Early next morning.
Kael woke up from his slumber. Kanroji Mitsuri was already gone from his side, but some residual warmth and body fragrance, along with the mess from the previous night, still remained on the bed.
He didn't even need to think to know what she was doing.
She must have gone to prepare breakfast.
Mitsuri took her role as a wife quite seriously; whether it was day or night, she would always put in her utmost effort.
At times like this, her extraordinary physical constitution proved its worth.
Even though they had tossed and turned for half the night and she had repeatedly begged for mercy, she could fully recover after a single sleep.
Previously, Kanroji Mitsuri had been troubled by her constitution, but now, she was incredibly grateful for it.
The cockatiel, Xiao Bai, flew in through the window and hopped onto the covers, dropping Ubuyashiki Kagaya's reply into Kael's hand.
The general content was related to what had happened yesterday.
One could easily sense Ubuyashiki Kagaya's excitement within it.
After so many centuries, a member of the Demon Slayer Corps had finally come face-to-face with the Demon King. He saw a fated opportunity in this and was eager to share his feelings with Kael.
"Not sleeping at night—aren't you afraid of dropping dead from exhaustion?"
Kael muttered under his breath as he wrote a reply.
Even with his treatment, Mr. Ubuyashiki Kagaya's condition hadn't been cured, but it hadn't worsened much either; at the very least, he could still walk and jump around for now.
A few days ago, the two of them even went fishing by the river.
As per usual, Kael also put a helmet on Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Unfortunately, not only did they fail to catch any fish, but Ubuyashiki Kagaya was almost caught by a fish himself, if not for Kael's quick reflexes.
Because of this, Kael faced a barrage of verbal attacks from the Hashira.
However, he bluntly stated he would do it again next time, making the Wind Hashira so angry he rolled up his sleeves for a duel.
As a result, he ended up flat on the ground after just one move.
Of course, this wasn't Kael's fault. If any of the others had reached out to stop him even slightly, the Wind Hashira would have taken the chance to back down. Did he not know he couldn't win?
No joke, during the first year of their acquaintance, Kael had already trained the Hashira several times over.
Nowadays, the group of Hashira combined was barely enough to keep up with him.
But since the others were egging him on, he had no choice but to go through with it; the Wind Hashira had his pride to maintain.
The most infuriating one was Tomioka Giyuu.
If he hadn't stepped forward to hand over a sword, how would he have ended up in such an awkward position? Truly an annoying guy!
Unaware that he was being hated once again, Tomioka Giyuu was still feeling smug about his own perceptiveness.
"Kael, get up and eat."
While calling out, Kanroji Mitsuri reached out and slid open the wooden door to the bedroom.
Then, in the next second, she was pulled back into the covers by Kael.
Soon, several pieces of clothing were tossed out, the quilt bulged high, and sounds of heavy breathing came from within.
In such a wonderful time, one must do something full of love.
"..."
"..."
"It's all your fault; the red bean buns have gone cold."
Kanroji Mitsuri pouted dissatisfiedly, but the corners of her eyes were curved with a sweet smile.
Compared to when they first married, Kanroji Mitsuri hadn't changed significantly; she was still that vibrant young girl, though her figure had become slightly more curvaceous.
However, this subtle increase in curves could only be measured by Kael. Under her usual conservative clothing, who could tell that Mitsuri possessed such a figure?
Given the dual satisfaction of material and spiritual needs, such a development was only natural.
"Didn't you say we should seize the time and try hard?"
Kael looked innocent. How did this end up being his fault?
As soon as he finished speaking, his mouth was stuffed with a red bean bun handed over by Kanroji Mitsuri.
If there was one thing Kanroji Mitsuri regretted about her married life, it was her failure to produce an heir for the Sakuragi family.
In the current social environment, this was prone to creating anxiety, even though Kanroji Mitsuri was still quite young.
However, when it came to soothing emotions, Kael was quite experienced and never gave Mitsuri the chance to fall into an emotional slump.
After breakfast, the two lingered for a while longer before leaving the house one after another.
Kael didn't trap Kanroji Mitsuri in the cage of their home; he gave her enough space to develop her own interests.
Thus, a bakery was born on the commercial street.
