The Stone Hashira laid in bed, the room filled with silence except for the chirps of birds from outside. The curtain blew gently from the open window, so Himejima could get some fresh air even in his comatose state.

His sightless eyes opened slowly, filled with unshed tears. A bandage was plastered vertically onto his face. He couldn't feel his left leg. Then, memories of the final battle came back to him.

He was supposed to die. Why didn't he? The mark was supposed to kill him, because of his age. He could've sworn he saw his orphans. Why did he...

The sound of a doorknob snapped him out of his thoughts.