Gyomei Himejima

At the Butterfly Mansion, the Butterfly Sisters were like ants on a hot pan. As for why, it was naturally because Tsugikuni Kuuga had fought a Lower Rank alone on Mt. Sagiri.

"Big Sister, has anyone gone to support him? Otherwise, I'll go!" Shinobu Kocho asked anxiously.

Just then, Aoi Kanzaki ran in, panting heavily. "The Stone Hashira has been sent to Mt. Sagiri, and Kuuga is fine!"

Kanae Kocho hurriedly handed her a cup of water. Aoi took it and drank.

"Aoi, slow down. Don't choke!" Kanae Kocho said with concern.

Only after hearing that Tsugikuni Kuuga was fine did the Butterfly Sisters relax somewhat.

"That guy finished his examination and, instead of thinking about going home, insisted on running off to Mt. Sagiri. He's infuriating!" Shinobu Kocho complained.

Yet she was complaining with a smile. After all, no one had been more worried than her. Kanae Kocho patted her younger sister's shoulder in comfort.

"Since Mr. Himejima was dispatched, Kuuga won't be in danger anymore. Mr. Himejima is the strongest Hashira, after all!" Kanae Kocho explained.

"I'll show him what happens when he gets back. Hmph!"

The Demon Slayer Corps had dispatched its strongest fighter because of Tsugikuni Kuuga. That alone showed just how highly the Master regarded him.

Achoo!

Tsugikuni Kuuga, who was happily stuffing himself, suddenly sneezed. Could someone be thinking about me? It must be Shinobu. Hehehe!

Tsugikuni Kuuga started grinning foolishly as he ate. Shinobu Kocho really had been thinking about him, though she was thinking about beating him up.

"Master! Does Kuuga really have the strength to fight a Lower Rank?" Sabito suddenly asked.

"Yes! Little Brother Kuuga is indeed very strong. He merely lacks some experience," Sakonji Urokodaki said without denying it.

"Then please train me even more strictly in the future, Master!" Sabito said seriously.

Tsugikuni Kuuga set down his bowl, threw an arm around Sabito, and said in a mature tone, "Oh, young man, don't be so impatient! After all, not everyone can be a genius like me!"

"You're practically pressed against my face, genius!" Sabito shouted.

"Don't get so close to me! Help!"

"We're brothers. What's wrong with sitting close together?" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with a grin.

"Kuuga is right. You truly must not be hasty. You should correct that flaw of yours and not let what happened during the Final Selection happen again. Then you will naturally grow stronger!" Sakonji Urokodaki added.

"I understand!" Sabito said somewhat ashamedly.

Water Breathing truly required a heart as calm as water, but he could be impulsive at times. In that regard, he really was inferior to Giyu. But he would not give up. Sabito clenched his fists.

Makomo covered her mouth and laughed as she watched the two fool around. Giyu, meanwhile, acted as though it had nothing to do with him and focused on eating.

A knock at the door shattered the lively atmosphere in the house. Tsugikuni Kuuga hurriedly got up to answer it. Support from headquarters had probably arrived, but he wondered which Hashira it would be.

When Tsugikuni Kuuga opened the door, he froze on the spot. A mighty, burly man stood before him.

The muscular man was dressed like a monk. A long scar ran across his forehead, and both his eyes were blind. Over his Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he wore a brown kasaya emblazoned with the words "Namu Amida Butsu."

Tsugikuni Kuuga recognized him at a glance as the strongest man in the Demon Slayer Corps: the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, a man with a tragic past who still devoted himself wholeheartedly to goodness.

"Are you young friend Tsugikuni Kuuga? Poor child, encountering a Lower Rank before even taking on a mission. Namu Amida Butsu!" Gyomei Himejima looked at Tsugikuni Kuuga with tears streaming down his face.

"I am. May I ask what brings you here, Mr. Stone Hashira?"

"I have come to slay the Evil Demon. Namu Amida Butsu!" Gyomei Himejima still had tears pouring down his face.

"Well, she seems to have already run away!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with an awkward smile.

"Is that so? It is good that all of you are unharmed. Namu Amida Butsu!"

"Then please return to headquarters and make a report, young friend. The Master wishes to know some specific details. Also, the sisters at the Butterfly Mansion asked me to deliver some words to you. Namu Amida Butsu!"

"Big Sister and Shinobu have something to say?"

"Miss Kanae said, 'Don't push yourself too hard. Make sure to protect yourself!'"

"Miss Shinobu said, 'You're dead!'"

"Young friend Kuuga truly makes people worry. Namu Amida Butsu!"

"Thank you for delivering their messages, Mr. Himejima. I understand. Would you like to come in and sit for a while?" Tsugikuni Kuuga asked politely.

"I still need to investigate the surrounding area. Nothing can happen to a trainer. Namu Amida Butsu!" Gyomei Himejima said, turning to leave the Wooden House.

"Wait, you need to know some information about that demon!" Tsugikuni Kuuga called after him.

"Please tell me!" Gyomei Himejima stopped.

"The one I encountered was Lower Rank Four. Female, with two horns on her head. She can disguise herself as a human girl to deceive people. Her Blood Demon Arts are Mist Transformation Technique and Mist Manipulation Technique. That is all I know. Take care!"

"This is a tremendous help. Namu Amida Butsu!"

Gyomei Himejima left after saying that. Tsugikuni Kuuga knew he was dead once he returned, so he should start thinking about how to explain himself. Sigh!

"So that was the Stone Hashira? What an incredibly powerful presence!" Makomo exclaimed.

"Yeah, he really is strong!" Sabito agreed.

"Mm." Giyu nodded as well.

"Thank you for your hospitality, but I should probably head back. Big Sister and the others must be worried sick. Please excuse me!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said apologetically.

"But it is already dark. Can't you return tomorrow?" Sakuji Urokodaki asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine. More importantly, I can't let my family worry. I truly did not think this through!" Tsugikuni Kuuga explained.

"Then there is no helping it. But wait here for a moment!" Sakuji Urokodaki said before walking into the bedroom.

Before long, Sakonji Urokodaki emerged holding a Fox Mask and handed it to Tsugikuni Kuuga.

"Though you are not my disciple, you saved them. Accept this Disaster Averting Mask!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga happily accepted the mask. It might not have been anything important, but Mr. Urokodaki had made it himself, and it was something meant for his disciples.

By giving the mask to Tsugikuni Kuuga, Sakonji Urokodaki was showing his recognition of him.

Tsugikuni Kuuga hung the mask from one side of his forehead, not forgetting to strike a cool pose. After all, this was the finest souvenir from his visit to Mt. Sagiri: a Disaster Averting Fox Mask.

After bidding farewell to the Water Breathing group, Tsugikuni Kuuga raced all the way toward a single destination: the Butterfly Mansion. He merely treated the sprint as another form of training.

Tsugikuni Kuuga felt somewhat regretful. If his sword had not broken, he would already have become a Hashira. Unfortunately, Lower Rank Four had escaped. Don't let me see you again next time. Tsugikuni Kuuga swore to himself.