How could this be…" Muichiro sniffled, his voice thick with tears. "There has to be a way to turn back into a human, right?"
Hiru only gave a helpless smile.
"I'm sorry. I'd like to die as a human too, but it seems that won't be possible."
"I don't believe it." Iguro's eyes were filled with suspicion. "In the end, I simply can't trust demons. Even if we tried to kill you, you'd fight back, wouldn't you? Becoming a demon is about survival. Humans and demons can't build trust."
"Do you really think Hiru is that kind of person, Iguro-kun?" Kanae's emotions began to rise. "Even as a demon, he has always restrained himself and continued helping humans. And Yoriichi—haven't we all received his teachings without reservation? We share the same enemy—"
Iguro remained completely unmoved.
"What they do and what they are are two different things," he said coldly. "Isn't the fundamental goal of the Demon Slayer Corps to eliminate the Demon King Muzan—the one who turns humans into demons?"
"From Yoriichi's situation, it's clear he also has the ability to turn humans into demons. Wouldn't that make him a Demon King as well? It makes no sense for us to cry out for Muzan's death yet hold back against him just because of personal ties."
"And when the final battle comes, who can guarantee they won't betray us? Even if Muzan is defeated and our common enemy disappears, what if they refuse to vanish afterward? What will you do then?"
Kanae was about to refute him, but Hiru spoke first.
"Yes, his concerns are valid," he said calmly. "I am indeed a Primordial Demon like Muzan. So if you cannot trust me, I have no problem dying here today."
"Hiru, what are you saying?!" Kanae rarely showed anger, but now fury was written clearly across her face. "Even if you stand on the opposing side, you cannot treat your own life so lightly! If you do something like that, how do you think Yuichiro and Muichiro—those two children—will feel?!"
"But if I willingly die, wouldn't that put everyone's mind at ease?" he replied calmly, meeting her gaze. "It would be for the sake of more people. If necessary, I can even erase their memories of me…"
"To walk into their lives and then leave under the excuse of 'for the sake of more people,' even taking those precious memories away—do you really think that makes you selfless, Hiru?!" Kanae's voice shook with anger. "That isn't selflessness at all. It's completely selfish!"
It was the first time Shinobu had ever seen her older sister truly lose her temper.
From childhood until now, Kanae's face had always carried a gentle smile. Even when confronted by demons who hurled vicious insults, she would only show pity.
But now, an unimaginable fury radiated from her.
"Even if you say such heartless things because you see Yuichiro and Muichiro as your children, making decisions from a parent's perspective 'for their own good,' you should at least consider Yoriichi's feelings!" Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably. "Haven't you brothers supported each other for hundreds of years?"
"But what did you mean by what you just said?! Are you trying to push all the responsibility onto Yoriichi so you can escape from it all and find relief for yourself?!"
Hiru looked momentarily stunned.
"No, that's not what I meant…" he said quickly. "I was only thinking that if I willingly accepted death, you would understand the determination my brother and I share, and then—"
"Then why are you ignoring Yoriichi's feelings like this?" Kanae interrupted sharply. "Can't you feel even a trace of his sorrow and struggle?!"
"No, I—"
"Shut up, you idiot who can't even consider other people's feelings!"
Facing Kanae's blazing anger, Hiru—who had been completely calm moments earlier—instantly lost his composure. His back straightened unconsciously, making him look strangely obedient.
Kanae let out a long breath before turning apologetically toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had remained seated on the tatami the entire time.
"My apologies, Oyakata-sama. I spoke out of turn."
"No, that was quite a spirited speech," Kagaya replied with a gentle smile. "At times, I also feel the urge to scold him like that."
Kanae knelt down again, her voice returning to its usual calmness.
"Yoriichi, please say something too. Will you really remain silent like this?"
"…Thank you."
Kanae hadn't expected to hear those words from him. She blinked in surprise.
But he said nothing more and fell silent again.
By now, Muichiro had calmed down somewhat as well. He knelt once more, though his voice was still choked with emotion.
"Why does there always have to be a sacrifice…? Can't everyone just stay together like before?"
"Even if we let this slide today, what about the problems that may arise in the future?" Iguro ignored Kanae's glare, his tone as sharp as ever. "He admitted it himself."
"With strength, of course."
The deep voice made everyone turn toward Uzui.
The former shinobi Hashira had picked up his Nichirin Blade again and was calmly wrapping the bandages around it.
"But the only person here who actually has the power to decide this matter is Yoriichi. From the beginning, this situation has been a dead end," he said evenly. "Other than learning their true identities, there's nothing we can actually enforce."
Only then did everyone realize the truth.
With Yoriichi's overwhelming strength—so great that no one could even hope to match it—no matter what conclusion they reached through discussion, they had no way to force him to accept it if he refused.
Kanae let out a visible sigh of relief.
But she still looked toward him, worry deepening in her eyes.
He remained silent, offering no response.
"My brother will not intervene. We agreed on that before this meeting," Hiru said, sitting upright. "However, I hope the consequences of today's outcome will fall on me alone."
"I understand Muzan's strength. Even if you risk your lives, you would never defeat him. So my brother will remain until that time, waiting until—"
Uzui tilted his head slightly and slung the sword onto his back.
"And then what?" he asked bluntly. "After you die, you leave behind a Yoriichi who's lost the one thing anchoring him—and might turn around and cut us down at any moment?"
Hiru stared at him.
"…What kind of nonsense are you talking about?" he said sharply. "How could my brother possibly do something like that? Watch your tone."
"You're the one who should watch your tone," Uzui replied coolly. "Out of everyone here today, you're the one being the most disrespectful to Yoriichi."
He raised a hand and pointed directly at Hiru.
"You know nothing about martial arts, so you have no idea how terrifying Yoriichi's strength truly is. That's why you can casually talk about sacrificing yourself and leaving him behind to put everyone at ease. That's nothing but irresponsible nonsense."
"Amida-butsu…"
Himejima Gyomei pressed his palms together. Between his thumb and index finger hung a string of cracked Buddhist prayer beads.
Tears streamed down his face as he gently rested his forehead against his finger.
"It seems… what I sensed earlier was not merely an illusion."