"Why do you say that?"
"Why say that the other person seems to know you well?"
It was, without a doubt, a difficult question to answer.
So Kanae Kocho simply pretended she hadn't heard it at all. She busied herself with adding firewood to the campfire, as if suddenly occupied with something very important.
Soma, for his part, didn't press the issue. He quietly watched the flames, observing as they burned brighter and stronger. Beside him, Kanao Tsuyuri kept her pinkish-purple eyes fixed on Kanae, her gaze unwavering.
…
The atmosphere around the fire grew still and silent.
No one spoke.
Only the soft crackling of the flames filled the air.
After lingering for a while longer, Kanae finally excused herself and left in a hurry.
When she descended from the mountain, she found Kiriya Ubuyashiki and Shinobu Kocho waiting on a platform halfway down.
"Greetings, senior," Kiriya said immediately, bowing respectfully.
Despite being the son of the Corps' leader, he showed no arrogance. If anything, his demeanor was remarkably humble.
"Oh, Kiriya," Kanae greeted him with a smile. "I didn't expect you to be the one overseeing the Final Selection this time."
"It's my first time handling it," Kiriya admitted, lowering his head slightly. "There are still many things I haven't done well."
"You're already doing very well," Kanae reassured him gently before continuing, "This time, the number of successful candidates will likely be higher than usual. You should make preparations accordingly."
"I've already given the necessary orders," Kiriya replied. "More Scarlet Iron Sand is being sent, and additional Kasugai Crows from other regions are being transferred here…"
"That's excellent, Kiriya. If Oyakata-sama were to see this, he would surely praise you."
"As long as I don't make mistakes or anger Father, that's enough for me," Kiriya said softly. Yet beneath his words, there lingered a faint sense of longing—a quiet hope for his father's approval.
Still, he knew all too well that such praise would not come easily. In his father's eyes, he still had much further to go.
…
After exchanging a few more words, Kanae departed with Shinobu.
"Well, sister? Did you find anything unusual on the mountain?" Shinobu Kocho asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
"I did hear something," Kanae replied thoughtfully. "Apparently, a very powerful demon appeared on the mountain a few days ago. But after asking around, I learned it was slain by Makomo, one of Sakonji Urokodaki's disciples. I didn't see the demon myself, so I can't say whether it was responsible for the deaths of Urokodaki's students over the years."
"Then why not just ask Makomo directly?" Shinobu suggested, frowning slightly. "If she killed it, she should know exactly what kind of demon it was."
Kanae reached out and lightly tapped her sister's head.
"If that demon truly was the cause, then the source of their suffering has already been eliminated. The matter is resolved."
"And if it wasn't," she added gently, "then asking Makomo would serve no purpose… and might only reopen old wounds."
Shinobu sighed softly, shaking her head. "You're always thinking of others like that, aren't you, Sister?"
Kanae leaned closer, her smile bright and warm.
"And when will you start thinking of others more gently, Shinobu? When will you soften your temper a little? If you smiled more, and weren't always so cold… someone as beautiful as you would surely be very popular."
"Hmph. It's not like I'm looking for a man," Shinobu replied with clear disdain. "And what's so great about men anyway?"
"If you ever meet someone you truly like," Kanae teased, "I doubt you'd still say that."
"That won't happen," Shinobu said firmly, her hand curling into a small fist. "I've already decided—I'll walk the path of hunting demons for the rest of my life. I won't give my heart to anyone."
Then, lifting her head, she looked at her sister.
"What about you, Sister? With so many people admiring you… is there someone you like?"
As she spoke, Shinobu wrapped her arms around Kanae's soft waist, her tone turning playful.
"If there is, you have to tell me. I'll make sure to examine him carefully for you—can't let you get tricked by some bad man."
As she spoke, Shinobu Kocho clenched her fist slightly, her tone growing indignant.
"Just don't end up with someone like Tengen Uzui—a flirt who married three wives and still frequents the pleasure districts. Someone that fickle doesn't deserve you, Sister."
"Tengen Uzui… well, he is an incredibly powerful shinobi," Kanae Kocho replied with a soft sigh, though her thoughts soon drifted elsewhere. She found herself recalling the man she had met on the mountain earlier that day. "That reminds me… I actually met someone rather interesting up there."
"For someone to be called 'interesting' by you, that's rare," Shinobu said, leaning closer with a curious smile. "Is he handsome?"
"He's… not bad," Kanae answered thoughtfully. "And quite tall."
"Oh really? Saying someone's tall right in front of me? So now you're calling your little sister short?"
