Everyone fell silent. Inosuke had never understood much about the bonds between people, but even he did not dare speak now.
After a long while, Tetsu no Sosuke turned back, his face expressionless. "Shinobu."
"I'm here." Shinobu Kocho nodded at once.
"You know Tamayo well."
Tetsu no Sosuke spoke in a voice that was frighteningly steady. "Go see her. I'll give you an address. Head straight there and hand the things to those two brothers."
"All right." Shinobu Kocho had not understood most of it, but she knew what she needed to do.
She did not stop to rest. She got up and went out.
Tetsu no Sosuke looked at Giyu Tomioka. "Water Pillar, I need your help with something."
"All right."
Giyu Tomioka nodded.
"Take the three of them and meet up with the other Pillars. From the day you join them, you'll have seven days to eliminate every demon you can find, apart from Kibutsuji Muzan."
Tetsu no Sosuke began, "As for this—"
"I understand." Giyu Tomioka nodded and agreed before Tetsu no Sosuke could finish.
Tetsu no Sosuke looked at him and gave a slight nod. "You'll lead this operation. That is what the Master wants. He never said it outright, but his words made it perfectly clear. We will follow your orders without question. None of us will disobey!"
Giyu Tomioka rarely said so much.
Tetsu no Sosuke looked dazed for a moment, then nodded. "I'm counting on you."
Giyu Tomioka did not linger. He turned and left, taking Tanjiro and the other two with him.
Tetsu no Sosuke poured himself a cup of wine. It tasted bitter, and the burn seemed to plunge straight into his chest.
He choked and coughed again and again. Clenching his teeth, he looked at the member of the Hidden