The atmosphere on the journey back to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters was rather strange.
The villagers of the Swordsmith Village knelt and bowed to Uesugi Sasuke from afar, looking at him as though he were a god and thanking him for saving their lives. Meanwhile, the members of the Kakushi escorting them did not even dare come within three meters of him. They merely followed at a distance, their faces filled with awe and fear.
The battle that day, that purple demon god, and that lightning arrow piercing heaven and earth had become images branded deep into their souls, never to be erased.
In contrast, several of the core members remained silent.
Tanjiro was immersed in the immense joy of his younger sister overcoming sunlight, as well as the worries that followed. Mitsuri Kanroji, meanwhile, stole occasional glances at Sasuke, her cheeks crimson and her eyes shining.
But the one who had changed the most was Muichiro Tokito.
The gifted boy who had once lost his memories and been indifferent to everything was now gazing at Sasuke's back with an exceedingly complicated look. His eyes held shock, incomprehension, and even a barely perceptible trace of... bewilderment.
He had always believed himself to be a chosen one, an unparalleled genius who had become a Hashira after only two months of wielding a sword. But after witnessing Uesugi Sasuke's power, he finally understood that even between geniuses, there could be a gulf like that between mortals and gods.
Soon, the group arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was already waiting there, and an emergency Hashira Meeting was convened immediately.
All the surviving Hashira gathered in the courtyard.
They all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Mitsuri Kanroji and Muichiro Tokito return safely. But when they noticed