At the gates of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, dawn was approaching, yet a large crowd had gathered. Swordsmen, Kakushi members, and support staff from the Butterfly Mansion were all waiting for those who had fought in the Final Battle to return. They had been waiting there ever since receiving news of victory the night before.
Nezuko, who had already become human again, stood there with Tengen's three wives, each waiting for the people they missed.
In the distance, a white line appeared along the horizon, its edges tinged with red.
"It's dawn..."
Goto looked at the light spreading across the horizon, his excitement undiminished. The others around him felt the same way. Despite waiting all night, they barely looked sleepy.
Just then, against the white line on the horizon, a row of figures came into view.
"They're back!"
A sharp-eyed Kakushi member spotted them. The towering Gyomei was the first to be recognized, and then the others gradually came into view. Fifteen people-not a single one missing.
"They're back! They're back!"
Everyone shouted excitedly, raising their arms high to wave in greeting. Smiles covered their faces, and some were already shedding tears.
Chiba Yo and the others also noticed the people waiting at the gates. They froze for a moment, then realized what was happening and smiled, waving back.
Of course, only a few of them did that. Asking people like Giyu and Sanemi to do the same would have been a bit much.
"Nezuko..."
Tanjiro's attention was entirely fixed on Nezuko in the crowd. Though they were still some distance apart, he had already noticed that her scent had changed.
The sun rose, its light falling on Nezuko, but nothing happened to her.
"Nezuko... Nezuko!"
At that sight, Tanjiro understood. He murmured her name, tears spilling down his