A cold sensation.
This was Giyu Tomioka's first perception after regaining consciousness.
A white tide... the sensation of throwing Zoro away... and then complete coldness and darkness.
Then, memories from long, long ago began to flood his mind.
On that day, his older sister hid him, allowing him to narrowly escape the demon's attack, but the final result was the loss of all his family, including his sister.
And that night, it was the final selection to join the Demon Slayer Corps, on Mount Fujikasane. He was merely protected by his companion, Sabito, and passed the selection without killing a single demon. But in the end, he received news of Sabito's passing.
In a blink, the scene before him seemed to return to that dark night, like Mount Fujikasane all those years ago.
...Tomioka?
A gentle and familiar voice softly called his name.
Two figures slowly emerged from the purple floral mist that covered the mountain, their outlines gradually becoming clearer from a blur.
One was a young man wearing a fox mask with a scar drawn at the corner of its mouth, a sword at his waist. The other was a woman in a kimono, her eyes as gentle as water.
Tomioka's pupils contracted slightly. Even across many years, he recognized them instantly.
Sabito...? Tsutako-nee-san...?
His voice was a little dry, with a tremor of disbelief. This wasn't reality, he knew that much.
Was it a dream? Or a hallucination before death?
It's been a long time, Tomioka.
Sabito's voice was as cheerful as ever. He lifted his hand to remove his mask, revealing a radiant, sunny smile underneath. How have you been?
Tsutako Tomioka just smiled gently, her gaze softly fixed on him.
How have you been?
Tomioka fell silent for a moment, countless images surging through his mind. Ultimately, the brutal battles against Kibutsuji Muzan and the Upper Ranks in the Infinity Castle took precedence.
Sister! Sabito!
He spoke a little faster, I found... the most suitable person to be the Water Hashira. His name is Tanjiro Kamado.
Tomioka paused, his tone becoming more solemn: We went through the final battle with Muzan. And in the end... it was him! He defeated Muzan!
Oh, oh! Muzan was defeated!
Sabito's eyes instantly lit up. He slapped his thigh hard, an excited expression appearing on his face.
That's wonderful! This is truly... wonderful! This way, people in the world won't have to fear demon attacks anymore! That Tanjiro is truly amazing!
Tsutako also smiled with relief, nodding gently.
But her gaze remained gently on Tomioka's face, and she asked softly, Hmm, this is indeed a great cause for joy. However, Tomioka, we were asking about you. How have you been doing yourself recently?
Recently?
Tomioka froze. The decisive battle with Muzan seemed to have passed some time ago. What happened after that?
I... recently, he organized his thoughts, his brow unconsciously furrowing slightly, for some reason, came to a place I've never seen before. To find a way back... I boarded a pirate ship.
He seemed worried about something, so he instinctively added, However, they shouldn't be bad people. Although... they call themselves pirates.
Pirates? Wow!
Sabito showed an expression of great interest, stroking his chin. Sounds pretty cool! I've never been out to sea! You must have a lot of powerful companions now, right?
Companions...?
The word made Tomioka pause. He shook his head slightly, Companions? I am not their companion. I am merely temporarily traveling on their ship, looking for a way home.
But he couldn't help but start listing them one by one, his tone calm, yet unusually meticulous:
There's a Captain on the ship, his name is Luffy. He seems to have endless energy every day, always noisy but sometimes very reliable.
There's a swordsman who uses three swords, his name is Zoro. He trains very hard every day, but... he gets lost very easily.
There's also a navigator named Nami. She's very capable, she can read the weather and direct the navigation. But she seems to prefer treasure more.
And... a very talkative sea warrior? Named Usopp. And a chef who cooks very well, named Sanji.
These past few days, a princess named Vivi has also temporarily joined the ship. Her country is in crisis and she needs to return quickly. Oh, she also brought a very large duck.
He described them almost non-stop, only realizing how much he had said after he finished.
Tsutako looked at him, her smile growing even gentler, her eyes sparkling with understanding: It sounds like you've met a lot of interesting people on this ship. It seems you've been... very happy, Tomioka.
Sabito also leaned in, playfully nudging him with his elbow: Yeah, yeah! You've said so much! Tomioka, it's rare to see you talk about others like this!
Happy...?
Me?
A trace of confusion and self-doubt appeared on Tomioka's face, and he almost instinctively retorted, I'm not...
But the noisy memories from the ship were crashing against his heart. He paused, then changed his mind with some uncertainty, No... it seems... a little...
What about today?
Sabito sat cross-legged, his fox mask on his lap, looking up at him, his tone becoming a little more serious, What happened today?
Today... in that jungle, he made up his mind, cut and injured that agent with a single strike, and then watched the white tide surge in. He rushed out and threw Zoro to safety... I... it seems, I already...
Tomioka's voice dropped, In today's battle...
Hey, hey, hey! Don't give me such disheartening talk!
Sabito suddenly jumped up, interrupting him impatiently, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
You are the man who inherited the title of Water Hashira! How could you be defeated so easily? You are a swordsman who even defeated Kibutsuji Muzan!
Water Hashira...
Tomioka lowered his head, avoiding Sabito's gaze, and the familiar words slipped out, I am not. I am just... an impostor.
What foolishness are you talking about!!
Sabito's voice rose, carrying genuine anger. He suddenly rushed over and punched Tomioka on the head.
You are the Water Hashira! The only Water Hashira! You are the one who developed the Eleventh Form! You are the one who fought to the very end! No one deserves this title more than you! Stand tall, Giyu Tomioka!
Tsutako, watching Sabito scolding Tomioka, couldn't help but raise her hand to lightly cover her mouth and smile.
Tomioka clutched his head, staring blankly at the agitated Sabito, You... how do you know...
Just then.
Crack... a subtle yet clear sound of cracking, not from this Mount Fujikasane, but seemingly from a very distant place.
At the same time, a faint and somewhat startled cry also came.
Sabito and Tsutako's expressions changed slightly almost simultaneously. They stopped explaining, their gazes turning in unison behind Tomioka.
Tomioka instinctively looked back.
Behind them, a crack had appeared in space at some point. Dazzling white light surged from the crack and began to rapidly expand.
Within that white light, a white waxy surface could be vaguely seen, as well as the face of a man wearing glasses!
Enough talk! Tomioka!
Sabito's expression became serious. He shouted loudly, Your companions! They are still in great danger, aren't they?! This time, it's your turn to protect everyone!
His older sister Tsutako looked at Tomioka gently yet firmly and said, Go for it, Tomioka.
You...
Tomioka's words were unfinished. Sabito and Tsutako exchanged a smile, then simultaneously reached out, grabbed his shoulders, turned him towards the growing crack of light, and then pushed him forward without hesitation!
Go!
Tomioka stumbled, plunging into the white light!
...His deep blue eyes slowly opened. Giyu Tomioka noticed Nami and Vivi beside him, and that he himself was trapped on a giant cake made of white wax liquid.
Then his cold gaze fell upon the man in front of him, wearing a pair of glasses, and he slowly spoke:
Are you...
Ready...
To fall?