By the time Aoyama prepared to leave Mount Sagiri, Urokodaki still hadn't determined why the blade had grown heavier.
But for Aoyama, that no longer mattered.
What mattered was himself—how he chose to face things.
Before he departed, Urokodaki handed him a box of medicinal ointment.
"You fight demons often and injuries are inevitable. Take more of the salve I made—just in case."
Aoyama accepted it with a smile and tucked it into his pack.
Just before leaving, he leaned close to Urokodaki's ear and whispered something.
Then he dashed off.
"I'm going! See you next time, Urokodaki-sensei!"
He waved cheerfully, a triumphant grin on his face.
Urokodaki inhaled sharply and roared after him—
"Next time, don't come back at all!!!"
But the figure had already vanished.
Turning back into the house, Urokodaki muttered to himself.
That boy…
Truly incorrigible.
The round trip to Mount Sagiri took time.
By the time Aoyama returned to the Wisteria Crest estate, Tanjiro and the others had nearly recovered.
The elderly lady kindly summoned the doctor once more for a final examination.
The verdict:
Fully healed.
Tanjiro exhaled in relief. At last, they could set out again.
For Zenitsu, however—
It was a catastrophe.
"H-hey, could you maybe check me again? I feel like my body still hurts a little!"
He yanked open his shirt and insisted the doctor re-examine him.
His shamelessness made everyone collectively lean backward in silent disbelief.
Aoyama stood, grabbed Zenitsu by the collar, and smiled that familiar smile.
"Zenitsu. Would you like your senior to examine you personally?"
Zenitsu shrank back instantly.
"No no no! Senior Aoyama, I'm fine! Perfectly fine! Nothing wrong at all!"
Tanjiro sat up, thinking to himself—
So far, only Senior Brother Aoyama could make Zenitsu behave.
Just then, a crow flew over the courtyard wall and into the room.
"Northeast! Northeast! The next destination is Northeast! Aoyama-kun and everyone, prepare to depart!"
Zenitsu, already dressed, began retreating step by step.
A crow delivering orders meant—
Demons.
Horrible, disgusting demons.
The crow seemed to notice his intention and shrieked louder.
"All of you must go! Tanjiro! Aoyama-kun! Inosuke! Agatsuma Zenitsu! All of you are to proceed to Natagumo Mountain! Natagumo Mountain!"
With no escape left, they departed the estate and headed toward Natagumo Mountain.
As they drew closer, dusk settled in.
An ominous feeling crept into Zenitsu's heart.
Just before entering the mountain path, he abruptly squatted down and refused to move.
"Zenitsu, what's wrong?" Tanjiro asked with concern.
Aoyama crossed his arms and glanced over.
Aside from fear—
There was absolutely nothing wrong with him.
"Aren't you scared?! Look at this mountain—it's so dark! The closer we get, the scarier it feels!"
He hugged himself, small and trembling.
"Feh."
Inosuke snorted, hands on hips. Though his expression couldn't be seen beneath the boar mask, it was undoubtedly mocking.
Tanjiro frowned slightly.
"Zenitsu… you really won't come?"
"I'm not going! Absolutely not! Something terrifying is happening in there! You can't feel it?! You really can't?!"
He refused to budge, voice loud enough to shake leaves.
Aoyama shrugged casually.
"Let's go. If Zenitsu doesn't want to enter, let him stay. Tanjiro, don't force him."
"Senior Aoyama… you're so kind…"
Zenitsu was deeply moved.
The others either mocked him or tried dragging him along.
Only Senior Aoyama let him stay.
"But Senior Brother, this is a mission for the four of us. How can we leave Zenitsu alone?" Tanjiro asked gently.
He simply worried that if Zenitsu stayed behind and encountered danger, they wouldn't be able to help.
Zenitsu, however, interpreted it differently.
If we die, we die together!
"Tanjiro! No matter what you say, I'm not going! I won't go! I won't go! I won't—"
Suddenly—
A scent drifted down from the mountain.
Aoyama, Tanjiro, and Inosuke all turned sharply.
Zenitsu shut up mid-rant, hugging himself as he trembled.
"What? Why aren't you saying anything—?"
The three dashed forward.
Even terrified, Zenitsu had no choice but to chase after them, his calves shaking uncontrollably.
A Demon Slayer lay sprawled in the middle of the path ahead.
Hearing footsteps, he barely lifted his head.
"Help… please… help…"
Aoyama stepped forward and reached out—
But froze.
Several transparent threads were attached to the man's body.
In an instant, they tightened.
The man was jerked violently into the air.
"Ah! Me too! I'm connected too!"
Without hesitation, Aoyama leapt, grabbing the man's clothing.
Both of them were dragged swiftly into the depths of the mountain.
"AHHH!!! Senior Aoyama—Senior Aoyama was taken away!!!"
Zenitsu's mind shattered.
In his heart, Aoyama was the strongest among them.
If even Senior Aoyama had been dragged into the mountain—
Then if they went in…
Wouldn't that mean—
They were walking straight to their deaths?
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