Of course, Kael's support for Mitsuri's hobby also had its own little motive.
If he didn't find something for his wife to do, all her energy would be focused on him. How then could he manage his time reasonably?
Besides baking, Kanroji Mitsuri would usually invite the wives of other shop owners on the street to play Western cards at her house.
The seemingly ditzy Mitsuri was practically invincible at the card table; she had not only great skill but even better luck.
Even Kael had lost so badly a few times that he got anxious and shouted, "I want to check the deck!"
Additionally, Kanroji Mitsuri often took in stray animals, especially favoring cats, to the point where several "cat pancakes" were frequently sprawled all over Kael's courtyard.
At first glance, one might think gas canisters had come to life.
Kael walked to Sakuragi Hospital.
Seeing the director arrive, the nurses in the hall greeted him warmly. The eyes of some young and beautiful ladies seemed glued to Kael.
This situation wasn't hard to understand.
Who wouldn't want a taste of Director Sakuragi?
Unfortunately, no one had succeeded yet, and the reason wasn't that Kael disliked "eating the grass near his own nest."
"Director, Chief Kochou asked you to go to her office."
The head nurse came to Kael's side and spoke softly.
Kael nodded in understanding and went to the floor where Shinobu Kocho was located. This place was now considered a branch of the Butterfly Mansion, primarily responsible for treating injured members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Compared to the Butterfly Mansion, the hospital's medical conditions were indeed much better.
Moreover, the security was well-guaranteed.
If Kibutsuji Muzan were unlucky enough to find this place, the story would likely reach its conclusion immediately.
Inheriting the fine traditions of the Cyber World, Kael had set many traps within his hospital.
"Mr. Sakuragi~, Mr. Sakuragi~."
The three little ones with button eyes chirped and swarmed around Kael. They were noticeably rounder than when they first met.
This was thanks to Kanroji Mitsuri's feeding.
Her bakery had many leftover desserts every day, some of which were sent to the hospital and given to the three little ones.
Kanroji Mitsuri had long known about Shinobu Kocho's existence and used her own way to express her acceptance of the other woman.
However, she acted a bit too cautiously, making her seem like an easy target for bullying.
"Don't you have your own work to do?"
Kanzaki Aoi shouted crossly with her hands on her hips.
Wearing the custom nurse uniform of Sakuragi Hospital, the girl looked exceptionally charming; even her anger became cute.
However, in the eyes of the three little ones, Kanzaki Aoi was still very intimidating, and they all instantly became obedient.
"I say, Lord Director, could you please move a bit faster? Lady Kochou has been waiting for you for a long time."
Kanzaki Aoi said indignantly.
Ever since she learned that Kael was married, she hadn't given him a single good look.
According to what Kanzaki Aoi secretly said, any man with a foot in two boats should be drowned in a pond.
This was clearly a false accusation against Kael; he hadn't even stepped onto Shinobu Kocho's boat yet.
Miss Shinobu, who had yet to complete her revenge, had no spare thoughts for her personal feelings.
However, to outsiders, it looked like a different story.
"I'm already the director; if I can't even dawdle, then wouldn't being the director be for nothing?"
As Kael spoke, he gave Kanzaki Aoi a light flick on the forehead, leaving a red mark.
"Stupid Kael!"
Kanzaki Aoi stomped her feet in anger.
But she only dared to mutter behind Kael's back. She had experienced his methods; if she didn't want tomorrow's work uniform to become some shameful outfit, it was better to keep some words to herself.
Inside the closed operating room, not a single ray of sunlight could penetrate.
The husband, who had turned into a demon, was lying on the operating table. Although he had fallen into a deep sleep under the influence of drugs, his partially mutated features still carried a trace of ferocity.
The injured wife sat in a chair nearby while Shinobu Kocho changed her wound dressing to prevent infection.
"How is the situation?"
Kael was referring to the husband who had turned into a demon.
Although there had been no key breakthrough in the research of "Humanization" techniques, thanks to Lady Tamayo's technical support, it was currently possible to maintain the human consciousness of those who had turned into demons.
Of course, the shorter the time spent as a demon, the better the effect.
If the mental alienation became too severe, even if they regained their human consciousness, it would be difficult for them to truly escape the bloodthirsty and brutal instincts brought by the physical demonification.
