Xia Xi should have been the last of the Nine Hashira to leave.
Yet he truly had not expected Gyomei, who was usually so dedicated to his duties,
not to hurry back to his own jurisdiction, but instead to stay with him until the very last day.
In front of the estate, several Kakushi had already prepared to carry the two of them on their backs and set off.
There were quite a few of them.
Mainly because the things the two men carried with them were, put together, rather heavy.
After a long silence, however, Gyomei suddenly addressed the Kakushi. "Sorry for the trouble, but please take Mr. Xia Xi and me to the same place."
Everyone froze in unison.
"Hey, hey, Great Monk."
"Are you planning to come train with me in Kūmachiza?"
Gyomei looked perfectly serious. "Over these past few days, I have felt deeply that my strength is lacking."
"I am still a considerable distance from being a true pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"The climate in the Northern Borderlands is suitable for training, so I thought I would accompany you and hone myself for a few days."
Xia Xi raised his eyebrows, disbelief written all over his face.
At this time of year, snow was already starting to fall around Sendai.
Suitable climate, his ass.
Faced with Xia Xi's questioning gaze, Gyomei began nervously fingering the enormous Buddhist prayer beads hanging before his chest.
"Namu Amida Butsu... I will not cause you any trouble."
"I am going only to train alongside you, certainly not to make a special trip anywhere else."
Great Monk, could you at least try not to look so nervous when you lie?
Watching him work those enormous prayer beads so hard they nearly sparked, Xia Xi struggled not to laugh.