Demon Slayer: Rise of the Third Brother-Chapter 122: Famous Demon-Eater (2-in-1)

“Truth be told, something did happen...”
All eyes immediately turned to Rengoku.
Rengoku gave a brief account of the previous mission and its outcome.
“Amida-butsu...” Tears streamed down Himejima’s face once more. “If I had gone along at the time, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened.”
“In that case, Yukinashi’s absence is understandable. But what about Yoriichi and Hiru?” Uzui folded his arms. “Those two shouldn’t be this late.”
“I know about that,” Sabito said, raising a hand. “They’re acting together. They said they had some business in Wakayama and would be back late. We mentioned it when we were exchanging letters.”
“I’m telling you, that guy’s way too clingy.”
“Amida-butsu...” Himejima continued to weep softly. “Traveling alongside someone you care about is a blessing.”
Tomioka, who had remained silent until now, tilted his head toward the doorway. “They’re here.”
Rengoku also looked toward the entrance. “Looks like everyone’s arrived!”
Ubuyashiki entered first, followed by Yoriichi, Hiru, and Aoba.
What caught everyone off guard was Aoba’s right arm. The sleeve that should have been empty was instead filled by a lifelike prosthetic, proportioned exactly like a real arm.
No one knew who started it, but everyone lowered their heads in unison.
“Greetings, Oyakata-sama.”
“My apologies for being late,” Ubuyashiki said with a faint, apologetic smile. “I trust we didn’t keep you waiting too long?”
“You prioritized handling Aoba’s situation, didn’t you?” Uzui said after hearing Rengoku’s account. “That’s completely understandable.” His gaze shifted to Aoba’s right arm. “So—can that thing actually be used?”
“Yes. Fine control is difficult,” Aoba said, lifting the arm a bit stiffly. “But it moves without issue. With practice, I should be able to use it better.”
“What a flashy piece of work!” Uzui couldn’t help standing up and walking over. After inspecting it closely, he asked, “How was this even made? I’d really like to meet someone with skills this flashy!”
“Hiru helped me find it,” Aoba replied honestly.
“You’ve got quite the connections, kid!” Uzui leaned over toward Hiru. “But being late is seriously unflashy!”
Hiru simply rolled his eyes and ignored him.
“We’ll discuss that later,” Ubuyashiki said gently. “There’s much to cover today. Let us begin the meeting.”
Everyone returned to their places and waited.
“First, regarding Wind Hashira Yukinashi Aoba,” Ubuyashiki said, his gaze settling on him. “Due to his injuries, we regret to announce that a strong and dependable companion must step down from the Hashira ranks. Fortunately, he is still alive and steadily recovering.”
Aoba nodded to the others, his expression calm and free of gloom. “My apologies. This is as far as I can go. I hope you’ll all carry my share forward with you.”
The others nodded in response.
“Next, another individual has reached the qualifications of a Hashira,” Ubuyashiki continued, turning to Tomioka. “That is Tomioka Giyu, a user of Water Breathing.
“However, the Demon Slayer Corps has never had two Hashira from the same breathing technique. I would like to hear everyone’s opinions.”
Rengoku spoke first. “If he has the strength, then he should unquestionably be recognized!”
“I agree with the Flame Hashira,” Hiru said. “Strength deserves corresponding authority. That said, I believe the title should be distinguished.”
Uzui glanced at Giyu.
“The newbie’s personality isn’t exactly appealing, but if he made it here, he’s confident in his strength. And having two Hashira from the same style is flashy. I’m in favor.”
“Amida-butsu... New blood is a good thing. I have no objections.”
“I don’t mind how the title is handled,” Sabito said with a respectful bow. “I’ll follow Oyakata-sama’s decision.”
“I have no objections either,” Yoriichi said.
“And you, Aoba?” Ubuyashiki asked, turning to Aoba. “What is your opinion?”
“Eh?” Aoba froze for a moment. Seeing that no one opposed, he finally spoke. “I think future candidates should have an adaptation or evaluation period.”
Ubuyashiki smiled. “Please, explain in detail.”
“Becoming a Hashira by killing fifty demons is different from becoming one by slaying a member of the Twelve Kizuki,” Aoba said, frowning.
“I myself became a Hashira through accumulated kills. I thought I wasn’t that far behind everyone else—but this battle made me realize how lacking I truly was.
“To avoid cases like mine, I propose a probationary period. If someone becomes eligible by killing fifty demons, they should be guided by an active Hashira, and only be granted the title after they’ve truly faced the Twelve Kizuki.
