Shinobu Kocho stood on the palace roof while the night wind lifted the hem of her purple kimono. Sol had already disappeared into the darkness, yet his words continued to echo in her mind.
Resurrecting her sister. A world where humans and demons could coexist peacefully.
Her fingers slowly touched the butterfly hair ornament at her waist, the only thing her sister Kanae Kocho had left behind. For a moment, uncertainty flickered in her wisteria-colored eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
"No. I cannot trust the words of someone who stands with demons."
She turned and leaped toward the outskirts of the city.
When Shinobu returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the entire place was brightly lit. All the Hashira had already gathered in the Master's courtyard. Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat calmly on the veranda, his pale face appearing even more serene under the candlelight.
"Shinobu, you have returned," he said gently. "What happened?"
Shinobu knelt on one knee and reported everything she had seen and heard. The moment she mentioned that Sol could resurrect the dead, the courtyard immediately fell into chaos.
"Ridiculous!" Sanemi Shinazugawa stood up abruptly, his Wind Hashira haori fluttering behind him. "You actually believe something like that? That guy clearly wants to divide us!"
Gyomei Himejima pressed his hands together, tears flowing endlessly from his blind eyes.
"Amitabha… but if he truly has the power to bring people back…"
"Hey! Monk, pull yourself together!" Sanemi ran a hand through his white hair in frustration. Even he had people he wished he could bring back, but he would never trust someone like Sol.
Giyu Tomioka stood silently in the corner. However, the hand gripping his sword trembled slightly. He thought of Sabito, and of his sister. If it were truly possible to bring them back…
"Master!" Sanemi turned toward Kagaya. "Please order everyone to assemble immediately. We must launch a full attack before they grow stronger!"
Kagaya gently raised his hand, and the courtyard fell silent at once. He turned his gaze back to Shinobu.
"Shinobu, what else did Sol say?"
"He said… he would only give us two days to decide," she replied quietly. "In two days, he will temporarily leave this world with Muzan and the others."
"Leave?" Tengen Uzui touched his chin thoughtfully. "What exactly is Sol planning? Someone like him is far too unpredictable."
Mitsuri Kanroji nervously clasped her hands together.
"Actually, I do not think Sol is a bad person. He even helped us train before."
Kyojuro Rengoku laughed loudly.
"Mitsuri is right! Even if his position has changed, I still trust his character!"
Sanemi immediately turned and glared at him.
"Have you lost your mind? He is standing with Muzan now!"
Shinobu spoke again, her voice softer than before.
"Recently, the number of demon attacks has really decreased. Muzan claimed they are eliminating the lower-ranking demons and using it as training for a new unit."
Kagaya coughed lightly, and everyone fell silent again.
A gentle smile appeared on his pale face.
"I understand everyone's feelings. But no matter what happens, the purpose of the Demon Slayer Corps is to protect humans from demons. If demons are no longer harming humans, then our position must also be reconsidered."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"As for Sol's condition… the resurrection of lost loved ones, that is something no one can ignore."
Gyomei pressed his hands together again as tears continued to fall.
"Master is right. But if such a miracle truly exists…"
Silence filled the courtyard once more. Every one of them struggled with their own thoughts.
Obanai Iguro sat quietly in the corner with his white snake, Kaburamaru, resting around his neck.
"In the end, we are not even certain whether Sol truly has such an ability," he said softly.
"Perhaps he does," Kagaya replied calmly, and everyone immediately looked at him.
"Sol possesses a power that none of us can understand. That was already clear when he trained us."
Sanemi ran a hand through his hair again in frustration.
"So what? Are we supposed to believe a liar? Believe he can resurrect the dead and then obediently become his subordinates?"
"Sanemi," Kagaya said gently, though his voice carried firm authority, "anger will not solve anything. We must think calmly."
At that moment, a Kakushi member rushed into the courtyard and dropped to one knee.
"Report! News from Kyoto. His Majesty the Emperor has issued a new decree. A Special Public Security Department has been established, and it will be led by Doma. Their task is to eliminate the remaining man-eating demons across the country."
Shinobu's eyes widened slightly.
"So they are really clearing out other demons?"
Kagaya nodded slowly.
"It seems Sol truly is trying to establish a new order. Everyone, I believe we must re-evaluate the situation carefully."
He slowly stood up and looked at each of them in turn.
"Those who are willing to believe Sol may choose whether to accept his conditions. Those who are not willing will still be respected by the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Master!" Sanemi shouted in disbelief. "You are dividing the Demon Slayer Corps!"
Kagaya shook his head gently.
"No. I am simply giving everyone the freedom to choose. If Sol can truly do what he claims, then it will be an irresistible temptation for many people."
Silence fell once again as each of them struggled with the decision.
Giyu Tomioka suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"I want to see him."
"Me too," Shinobu said quietly.
Kyojuro laughed again, placing a hand on his chest.
"I also want to see Sol. I want to hear his true intentions directly from him!"
Sanemi looked at them one by one, then turned and walked away angrily.
"Do whatever you want. I will never bow to a demon."
Kagaya did not stop him. He only spoke softly.
"No matter what decision you make, I will respect it. But please remember, the purpose of the Demon Slayer Corps will always be to protect innocent people."
The night grew deeper, yet the discussion in the courtyard continued until dawn. When the first rays of sunlight entered the courtyard, everyone finally made their decision.
Shinobu Kocho, Kyojuro Rengoku, Giyu Tomioka, and Gyomei Himejima decided to go to Kyoto and meet Sol.
Mitsuri Kanroji hesitated for a long time but ultimately chose to remain at the headquarters. Meanwhile, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Obanai Iguro, and Tengen Uzui firmly kept their stance and refused to have any contact with Sol.