Sanemi still couldn't utter a word. Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gentle compassionate gaze reminded him of his mother.
"I'm truly sorry to have called you here so soon after Masachika's passing," the master said softly.
"You two were like brothers… It must be especially painful for you."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya continued to speak in a quiet, soothing voice. At last, Sanemi found the strength to respond, though his voice trembled with disbelief.
"…His name. You remembered his name?"
Kanae Kocho, the Flower Hashira, who stood beside Sanemi answered for Kagaya.
"Sanemi-kun, ever since Lord Ubuyashiki became leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, he's remembered the names and life stories of every swordsman who has fallen in battle."
Sanemi's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't fathom remembering all the names of their fallen comrades.
"As Demon Slayers… we've all written our last words," Kanae continued gently.
"What's surprising is that despite writing them at different times, most of our parting thoughts are almost the same."
"Masachika was no exception. I was planning to give his to Sanemi." Ubuyashiki interjected.
At the mention of the farewell letter, Giyu Tomioka remembered that he had written one too, about two years ago. But his had been rather half-hearted, not serious at all.
"Don't blame Water Breathing—if you think it's weak, maybe you're just weak!"
The memory made Giyu cringe. He'd written it on impulse and now found it embarrassingly immature.
On the other side of the room, Ubuyashiki Kagaya took a sealed envelope from inside his robes. He slowly stepped forward and handed it to Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"Masachika saw something of his late brother in you," he said softly.
As Sanemi opened the envelope with trembling hands, Kagaya continued speaking.
"He dreamed of a brighter future. That's something we both shared."
"I hope those we love can live peacefully, smiling until they grow old. I hope their lives will never again be threatened by senseless cruelty."
"Even if I'm no longer alive to walk beside them… I want them to live, to truly live—and be happy."
By the time Ubuyashiki finished speaking, Sanemi was already in tears.
Several minutes passed before Sanemi finally composed himself. Then, dropping to one knee, he said in a firm, resolute voice:
"I disrespected you before, Master. From now on, I'll follow your guidance and fulfill my duties."
"Thank you, Sanemi," Kagaya said with the same gentle smile as ever. Not a hint of blame in his tone.
Off to the side, Giyu Tomioka watched the touching scene with an unreadable expression.
Inwardly, he thought,
'Looks like they managed to tame the Super Problematic Hashira.'
The remainder of the Hashira meeting passed without incident. With the main storyline not yet underway, there was little of urgency to discuss.
After the meeting, Giyu went directly to the Butterfly Estate under the pretext of visiting Kanae Kocho, though his real intention was to speak with Shinobu Kocho.
In short, he asked Shinobu to secretly keep an eye on Kanae's movements—especially if a mission involved anything cult-related or church-like.
His reasoning was simple and serious.
"Your sister's way of thinking… is dangerous. You must've noticed," Giyu said, voice calm but intense.
"Maybe it wouldn't matter during ordinary times, but now… she's wavering."
"She could end up in a life-or-death situation. So if she receives a mission like that, follow her if possible."
"And have your Kasugai Crow notify me—I'll come support you immediately."
Though Shinobu was initially skeptical, she chose to trust Giyu. After all, the one speaking was a fellow Hashira, and the matter concerned her sister.
Once Shinobu agreed, Giyu felt much more at ease. She was the most crucial part of his plan.
As for why he didn't tell Kanae directly—Giyu knew it would be pointless.
With her personality, she'd smile, nod as if she understood, and then quietly do things her own way anyway.
After leaving the Butterfly Estate, Giyu made his way to the region under Sanemi Shinazugawa's jurisdiction.
Dealing with Sanemi wouldn't be easy—so Giyu chose the simplest method.
"You're Tomioka Giyu—the Water Hashira, right?" Sanemi asked, sizing him up. "What the hell do you want from me?"
Honestly, if Giyu hadn't said a few words at the morning meeting, Sanemi might've assumed the guy was mute.
"I want to ask a favor," Giyu said plainly. "But I figured you'd never agree if I asked directly. So let's fight."
"If I win, you help me. If I lose… you can ask whatever you want with me. Deal?"
Even Sanemi was momentarily stunned.
"You… are you insane?!"
But Giyu remained calm. He walked to a nearby weapons rack, picked up two wooden swords, and tossed one to Sanemi.
"What's the matter? You scared?" Giyu said flatly. "If you are, I'll leave right now—and you can pretend I was never here."
Conveniently, they were inside a training hall—plenty of open space for a duel.
Sanemi's expression darkened. His knuckles cracked ominously.
"…Fine. Your provocation worked."
"You're about to find out who's afraid of who."
"Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!"
The surprise attack didn't faze Giyu. He immediately grounded his stance.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
The attack was neutralized, but Sanemi pressed forward, thrusting again with both hands.
"Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist!"
But at this time, Sanemi still hadn't fully mastered his form. Giyu leaned back fluidly, dodging with ease.
"You better not back out later," Giyu said coldly.
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust!"
"Don't you dare underestimate me, bastard!" Sanemi growled, twisting violently to avoid the incoming strike.
In a clumsy but effective maneuver, he narrowly dodged Giyu's sword tip.
Then Sanemi launched another attack. He had to widen the distance—if Giyu got the next swing, it'd be over.
"Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm!"
Huh. Giyu noted the flexibility of Sanemi's form with quiet admiration.
He responded by rotating his stance with a fluid motion.
"Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool!"
The wooden blades collided in a burst of force. Sanemi was pushed back several paces. Cracks ran down his sword—it looked like it might break at any moment.
"Damn it!" Sanemi snarled, adjusting his grip. He inhaled sharply, then shouted:
"This ends now!"
"Wind Breathing, Eighth Form: Primary Gale Slash!"
Faced with the powerful strike, Giyu didn't flinch.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm."
A deafening shockwave exploded across the dojo. The floor cracked, the roof shredded, debris scattered everywhere.
But in the eye of the storm—Giyu stood motionless. Unharmed.
Even the hem of his haori hadn't fluttered.
Sanemi Shinazugawa stood frozen in place, wooden sword lowered, staring in stunned silence—still trying to process what had just happened.