“If someone earns their position by killing a Twelve Kizuki, and there’s no existing Hashira of the same discipline, then the title can be granted immediately. But if there already is one, then the newcomer should undergo a six-month observation period to ensure they’re fully prepared before taking on the role.”
Ubuyashiki considered this briefly, then looked to Tomioka Giyu. “And what do you think, Giyu?”
“...Whatever,” Tomioka said.
… “We’re not the same.”
Even Ubuyashiki, with all his experience, couldn’t help but feel momentarily puzzled.
“S-sorry! Sorry!” Sabito hurriedly explained. “What Giyu meant is that he’s not as capable as the rest of you—nothing more! Really! My apologies!”
He jabbed Tomioka hard in the side and whispered, “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t skip parts?!”
Tomioka clutched his ribs, frowning slightly, looking inexplicably aggrieved. “...But Sabito’s here.”
“I can’t translate for you forever! And look at the situation!”
“Hahaha! Looks like a newcomer who’s bad with words!” Rengoku laughed heartily. “Giyu’s the type who just buries his head and works!”
Uzui snorted. “Not flashy at all.”
Ubuyashiki sighed softly. “Then Giyu will serve as a Hashira candidate under Sabito’s guidance. He’ll have Hashira-level authority, but not the title for now. At the next Hashira meeting, he’ll be formally promoted. Is that acceptable?”
Tomioka opened his mouth, then, under Sabito’s half-threatening, half-pleading stare, simply nodded.
“...Mm.”
“Now, for the final additional matter today,” Ubuyashiki said, turning to Hiru with a slight nod. “Hiru, if you would.”
“Understood.” Hiru nodded, pulling out a small vial. He poured out a pill and swallowed it.
“What? Is there some new medicine to show off?” Uzui tilted his head toward Hiru.
In the next instant, he met a pair of icy gray eyes.
Uzui leapt backward immediately, putting distance between them, his hand gripping his weapon.
“...A demon?”
Himejima’s brows knitted tightly. Aoba stared in disbelief. Sabito and Tomiokau froze where they stood—
—but without exception, all of their hands went to their weapons.
“Don’t panic.”
Rengoku, who already knew the truth, reached out first to calm Sabito and Giyu beside him, then looked toward Hiru. “That pill—was it made from demon flesh?”
Hiru, already fully demonized, nodded, unease stirring in his chest.
“You ate demon flesh?” Uzui glanced up at the bright sunlight, his expression uncertain. “Turning into a demon under the sun, at Demon Slayer Corps headquarters—are you looking down on us?”
Hiru looked at Uzui from three meters away, utter disdain on his face. “…Are you an idiot?”
“Tengen, come back. That’s exactly what I was about to explain.”
Hearing Ubuyashiki speak, and seeing that Rengoku clearly expected this while Yoriichi remained calm, Uzui thought for a moment before returning to his seat. Even so, his eyes kept drifting back to Hiru.
“This is the final matter I wished to address,” Ubuyashiki said once everyone had settled.
“Hiru possesses the constitution of a demon-eater—that is, he can gain a demon’s power by consuming demon flesh and blood. However, gaining that power also causes him to manifest a demonic form. I am informing you all now so that, when we fight together in the future, you won’t be shocked or make fatal mistakes due to Hiru’s transformation.”
“To be honest, it scared me half to death when I first discovered it!” Rengoku laughed loudly. “I was just a hair’s breadth away from attacking a comrade, hahaha!”
Aoba nodded in agreement. “If I’d seen Hiru like that that day, I probably would’ve attacked him first.”
“Amida-butsu… truly unbelievable.”
“No wonder…” Sabito finally snapped out of it and laughed as well. “I always wondered how you could ever choose to become a demon—especially when you were constantly badmouthing them in your letters.”
Tomioka also looked over, curiosity plain in his eyes.
“Gaining power by eating demons? Hm, that’s pretty flashy.”
“If anyone has questions about demons, feel free to ask me,” Hiru said, seeing that although their gazes were still full of amazement, there was no obvious hostility. He let out a small sigh of relief.
“I’m fairly confident in my knowledge.”
The stronger the opponent, the greater the cost of using Blood Demon Art. Unless absolutely necessary, he really didn’t want to use it on the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
“Since you say that, I won’t hold back,” Uzui said, stepping closer.
As Hiru looked at him in confusion, Uzui reached out—one hand pinching Hiru’s chin, the other directly feeling along his teeth.
