The night had grown late.
The Wisteria House lay beneath the quiet moonlight.
The day's clamor and conflict seemed to have vanished without a trace on the night breeze.
Under the old woman's attentive care, Tanjiro's and Inosuke's injuries had stabilized, and both were now fast asleep.
But Sasuke had not slept.
He sat alone, cross-legged on the veranda overlooking the courtyard.
The moonlight stretched his shadow long.
He was practicing his chakra control.
A small cluster of chakra constantly changed shape at his fingertips.
Sometimes it flowed like water; sometimes it formed a needle.
This was the most basic exercise in shape transformation.
Tedious, but effective.
To him, these past few days with Tanjiro and the others had been a complete waste of time.
One was a naive idiot.
One was a noisy coward.
And the other was a boar who understood nothing but brute force.
Weak and obnoxious.
What he needed was to slay demons, earn Revenge Points, and unlock greater power.
Not stay here playing house with these guys.
Just as he grew irritated and prepared to find somewhere quieter...
Muffled sobs came from the room.
It was Zenitsu.
"Boo-hoo... We're really going to die, aren't we... We'll definitely die on the next mission..."
"Tanjiro, I'm so scared... Why did I ever become a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman..."
Sasuke's brow furrowed even more.
What a hopeless loser.
He stood up, preparing to leave.
Just then, Tanjiro's gentle but firm voice rang out.
"Zenitsu, I'm scared too."
"My hands and feet tremble every time I fight."
"But I can't back down."
Sasuke stopped in his tracks.
He did not know why he had not left immediately.
He stood in the shadows of the veranda, listening quietly.
Zenitsu's sobs grew a little softer.
"W-why?"
"Because I have to protect