Zenitsu Agatsuma looked utterly unruffled, as though he had seen through all things and witnessed every twist of the mortal world. He seemed the sort who would not flinch even if a mountain collapsed before him, with an almost otherworldly air.
Tetsu no Sosuke found the sight irritating.
So he leaned in and whispered in Zenitsu's ear, "Yushiro is a demon."
Zenitsu Agatsuma gave an easy smile. "Hammer Pillar, you can't scare me anymore. I'm not even afraid of death. Why would I be afraid of your lies? I can see through a ridiculous lie like that anytime."
Yushiro glanced back at him, expressionless. "He's telling the truth."
Zenitsu Agatsuma heard no hint of a lie. His otherworldly composure began to crumble. He took one step back, then another, and was just about to turn and run when Shinobu Kocho caught him by the collar. "Come on."
Zenitsu Agatsuma gave a miserable smile and said to Tanjiro, "I told you the Hammer Pillar kept demons. Why wouldn't you believe me?"
Tanjiro thought for a moment. "I keep one too."
Zenitsu Agatsuma froze. His heart sank.
Tamayo was already waiting for them. Seeing such a large group arrive, she couldn't help smiling. "I never expected so many guests. Hammer Pillar, have you come this time to fulfill your agreement with Noro Kira?"
Tetsu no Sosuke thought about it. There had indeed been an agreement; he would have forgotten it if Tamayo hadn't mentioned it.
He scratched his head. "That guy's still alive?"
"He's a valuable test subject. I can't let him die so easily." Tamayo's gaze suddenly settled on Tanjiro—or rather, on the wooden box on his back. "Who's in there?"
"My sister." Tanjiro glanced at Tetsu no Sosuke. Only after Tetsu nodded did Tanjiro set the box down and open