“Your teeth are sharper than any demon I’ve seen… impressive. How’s your bite force?”
Hiru’s eyes widened in disbelief. After a brief moment of shock, he threw a punch. “Uzui, are you sick in the head?!”
Uzui leaned back to dodge, raising a hand. “Didn’t you say people could ask freely?”
“I said you could ask questions!” Hiru snapped, spitting a few times and baring his teeth. “I didn’t say you could grab my face and stick your hand in my mouth! What the hell is wrong with you—are you a pervert?!”
“Honestly, I kinda wanted to do that too…”
“…Sabito?!”
“It’s rare to find a demon that won’t attack and can communicate,” Sabito said, rubbing his chin. “Of course I’d want to study it a bit. Though it’s not exactly the same thing.”
Tomioka leaned in as well. “If a limb gets cut off, does it grow back? And would eating wisteria poison you?”
“Amida-butsu… I’m also curious whether demonized Hiru feels any urge to feed on humans…”
Questions came one after another, and Hiru’s expression gradually went blank.
【Honestly, maybe revealing it outright wasn’t such a big deal.】
“Please save these questions for private discussions after the meeting,” Ubuyashiki said with a smile, noticing how dark Hiru’s expression had become. “Also, make sure this information doesn’t spread beyond the Hashira and former Hashira. If it spreads too quickly, it may cause unnecessary panic among the lower-ranked members.”
“Yes!”
“Then let us proceed with the formal meeting,” Ubuyashiki said, turning to Rengoku. “Flame Hashira, please begin your .”
“Yes! Over the past six months in my jurisdiction—”
One by one, they ed on events from their respective areas. Near the end of the meeting, Hiru reverted from his demon form, inevitably drawing another wave of stares.
The moment the meeting adjourned, Hiru was immediately surrounded, everyone insisting he transform again so they could observe him more closely.
In the end, it was Yoriichi who stepped in to disperse them.
“Seriously, who’s the demon here?” Hiru rubbed his arms. “The way they were looking at me, it felt like they wanted to dissect me.”
“For humans, there are simply too few ways to understand demons,” Yoriichi said, reaching out to ruffle Hiru’s hair. “And according to the Flame Hashira, the demon-eater constitution hasn’t appeared in over a hundred years. It’s extremely rare.”
“I really acted too rashly…” Hiru slumped his shoulders. “And having to go watch the Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane again—I really don’t want to.”
“But your main responsibility there is capturing the demons used for the exam,” Yoriichi said with a small smile, though concern soon crossed his face. “…Still, is it really okay to tell everyone so directly?”
“It’s fine. By the time they truly find out, it’ll probably be when we’re facing Muzan—or Big Brother—in battle anyway,” Hiru shrugged. “At least now I won’t have to keep calculating when to go take medicine from Miss Tamayo. Someone who can turn into a demon having demonic aura is normal, right?”
Yoriichi shook his head without answering. “Just don’t go too far.”
“Don’t worry.”
After confirming everything was in order, Yoriichi left headquarters to return to his territory. Hiru planned to stay at the Demon Slayer Corps for a few days, giving the Hashira lectures in batches about demon traits and weaknesses.
However, as soon as he arrived at the venue, he was caught by Mikazuki, who had come to record the information—and was promptly scolded at length for keeping this secret.
“So all those medicines… you tested them on yourself, didn’t you?” Mikazuki finally let out a long breath after finishing his complaints. Looking at Hiru in his demonized state, he rested his wooden prosthetic hand on his chin. “You’re way too ruthless with yourself. Sometimes even watching those demons go through your experiments looks insanely painful.”
“I won’t die anyway,” Hiru shrugged. “If I can’t die, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“So you just push yourself as far as you can,” Mikazuki laughed.
“Anyway, thanks for the prosthetic. That craftsmanship was really unexpected. Oyakata-sama has already sent people to the address you mentioned to contact the artisans.”
“That’s good,” Hiru said. “With the Master supporting them, they’ll probably be able to make even better prosthetics.”
“Exactly—”
“Hiru! We’re here!”
Hiru turned around to see Sabito and Tomioka—along with the extremely intrusive Uzui.
“Shouldn’t you be busy today?”
“When there’s a chance, you have to seize it,” Uzui said, lifting the food box in his hand. “Since I brought sweets handmade by my wives, how about letting me stay?”
Hiru clicked his tongue softly. “…At least you know how to behave.”