Demon Slayer : Breath of The Forest

When Maru-ni brought Shinobu to the other side of Kippei Village... Shinobu was deeply shocked by the devastating battlefield before her eyes.

When she spotted Shinichi lying unconscious in the deep crater, her face paled in alarm as she rushed down into the pit.

"Blockhead Shinichi! Blockhead Shinichi! Shinichi? Are you alright?" Her urgent calls received no response until she pressed her ear against Shinichi chest and heard the faint but steady heartbeat.

Only then did Shinobu feel slightly relieved.

Yet the grievous wounds covering Shinichi body made her heart race with fear.

What could have possibly happened to inflict such severe injuries on a Hashira like him?

How could the petite Shinobu possibly move the heavily wounded Shinichi alone?

Just as she grew frantic, several villagers from Kippei Village arrived.

Having heard the commotion cease, they'd gathered courage to investigate.

***

Two days later, inside the carriage, Shinichi—wrapped like a mummy—let out a couple of groans.

"Shinobu, I think these bandages can come off now. My injuries have mostly healed thanks to Forest Breathing. I recover quickly."

"No! Your wounds were too severe. You need proper medical treatment along with it. It's only been two days—you must take responsibility for your own body!" Shinobu frowned sternly, her tone serious.

Shinichi sighed but didn't argue.

In truth, the moment he regained consciousness and saw Shinobu, his greatest fear had been his identity being exposed.

After battling the Martial Demon, he wasn't sure if he'd reverted from his demon form.

However, judging by Shinobu words, she didn't seem to have noticed anything.

This came as a relief to Shinichi.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to face Shinobu or the other Demon Slayer Corps members—after all, currently only the Master knew his true identity.

'But who was that guy?'

Thoughts of the Martial Demon made Shinichi expression beneath the bandages turn grave.

That opponent strength had been terrifyingly strong—Shinichi suspected even the legendary Upper Moons might not surpass it.

Yet the Martial Demon eyes bore no markings and from its words, it had known Shinichi ancestor Shunichi Moriki, even seeming to share a close relationship with him.

Most crucially, it hadn't gone for the kill.

Though reluctant to admit it, Shinichi had to acknowledge the Martial Demon had held back significantly during their fight.

Shinichi raised his head, staring at the carriage ceiling.

"Seems like the Moriki family's history isn't so simple. There might be hidden circumstances surrounding how the ancestor became a demon. Tch, things are getting complicated."

Shinobu turned to him curiously.

"What are you muttering about?"

Shinichi: "Huh? Nothing, just talking to myself."

Shinobu: "Oh~"

Shinichi heterochromatic eyes—visible through the bandages—studied Shinobu face with sudden interest.

"Speaking of which, Shinobu, why do I suddenly feel like you're speaking much more gently? It's so unlike you. Could it be you're going easy on me because I'm injured?"

Shinobu Kocho: "..."

With a hint of tsundere attitude, Shinobu called Shinichi an idiot before turning her head away.

Shinichi simply chuckled and didn't press further—he had only made an offhand remark without any deeper meaning.

But in the direction Shinichi didn't notice, Shinobu small face turned away, suddenly flushed red at a certain moment.

'That idiot Shinichi! He really forgot!'

***

Another half-day passed and soon the carriage carried Shinichi and Shinobu back to the Butterfly Mansion.

Upon their return, they received good news.

A day earlier, the Master had officially announced the promotion of two new Hashira: the Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho and the Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu.

"Nee-san became a Hashira? That's wonderful!" Shinobu violet eyes practically sparkled.

Soon after, upon hearing about Shinichi severe injuries, the Hashira currently at the headquarters came to visit.

"Namu Amida Butsu. The demon that gravely injured Shinichi—was it one of the Upper Moons?" Gyomei Himejima, hands clasped together, mused solemnly.

But Shinichi honestly replied that it was a completely unfamiliar demon and gave a detailed description of its abilities.

The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, seemed intrigued stroking his chin with one hand.

"It does sound somewhat flashy. But demons? No thanks. Their stories are always unacceptably vulgar."

The Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku, had recently taken leave from the Master. It was said his wife had fallen seriously ill.

Kanae Kocho also came to see Shinichi at once.

Seeing that he was in decent condition, she sighed in relief.

"By the way, I must thank you properly, Shinichi-kun. Thank you for taking care of Shinobu all this time. I'm sure she must have caused you a lot of trouble" Kanae said warmly, holding her younger sister hand while smiling at Shinichi in the sickbed.

"Nee-saaan!!" Shinobu cheeks flushed as she whined, but Kanae only responded with a gentle laugh.

Meanwhile, Tomioka Giyu who had become the Water Hashira alongside Kanae, did not come to the Butterfly Mansion to visit Shinichi.

His cold behavior left Shinobu indignant.

Hands on her hips, she huffed "That Cold-faced jerk is so rude! He used to always drag that blockhead Shinichi into sparring matches, never even saying thanks afterward. And now that he's a Hashira, he can't even bother to care about his comrades? Hmph! So rude!"

Well, Shinichi old nickname had now been passed on to someone else.

But Kanae defended Giyu. "I'm sure Tomioka-san must have urgent matters. I heard he left headquarters right after his promotion—he seemed in quite a hurry."

"Hmph! Cold-face is just plain rude!"

***

At that very moment, the newly dubbed "Cold-faced man" Tomioka Giyu, had arrived at the foot of Mount Sagiri.

Gazing up at the mountain where he, Sabito and Makomo had spent so many years, Giyu found himself unable to take another step.

The wind rustled his red haori and tousled his hair. Beneath his calm expression lay deep unease—he didn't know how to face Sabito.

After much hesitation, Tomioka Giyu finally stepped into Mount Sagiri.

No matter what, inheriting the title of Water Hashira was his master wish.

He had to personally tell his master about becoming the Water Hashira—this was also the promise he had made to Sabito long ago.

When Giyu arrived outside the cabin, a figure was already waiting for him.

It wasn't his master, but the familiar boy with peach-pink hair.

Tomioka Giyu eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his dear friend attire.

"Sabito! You...!"

The black uniform unique to the Demon Slayer Corps gleamed brilliantly on the smiling, peach-pink-haired boy.

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