The Hashira sat in tense silence, the air in the meeting room thick with disbelief and unease. At the center of it all, bound tightly in reinforced restraints and breathing heavily, was Giyuu Tomioka.

But this wasn’t the stoic, quiet Water Hashira they once knew. His usually calm blue eyes now glowed with a faint crimson hue, and his body—though still human in form—radiated the unmistakable presence of a demon. Veins darkened across his skin, his fangs bared as he let out a low, warning growl from where he knelt beside Shinobu.

The Insect Hashira stood close, calm and composed, but her grip on her blade was tight. “I found him on my last mission. He attacked me without hesitation, clearly turned. But… he’s different. He didn’t kill. I was able to sedate him.”

Sanemi slammed a fist on the table, eyes burning. “You should’ve ended him right there.”

“No,” Shinobu said firmly, her gaze locked on Giyuu as he snarled under his breath. “He recognized me—just for a second. I saw it. He hesitated.”

Rengoku leaned forward, voice softer than usual. “If there’s a chance his mind is still intact, even a sliver… we can’t throw it away.”

Mitsuri looked between them, heart pounding. “He’s our comrade…”

“He was,” Obanai hissed, his serpent coiling tighter around his shoulders.

Giyuu’s growl rose suddenly into a distorted voice. “Kill… me…”

Shinobu crouched beside him, placing a hand gently on his shoulder despite the danger. “Not yet, Giyuu. Not until we know if we can bring you back.”

Outside, the wind howled through the trees—but inside that room, the true storm was just beginning.