Chapter 83 Pharmacy and Choice

Tamayo finished bandaging the wound. The most troublesome thing for the other party at the moment was the suppressed regenerative ability. She was not sure when the effects of the medicine would wear off.

The semi-finished product itself is unstable, so this kind of potion should not have much effect on powerful demons like Muzan and Upper Moon.

That's so strange.

Tamayo decided to have a proper talk with Yoriichi Tsugikuni and ask him to bring Iwakatsu to her side.

After finishing his treatment in Tamayo, Yoriichi got up and knocked on the door. Yushiro opened the door and, without waiting for anything else, went straight to Iwakatsu's bedside.

“Mr. Yoriichi, I think it would be better for Mr. Iwakatsu to come to my place for treatment. His condition is special, and the wound on his back will not heal until the effects of the medicine wear off.”

Tamayo knew this was the best possible outcome. Although she didn't understand why the Crimson Blade hadn't continued to burn, it was undoubtedly a good thing.

"Okay, I understand."

Yoriichi Tsugikuni stood there, knowing that Tamayo, being a demon, would be more suitable to heal Iwakatsu than the members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

——

After that great battle, Yoriichi Tsugikuni often sat by the window in a daze, with Iwakatsu lying unconscious not far from him.

Since that incident, Muzan Kibutsuji has vanished without a trace, as if he had returned to his previous life.

The rebuilding of the Demon Slayer Corps continues, and the casualties this time have been extremely heavy. Three Pillars have died, and two more have been seriously injured. Currently, only the Water Pillar and the Flame Pillar are still able to continue serving.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni declined the young lord's invitation and chose to stay in Tamayo to accompany the comatose Iwakatsu, occasionally going out to travel.

He turned away from the sunlight, sat down on the edge of the bed, and carefully took the pale hand in his, pressing his forehead against the cool back of the hand.

“Brother, Mr. Tianfang is gone, not because of his injuries, but because of his mark. He activated his mark during the great battle.”

His voice was calm, as if he were giving a report, without any fluctuation, but his expression unusually revealed sadness.

Tenka Ukai was about the same age as them, and the suddenness of his departure made the atmosphere within the Demon Slayer Corps even more somber.

"How much longer can I stay with you?"

Yoriichi Tsugikuni is not afraid of death, but he does not want to abandon Iwakatsu, who is unconscious. He remembers what Tamayo told him a few days ago.

"Mr. Yoriichi, I have also tried a lot of research on the blue spider lily, but unfortunately there are still some flaws in the data."

She took out three vials of medicine that glowed with a faint blue light and explained them to Yoriichi Tsugikuni with great difficulty.

"In Mr. Iwakatsu's current condition, it would be dangerous to try to turn him back into a human, especially since he is still a work in progress. So I suggest that we maintain the status quo for now."

Tamayo paused for a moment, then took out a vial of pale red medicine and handed it to Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

"This is a formula I tried to concoct before, which might change your chances of dying from the mark. However, it contains Mr. Iwakatsu's blood, and although I added blue spider lilies to neutralize it, I cannot guarantee that there will be any accidents."

She conducted experiments and found that most of the mice showed signs of improved physical condition and recovery from serious injuries, but at the same time, some mice turned into monsters that craved flesh and blood.

Tamayo made this choice to Yoriichi Tsugikuni. She had seen it all; Yoriichi Tsugikuni wanted to stay by Iwakatsu's side.

He had already turned twenty-five, and there was no guarantee how long he would live. After much deliberation, Tamayo decided to take it upon herself to research this.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't speak. He tightened his grip on the medicine slightly, then relaxed it as if deflated.

"Thank you, Ms. Tamayo."

After Tamayo left, Yoriichi sat by the bed for a long time, feeling conflicted.

Many years passed, and during one of his travels, Yoriichi Tsugikuni unknowingly found himself in that familiar place.

He stopped not far from the house, and could hear laughter and cheerful voices coming from inside.

Kamado Tanjiro went out with a smile. He was about to chop the firewood when he looked up and saw a familiar figure standing under a tree in the distance.

"Mr. Yoriichi!"

Tanjiro Kamado jogged up to Yoriichi Tsugikuni and looked at his still expressionless face.

He was even sadder than the last time he saw him, and Kamado Tanji could sense it. He didn't ask, but instead smiled.

"Mr. Yoriichi, would you like to stay here for a while?"

Hearing the noise, Zhu Mizi peeked out from inside the house. She saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni and excitedly went over to him.

"Mr. Yoriichi!"

Although she was clumsy, she was extremely careful in her movements. Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw the baby girl she was carrying.

"I'm sorry to bother you suddenly. I just suddenly missed you all and came over without telling you in advance."

Yoriichi lowered his head, only then realizing that his behavior was somewhat rash, but Tanjiro Kamado and Akemiko did not mind and instead warmly welcomed him.

After entertaining them, Kamado Tankichi told his wife and daughter to go to bed early. He opened the door and saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni sitting there looking at the full moon in the sky.

The other person seemed to be simply spacing out, but Kamado Tanji could sense the suppressed emotions in that feeling, and he couldn't help but ask to show his concern.

"Mr. Yoriichi, is something troubling you?"

"I……"

Yoriichi Tsugikuni did not turn his head, but stared at the bright moon for a long time before speaking.

“My brother and I come from the same family. Although we are twins, we are completely different.”

"Unlike me, who is not smart and is dull, my older brother is excellent and cheerful. He excels at everything he does and has defended me many times."

As Yoriichi Tsugikuni spoke, his hand unconsciously took out the well-protected pink cloth bag, and he carefully rubbed the bamboo flute inside through the fabric.

Kamado Tanji didn't speak, but patiently waited for the other party to continue.

“I am always particularly incompetent and make a mess of things that should be good. Because of me, my father wants to send my elder brother away and let me stay as the heir.”

"It's me who hurt my brother, who keeps losing, even though he's so hardworking and outstanding..."

Perhaps due to the overwhelming pressure, or perhaps due to the rare moment of relaxation, Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Tanjiro Kamado talked for a very long time, from the darkness of night until the morning of the next day.

This was the first time he had spoken to someone like this, something he shouldn't have done, but seeing the Kamado family like this reminded him of his original wish.

He wanted to live an ordinary life with his family, in a small house, occasionally visiting his elder brother who was now the head of the family, and living out his life happily.

"Hey~ Aren't you guys still awake?"

Zhu Mizi opened the door and looked at the two people sitting there with a strange expression. She had heard faint voices outside when she woke up.

Kamado Tanjiro stepped forward and took the breakfast from Akemiko, placing it beside Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He had been listening all night, learning about the experiences of this powerful samurai.

"Eeya eeya yo~".

Kamado Tanjiro's daughter wobbled over to Yoriichi Tsugikuni's side, her small hand clutching his red haori, while her other hand kept reaching out to him.

"Mr. Yoriichi, she wants you to hug her."

Seeing this, Zhu Mizi smiled and reminded Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

Jikuni Yui paused for a moment before reacting, then reached under the girl's armpits and easily lifted her up. He stared blankly as she smiled happily at him in the sunlight.

“Mr. Yoriichi, I think you want to stay with him.”

Kamado Tanjiro stood to the side and spoke his mind. He watched as Yoriichi Tsugikuni turned to look at him, carefully pulling the girl into his arms. The rising sun bathed them, illuminating the tears streaming down Yoriichi's cheeks.

"Really? Is that so?"