After helping Sanemi handle the aftermath, Hiru brought the two brothers back to the nearest Wisteria House and explained the situation to the Kakushi.
"Understood. We'll watch over him until his injuries heal!"
"Alright. Please get me paper and ink—I need to write a letter to Mr. Urokodaki."
"Of course. I'll bring it right away."
As the Kakushi hurried back and forth, Sanemi tugged Genya along while following Hiru. "Didn't expect you to be this well-liked."
"It's nothing. The Kakushi respect Swordsmen. Once you join the Demon Slayer Corps, you'll understand." Hiru exchanged a few words with a passing Kakushi and asked about their stock of medicine. "Your Rare Blood concentration is too high. Traveling outside is dangerous. I'll prepare something to weaken the scent. Take one pill every day and your concentration will gradually—"
"No need. If demons come, that's perfect." Sanemi cut him off with a sharp, vicious look. "Then I'll kill every last one of them."
"…Right now your expression is more demon-like than any demon."
Sanemi's scowl deepened. "…You talk way too much."
"Then I'll give you medicine that enhances your Rare Blood scent. Take one before each battle." Hiru looked away. "Even if you're not injured, lower-tier demons will be affected. Oh, right—this medicine requires you to drink plenty of water afterward. Keep that in mind."
"Alright. Thanks."
Hiru then wrote to Urokodaki Sakonji, briefly explaining Sanemi Shinazugawa's situation—his Rare Blood constitution, the encounter, and how he fought until dawn despite having no foundation at all. He ended the letter by stating that he recommended him simply because he knew no other trainers.
When Urokodaki later received the letter, which contained only a few formal lines, he stared at it for a long time wondering who sent it. Only the faint traces of scent on the page made him realize it came from one of the two boys brought back by Sabito and Giyu.
After sending the letter, Hiru returned to demon hunting. But upon slaying his twenty-first demon, the severe damage to his Nichirin Blade forced him to report in.
This time, however, he received only a single sheet of paper.
[No blade for you, demon. Fight to the death with your bare hands.]
Hiru: …
It was just one simple, neatly written sentence, yet Hiru felt as though endless resentment were seeping from the paper, coiling around him.
"Can the Demon Slayer Corps even handle this kind of thing?"
He stared at the slip of paper for a long time in silence.
"Please rest assured—we will get you a weapon." The Kakushi who saw the note gave an embarrassed smile. "This sort of thing happens often. It's only a small delay; they won't actually refuse to forge it.
The Kakushi in charge of replying mentioned that Mr. Akiha has a stack of washi paper in his room. You should receive your new weapon next time."
"Ahh, complaints are expected." Hiru covered his face. "This blade was only with me for two and a half months. They guaranteed at least four… I swear I tried to avoid rough use."
"For a swordsman who hunts demons as often as you do, weapon wear is completely normal," the Kakushi tried to comfort him. "How long have you been in the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Almost four months, I think?"
"And what rank are you now?"
"Hm… three more demons and I'll reach B-rank."
"That's already very impressive! Many swordsmen at your level have gone through five or six blades!"
Hiru only looked more dejected. "But my brother is still using his first one."
"Your brother is…?"
"The Sun Hashira."
Kakushi: …I have no words for that.
"Forget it…" Hiru rubbed his face hard, pulling himself together. "Just find any blade for now so I can manage."
"Understood. I'll have one sent to your room immediately. I'll take my leave. Please rest while waiting for your new weapon."
As the Kakushi departed, Hiru thought about how to spend his time.
Ever since becoming a Hashira, Yoriichi had become consumed with slaying demons—purging two entire districts among the seven, forcing demons across Kanto to flee outward. This, in turn, put considerable pressure on the Stone, Flame, and Sound Hashira who managed the surrounding regions.
Because of this, Hiru had been hunting demons around the edges of Kanto. Without Yoriichi's actions, capturing this many demons so quickly would have been impossible.
"Should I stay near Kanto…?" Hiru stroked his chin. "But this is a rare break… Hm—guess I'll go out without my Kasugai Crow. If something really happens, my brother can find me."
Decision made, Hiru grabbed the temporary Nichirin Blade and went to find Kitaro to inform him…
"Caw! You won't let me come?!" The Kasugai Crow flapped furiously. "Have you forgotten how you got trapped in that mountain ravine for days the last time you left me?! Caw!"
"I wasn't planning on going far that time!"
"Caw! What about the time before that when you vanished in the forest and scared the Kakushi half to death?!"
"You're so annoying! I finally get a break, and I want some time alone!" Hiru waved Kitaro off his shoulder. "Besides, my brother can find me. If I really disappear, just go get him."
"Caw! Sun Hashira-sama is very busy! How could I trouble him because of you?!" The crow flew to the roof. "But since you insist! I'll come find you once your new weapon is forged! Leave a message at the Wisteria House when you pass by! I don't want to search every mountain ravine again!"
"Yes, yes—rest well."
"Caw! Safe travels!"