After Ubuyashiki Kagaya departed, Iguro Obanai, the Serpent Pillar, complained about Tomioka Giyu.
"Tomioka Giyu lacks the awareness of a Hashira. He left such an important meeting early. Is he trying to rush into his own training to awaken the Demon Mark?"
Shinazugawa Sanemi agreed, "It's truly irritating. He always says he's different from us. Is he looking down on us?"
Since Tsukihoshi had left Ubuyashiki, there was no need for him to stay either. However, there were a few things that needed to be clarified.
"Miss Shinobu, come with me. I have something I need to make clear to you."
...
Under an eave, Tsukihoshi stared at Kocho Shinobu with a serious expression. "Miss Shinobu, I will be taking Zenitsu away. I hope you won't consider using yourself as a poison. If you do, I will have to lock you up."
Kocho Shinobu was shocked. How did Tsukihoshi know what she was thinking? She hadn't told anyone this thought yet.
"Tsukihoshi-kun, how did you know what I was thinking? I've been curious for a long time. What kind of person are you? Why are you so mysterious? No one knows where you came from or what your goals are."
"Do you remember the demon I mentioned to you before, Tamayo? She will be coming to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters soon. She and I have reached an agreement. If she doesn't help you, I don't think your current research will succeed."
"Miss Shinobu, do you remember your sister's wish? You have already fulfilled it for her. As for what kind of person I am, I will tell you in the future. I look forward to our next meeting."
After explaining everything, Tsukihoshi left Ubuyashiki's residence. He already had an idea for his future plans.
"Big Brother, why are we two leaving? Is there a mission?" Zenitsu was confused. Did Brother Tsukihoshi have a preference for men?
Tsukihoshi got goosebumps from Zenitsu's stare and smacked him. "What are you thinking, you brat? It's not a mission. I'm taking you back to Momoyama to visit your grandfather. Besides, the Hashira Training is about to begin. Do you want to get beaten up every day like the other members?"
Hearing about the Hashira Training made Zenitsu's scalp tingle. He absolutely did not want any training.
"Big Brother, let's go quickly! Let's go now!" Saying this, Zenitsu grabbed Tsukihoshi and rushed out of the Butterfly Mansion.
"Running so fast when you hear about training. You brat, you still don't know I'm also a Hashira, hehe. You're in for it." Tsukihoshi thought to himself. Zenitsu would definitely undergo training, and it would be special training from Tsukihoshi.
...
"Grandpa! Grandpa! I'm back!"
Back at Momoyama, Zenitsu immediately led Tsukihoshi to the house where the former Sound Hashira, Kuwajima Jigoro, resided.
However, as soon as they opened the door, they saw an old man holding a sword, about to commit seppuku. Tsukihoshi reacted swiftly, snatching the sword away.
"Has Kaigaku become a demon this quickly? Did Muzan accelerate the plot?" Tsukihoshi wondered. Fortunately, he had returned early, otherwise, the old man would be gone.
"Grandpa! What are you doing!" Zenitsu exclaimed, rushing to Kuwajima Jigoro and hugging him while crying.
"Zenitsu, it's my fault. I didn't teach Kaigaku well, and he became a demon. This is all my responsibility as his master. I must take responsibility for this." Kuwajima Jigoro stroked Zenitsu's head, his eyes full of guilt.
Tsukihoshi didn't care about the old man's thoughts and slapped him.
"Big Brother Tsukihoshi, what are you doing!"
Tsukihoshi ignored Zenitsu and looked at Kuwajima Jigoro. "Old man, your disciple became a demon because he's afraid of death. You want to commit seppuku because of your cowardice and incompetence. You want to escape reality. I really dislike people who trample on their own lives."
Kuwajima Jigoro had never seen Tsukihoshi before and didn't know his relationship with Zenitsu. It seemed Zenitsu had met someone very good.
"Young man, you are right. I want to escape. I'll entrust Zenitsu to you from now on."
Seeing that the old man still wasn't listening, Tsukihoshi became angry. He drew his Nichirin blade and pointed it at Kuwajima Jigoro. "Stinky old man, come out and have a fight with me. Being killed by me would be better than committing seppuku without a kaishakunin, right? Zenitsu, lend him your sword."
"Big Brother, I..." Zenitsu didn't want to see them fight. One was his respected grandfather, and the other was the Big Brother who had been good to him.
"Lend him the sword!"
Kuwajima Jigoro didn't want to make things difficult for Zenitsu and reluctantly took Zenitsu's Nichirin blade.
"Grandpa!" Zenitsu wanted to say more but was interrupted by Kuwajima Jigoro.
"Zenitsu, from now on, follow your Big Brother well. You are my pride!"
...
They moved outside to the place where Zenitsu usually trained. Tsukihoshi was already in a drawing-sword stance.
"Stinky old man, come on!"
"Thunder Breathing, First Form, Thunderbolt!"
"Thunder Breathing, First Form, Thunderbolt!"
Both attacked simultaneously, using the same breathing style. However, Tsukihoshi's speed was much faster. Kuwajima Jigoro had injured his leg years ago, and with his old age, he naturally couldn't compare to Tsukihoshi.
Tsukihoshi reached Kuwajima Jigoro first, quickly drew his sword, and slashed him across the chest. The powerful sword aura unique to Tsukihoshi sent Kuwajima Jigoro flying.
"Young man, how do you know Thunder Breathing? And why didn't you kill me?"
Tsukihoshi naturally had no intention of killing him. He just needed to wake the old man up. Otherwise, he wouldn't have just sent him flying, but cut him in half.
"Stinky old man, haven't you figured out what you should do yet? Your disciple became a demon, so you have to take responsibility! Don't try to hide and let your disciple eat people! Even if your legs prevent you from fighting on the front lines, you have an obligation to train Zenitsu well and send him to slay your other disciple! Do you understand? If you remain stubborn, I won't hold back anymore!"
Tsukihoshi shouted loudly at Kuwajima Jigoro. Such foolish thinking was truly annoying.
Kuwajima Jigoro, lying on the ground, looked at Zenitsu running towards him, filled with guilt. He really shouldn't have just left. He should be responsible for Zenitsu and Kaigaku.
"Young man, you are right. I was cowardly and wanted to escape. I was wrong. I will train Zenitsu into a powerful swordsman."
Zenitsu tearfully helped Kuwajima Jigoro up. "Grandpa, I will train hard and never run away again. Don't commit suicide. I will settle things with Kaigaku on Grandpa's behalf!"
Seeing this scene, Tsukihoshi nodded in satisfaction. He had both ignited Zenitsu's fighting spirit and made Kuwajima Jigoro give up his suicidal thoughts. Indeed, the samurai spirit here was truly annoying!
In the evening, after dinner, Zenitsu came to Tsukihoshi's room.
"Big Brother, thank you for saving Grandpa. If you hadn't taken me back, perhaps Grandpa would have already..."
Tsukihoshi didn't care much about these things. As long as the outcome was good.
"Then, starting tomorrow, prepare to undergo special training with me and your grandfather! Hehe!" Tsukihoshi showed a very wretched smile, scaring Zenitsu so much that he felt like running back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters immediately.