Kirishima Bupai's sprawled body did not move at all. Only the corner of his mouth shifted slightly, as though he had merely found a more comfortable angle to lean at.
He did not even open his eyes, merely letting out a muffled sound through his nose. "Hmm?"
The Kasugai Crow swiftly relayed the mission:
"Kyoto Prefecture! The Yoshiwara Pleasure District in the Entertainment District! Caw!"
"People disappearing! Strange circumstances! Ongoing for months! Caw! Target identified: a demon hidden deep within the Entertainment District! Suspected... Upper Rank level! Caw!"
"Special mission! Thorough investigation required! Utmost secrecy! Caw! Therefore..."
"The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, will accompany you! Caw! He has already gone ahead! Waiting outside Yoshiwara! Caw!"
The Kasugai Crow finished in one breath, flapping its wings nervously as it awaited this legendary Hashira's response.
In the Butterfly Mansion's courtyard, Tanjiro, who had been practicing his sword swings, stopped at the crow's cries.
Zenitsu and Inosuke also poked their heads out from their respective corners.
One of the two had been napping beneath a tree, while the other had been venting his excess energy on a wooden post.
As the Kasugai Crow finished speaking, even Shinobu Kocho, who was passing by carrying a medicine box, stopped in her tracks.
Her purple eyes turned thoughtfully toward the covered walkway. Upper Rank level?
That information carried far too much weight.
Under everyone's gaze, Kirishima Bupai, draped over the railing, finally showed a little sign of life.
He did not immediately leap up and shout something like, "Let's set off flamboyantly!" Nor did he show any solemnity or excitement.
He merely-
Slowly, with utter languor... stretched at length.
As he moved, the bones throughout his body gave a series of crisp cracks like popping beans.
Then, like a cat that had finally woken, he slid