After Ubuyashiki confirmed the method for using the Bright Red Nichirin Sword and finished announcing the new Hashira, Hiru immediately requested to leave. Even if he had joined the Demon Slayer Corps, he still held no fondness for the Hashira Meeting.
In fact, if he had never met Rengoku Tetsushiro, Hiru would never have agreed to join the Corps at all—reasonable as the Ubuyashiki clan might be.
When he left, he didn't allow a Kakushi to guide him, claiming he wanted to wander on his own.
For any swordsman who set foot in the Corps' headquarters, the Kakushi always showed the utmost respect.
"Understood. I won't disturb you. If you need anything, please call for us!"
"Alright. Thank you."
"Not at all!" The unnamed Kakushi grew even more excited. "Although it's never been explicitly stated… any swordsman able to reach headquarters has the potential to become a Hashira!"
"Hm… then I have a question for you…"
"Yes?"
"Have you ever seen a Hashira who can't use the Breathing Styles?"
The Kakushi: …?
"No need to follow me. I'll walk alone." Hiru waved dismissively and left the bewildered Kakushi behind.
It wasn't as if he had never tried learning the Breathing Styles. He had attempted all five foundational forms—Wind, Water, Stone, Flame, and Lightning.
And yet he still couldn't learn any of them. Every attempt to practice left him nearly suffocating, drowning—an overwhelming sensation that even halted all of his Blood Demon Art.
Yoriichi had also tried teaching him Moon Breathing, descended from the original Breathing Style through Kokushibo, but Hiru still couldn't learn it.
[Is it because I became a demon first that I can't practice the Breathing Styles? Or is there another reason?]
He furrowed his brows, unable to stop thinking about it as he walked.
Only when the scent of various medicinal herbs reached him did Hiru realize he had wandered straight into the Demon Slayer Corps' current medical compound.
The outer courtyard was filled with blooming wisteria. The inner courtyard grew precious herbs used for medicine. Morning sunlight filtered through layers of purple blossoms, breaking into scattered circles of light across the ground. Bees and butterflies danced through the courtyard, pausing occasionally on flower petals, creating a picturesque scene.
"Hm… maybe I'll wait for Brother here…"
Hiru took out his sketchbook and wandered through the garden, looking for a good angle to sit and draw. He had just settled onto a stone when a familiar voice called out—
"No unauthorized entry here!"
Turning around, he saw the girl he'd met before—Shinobu.
"I remember you. Your name is… Shinobu?" Hiru rested his cheek on his hand. "You're preparing medicine for the Ubuyashiki… Master, right? I saw the medicine he takes during today's Hashira Meeting. That medicine won't help his illness."
"That was made personally by the Master Pharmacist!" Shinobu protested, hands on her hips. "Every generation of Master has taken it, and it's always been praised for easing their suffering!"
"Oh? Is that so—" Hiru recalled the scent. "But those ingredients together only make an ordinary tonic.
It might be fine for normal people, but for the Ubuyashiki clan, it's useless."
"Are you saying that just to act impressive in front of a little girl?"
At her suspicious look, Hiru smiled. "I have no reason to lie. There was a time I was obsessed with making medicine for myself. I learned a lot from that."
"Why? You look perfectly healthy."
"Only on the surface." Hiru turned back to his sketchbook. "I'm still sick."
"You look fine to me." Shinobu huffed as Hiru began sketching. "Don't wander off—these herbs are precious!"
"Go on, go on—" Hiru didn't look up. "But if you want the Master to suffer less, add some painkillers. That child has been smiling through pain for so long… Their clan has always been like that…"
"What is with him? He's barely older than me yet talks like an old man…" Shinobu muttered. But Hiru didn't look her way, fully absorbed in his drawing.
Shinobu snorted, checked the herb garden, then puffed up her cheeks and left.
When she returned to the pharmacy, she couldn't help relaying everything to her teacher—the apothecary Mikazuki.
Mikazuki wasn't particularly handsome, but his eyes were chillingly cold. He was tall and well-built, and the empty sleeve of his missing right arm swayed as he turned, silently telling its own story.
After hearing Shinobu's recount, Mikazuki lowered his eyes and sighed. "So the medicine really is useless…"
"Eh?" Shinobu blinked. "Master already knew?"
"Perhaps it helps somewhat," Mikazuki said, shaking his head. "But every time I come to headquarters for the Master's routine check-ups during the Hashira Meetings, his condition worsens. So that medicine may not be as effective as it appears.
If generations of apothecaries couldn't solve it after hundreds of years, it was never realistic to think progress would suddenly come from me. And that's without considering the curse afflicting Oyakata-sama…"
"Then should we add some painkillers next time?"
"Hm… add them, as long as they don't conflict." Mikazuki's expression grew heavy. "My medical skill is still too shallow… I didn't even realize Oyakata-sama had been enduring such pain. Shinobu, remember this."
"Yes?"
"Medicine alone cannot save this world. Without strength, you can protect nothing." Hatred flickered in Mikazuki's eyes. "If my swordsmanship had been better back then, I wouldn't have watched my comrades die while I traded my own arm for a chance to sever a demon's head…
And the funniest part? I failed. The demon spared me only because dawn was near. I survived by sheer luck. Now, as a Breeder, I watch children far younger than me go off to fight demons and come back half-dead.
I've hated myself countless times—for being so weak, for surviving, for sending them down this path of demon-slaying."
"You're incredible, Sensei!" Shinobu stepped forward and hugged his leg. "Whether it's swordsmanship or medicine, you're amazing! Even Mr. Himejima has mentioned your skill as the former Stone Hashira more than once!
And demon-slaying isn't a dead end! My sister and I will become outstanding swordsmen! We'll end this era!"
"Is that so?" A bitter smile tugged at Mikazuki's lips as he bent down, gently ruffling her hair with his left hand. "But Shinobu, your frame is far too delicate. Someone so small cannot become a proper swordsman. And studying medicine won't kill demons."
"Who says so?! It's written right in the book you gave me!" Shinobu puffed up again, fiery as ever. "Hundreds of years ago, a brilliant wandering herbalist created more than fifty demon-slaying medicines for the Demon Slayer Corps! Over ten are still in use unchanged today!
Isn't that also slaying demons!? I may be weak now, but that's only because I haven't grown yet! If I keep training, I'll definitely be able to cut off a demon's head!
If someone as weak as me can do that, then my sister—who's stronger—will do even better!
We'll become the new Hashira and support the Demon Slayer Corps like you once did! We'll find the Demon King and kill him completely!"
Mikazuki stroked her hair once more, then lifted his gaze to the sunlight streaming through the window.
At last, his smile softened.
"Very well. Your teacher looks forward to that day."