"Oh? I never said that, Shinobu."
"You did!"
"I didn't say you were short…"
"You did!"
Shinobu puffed out her cheeks in irritation, clearly unconvinced.
…
Two days later, the Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane was nearing its end.
Before sunrise, Kiriya Ubuyashiki had already arrived at the mountain's midpoint alongside his sister, Hinaki Ubuyashiki, each carrying a lantern.
Soon, groups of attendants began arriving one after another.
"Once daylight breaks, everyone is to head up the mountain immediately and search for survivors," Kiriya instructed calmly. "The Scarlet Iron Sand must be prepared at once. When the candidates emerge, they will choose their own materials to forge their Nichirin Swords…"
"Yes, Kiriya-sama," one of the Kakushi attendants replied promptly.
"What about the Kasugai Crows?"
"They've already been transported from various regions. There should be enough to meet demand."
"And the uniforms?"
"They're ready as well. All sizes have been prepared, and any special measurements will be handled immediately."
"And the financial provisions?"
"Yes, Kiriya-sama. From the moment they become swordsmen, all necessary support will be provided."
"If any of them have families, make sure arrangements are made."
"Understood. Everything will be handled properly. No swordsman will have to worry about those behind them while they fight."
…
As he issued instructions one after another, Kiriya adjusted his clothing, ensuring everything was in order before stepping onto the mountain path.
It was still early. The wind today was especially cold, biting enough to make his small frame tremble slightly.
"Brother, why don't you go to the side room to rest for a while? Your health is already poor..." Hinaki said softly, concern evident in her voice.
Kiriya shook his head.
"Compared to the swordsmen risking their lives against demons, what is this little bit of cold?" he replied quietly. "If I can't even endure this, then I'm truly unworthy."
Hinaki hesitated, then nodded. "Alright… but if you feel unwell, you must tell me."
Kiriya didn't respond. Instead, he stood at the entrance, straightening his posture, mimicking the composed demeanor of his father as he faced the swordsmen—his young face set with a gentle, practiced smile.
…
Dawn finally broke, its light piercing through the darkness and signaling the end of the Final Selection.
Kiriya adjusted his clothes once more, his youthful smile returning as he gazed expectantly toward the mountain peak.
Silence.
No one appeared.
"Should I send someone up to check?" Hinaki asked anxiously after a long wait.
"Let's wait a little longer," Kiriya replied, though unease had already begun to stir within him. He forced himself to remain calm.
Time stretched on.
Just as his composure began to waver, and he considered sending someone up the mountain, the sound of footsteps finally echoed from above.
Kiriya stiffened, immediately straightening his back as he looked up.
A group was descending.
At their center stood a tall man with strikingly handsome features, his presence both calm and approachable. At his side walked a petite girl with pinkish-purple eyes—Kanao Tsuyuri—and a young woman wearing a fox mask, Makomo.
And around them, a crowd followed.
As Kiriya Ubuyashiki looked at the tall man surrounded by the crowd, he felt a strong sense of recognition.
He remembered noticing him back when the man first ascended the mountain to participate in the Final Selection—calm, composed, entirely unlike the others. And now, it seemed his instincts had been correct.
For some reason, Kiriya couldn't help but think of his father.
When his father had first discovered Gyomei Himejima, what had that moment been like?
Had he, too, picked him out from a crowd at a single glance, recognizing someone who would one day become a pillar supporting the entire Demon Slayer Corps?
Kiriya didn't know what his father had felt back then.
But at this moment, he felt something similar.
This person… is extraordinary.
Someone who could lead the Demon Slayer Corps even further.
Pressing his lips together slightly, Kiriya shifted his gaze to the people descending alongside that man.
He had already anticipated that this year's number of successful candidates would be higher than usual—but even so, the actual number far exceeded expectations.
Normally, passing candidates numbered only seven or eight. Even the previous anomaly had been due to Sabito.
But now… there were nearly one hundred and sixty survivors descending the mountain.
An unprecedented number.
Though deeply shocked, Kiriya quickly stepped forward.
At the front, the tall man came to a halt, and the others followed suit, lifting their gazes toward Kiriya.
The young boy felt nervous, but he forced himself to maintain composure. With a serious expression on his youthful face, he bowed deeply to the crowd. When he straightened, he wore a gentle, earnest smile.
"You have all worked hard."
"Congratulations on passing the Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane. From this moment on, you are officially swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps—hunters who protect humanity in the darkness and slay demons."
"You are now one of us."
As he spoke, Kiriya straightened again and bowed deeply once more.
