Early the next morning, Tanjiro stood with the box holding his sister on his back, watching the Sapphire Star pack her things. "Are you really heading back to headquarters first?" His voice was full of reluctance to see her go.
The Sapphire Star fastened the last clasp on her armor, the Fatalis Demolisher sheathed diagonally across her back, her movements crisp and efficient. "Yep. My materials have already been delivered to the swordsmiths anyway, and it feels like it'll take them another eight hundred years to finish forging everything. Staying here staring at them won't do any good!" She pointed toward the Swordsmith Village, where the furnaces blazed and the clanging never stopped.
"I might as well head back to headquarters and see if any impromptu missions come my way."
Her gaze swept across the people who had come to see her off. Besides Tanjiro and his sister, all seven Hashira were present-even Muichiro was watching her leave. Each of the seven wore a temporary sword of a different design at their waist. Although the Swordsmith Village had survived the disaster, its defenses still needed to be thorough. With these weapons, they would at least stand a fighting chance if another attack came.
"Please take care, Sapphire Star!" Himejima rolled his prayer beads between his fingers, gratitude in his deep voice.
"Umu! I look forward to fighting alongside you again!" Purgatory's voice was as thunderous as ever.
"Let's go on another flashy mission together next time!" Tengen Uzui planted his hands on his hips, striving for a perfect pose even with his temporary sword.
"Waaah, kitty, wait until your big sister gets back to headquarters, and I'll feed you more dried fish~" Mitsuri Kanroji, meanwhile, couldn't bear to part with the Palico.
Sanemi clicked his tongue by way of farewell.