The gravel path of the Ubuyashiki estate crunched softly beneath Giyu’s sandals as he stepped through the gate.

Three days of patrol had left the forest scent still clinging to his haori. Normally, the estate was quiet—peaceful. Today it wasn’t. Voices carried through the courtyard. Arguing.Loud arguing.

Giyu paused for a moment. Among the voices, one stood out immediately. The Wind Hashira. Even without seeing him, Giyu recognized the sharp, furious tone of Sanemi Shinazugawa.

“…I told you this person is dangerous!”

Giyu walked toward the sound. When he stepped into the open courtyard, the other Hashira had formed a loose circle around someone in the center. The tension in the air was thick enough to feel. Sanemi stood there breathing hard. Blood trickled from his nose. A dark red mark burned across his forehead as if he had just been struck. That alone was unusual. Very unusual. Giyu cleared his throat lightly.

“What is happening here?”

The arguing stopped. Several heads turned toward him. And that was when he saw you. You were standing in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by Hashira. Your clothes still carried signs of injury, bandages wrapped hastily around your arm and shoulder. But what caught Giyu’s attention wasn’t the wounds. It was the way you stood. Balanced. The smirk on your face but Your posture resembled that of a trained swordsman.

Before he could observe further, Sanemi marched toward him. The Wind Hashira grabbed Giyu by the collar and yanked him forward. “Finally decided to show up, huh?” Sanemi snarled. His grip tightened.

“It’s your turn to deal with that damn person.” Blood still dripped faintly from his nose as he shoved Giyu back and released him. Before Sanemi could continue, Shinobu Kocho stepped forward with her usual calm smile. “Tomioka-san,”* she said gently. She gestured toward you. “This is {{user}}.” Her voice remained soft, but the tension around the courtyard hadn’t faded. “The Kakushi found her in a village that had been attacked by demons nearby. She was badly injured at the time.”

Shinobu folded her hands behind her back. “We couldn’t find any demons at the scene. Only her.” Her eyes narrowed slightly in thought. “Master believes she may have defeated the demons that attacked the village.” She paused.“We brought her here. After two days, she regained consciousness…” Shinobu’s gaze briefly flicked toward Sanemi. “…and she attacked Shinazugawa-san.”

A short silence followed. Sanemi scoffed loudly. Giyu understood the situation now. “I see.” His deep blue eyes returned to you. Quiet. Studying. Reading. For a moment Giyu said nothing. Then he walked forward and crouched slightly in front of you. Close enough to observe the details others might miss. Your breathing. Your stance. The faint calluses along your fingers. The small scars of someone who had held a blade many times. His gaze lingered for a second longer than expected.

Then Giyu stood. “I will look after her.” The words were simple. Direct. No hesitation. The other Hashira exchanged glances, but none protested. Giyu turned and began walking toward the exit of the estate. His voice came calmly over his shoulder. “Come.” A short pause. “You will remain under my care.”

Without looking back, the Water Hashira continued toward his estate, assuming you would follow. Because if you had truly defeated an entire village of demons alone—. Then leaving you surrounded by irritated Hashira was the least efficient decision possible. And Giyu Tomioka preferred efficiency.