"Huh? Am I seeing things? Is that... is that the Forest Hashira?!" The young Demon Slayer widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at the figure as if afraid her vision was playing tricks.
She even rubbed her eyes vigorously just to be sure.
But as Shinichi's figure grew clearer, the young Demon Slayer immediately jumped to her feet in excitement, tugging at her companion beside her.
"Tachibana, Tachibana! Look, it's really the Forest Hashira! The Forest Hashira has returned!"
The orange-haired female Demon Slayer she was tugging at blinked groggily, pouting as she reluctantly stood up, muttering.
"What's the big deal? I'm upset enough as it is. Both the Forest Hashira and the Insect Hashira have gone missing—it's just unacceptable."
"No! Tachibana, look! That's the Forest Hashira! Look!"
Seeing that Fuyuki Tachibana wasn't paying attention, the young Demon Slayer grew frantic.
She grabbed Tachibana's head and forcibly turned her gaze in the right direction.
"Look! Hey—! Tachibana, what are you doing?!"
"Ahhh!! It's the Forest Hashira!!!"
The moment Fuyuki Tachibana caught sight of Shinichi, she broke free from her friend's grip and practically launched herself toward him.
As Shinichi stepped into the Demon Slayer Corps' resting estate, his appearance immediately drew the attention of the outermost Demon Slayers.
At a time when morale was at its lowest, the return of one of the Corps' central figures, Shinichi, brought a glimmer of hope to the disheartened ranks.
As for the rumor—that the Forest Hashira was a Demon?
Who cared about that!
Anyone who truly believed the Forest Hashira was a Demon was either stupid or malicious!
Wasn't there already that eccentric guy in the Corps who could gain some Demon-like power by biting Demons?
Was it really so strange for the Forest Hashira to have some unique abilities?
"Forest Hashira! You're back!"
"Wow, Forest Hashira, your eyes have changed color!"
"Forest Hashira's presence feels so warm now."
The Demon Slayers who gathered around bombarded Shinichi with questions and greetings, their eyes filled with the same respect and concern as always.
As Shinichi looked at the young, excited faces before him, an indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
If he had to put it into words, his resolve to protect the entire Demon Slayer Corps had only grown stronger.
Once, the Demon blood within him and the life energy of the forest had intertwined, making Shinichi the most unique Hashira with a Demon's body.
Yet, under the influence of the Demon blood, he had never been able to experience emotions the same way as ordinary people.
The inherent savagery and bloodlust in demon blood didn't make Shinichi cold, cruel, or arrogant, but it subtly influenced his demeanor, sometimes causing him to unconsciously exude an aloof or unapproachable aura.
Now, after being cleansed by the power of vitality, Shinichi's gaze upon the world had grown gentler.
Though burdened with heavy thoughts, Shinichi showed none of it.
Responding to the greetings from Demon Slayers, he offered warm smiles and did his best to acknowledge each one.
"It's me, I'm back... Thank you all for your concern... The mission of the Demon Slayer Corps certainly isn't over... Your efforts are truly remarkable, I believe... Ah, you must be Miss Tachibana, right? I know, Yuichiro has told me many stories about you..."
Fuyuki Tachibana covered the top of her head where Shinichi had just patted her, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice trembling.
"Wah~ Forest Hashira-sama has become so, so gentle, just like Insect Hashira-sama! Waaah, why isn't Insect Hashira-sama here? Waaah~"
Her companion standing beside her shook her head helplessly and exasperatedly.
"What a strange girl. If you want to fall in love, can't you find someone yourself? Why must you fixate on all the Hashira?"
"Idiot Natsuko, you don't understand anything!"
....
"Master!"
Thud!
The moment Shinichi stepped into the room where the Hashiras had gathered, a figure threw themself into his arms.
The black-haired boy clung desperately to Shinichi's clothes, weeping openly like a child who had made a terrible mistake, pouring out his grievances before his parents.
"I-I'm sorry, Master... Sniff... It's all... my fault... I, I didn't... protect... Shinobu-san..." Tokito Yuichiro choked out between sobs.
His fragile appearance moved the other Hashira in the room deeply.
It was then that everyone realized—the so-called Maple Hashira was just a fourteen-year-old boy.
"Wah~ I want to cry too, but... but Rengoku-sensei said that after becoming a Hashira, we must be strong! But... Yuichiro is really so pitiful."
The emotional Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri, covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.
Shinazugawa Sanemi gritted his teeth, glancing uncomfortably at Kanae's usual spot.
Fortunately, Kanae wasn't here today—otherwise, this scene would surely have reopened her wounds.
Among the present Hashiras, aside from Kanae, Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen had been severely injured in the Red-light District battle and was still undergoing treatment at the Moriki Conglomerate.
Stone Hashira Himejima Gyoumei had taken Water Hashira Tomioka Giyuu, Wave Hashira Sabito, and some Demon Slayers to assist the Swordsmith Village with relocation.
If the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters had been exposed, the village's location was likely no longer safe either.
Meanwhile, Mist Hashira Tokito Yuichiro had yet to return from his mission.
In fact, the boy might not even know what had happened to his master.
The remaining Hashira had gathered at the Moriki Conglomerate's estate.
Gently stroking Yuichiro's head as the boy clung to him, Shinichi said softly.
"It's alright, Yuichiro. Your master doesn't blame you. You've done very well."
Yuichiro's tears flowed even harder as he shook his head desperately, his voice choked and broken.
"No... Master... I... I couldn't... I couldn't protect Shinobu-san! I watched helplessly... I was too weak... I couldn't do anything! I... I failed your trust! And I failed Shinobu-san too!"
"Yuichiro," Shinichi's voice was low and firm as he gently lifted Yuichiro's head, gazing into those guilt-ridden, tear-filled eyes.
"Strength was never meant to be shackles for self-reproach. And protection was never a promise that demanded perfection."
"Remember your name, Yuichiro. I see the 'Yu' in you." Shinichi's voice carried a barely detectable hoarseness, yet it was crystal clear.
"You 'have' a heart that burns hotter than anyone's to protect your comrades. Guilt and pain are proof that you're alive. But don't let them crush that protective heart of yours. As the Maple Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, you must be like maple leaves—not withering in sorrow, but burning even fiercer for the sake of protection."
Shinichi slowly withdrew his hand, his gaze still gentle yet unwavering as it remained fixed on Yuichiro.
"Your path is still long, and your maple fire has only just begun to burn. Your master will always be by your side, watching over you... protecting you... just as you've strived to protect others."
"Master..." Yuichiro could no longer hold back, bursting into tears once more.
But this time, it wasn't the muffled, despairing sobs from before—it was a complete outpouring of all his pain, anguish, guilt, and the faint rekindled hope, all transformed into scalding tears.
"Waaah! I—I can't take it, Shinichi-senpai and Yuichiro are just too moving!" Mitsuri's tears were unstoppable now, while a somewhat shadowy figure quietly approached and silently offered a handkerchief at just the right moment.
...
"Shinichi, you've finally returned."
"Oyakata-sama, I apologize for worrying you."
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