The forest was quiet again.
Only the rustling of wind through the trees and the soft gurgle of the river filled the air. The Hashira had followed him—Giyu, Sanemi, Mitsuri, Shinobu, Obanai, Gyomei—and with them, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
Hidden behind trees and thick undergrowth, they watched him in silence.
Sahiru Orasawa knelt by the riverbank.
The moonlight shimmered off the surface, casting a pale glow over his figure. He stared at his reflection—eyes hollow, face unreadable. His sword lay beside him, stained with the blood of demons. But even that wasn't what made his hands tremble.
It was the silence that came after victory.
He clenched his fists, head hanging low.
Then—
CRACK.
His fist slammed into the ground with a force that shook the soil, splashing water from the river.
"I couldn't save her…"
His voice was broken.
"I trained. I bled. I survived hell itself. But in the end…"
"…Suzune still died."
The words twisted in his throat like poison. His shoulders shook. Tears dripped onto the moss-covered stone beneath him.
"I keep smiling… I keep fighting… but it means nothing if I couldn't protect the one person who believed in me."
From the shadows, Mitsuri covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.
Shinobu's fingers tightened around her haori. "He's… still suffering this much?"
Giyu closed his eyes, his jaw tight.
Obanai said nothing—but his usually stern expression faltered, just for a moment.
Even Sanemi, known for his temper and pride, looked down, guilt creeping into his face.
Inosuke tilted his head, confused. "He's… crying?"
Zenitsu trembled. "That's… the strongest Slayer alive, right? He looks…"
"…so human," Tanjiro whispered, eyes wide.
Gyomei's hands were folded silently. Prayers unspoken.
Sahiru looked up, tears still trailing his face, and whispered to the stars:
"I'll keep fighting, Suzune. Even if it kills me. I'll carry your memory until the end."
And then, quietly, he stood.
Wiped his face.
Picked up his sword.
And walked deeper into the forest—unaware that for the first time, those who once judged him now truly understood the weight he carried alone.