"So, are you saying that I should bear responsibility for that?"
As that distinctly unpleasant memory—a lapse on my part—rose in my mind, I found myself answering sharply, without meaning to.
"I do not understand your intention."
Why on earth bring up the Demon Slayer Corps' Dark Age all of a sudden?
It's not as though you wish for me to serve as their caretaker…
Had that been the case, the Demon Slayer Corps never would have stood unbroken for five hundred years.
The Kasugai Crow shook its head at my answer before continuing.
"The Demon Slayer Corps' Dark Age—because of it, the Tsugikuni's [Sun Breathing] stands greatly weakened."
"It's hardly surprising. With only one style to hone, and then a curse to bear on top of that, one could scarcely employ it in battle."
"Yet it remains true that the key to breaking this cycle is still held by [Sun Breathing]."
"How can you be so certain?"
The reason [Sun Breathing] could threaten Muzan was not merely its inherent properties… but because it was wielded by Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
If [Sun Breathing] were simply the key card, the battle would have ended long ago.
Yet the wielders of the Black Sword have lost [Sun Breathing].
And Yoriichi's descendants have let [Sun Breathing] slip from their grasp.
As for Sumiyoshi… I do not know.
If one does not take up the sword, one cannot protect it; yet, if one does take it up, one cannot embrace it.
If one does not seize the sun, one cannot protect it, for it grows weak.
But if one does seize the sun, one becomes Muzan's target and cannot even embrace it.
[Sun Breathing], once unrivaled in strength, has now become nothing more than a burden.
Yet why does this crow sound so sure?
"This generation's Ubuyashiki is the very proof."
The Ubuyashiki?
He's not even a Tsugikuni—yet you claim that Ubuyashiki is proof?
What in the world does that mean?
"Does any prophecy say so?"
The Kasugai Crow shook its head.
If it's not in the prophecy, then what on earth…?
"I cannot yet divulge the details. However… it is true that I require your assistance to bind this destiny. Tsugikuni Michikatsu, this is different."
Different?
"This is not some prophecy to match the Final Selection, not some contrived linking of cause and effect. It is simply a plea for help so that humankind might strive forward from the present. That's all it is."
…
I could not easily accept that request at the Kasugai Crow's entreaty.
For the reason I left the Demon Slayer Corps still weighed on my mind.
"Even if I were to return, what truly weighs on me is the Tsugikuni clan."
Whether forced or voluntary, a Demon emerged from the very Corps meant to hunt Demons.
At that time, even if the elders and Master pardoned it, the fact remained: one who should have become a Hashira had become a Demon.
I had claimed to have died fighting Muzan, and left the Corps—partly due to the unease of being stationed at Demon Slayer HQ, but also to shield Yoriichi and his descendants from political persecution or retribution.
Even if I now returned, what would become of the remaining Tsugikuni family?
Would my return only bring them undue harm…?
And who would believe me if I suddenly declared, "I'm the Moon Hashira from five hundred years ago"?
"I did say so, didn't I? Reenlistment."
…?
What does that have to do with reenlistment…?
"Since the Tsukinokami was officially recorded as having died five hundred years ago, a return in that capacity is practically impossible."
"Then…?"
"In other words, since your service records can be considered lost, you are to reenlist."
Ah, so that's what reenlistment means...
"So, I begin again as a raw recruit…?"
"Yes… pass the Final Selection, and then you may begin again from your former rank."
"Damn it!"
"They're calling it reenlistment because a clerical error erased my service records?"
"I never imagined I'd experience something out of a dream right here."
I covered my face with my hands and sighed deeply.
Is this yet another one of the Master's traps?
Could it be that he even laughed on his deathbed because he foresaw this future…?
Must I really go?
I loathe reenlisting; this is my genuine feeling.
"Then again, can a Demon actually join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Though in my five centuries I have certainly encountered Hashira-level Demon Slayers, aside from Himejima, they have never once discovered me to be a Demon.
When I met Himejima, it had been less than a minute since I had slain the Demon who had killed her family… so I understand the misunderstanding.
How long can I keep my secret…?
"Simply say that a skin ailment prevents you from touching the sun. Haven't you lived like that all this time?"
Indeed, that is how I have lived.
"From your appearance alone, one cannot tell whether you are Demon or human…"
"What if you were to suddenly employ a [Blood Demon Art]?"
"The annals of the Sword Saint record that those who eat a Demon become Demons themselves. You can simply cite that as your explanation."
I see well your resolve to shove me back into service by any means necessary.
There is indeed no nook left by which to escape.
@@@
"You have truly done well, children."
Shinobu, beaming with delight, threw her arms around me, and Kanae, smiling, gazed at her younger sister.
Though their sudden reaction had left me flustered, the emptiness within me overflowed with that very feeling.
These children will prevail.
Their merit is such that they may yet rise to become Hashira.
I believed that with all my heart.
Namu Amida Butsu.
In my heart, I offered my obeisance to the Buddha.
May the Buddha's blessings accompany these children on their journey.
Then...
"Congratulations, Himejima. It seems those children have splendidly overcome that ordeal."
I heard the Master's Kasugai Crow speak from behind.
"Wow! The crow can speak!"
At Shinobu's childlike exclamation, I found myself laughing spontaneously.
This young girl, aside from when her fury explodes, truly bears all the hallmarks of a child her age.
Her voice, shifting with her expressions, seems to reveal her upright character, and each time I hear it, I can't help but grin.
I've never conveyed that to her, however.
Though it still feels cruel to thrust the duty of Demon slaying upon such a child, I have no intention of abandoning her.
They are far more splendid than I had ever imagined.
What surprises me more, however, is…
The perch upon which that Crow sits.
It is Tsugikuni Michikatsu, pouring forth nothing but vexation.
"Himejima, forgive me, but may I now impose the forfeit for our wager?"
A forfeit for a wager, you say.
Did such a thing even exist?
It feels as if it once did…
Well, after all, I did lose that wager.
He opened my eyes to my folly, so I cannot complain.
"Pray tell, what might it be...?"
At my question, he sighed deeply before speaking.
"I have been mustered for reenlistment. Therefore, would you kindly introduce me to a mentor as well?"
…
…Pardon?
My thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
What in the world is he speaking of now?
@@@
The next morning, the sisters departed on their journey to their guardian instructor.
Originally, that journey would have been one taken by the sisters alone on foot, but…
"Now, let us be off."
I found myself included in the expedition.
For reasons unknown to me, Ubuyashiki asked that I pass the Final Selection not with [Moon Breathing], but with some other Breathing Style.
I cannot employ any Breathing Style other than [Moon Breathing] and [Sun Breathing].
Over five centuries, I have relentlessly practiced [Moon Breathing] and, apart from the rare use of [Sun Breathing] in my sister's memory, have forgotten the rest.
Since the forms of my [Moon Breathing] draw upon other styles, I might manage them, but I do not recall their sounds or forms perfectly; thus, I have resolved to learn an entirely new [Total Concentration Breathing] style.
I know not why I must undertake such inefficiency…
Even five centuries ago, using [Moon Breathing] in the Final Selection would have made no difference…
Is there some reason why I must not use [Moon Breathing]?
I did not press the question.
In any case, I, alongside the sisters, took the first step to learn a new style of [Total Concentration Breathing].
Yes, reenlistment…
Reenlistment it is.
No, truly, Master—
Is this correct…?