"Yamada."
A soft voice sounded from below the boulder.
Yamada looked down.
Shinobu stood there, the morning light sprinkling on her hair, plating it with a soft layer of pale gold.
She looked up, her purple eyes reflecting his figure—clear, tranquil, and no longer containing the deep-seated sorrow of the past.
She opened her arms and flashed an extremely bright smile at him.
Yamada chuckled, leaped down from the boulder, landed in her arms, and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
"Are you hurt?" Shinobu buried her face in his chest, listening to that strong and powerful heartbeat, greedily breathing in the faint, cool scent on him.
"With just those few pieces of trash, they couldn't even touch the edge of my clothes."
Yamada stroked her long hair like smoothing fur. "But you, you can finally live without carrying the burden of hatred."
"Yeah." Shinobu nodded heavily, her voice filled with relief. "My sister's grudge, I've finally avenged it."
The scene of the two embracing appeared exceptionally quiet in this scarred yet hope-filled wilderness.
Not far away, the Hashira, having composed their emotions, supported each other as they walked over.
Kagaya, walking at the front accompanied by Amane, passed through the rubble scattered everywhere.
Looking at the bottomless canyon before him and the completely dissipated aura of demons, he felt his eyes redden slightly.
"Yamada-sama."
Kagaya stopped, solemnly straightened his collar, and led all the Hashira and Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen behind him to kneel on one knee toward Yamada.
Swish.
The sound of fabric rubbing was uniform.
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and even the usually most defiant Sanemi, all willingly lowered their heads at this moment.
"The thousand-year curse is completely severed today."
Kagaya's voice carried far in the morning breeze, resonant and powerful. "From now on, there will be no more demons in the world. On behalf of all living beings, the Demon Slayer Corps thanks you for your grace in saving the world."
"Thank you for your grace in saving the world!"
The deafening collective shout echoed through the skies and resonated within the canyon for a long time.
Yamada released Shinobu from his embrace and turned to look at this group of scarred yet reborn swordsmen. He didn't go to help them up, because he knew this was a necessary ritual for them to vent their emotions and express their faith.
"A title like 'Savior' sounds too tacky, and I have no interest in being one."
Yamada had his hands in his pockets, his tone still that same lazy and casual one. "I just happened to clean up a few pieces of trash blocking the way. Since Muzan is dead, the mission of your Demon Slayer Corps is over. Disband if you should, do whatever you want."
He walked up to Tanjiro. "Especially you. Take your sister back to your hometown and go back to burning charcoal. Don't come out and headbutt people anymore."
"Yes! Yamada-san!" Tanjiro looked up, his face covered in a bright, silly grin.
Yamada turned his gaze to Kagaya. "The severance pay after the Demon Slayer Corps disbands... Your Ubuyashiki Family is wealthy and powerful, you should be able to afford it, right?"
Kagaya nodded with a smile. "Naturally. Every swordsman will receive enough wealth to spend the rest of their lives in peace."
"That's good then. We've been at it all night. Everyone disperse, it's time to go back and eat breakfast."
Yamada waved his hand, turned to take Shinobu's hand, and walked toward the way back without any lingering attachment.
Shinobu walked side-by-side with him, feeling the warmth from his palm, and asked softly, "The Demon Slayer Corps is disbanded, and there won't be any more demons. What are your plans? Will you stay at the Butterfly Mansion forever?"
She knew Yamada's origins were mysterious, and that power beyond common sense definitely didn't belong to this era. She had a faint intuition that this man would sooner or later go to a higher, further place.
Yamada didn't stop, he just slightly turned his head to look at her.
"I've already turned this world upside down, there's no prey left worth lingering for."
His words made Shinobu's heart skip a beat, and her hand holding his tightened involuntarily.
Sensing her nervousness, the smile at the corners of Yamada's lips deepened.
He stopped, interlaced his fingers with hers, and pressed the faint diamond-shaped starlight mark in his palm against the back of her hand.
"So I plan to change worlds and go play somewhere else."
Yamada leaned close to her ear, his voice low and full of temptation. "I just got a private island floating in the starry sky. The climate is decided by me, and there will never be outsiders to disturb us. As my exclusive personal doctor and cook..."
He paused, his gaze becoming burning and domineering.
"Do you want to come with me?"
Shinobu's eyes widened.
Go to another world? An island floating in the starry sky?
If these words came from someone else's mouth, she would definitely think they were crazy. But coming from Yamada, she didn't doubt him at all.
Looking at the seriousness in Yamada's eyes, a surge of unprecedented excitement rose in Shinobu's heart. She didn't hesitate for a second.
"I am your exclusive doctor. If you die out there, who will collect your body?"
She raised her chin, her smile like a flower, and gripped his hand back.
"Wherever you go, I go."
Yamada burst out laughing.
He swept Shinobu up in a princess carry, and amidst her caught-off-guard cry, he strode toward the distance.
A new journey has only just begun.