Yoriichi noticed Uzui staring at him with an expression of utter disbelief.
"Long time no see, Uzui."
"Hm… So, are you two having a disagreement?" Uzui rubbed his chin. "This is the first time I've ever seen Hiru look so guilty in front of you."
"…You're the guilty one." Hiru clicked his tongue and turned his head away. "And I'm not having a falling-out with my brother."
"But if you weren't feeling guilty, why were you just trying to muddle through it with Yoriichi?" Uzui said, ignoring Hiru's reaction as he looked back at Yoriichi. "Seriously, you gave me quite a scare."
"Hm?"
"Never thought someone with such thick eyebrows and honest-looking eyes like you would be so good at handling people," Uzui marveled. "Looks like I need to reassess you."
"If it were you, Uzui, Hiru would give in as well," Yoriichi said with a smile. "As long as you soften your attitude and aren't standing on the opposite side, Hiru can't do anything to you."
"That's the first time I've heard that—learned something new! Next time I'll—"
"Try pulling something that disgusting on me and I'll kill you."
"Hey—Yoriichi, look at your little brother."
"Hiru."
Hiru clicked his tongue again and turned away, his gaze settling on the girl standing beside Himejima.
"Looks like there's a newcomer this time as well."
Yoriichi followed his line of sight and smiled.
"Yes. Kanae is a talented child who also works very hard. What she's achieved so far is only natural."
"Kanae? That's the newcomer's name?" Uzui stroked his chin. "Sounds pretty flashy… Those are the hips of someone born smoothly. She'll make a fine woman."
The moment the words left his mouth, Uzui was met with two looks of utter disbelief. He glanced between Yoriichi and Hiru.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
Yoriichi's face was hidden behind his mask, making his expression impossible to read, but his voice carried clear disapproval.
"Uzui… this is your first meeting. How can you comment on a woman like that?"
Hiru didn't bother to hide his disgust.
"Saying something like that to a woman you've never even spoken to—what a vulgar bastard."
"Your weird brotherly synchronization is way more disgusting!" Uzui snapped back. "What era are we in for you to still have such old-fashioned ideas? That's not flashy at all!"
"There's no way behavior like that could ever be flashy!"
"Uzui… you already have three wives…"
Uzui, who had been about to retort, immediately choked on his words.
[Well played. As expected of someone even flashier than me—always striking right at the core.]
"Sorry I'm late!" Sabito called out as he looked around, waving toward Tomioka standing in the corner. "Didn't expect to be the last one—kind of embarrassing, haha!"
"Oh? Sabito?" Uzui straightened and raised a hand in greeting. "So, did you run into any interesting demons this year?"
"If I had to name one, I encountered a demon with a Blood Demon Art in Akita," Sabito said as he walked over. "But I let him escape."
That immediately drew not only Uzui's attention, but also that of the other Hashira nearby, who gathered around them.
"Amida-butsu… would you mind explaining in detail?"
Sabito nodded as he looked at the crowd.
"It happened in Ugo Town in Akita. When I arrived, the demon was about to eat someone, so I rushed in without thinking. I managed to save the person, but I was hit by his Blood Demon Art.
"The attack itself caused no pain, but it disrupted my body's coordination. For example, when I wanted to move forward, my body would move backward. When I tried to jump, I ended up doing a backflip instead…
"Just figuring out which senses were affected while dodging his attacks was already exhausting enough."
"That does sound troublesome," Hiru said, looking at Sabito.
"What happened after that?"
"It dragged on too long, and he got away," Sabito sighed. "I don't even know if he's gone into hiding—I searched the surrounding area for days and couldn't find him."
"A Blood Demon Art that causes sensory disorientation… that's a troublesome demon indeed." Kanae frowned.
"I've heard there's a six-month assessment period. How about I go help you search later, Sabito?"
"Haha, you're asking me to take along a newcomer?" Sabito laughed. "Last time it was Giyu—if it's me again, the others will get jealous."
The Hashira all smiled amicably at that.
After the laughter died down, Yoriichi spoke.
"Akita in the northeastern region… I was already planning to ask the Oyakata-sama to adjust my jurisdiction to Hokkaido. I also need to conduct special training for Hiru. Since it borders the Northeast, why not assign both regions to me?"
"Eh? Wouldn't that be too much?" Sabito looked worried.
"With only half a year, covering Hokkaido and the entire Northeast is an enormous patrol area."
Tomioka glanced at Sabito, his expression serious.
"Brother Yoriichi is strong."
"But even the strongest have their limits," Kanae said, also looking at Yoriichi with concern.
"Wouldn't that be too much of a burden on your body?"
"I'll only conduct broad patrols, focusing on slaying as many demons as possible rather than detailed searches," Yoriichi said with a slight shake of his head.
"Besides, Hiru will be helping me."
"Right. After watching the Mount Fujikasane selection, I'll head to my brother's territory," Hiru said, rubbing his chin.
"If that demon is still in the area, it's as good as dead. But with such a troublesome Blood Demon Art, it must be a strong one, right? Not one of the Twelve Kizuki?"
"I didn't see any numbers in his eyes," Sabito shook his head.
"Teacher Urokodaki once said that some demons don't challenge the Lower Moons. Instead, they accumulate strength to challenge the Upper Moons directly. That demon is probably thinking along those lines."
Uzui's expression also turned serious.
"Then, Sabito—how strong do you think he is?"
"If you include his Blood Demon Art, even the Lower Moon I fought last time wouldn't be able to beat him," Sabito said.
"But without that technique, his combat ability is practically nonexistent—any swordsman who passed the selection could kill him."
He sighed again.
"If I had to compare, he actually feels a lot like Hiru."
"When you put it that way… yeah, there is a resemblance. Still, Hiru is way flashier than that demon!"
"Yes, very similar."
"Amida-butsu… given what Yoriichi just said, this would be a good opportunity for Hiru to gain more experience."
"That's exactly what I intend," Yoriichi replied.
"That way, even when I'm not nearby, I can feel a little more at ease."
"Yoriichi-kun really is a wonderful older brother."
"…Wait, how am I similar?"
"One relies entirely on Blood Demon Art with no combat ability," Tomioka said calmly.
"The other can wield a Bright Red Nichirin Sword but has no swordsmanship whatsoever. Very similar."
As the others broke into laughter again, Hiru's mouth twitched.
[First of all, I didn't provoke a single one of you.]