Traveling with Sanemi was... interesting.
Though he wasn't the best companion for conversation, given his harsh words every time he opened his mouth, his actions weren't as rough as his demeanor suggested.
Whenever Shion grew tired, Sanemi would always stop—but, of course, with some ridiculous excuse.
The best part? Sanemi was a Hashira.
In other words, he was rich!
Sanemi never let Shion go hungry, always buying him enough food under the pretense of, "I don't want you dropping dead on me or getting blown away by the wind."
Shion saw through it, though. From the beginning, he knew Sanemi had a kind heart buried beneath all that rude behavior. And Shion didn't blame him for it.
The journey was surprisingly peaceful. Sanemi never initiated conversation, so it always fell on Shion to speak first—and even then, he'd be met with crude remarks.
Unfortunately, Shion wasn't in any condition to train, and Sanemi showed no intention of teaching him anyway.
Days turned into nights, and time passed without much incident. Shion didn't have to worry about danger. Not with the Wind Hashira beside him. Unless an Upper Moon demon suddenly appeared or the Demon King himself decided to show up, Shion's safety was guaranteed—assuming Sanemi didn't kill him first.
Finally, after nearly a month, they arrived at Mount Fujikasane.
From there, they would head to the Ubuyashiki Mansion.
And for the rest of the trip, Shion was blindfolded.
*****
Shion did his best to keep his face composed as his vision was taken from him. Sanemi gripped his arm, guiding him forward.
'He's become softer with me… Is he warming up to me?'
It was a promising thought. Shion had always admired Sanemi; the Wind Hashira was one of his favorite characters when he read the manga.
Who could blame him?
The Wind Hashira was undeniably one of the coolest.
Unfortunately, though, Shion hadn't seen him in action yet. No demon had dared to cross their path—or maybe they had, and Sanemi had taken care of them while Shion slept.
"Shinazugawa-san, how much longer until we get there? My feet are killing me!"
Shion groaned, letting a hint of whininess slip into his voice.
Sanemi grumbled.
"Shut up. We're almost there."
Shion grinned.
'See? He didn't threaten me this time!'
'Is he secretly a tsundere?'
The thought made Shion chuckle quietly as they continued walking.
The path was peaceful. Birds chirped in the trees above, and a strong, sweet, floral fragrance filled the air. For a moment, Shion forgot the blindfold, letting himself relax.
Eventually, Sanemi came to a halt, pulling Shion to a stop as well.
"Hold still," Sanemi muttered.
A moment later, Shion felt the blindfold being untied. As it slipped away, the sudden brightness made him squint. Blinking rapidly, he adjusted to the light, his vision gradually clearing.
And what he saw left him speechless.
Before him stood a mansion—a masterpiece of traditional design. Its wooden architecture was elegant, with intricate carvings and a raised veranda encircling the house. The veranda served as a serene transition between the interior and the garden that surrounded the mansion.
The garden was breathtaking. A pristine Zen garden of white gravel stretched out before him, interspersed with bonsai and wisteria trees. A small pond glimmered in the sunlight, bordered by smooth Ishi stones. Stone lanterns dotted the landscape, perfectly complementing the tranquility of the scene. The entire area was framed by an engawa, exuding an aura of peace and harmony.
Before Shion could fully process the sight, Sanemi broke the silence.
"I'm telling you—if you do anything funny in front of the Master, I'll kill you. No hesitation."
Shion turned to Sanemi, catching the cold, serious expression on his face.
…He wasn't joking.
Shion swallowed hard, nodding quickly.
"You… really respect him, don't you?"
"Shut up," Sanemi snapped, looking away. His face softened slightly, though, as he continued.
"He's the person I respect the most, you hear me? Don't do anything that'll make me regret bringing you here."
Shion stared at him for a few seconds before turning away, his tone quieter now.
"I won't…"
As they faced forward again, Shion noticed two figures standing on the wooden veranda.
It was…
Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki.
Shion's lips tightened. He remembered them vividly from the manga—the two children who had died alongside their father.
The twins opened their mouths, speaking in perfect unison.
""The Master has arrived.""
"...!"
Before Shion could react, Sanemi dropped to his knees, bowing his head low. He didn't hesitate to push Shion down as well, one hand firmly pressing the back of his head.
Sliding doors creaked open, their sound faint against the serene backdrop. Light footsteps echoed on the wooden floor.
"What a beautiful morning it is, isn't it?"
A soft, gentle voice reached their ears, filled with warmth.
"The sun must be beautiful today."
Shion glanced up cautiously, following Sanemi's lead.
Sanemi's tone was formal, reverent.
"I am pleased to see you in good health, Oyakata-sama. I fervently pray for your continued fortune."
"Thank you, Sanemi," Kagaya Ubuyashiki replied, smiling softly.
Shion's eyes lingered on Kagaya's face. The curse hadn't spread too far yet, but its presence was unmistakable. Despite it, Kagaya radiated a calm dignity that seemed to command respect effortlessly.
'Sanemi really does respect him,' Shion thought.
'Just like in the manga…'
"Oyakata-sama, I apologize for coming unannounced, but I have important information to share."
He glanced at Shion briefly, his expression unreadable.
"This boy…"
Sanemi's voice faltered. He frowned, studying Shion more closely.
Shion blinked, confused.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Sanemi ignored the question, his sharp gaze softening into something resembling irritation.
"What's your name?"
Shion stared back, unimpressed.
"Seriously? You never even asked?"
Sanemi scowled but said nothing.
Shion sighed, shaking his head.
"Amakaze Shion."
"Amakaze Shion. A beautiful name."
Both Sanemi and Shion turned toward Ubuyashiki, who smiled softly. Though his eyes were clouded with blindness, Shion could still feel the weight of his gaze, as if it pierced through him.
"…Thank you, Oyakata-sama," Shion murmured, lowering his head slightly.
Ubuyashiki nodded, his tone gentle as he asked, "Why did Sanemi want me to meet you, Shion?"
Shion glanced at Sanemi, hoping for some kind of support, but the Wind Hashira kept his head bowed, offering no help. Realizing he was on his own, Shion returned his attention to Ubuyashiki.
"…Because I met Muzan Kibutsuji when I was a child. I can identify him for you and tell you what he looks like."
'At least in his Michael Jackson form,' Shion added mentally, resisting the urge to smirk at the absurd thought.
The room fell silent. For a moment, Shion felt the tension pressing down on him, but he kept his gaze lowered. Then Ubuyashiki's calm voice broke the stillness.
"I see… It seems the times are finally beginning to change. For Kibutsuji to make such a mistake and leave a child alive—it is rare, indeed. But perhaps that mistake will save the lives of my children."
The kindness in his voice caught Shion off guard. There was no interrogation, no suspicion in his words. He didn't question how Shion recognized Muzan Kibutsuji or how he had survived such an encounter. Ubuyashiki believed him without hesitation, as though his faith in people was unshakable.
Before Shion could dwell on it further, Ubuyashiki spoke again, his next question taking him by surprise.
"What is it that you want, Shion?"