"From here on, I entrust the task of eradicating demons and protecting humanity to all of you."
His words stirred excitement among the crowd, yet many couldn't help but glance toward the man standing at the front.
"I'm honored as well… to become one of those who purge demons."
Soma smiled as he spoke—though, ironically, he himself was a demon.
With his acknowledgment, the people behind him immediately erupted into cheers.
"You have all spent seven days on the mountain, enduring harsh conditions, facing demons, and some of you have even been injured," Kiriya continued. "At the foot of the mountain, we have prepared medical treatment for the wounded, as well as food, drink, and warm rooms for rest. You may go wherever you need—our Kakushi attendants will guide you."
After finishing, Kiriya bowed once more, deeply and sincerely.
"You have all worked very hard."
Smiles spread through the crowd, and many felt a quiet sense of gratitude. It was clear that Kiriya held a high and noble status, yet he treated them with such humility and respect—it was difficult not to be moved.
"Please proceed as needed. In two days, arrangements will be made for you to select Scarlet Iron Sand to forge your own Nichirin Swords."
"Your Demon Slayer uniforms are also ready for selection."
"And within these two days, each of you will be assigned your own Kasugai Crow…"
…
Listening to Kiriya's arrangements, Soma couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of admiration.
The Demon Slayer Corps truly provided exceptional support for its swordsmen.
It was precisely because of this that these warriors could cast aside everything and devote themselves fully to the deadly task of fighting demons—standing firm in their resolve, not only because of their hatred for demons, but also because of their unwavering desire to protect humanity.
It wasn't just their sense of justice or their hatred for demons that sustained the Demon Slayer Corps over the years—much of it was also due to the support provided by the Ubuyashiki family. Because of that unwavering backing, swordsmen could fight with their lives on the line without worrying about what lay behind them.
It was no surprise, then, that the Corps had endured for so long under the leadership of the Ubuyashiki family, with each generation of "master" passing down the role within the same lineage. In this regard, the family had always done an exceptional job.
By contrast, Muzan Kibutsuji seemed almost incompetent.
After all, compared to the Ubuyashiki family, Muzan possessed overwhelming abilities—he could create an endless number of demons through his blood, hear the thoughts of those demons, and even control their lives and deaths at will. With such power, even accounting for his fatal weakness to sunlight, things shouldn't have turned out the way they had.
…
After Kiriya Ubuyashiki finished speaking, many of the newly accepted swordsmen looked eager to move, yet when they noticed that Soma at the front remained still, they instinctively held themselves back.
Kiriya observed all of this, inwardly astonished by just how much influence Soma held over such a large group.
Before long, Soma stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"I don't yet know..."
"Sir, my name is Kiriya Ubuyashiki. You may simply call me Kiriya," the boy interjected quickly.
"I see. Kiriya-sama, then," Soma replied warmly. Turning back to the crowd, he raised his voice just enough to carry.
"Didn't you hear Kiriya-sama? Those who need treatment should see the doctors. If you're hungry, go eat. If you want a drink, go have one. If you're tired, go rest. Later, you'll still need to select your Scarlet Iron Sand, uniforms, and Kasugai Crows… so make sure to follow the arrangements."
At his words, the crowd burst into cheers. Without hesitation, they began seeking out the Kakushi attendants nearby, who guided them toward different areas.
Once the crowd dispersed, only a handful remained—Kiriya, Hinaki Ubuyashiki, Soma, Kanao Tsuyuri, Makomo, and Tanjiro Kamado.
"We've prepared food as well. If you would like—" Kiriya began.
"Is there any good sake?" Soma cut in casually.
"Yes, of course," Kiriya replied at once. It was his first time personally inviting someone like this, and given Soma's influence, he had been somewhat nervous. But Soma's relaxed and easygoing manner unexpectedly helped him loosen up.
"Then I'll have to trouble Kiriya-sama for a few extra cups," Soma said with a light chuckle. "You won't mind if I drink a bit too much, will you?"
"N-Not at all," Kiriya stammered, his face flushing slightly with excitement.
"In that case, let's go."
Without hesitation, Soma stepped forward and casually took hold of Kiriya's arm, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Beside them, Hinaki instinctively moved as if to intervene, feeling that Soma's behavior bordered on disrespect. Yet at a glance from her brother, she stopped herself and quietly stepped back.
As for Kiriya, far from feeling offended, he was filled with a strange sense of excitement.
He couldn't help but wonder—when his father had first recruited Gyomei Himejima, had it felt something like this?
The person he now believed in… could he, too, one day grow into a pillar that would support the Demon Slayer Corps?