6 Vol. III Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Haruto and the others didn't linger long in Sagiri Mountain.

After leaving behind "Haruto Unit One," the wooden automaton capable of turning Tanjiro and Genya into punching bags (yes, they eventually settled on that name), they bid farewell to Haruto.

Before their departure, Hotaru Haganezuka had marveled at Tanjiro's striking red hair and eyes. He called him a "Child of Flame," claiming such features brought luck to families tied to fire.

"Perhaps, when you finally receive your own Nichirin Blade," Hotaru mused, "the blade might turn as crimson as flames themselves."

The muscled man behind the fiery mask muttered as if to himself, "In that case… when you join the Demon Slayer Corps, let me forge your blade. I've yet to see a blade burn red before..."

Haruto glanced at him sideways. Is he trying to add Tanjiro to his obsession list, too?

The automaton's difficulty was perfect for Tanjiro and Genya—just enough to leave them battered and bruised, but never truly endanger their lives. Amid the grueling pain, their swordsmanship flourished rapidly.

Led by Genya, the two boys made a pact during training: they'd dismantle the automaton into a heap of scrap.

Ah, the vigor of youth.

Kotetsu mentioned he was already working on the second generation of "Haruto Unit One," aiming to make it even more agile. By the time the boys overcame the current version, the new automaton would likely be ready.

That evening, Haruto wrapped himself in his haori and set out for his usual patrol. The mountain range surrounding Sagiri Mountain housed scattered hunters, woodcutters, and others who lived off the land.

After traversing several peaks, fatigue began to creep in. He yawned toward the moonlit sky, his sharp eyes catching sight of a lone figure walking along a distant mountain path.

A demon?

No, the figure didn't move like one. It seemed more like a foolhardy traveler braving the night.

As Haruto approached, he realized it was a thin girl clad in hunter's attire, with a headscarf tied tightly around her head. She carried a long-barreled hunting rifle on her back, and a young hunting dog trotted ahead of her.

The dog caught Haruto's scent and turned, baring its teeth.

The girl immediately reached for her rifle, spinning around and shouting, "Who's there?!"

Haruto made no effort to conceal himself. Resting his hand lightly on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, he stepped closer—though not too close, wary of alarming both the girl and her dog.

"Are you a resident of these mountains?" Haruto's voice was calm. "I don't recall seeing you around before."

The girl didn't answer immediately, her gaze dropping to the Nichirin Blade at his hip. Her tense expression eased slightly.

"I don't live nearby," she replied. "Of course you wouldn't have seen me."

"Do you have somewhere to stay? Wandering outside at night isn't safe."

The girl hesitated, her subtle shifts in expression intriguing Haruto. Most people, upon encountering an armed stranger at night, would grow more wary—not less.

"I know that," she said at last. "Sir… are you with the Demon Slayer Corps?"

She pointed at his black uniform beneath his haori and the sword at his side.

"I once saw a swordsman dressed like you, carrying a similar blade."

"If you know about the Demon Slayer Corps, then you're aware of demons too. You don't seem like a Slayer yourself, so why risk walking around at night?"

The girl hugged the dog that had leapt onto her knees, her gaze flickering.

"I'm just… chasing something."

The sudden flutter of wings broke the silence. Haruto looked up to see a Crow descending toward them.

It was Giyu Tomioka's crow. Haruto extended his hand, catching the bird as it landed.

"Did something happen to Giyu?"

The girl stared at the crow, her lips moving slightly before she finally spoke.

"…Sir, this crow may be here for me."

After the girl's explanation, Haruto pieced together her connection to Giyu.

Months ago, when the Kamado family tragedy unfolded, Giyu had written to Haruto, mentioning his hunt for demons near Mount Unkuri.

By the time the New Year came, he had finally caught a lead.

The girl before him, Yae, had survived a demon attack—the demon being none other than her father. Giyu tracked her into the snowy mountains, where he slew the demon and saved her from attempting suicide with her hunting rifle.

Since then, Yae had left her hometown in Otōmo District, wandering the forests with her dog, Jiro. She tracked demon activity, recording it in meticulous detail and sending the information to Giyu via Kan-san.

Giyu would verify the reports and eliminate the demons roaming the wilderness.

Haruto sighed deeply after hearing her story.

"You're not a Demon Slayer. Roaming the mountains at night is far too dangerous for you."

"When I wanted to die, that man—Giyu—stopped me. He was awkward and confusing, but I understood his intent…"

"I've seen demons!" Yae's voice rose. "I've been hurt by them! I'm no different from you Demon Slayers!"

Haruto regarded her quietly, then exhaled. "Fine."

"Fine?"

"You must have something to repor, right?" He gestured toward the crow perched on his arm.

"Rather than making him fly back to Giyu and waiting for him to respond, just tell me.

"I'm Haruto Takanashi, the Demon Slayer Corps member assigned to this region. It's my job to handle any demon-related incidents here."

Yae blinked, then pulled a notebook from her pack, flipping through its pages before handing it to Haruto.

"I've been following strange sounds and scents around here. I'm not sure it's a demon, but it's definitely not human."

"Strange scents?" Haruto rubbed his chin. "A foul stench, perhaps? Demons often reek because of the people they've devoured."

Yae considered for a moment, then shook her head. "It wasn't foul—more like an insect's smell.

"But the stench you described… I did catch a whiff of it earlier when I first arrived, though it's gone now."

An insect's smell?

Haruto frowned, unease stirring in his chest.

Elsewhere in Sagiri Mountain, Tanjiro stirred awake, his nose twitching.

What is this smell?

It reminded him of stink bugs—and it was growing stronger.