"...Is that really okay?"
"It is not okay. It is a huge problem." Hiru tossed aside the empty test tube and wiped the corner of his mouth. "Even at the very end, you couldn't leave me with a slightly better impression. I know one shouldn't refuse a gift from an elder, but how many elders torment their juniors like this?"
Yoriichi lowered his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "It seems I really am useless at everything except fighting... In the end, both you and I were saved by Tamayo-san."
"That's true. And at the very end, Aniue, you actually said you wanted to take me back to the mountains..." Hiru sighed. "If I really disappeared without a trace, Ubuyashiki would probably cry, wouldn't he?"
Yoriichi was about to say something, but Uzui and the others arrived a step behind him. They still had not lowered their guard. Uzui, holding his twin blades, was the first to speak.
"Well? Is your brother's rebellious phase cured?"
"No, that wasn't rebellion..."
"I know it's hard to raise a hand against your own brother. If you can't bring yourself to do it, leave it to us." Uzui slowly stepped forward, using his height to look down at Hiru. "Hey, demon. I heard you want to eat people. How about me?"
Hiru looked up at Uzui for a while, then could not help sighing. He turned his head away, looking utterly disgusted. "I don't eat just any junk food..."
Uzui: ...(－＂－ Angry)
Yoriichi reacted quickly and pressed down Uzui's twin blades just as they were about to rise. "Calm down, Uzui."
"Hah? Did you hear what he just said? Junk food? The God of Festivals?"
"No, Hiru didn't mean it like that..."
"Then what did he mean?! How dare a mere demon look down on me like that?"
Hiru only sighed again. "I'm going to find Shinazugawa."
Yoriichi reached out and grabbed Hiru again. "Wait, Hiru. Didn't you already decide to give up?"
"No. I won't be satisfied until I take one bite out of him." Hiru pulled his hand back and looked at Yoriichi with complete seriousness. "I've held back for so long. One bite isn't too much, is it?"
"But..." Yoriichi stopped halfway through. "Then at least restore everyone's memories first. That way, you can talk it over properly with Sanemi. Maybe Sanemi will even agree."
Hiru's expression turned strange. "What's the point of eating prey that won't resist? The fun is in the prey fighting back."
Yoriichi: ...
"No, no matter how you put it... Sigh. Then at least restore everyone else's memories first?"
"Once they see Ubuyashiki, the Blood Demon Art will naturally be lifted. There's no need for me to do anything." Hiru waved a hand. "Anyway, I'll leave this to you, Aniue. I'm going to find Shinazugawa."
Just then, a sharp whistling sound tore through the air. A massive chain flail suddenly came hurtling toward Hiru's back, but halfway there, Yoriichi caught the chain with one hand and forced it to a stop. At the same time, Hiru was blocked by the Tokito twins.
Tears fell from Himejima's eyes. "Amida-butsu... Benefactor, please do not continue down this mistaken path."
Hiru lowered his head and looked at the twins standing in his way. With a long sigh, he tucked one under each arm beneath their wary gazes, ignored their struggles, and started walking. "It's really hard to get a decent bite... Come on. Let's go to the Rengoku estate and find Ubuyashiki."
Yoriichi smiled and was just about to speak when Obanai lunged forward from the side. The twisted, serpentine blade in his hand went straight for Hiru's neck.
"You wicked demon have no right to speak of Oyakata-sama that way!"
But Hiru only looked impatient. Then, with astonishing speed, he opened his mouth and bit down on the incoming blade.
The sound of metal shattering rang out. Obanai's catlike eyes widened despite himself. The shattered blade felt like a mockery of his strength. Even so, as a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, he should...
"Iguro, calm down a little too." Yoriichi merely stepped sideways and raised his hand, using the chain in his grasp to hook Obanai. "We were not speaking ill of Oyakata-sama."
Hiru spat out the broken blade fragments from his mouth. "What terrible luck. Bitter medicine first, then blade shards... I've had enough."
"Hey, hey, old man, I'm kind of having trouble breathing. Can you let me go?"
Hiru lowered his head and looked at Muichiro, whose face still bore the Slayer Marks. "Stay still. You think I don't know what's going on in that little head of yours? Shinobu installed a mechanism in the sole of your shoe, didn't she? You're planning to attack the moment you land? Let me tell you, I'm in a very bad mood right now. If you dare cause trouble, I'll pin you down right here and spank you. Believe it or not."
Muichiro: ...How did he know?
Compared to Muichiro's confusion, Yuichiro was much calmer. "Are you planning to eat us?"
"...No. Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs. I haven't lost my mind to that extent."
Seeing that Hiru's attitude was relatively cooperative, Yuichiro was about to say something else, but another voice rang out from behind them.
"Hiru-san! Sensei! Everyone's here! That's great!"
Yuichiro strained to turn his head and saw Tanjiro running toward them with a bright smile. He finally stopped beside Hiru.
"It looks like you've calmed down too, Hiru-san. Thank goodness! To be honest, when you attacked me, I was scared to death. I thought I really would have to fight you in the end!"
"If that's what you want, I don't mind granting your wish." Hiru set down the twins, who had calmed down after seeing Tanjiro. "Take them to see Ubuyashiki. I'm going to find Shinazugawa."
"No prob. Huh?" Tanjiro tilted his head. "Why are you still going to find Shinazugawa-san? Haven't you calmed down? Back then, you said..."
Hiru raised a hand and pinched Tanjiro's cheek, stopping him from finishing. "I'll do whatever I want. You, brat, just do as I say. Stop asking so many questions... Do. You. Understand?"
Tanjiro could only mumble unclearly, "Yes... I understand. Please let go, Hiru-san. My cheek really hurts..."
Only then did Hiru release him and turn to Yoriichi. "Aniue, are you coming with me, or are you going to see Ubuyashiki first?"
"I'll go with you. I really can't stop worrying."
Hiru gave an indifferent nod. Under everyone's guarded gazes, he disappeared in an instant. Yoriichi also gave everyone an apologetic smile before withdrawing and leaving.
Now everyone's eyes landed on Tanjiro. Yuichiro was the first to speak. "What exactly happened? Didn't Oyakata-sama sacrifice himself?"
Tanjiro rubbed his reddened cheek, his smile still soothing as ever. "Oyakata-sama is at the Rengoku estate right now. The puppet plan succeeded. Oyakata-sama is completely fine!"
"Um! Oyakata-sama is at my house?" Kyojuro stroked his chin. "I have absolutely no memory of this! Kamado boy, is what you said true?"
"Yes. Actually, your memories were altered by Hiru-san after you all agreed to it. Oyakata-sama was there at the time too. I don't understand why Hiru-san wants me to take you to Oyakata-sama now, but once you see him, I'm sure the unease and anxiety in your hearts will settle down."
"That demon. That guy named Hiru. We're just going to leave him alone?" Uzui frowned deeply. "He openly said he was going to eat someone."
"With Sensei there, it'll be fine. Sensei may not be able to attack Hiru-san, but if Hiru-san really tries to hurt someone, Sensei will definitely stop him. Everyone, please don't worry! I'm sure Sensei and the others will be back not long after we arrive at the Rengoku estate!"