This year's winter passed very peacefully.
Originally, because winter had thick cloud cover and insufficient sunlight, if the weather was bad, demons could also come out and move about during the day.
So in the past, after winter arrived, the Demon Slayer Corps was at its busiest. Everywhere had rumors of demons attacking people.
But after the Seiura incident, probably Muzan temporarily had no mood to create more demons. Rumors of demon attacks gradually decreased.
I tried reading Upper Rank Six's memories. Though I couldn't read all the content, still found quite a bit of valuable intelligence.
She not only was responsible for connecting Muzan with forces in the human world... but also responsible for providing cover for other Upper Rank demons living in human society.
Following this lead, I found Doma's newly established sect again.
Unfortunately, he was truly alert. Upon first hearing news of Upper Rank Six's death, had already retreated. Several Pillars who went to intercept him came up empty.
But without Upper Rank Six's collusion with human forces providing cover, for Doma to create a sect without drawing attention wasn't so easy anymore.
In the short term he couldn't harm people again. Could also be considered a good thing.
Because pressure lightened, this year around New Year's, quite a few more people came to give me New Year's greetings.
After Ritsuka awakened her Demon Slayer Mark, she immediately became the most welcomed person among all the Pillars. From time to time people sought her out to discuss the Mark.
Even when she came to mooch food from me before New Year's, the Sound Hashira also ran over. Even brought his three wives.
Because there were many people, we had a lively New Year.
After spring arrived, Amane wrote saying the intelligence department had discovered the whereabouts of descendants of the original Breathing user.
Ritsuka, as Yoriichi's descendant, possessed astonishing swordsmanship talent. Also stirred some thoughts.
After discussing with Kagaya, she still wanted to visit personally. Ask whether this descendant was willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
Kagaya's body could no longer travel far at will. Having Amane go out alone was also worrying. Therefore came to ask my opinion.
I also didn't know which family the intelligence department had found... But going to see descendants of old friends was fine. So I agreed to accompany her.
This time we also went to a deep mountain. Heard that descendant lived in the mountains.
Amane and I rested in the small town at the mountain's base. Also heard them mention that household in the mountains.
Heard it was a couple with twin children getting by. Life quite difficult.
Last year the wife fell ill. The husband seemingly accidentally fell off a cliff while gathering medicine and died. Soon after, the wife also passed away from illness.
Now in the mountains only those twin brothers depended on each other.
People in town all pitied them. Each time they came down the mountain to sell firewood, everyone would give them some food, more or less.
After learning this news, Amane bought some gifts suitable for children before going up the mountain with me.
This mountain was very large. That mountain cabin was located halfway up the mountain. Walking there took a full hour to reach.
From afar I saw smoke rising from the mountains. After approaching, saw two children working before the house.
One carried water buckets. One was chopping firewood.
As if sensing someone coming, the boy chopping wood suddenly looked up. After discovering us, froze for a moment. Then gripped the wood-chopping blade tightly and stood up.
"Who are you people!"
The other boy set down the water bucket. Ran over in a few steps. Somewhat timidly grabbed his clothes. The boy holding the blade didn't dodge. Instead blocked him behind himself.
They had identical faces, identical eyes, and completely different expressions. Yet struck me all at once.
Was this fate? Was this reincarnation?
Identical twins. Such a familiar aura. And those eyes...
"Takehime..." I murmured softly. In my memory, that blurred face became clear once more. Was someone who'd departed smiling at me.
These two children were actually Takehime's bloodline.
Amane stepped forward two paces. Bowed and said: "Forgive this presumptuous visit. My name is Ubuyashiki Amane. This visit is to call upon descendants of the original Breathing user. I have a request."
Probably seeing we were two women without dangerous weapons, the two children hesitated. Still let us enter the house to sit and discuss.
I learned their surname was Tokito. That child with a somewhat fierce temper was called Yuichiro. The other, gentler one was called Muichiro.
Don't know when the surname changed. When asked about ancestral matters, they completely didn't remember the Tsugikuni surname.
Originally Yuichiro could barely patiently listen to Amane speak... But after she stated the purpose of this visit, wanting to invite them to become Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, he exploded.
"Bah! Talking about swordsmen—isn't it just tricking people into working for you! Don't take me for a fool! Get out right now!"
Muichiro frantically tried to stop him: "Brother, what are you doing? Too—too rude!"
But Yuichiro completely ignored him. Only shouted at us loudly: "Get out! Don't come to our house again! Don't think this kind of stuff can buy us off!"
He strode to the wall. Threw all the gifts Amane bought outside the door. Then gripped that wood blade in his hand: "Don't force me to act!"
Amane stood up. Apologetically bowed her head: "I apologize. Today we were presumptuous. We'll visit again another time."
I remained silent throughout. Only after walking out the door looked back once more. From that child's anger, saw deeply hidden fear.
But he didn't show it. Even when his brother ran over to stop him, was scolded back.
As soon as we left, he immediately shut the door.
I held a black umbrella walking alongside Amane. Asked her: "Should we return first? Those two children seem quite unwilling."
Though they could be considered Michikatsu's descendants, I wasn't the type to hold children accountable by association.
Like Kagaya said—no one is born obligated to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
Since they were unwilling, better to just let them live peacefully.
Amane walked silently beside me. Suddenly asked: "Have you heard the story passed down from Tang country? Once a wise lord, to invite a sage down from the mountain, specially visited three times before moving the sage."
Of course I'd heard of this. There were even novels written about this history. I loved reading them too.
"The Demon Slayer Corps currently lacks talent. Perhaps they haven't seen my sincerity. So I want to try a few more times."
Amane said: "This is all I can do for Lord Kagaya. If they're unwilling no matter what, I'll give up."
Thinking it over, I also felt it made sense. Thought of Amane staying by Kagaya's side, watching him weaken day by day.
Even if she didn't say it, her heart must be very anxious.
Defeating Muzan was Kagaya's lifelong wish. Amane probably feared he couldn't realize this wish before closing his eyes. That's why she worked so hard.
I raised my hand and stroked her hair. Comforted: "It's fine. We'll come again in a few days."
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