"A demon who has eaten humans does not deserve redemption."
Hiru's indifferent voice fell like a hammer. It struck Muichiro squarely in the chest.
He froze for a long moment before slowly lowering his head and sitting back down. He fell completely silent. Only the faint tremor in his eyes betrayed the storm raging inside him.
What is Hiru saying? A demon who has eaten people? Who? Big Big Brother?
But Big Big Brother is gentle. He restrains himself. How could he have eaten people? That has to be a lie. How could that be true?
Yuichiro was just as shaken. But unlike Muichiro, his fear was not disbelief—it was dread. The mere thought of Muichiro being killed by a demon made his entire body tremble.
He wanted to ask when they would deal with that man-eating demon. But faced with Yoriichi and Hiru, the words would not leave his mouth.
Instead, Muichiro stepped forward and grabbed Hiru's sleeve.
"Hey, Hiru…"
"Mm?"
Muichiro lifted his head and stared straight at him, forcing a smile. It looked fragile, as if it might shatter at the slightest touch.
"This is a joke too, right? You really scared me."
Hiru saw the redness gathering in Muichiro's eyes and sighed. He reached out and rested a hand on Muichiro's head.
"Muichiro, you have to understand. Some things happen even if you never witness them.
"I don't want to believe it either. I wish I could say it's just a misunderstanding. But I'm not lying to you."
Muichiro's pupils dilated, then contracted. He staggered back a step and raised his arm to cover his eyes, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
"How could that be? Big Big Brother is such a good person… And if he ate people, wouldn't there have been reports of disappearances? But no one has been hurt. Hiru, you're lying to me, right?"
Hiru said nothing. He only gently guided Muichiro toward Yuichiro.
After a brief silence, he turned to Yoriichi.
"Since you're not ready yet, I'll handle it this time. But no matter how long we delay, once Muzan is dealt with, we'll have to face this. I hope you won't avoid it then. If you truly can't bring yourself to do it, restrain Big Brother for me. I'll finish it."
Yoriichi remained silent for a long moment before giving the faintest nod.
"Mm… I'll leave it to you."
Yuichiro patted Muichiro's back as his younger brother cried soundlessly, unsure of what to say.
When he looked up at Yoriichi, he saw that even this seemingly invincible swordsman had his lips pressed tight and his jaw set rigid.
"Yoriichi…"
"Mm?"
Yoriichi seemed to return to himself and offered a gentle smile.
"Did we frighten you? I'm sorry. We intended to handle this privately."
Yuichiro shook his head slightly.
"That's not it. Will Hiru be all right going alone?"
"He'll be fine. Hiru is stronger than I am."
Seeing Yuichiro's confusion, Yoriichi reached out and ruffled his hair.
"You must understand. Many people focus only on strength, but a person's true power is not measured by that alone."
Yuichiro nodded, only half understanding.
"Then what should we do next? You and Hiru won't be staying long, right? Didn't you say the investigation has reached a critical stage?"
"Yes… that's true."
Yoriichi ran his fingers lightly along his scabbard.
"But we cannot ignore this place either. I've begun to recognize certain patterns in that demon's Blood Demon Art. What remains is further analysis and deduction. I'll stay here a few more days until things are settled."
Yuichiro still felt uneasy, but he forced himself to push it aside and threw himself into training.
He knew the root of his fear.
He was afraid of losing someone precious.
Afraid of being unable to protect Muichiro—just as he had felt that same panic and self-reproach when Muichiro was injured by one of the Twelve Kizuki.
It was weakness.
So he had to grow stronger.
If he could become strong enough to eliminate every threat—
If Muichiro could remain safe—
That would be enough.
…
Meanwhile, Hiru found Kokushibo seated in meditation inside the cave.
Before he could speak, Kokushibo spoke first.
"Yuichiro wrote to you and Yoriichi."
Though phrased like a question, his tone left no doubt.
Hiru nodded.
"What does Big Brother intend this time?"
"Merely offering some guidance to the next generation."
Kokushibo looked at him.
"Where is Yoriichi? Why has he not come?"
"You know him," Hiru sighed as he stepped inside. "So capable, yet always soft-hearted…"
His gaze swept across the neatly arranged belongings within the cave. It paused briefly on a broken wooden flute resting on folded cloth. Then he looked away.
"Muichiro is likable, isn't he? Cheerful. Warm. A good child."
"…Mm."
Hiru sat opposite him.
"I told him about you. He refused to believe it. He must care for you deeply. His expression looked almost the same as yours when you saw me alive. I suppose some traits run strongly in this family."
"Mm. It was right to tell him."
Kokushibo lowered his eyes to the blade resting across his knees.
"What needed to be taught has been taught. If something happens now, that will be his fate."
"He's not weak," Hiru said lightly. "With the Upper Moons occupied, the Lower Moons are little more than placeholders. They're no match for him.
"But to be honest, with those two children nearby, I can't feel at ease with you staying here."
Kokushibo finally lifted his gaze, though he did not speak.
"Yoriichi is fully focused on locating the Infinity Castle. I'll soon be working with others to draw out an Upper Moon. We don't have the resources to keep an eye on this place as well.
"So can I ask you to move elsewhere?"
Kokushibo was silent for a moment.
"I will not leave. Nor will I harm the people of that river valley. You have my word."
"And the swordsmen nearby?"
Hiru rested his chin on his hand.
"I don't want rumors spreading about a man-eating demon attacking swordsmen in this area. I already have enough problems."
Kokushibo lowered his eyes again.
"In this world, aside from Yoriichi and Muzan, there is no one worthy of my blade. If there is no one worthy of battle, there is nothing worth devouring."
"Only those worthy of battle, hm… That does sound like you."
Hiru stood.
"Then we have an agreement?"
"Naturally."
Kokushibo closed his eyes.
Hiru remained there in silence for a long moment before turning to leave.
His voice stayed calm.
"Then I hope you won't break your word again this time.
"Big Brother… some things only need to be done once."