41 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

"Bear my child, only to make me a widow? To raise that child alone, only to lose them when they're my age now?"

Haruto shook his head firmly. "Master, I could never bring myself to do such a thing."

Gotokawa fell silent, unable to argue.

"Haruto, what were you and Master Gotokawa talking about? He looked so upset!"

As they prepared to leave the Swordsmith Village, Shinobu leaned closer, whispering in Haruto's ear.

Haruto glanced at Gotokawa, who stood with a stern expression, refusing to speak. With a shrug, he replied, "He's not angry."

Gotokawa wasn't angry—he was ashamed. Ashamed that a man of his age could be seen through so easily by a mere seventeen-year-old.

The night before, Haruto had entered Ryōji's room and bowed his head before his ashes. He did so not only as Gotokawa's disciple but also as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

(T/N: Gotokawa's son, Ryōji, who had died more than 30 years earlier.)

His own grandfather, Souta, and his father, Yuusei, hadn't even left behind ashes. For fear of demons' retaliation, there wasn't even a memorial tablet for them.

After hearing the story of his lineage from Gotokawa, Haruto had felt a deep melancholy. The barrage of thoughts in his mind confirmed the truth: the demon who had devoured his family was Daki, the Upper Rank Six of the Twelve Kizuki, still active in the Tokyo region.

Haruto had operated in and around Tokyo for some time since leaving the village. To have evaded detection—or worse, consumption—by her could only be described as sheer luck.

"Where do you plan to stay?" Haruto asked the Butterfly sisters.

"We'll settle in Tokyo for now," Kanae answered, gently stroking Shinobu's hair. "The Corps has provided us with a house nearby. I've spent so little time with Shinobu this past year. I've decided I won't leave her side until she's grown up properly."

"Sis~ I'm already a Demon Slayer! I don't need you to baby me~!"

"Oh, of course. The twelve-year-old prodigy of the Demon Slayer Corps. Truly remarkable~."

"Stop teasing me! Don't talk to me like I'm a child!"

Watching the sisters bicker playfully, Haruto couldn't help but smile.

"I've contacted a friend in Asakusa about the Wisteria poison," Haruto said.

Tamayo's response had been concise and clear: she was eager to assist in any effort that might bring about Kibutsuji Muzan's downfall.

"Is this friend also a healer?" Kanae asked.

"Yes, an exceptionally skilled one."

Haruto didn't bother to explain that Tamayo was a demon. He trusted that Kanae and Shinobu would figure it out when the time came.

He wasn't worried about them drawing their swords on her. Kanae, after all, had learned swordsmanship with the goal of "saving demons." Meeting a demon who had suppressed their hunger for humans would likely make her happier than anyone.

At the base of Mount Sagiri, Genya was in the middle of physical training with Sabito.

Giyu, nursing a leg injury from his last mission, sat on the wisteria-wood bed Haruto had once used, staring into space.

"Tighten your core! Engage every muscle you can!"

"Haaah... haaah..."

Genya panted heavily, every pore on his body sweating profusely. Even his spiky hair was drenched, clinging to his forehead.

His toes dug into the ground as he struggled to keep a large log balanced on his shoulders, trembling with the effort.

"Keep it up, Genya!" Sabito grinned mischievously. "You can put it down when the bird on that branch flies off to find food~."

"The bird... haaah... isn't that the one you... haaah... glued to the branch this morning?"

"Oh, you noticed?" Sabito's grin widened as he glanced at the bird made of yarn and feathers, a creation of Makomo's handiwork. "Well then, let's aim for another thirty minutes!"

"Or," Giyu said, his expression blank as ever, "if it's too much, just set the log down. Don't push yourself."

Despite his seemingly kind words, his deadpan delivery made them sound almost mocking.

Motivated by stubborn pride, Genya gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain. No way was he going to give up now—not when they were watching.

By the time Haruto arrived, Genya was drenched in sweat, his muscles screaming in protest.

"I'll handle this," Haruto said, stepping forward and tossing the log aside with ease. "You're pushing him too hard! He's still a kid!"

The sudden relief made Genya collapse to the ground, sweat pooling beneath him. He tried to grab the water cup Haruto handed him, but his trembling hands couldn't keep it steady.

"Small sips," Haruto said, holding the cup for him. "Take it slow, or you'll make yourself sick."

After ensuring Genya was okay, Haruto turned his attention to Sabito.

"You think this is how you take care of my apprentice?" he demanded, jabbing the sheathed handle of his Nichirin blade into Sabito's side.

"Wait, wait! It was Giyu's idea! He played the bad cop!" Sabito yelped, dodging Haruto's playful strikes.

Giyu, still seated, tilted his head slightly, looking genuinely confused. "I only told him to be careful."

"You call that careful?" Haruto scoffed, exasperated.

Their antics filled the clearing with laughter. But as they joked, Haruto's gaze suddenly shifted to the mountainside, his eyes narrowing.

"What's wrong?" Giyu asked, straightening up and following Haruto's line of sight.

"There's something... watching us," Haruto murmured.

He slid his blade back into its sheath. "I'll check it out."

"I'm coming with you," Sabito said, grabbing his sword.

"No," Haruto said firmly. "Stay here. Genya's exhausted, and Giyu's injured. Someone has to keep an eye on them."

Without another word, Haruto sprinted off toward the forest.

Mount Sagiri had long been free of wandering demons since it became a haven for Demon Slayers. But this gaze he felt wasn't laced with malice. It didn't feel like a demon planning an attack.

It felt... concerned.

Haruto furrowed his brow.

Who could it be?