Those Who Pursue the Way Arrive at the Same Destination

A sheen of cold sweat beaded on Yuko's temple. Her back was ramrod straight as she sat primly to one side, stiffly holding the swaddled infant in her arms.

Soft and fragrant—it felt like she was holding a piece of delicious fried chicken.

But she did not dare move an inch.

Because the two men conversing not far in front of her kept glancing her way.

Tanjiki might have had a certain degree of trust in Yuko, but the sight of her drooling earlier had admittedly cost her some favor. On top of that, there was his duty as a father.

Even though he deliberately restrained his gaze, he still could not help turning his head to look every now and then.

As for Yoriichi, he simply saw Tanjiki turn his head and followed his gaze.

Yuko felt as if she was holding not a child, but some expensive, fragile exhibit in a museum.

If she showed even the slightest abnormality, the security guards beside her would rush over and pin her down.

This was probably what it meant to sit on pins and needles.

Still, it worked. At the very least, her appetite had dropped considerably.

"Everyone, I'm back!" Tamiko returned carrying a large basin of chestnuts. "Look, this year's chestnuts are this big~"

When she entered the house and saw Yuko rigidly holding the child, she could not help laughing.

"Miss Yuko, that is not how you hold a baby." Tamiko smiled and took the child from Yuko's arms.

Yuko's body immediately went limp. She let out a long breath and wiped the cold sweat from her temple.

Taking care of a child was even harder than forcing herself to fight Kokushibo.

Seeing how relieved she looked, Tamiko could not help teasing her. "You should learn how to care for children too, shouldn't you?"

"Miss Yuko will never become a qualified mother like this."

Yuko's lips twitched, and she felt powerless to refute it.

The two people beside her who knew the truth secretly laughed.

Tanjiki's family was as hospitable as ever, making it difficult for the two of them to refuse. Thus, they accepted the family's hospitality and stayed for a few days.

One afternoon, Tamiko was taking a nap indoors.

Yuko sat to one side, stiffly holding Tanjiki's youngest son, while Yoriichi played leisurely with Miyare.

"The tea is ready." Tanjiki brought over the tea.

"I'm truly sorry to make our guests help watch the child."

Yoriichi's voice sounded calm. "Do not mind it. She must be tired. Bearing and raising children is hard work."

She minded!

Yuko immediately shot him a pleading look.

After setting down the tea, Tanjiki hurried forward and took the child from her.

Tanjiki said awkwardly, "You have worked hard, Miss Yuko."

After Tamiko had said that Yuko did not know how to care for children, she had deliberately begun handing the child to Yuko from time to time.

She called it cultivating Miss Yuko's ability to care for children.

Although Yuko had earnestly said that she would never marry, she still could not withstand Tamiko's enthusiasm.

Yuko had never eaten in front of them these past few days, so Tamiko had naturally learned about Yuko from the others.

Even after learning her identity, they still trusted her and were willing to let her care for their child.

How could Yuko refuse?

"No, children... are wonderful." Yuko wiped away some cold sweat and forced a smile.

Tanjiki broke into another sweat. It seemed like a difficult battle.

Yoriichi looked at the sky, took a shallow sip of tea, and said calmly, "After we finish this cup of tea, we will leave."

Tanjiki froze slightly.

Yuko smiled faintly. "If we keep staying here and living off you for free, Older Brother will feel bad about it."

Holding the sleeping child, Tanjiki quickly said, "How could that be? The two of you are our family's saviors. Without your help, let alone us, even this child would never have had the chance to be born."

Only silence answered him.

"I understand." After hesitating, Tanjiki said, "Then at least let me pass down your deeds."

Yoriichi merely replied calmly, "There is no need."

Tanjiki looked at him worriedly. "But shouldn't it trouble you too, that there is no successor?"

"Even if a humble charcoal seller like me cannot inherit it."

"Surely one day, someone will..."

"There is no need." Yoriichi's calm voice rang out. He picked up his teacup, turned to Tanjiki, and said evenly, "Those who pursue the Way arrive at the same destination."

"No matter how the times change, or how different the paths we travel may be."

"In the end, all will arrive at the same place."

"You seem to regard me as someone extraordinary, but that is not the truth."

"I could not protect anything important. In my life, I failed to accomplish a single thing I should have done. I am a man of no worth."

Tanjiki looked at the calm man with concern, the words in his heart ready to burst forth.

Please do not...

"Please do not say that." Yuko's calm voice sounded within the house. She sat farther inside, her back turned toward the two men on the veranda.

"Even if other Hashira had been there at the time, they would not have been able to kill Muzan."

"No one demanded that you defeat Muzan. What one cannot do oneself should not be forced upon others."

"Older Brother did nothing wrong."

Yoriichi seemed emotionally detached, but in truth, he was an exceptionally kind person. On one hand, he spoke of those who pursued the Way arriving at the same destination, seemingly indifferent to all else. Yet on the other, he felt guilty over failing to kill Muzan.

That was also why, from the bottom of his heart, he believed himself useless.

He possessed such immense power, yet accomplished nothing.

Yoriichi's eyes flickered slightly, rippling with a trace of emotion.

With Yuko having opened the way, Tanjiki immediately echoed her. "That is right, Mr. Yoriichi! It is wrong to place every responsibility upon yourself!"

Yoriichi pressed his lips together and said nothing more. He watched the sun set beyond the horizon and drank the tea at hand.

Yoriichi stood and picked up the Nichirin Blade beside him. "Yuko, let us go."

Tanjiki seemed reluctant to let them leave. "You are leaving already?"

"Yes."

When guests were leaving, the hosts naturally had to see them off.

Tanjiki woke Tamiko and had her accompany them out.

Tanjiki's daughter, Miyare, found two periwinkle flowers from somewhere and gave them to the pair.

A pink periwinkle signifying tender memories, and a white periwinkle representing friendship?

Yuko held the pink flower in her hand, smiling as she picked Miyare up.

The child might not understand the language of flowers, but her affection for the two of them was impossible to hide.

At parting, Tamiko cheerfully waved both arms and wheedled Yoriichi, asking to see his sword moves and Sword Style.

Having received such warm hospitality from Tanjiki's family, how could Yoriichi possibly refuse?

The desolate night descended. The insect calls that had just begun in the forest suddenly seemed to have had their source cut off.

Within the hazy darkness, a blazing sun rose before Tanjiki's home.

Brilliant orange-red flames surged along the black blade. The unbroken blaze danced through the air like splendid silk, and like a mighty fire dragon roaring.