Namiko

After being warmly hosted by Tanjiki, the two stayed at Tanjiki's home for several days.

Leaving Tanjiki's home, the two returned to the place where they were born.

The once prosperous Tsugikuni estate had become desolate in the few short years since Kokushibo had left.

From what they learned from others in the town, after the head of the Tsugikuni estate, Tsugikuni Michikatsu, abandoned his wife and children, only the frail matriarch and young children remained, and the estate was soon swallowed by others.

After repeated investigation, the siblings learned that Kokushibo's descendants, to avoid disaster, had changed their names and moved to the deep mountains to make a living by logging.

The siblings secretly went to see them and, after confirming they were living without hardship, they left with peace of mind.

The two bought a small house in town with the rewards they had earned from slaying demons in recent years and settled down in their hometown for the time being.

Once settled, Yoriichi wrote a letter to the Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps detailing his battle with Muzan, hoping for assistance.

Even though Tamayo had said that Muzan would likely not reappear before his death.

Yoriichi still refused to give up. While caring for his increasingly ill sister, he maintained contact with the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, searching for Kibutsuji Muzan's whereabouts.

This arrangement lasted for two years.

In this year, Yuko turned twenty-five, and Yoriichi turned twenty-six.

The rule that those who awakened the Markings could not live past twenty-five was broken.

Yuko was not surprised. Just as Kokushibo had been jealous of, Yoriichi was always the exception.

Perhaps there was a difference in lifespan between naturally occurring Markings and those acquired later.

As Yoriichi reached twenty-six and found himself not dying due to the Markings, he stopped openly searching for Muzan.

Instead, he hid, hoping Muzan would misjudge the lifespan of swordsmen with Markings and reappear in the world.

But unfortunately, Muzan, while lacking in other abilities, was a master of the art of concealment and did not reveal the slightest trace.

As time went on, Yuko's illness worsened, and her coughing up blood became more frequent.

While Yoriichi was out searching for a physician, Yuko took out an envelope she had prepared for a long time. After placing it on the table, she picked up her Nichirin Blade and left home.

She didn't want to die in front of Yoriichi; it would be too unsightly.

When Yoriichi returned home with the physician, all that remained for him was the envelope on the table.

Day and night alternated, and Yuko walked on, numb, not knowing how long it had been.

"Grumble~"

A subtle sound came from her stomach.

She was hungry.

But she hadn't brought any provisions.

Yuko found a rock and sat down, leaning against it.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell on her face, carrying a faint warmth.

She didn't know if she would have another journey after falling asleep.

Heaven had already given her one chance, allowing her to feel a mother's care and a brother's kindness.

Although she still felt a little unwilling, there was nothing she could do.

As the last ray of sunlight disappeared, Yuko slowly closed her eyes.

"Miss Yuko? Is that Miss Yuko?"

Not knowing how much time had passed, a pleasant voice suddenly reached her ears.

Had her brother sent someone to find her?

Even though she had already walked so far.

Yuko's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Before her was a girl in a Demon Slayer Corps uniform. She seemed to have seen her somewhere before.

"Who are you?"

The girl crouched down and smiled gently, "Don't you remember me, Yuko? Five years ago, you saved my life in a mountain temple."

Fuzzy memories resurfaced in her mind, and Yuko's eyes cleared slightly.

"You're... Namiko?"

The person before her was the girl who had warmed her with her body heat on that snowy mountain when they were fighting demons.

Seeing that Yuko remembered her, Namiko's lips curved into a happy smile. "Miss Yuko still remembers me."

"You... joined the Demon Slayer Corps?"

"Yes, after Miss Yuko saved me five years ago, I've always wanted to repay your kindness." Namiko slowly knelt before Yuko.

"I finally joined the Demon Slayer Corps three years ago. It's a shame that I learned of Miss Yuko's departure as soon as I joined and didn't get to meet you."

"I didn't expect to meet you here. Did you hear about the demon in the mountains?"

Yuko blinked in surprise. "A demon in the mountains?"

"Yes, on the mountain behind you, at the home of a samurai. His wife and children have been missing for several days for no reason."

"Did you get the assignment?"

"Yes."

Yuko's eyelids drooped slightly, and the Clear World unfolded before her eyes, revealing Namiko's lung movements in full detail.

Over the past two years, her mastery of the Clear World had become increasingly proficient, and she could now use it steadily.

This breathing... it's a breathing style of Water Breathing.

Water Breathing is the most adaptable breathing style among the five major breathing styles.

But regarding Namiko's understanding of Water Breathing, let alone the realm of Constant, even simple application was extremely superficial. At this level, she probably couldn't even handle an ordinary demon.

Has the Demon Slayer Corps declined to this point since they left?

"Gulp~"

Just then, an awkward sound rang out.

"..."

Namiko quickly rummaged through her bag. "If Miss Yuko doesn't mind, I have some dried rations here."

"...Thank you." Yuko didn't refuse her kindness. While eating, she made small talk.

"Do you have any information on the demon?"

"Yes, intelligence suggests the demon possesses a peculiar Blood Demon Art and was seen taking the samurai's wife away in broad daylight."

"In the past few days, several people have been abducted, and the samurai is helpless."

Yuko nodded slightly. "I'll accompany you."

Blood Demon Art can be considered a superpower possessed by demons.

These types of demons are often stronger than ordinary demons, and with Namiko's control over breathing techniques, it would likely be difficult for her to handle.

"Really? It's great to have Miss Yuko's help." Namiko let out a sigh of relief and said wistfully, "This is actually my first time hunting a demon alone. To be honest, I've been feeling quite uncertain."

Yuko remained silent.

After filling her stomach, Yuko followed Namiko into the mountain.

The sun had already set, with only a faint afterglow of the twilight remaining.

After walking up the mountain path for ten minutes, a large mansion came into view.

From Namiko, Yuko learned that the mountain was the fief of a certain samurai who had served under the Shogun.

He was rewarded with this mansion when he retired from the front lines.

Namiko tidied her clothes. "Please wait a moment."

She knocked on the large door.