"The state has been initially stabilized, but further observation is needed. He has a high adaptability to the Demon Kings blood; I don't know whether to call that good or bad luck," Shinobu Kocho said with a sigh.
Shinobu Kocho said with a sigh.
If one couldn't adapt to the Demon Kings blood, they would die instantly from rejection. But if the adaptability was too good, the progress of demonification would be very fast, making treatment difficult.
"Director Sakuragi, I beg of you, please save my husband."
The injured wife pleaded with a sob.
She had already learned the general situation from Shinobu Kocho and naturally understood the gravity of the matter.
If he truly fell into being a demon, it would be no different from being dead.
"We will do our best, ma'am. Aoi, take the lady to rest."
Kael looked back at Kanzaki Aoi, and she quickly stepped forward to support the injured wife, leading her to another ward to prevent her from becoming too emotional here.
"These are his latest physical indicators."
Shinobu Kocho brought over a report and handed it to Kael.
"The situation is relatively optimistic. I'll re-formulate the Suppressant agent for him in a bit," Kael said in a relaxed tone after carefully reviewing it.
Kael said in a relaxed tone after carefully reviewing it.
"That's wonderful."
Shinobu Kocho's expression relaxed slightly, but a trace of fatigue appeared between her brows.
"Didn't get enough rest again last night?"
Kael's tone carried both reproach and concern as he gently pulled Shinobu Kocho into his arms, offering his shoulder for her to lean on.
"Mm."
Shinobu Kocho murmured softly, unconsciously closing her eyes as her breathing leveled out.
Now, when no outsiders were present, Shinobu Kocho had habitually come to rely on Kael.
However, before long, a knock sounded at the door.
"Lady Kochou, are you inside?"
Tanjiro's cautious voice drifted in.
Shinobu Kocho woke up, left Kael's embrace, tidied her clothes slightly, and spoke.
"Come in."
Tanjiro pushed the door open and saw Kael, unconsciously breaking into a smile.
"Big Brother Sakuragi, why are you here?"
"This hospital is my property."
Kael said irritably.
"I knew it."
Tanjiro scratched his head; he had been wondering this morning why the name of the hospital sounded so familiar.
This morning, a Kasugai Crow had led Tanjiro to Sakuragi Hospital for a physical check-up.
Long-term use of a Breathing Style puts a severe strain on the body. Without proper check-ups and conditioning, one would suffer in their later years.
Although many members of the Demon Slayer Corps didn't live long enough to reach that age.
"Let Nezuko out."
Kael glanced at the wooden box Tanjiro was carrying and spoke.
"But..."
Tanjiro looked at Shinobu Kocho with some concern. He already knew she was a senior in the Demon Slayer Corps and couldn't help but worry about Nezuko's safety.
"Don't worry, I've already explained your situation to Kagaya. He'll find a time to notify the Hashira about this later."
Kael reassured him, and only then did Tanjiro set the box down.
"Hmm?"
Nezuko poked her head out.
"I didn't expect such an exception to exist."
Shinobu Kocho became interested and squatted in front of Nezuko.
Nowadays, her perception of demons had changed, viewing them as a type of patient.
It was just that they were divided into those who could be saved and those who couldn't.
Those who couldn't be saved could only be humanely destroyed.
Nezuko tilted her head with a dazed look, appearing as if she hadn't fully woken up. Usually at this time, she would be sound asleep.
Since she had never consumed food, Nezuko usually relied on sleep to replenish her energy.
"Let's draw some blood first."
Shinobu Kocho skillfully took out a syringe, which startled Tanjiro, who quickly blocked her.
"Lady Kochou, isn't this needle a bit too thick?!"
Tanjiro, who had just had his blood drawn for the check-up this morning, was deeply traumatized by needles. Empathizing with her, he naturally felt distressed for Nezuko.
"Drawing blood this way is faster. Don't worry, it'll be your turn soon."
Shinobu Kocho said comfortingly.
As Nezuko's brother, Tanjiro's blood also held significant reference value.
"Huh?"
Upon hearing this, Tanjiro's body began to tremble involuntarily. He wasn't afraid of blood, but he was a bit needle-phobic.
After a good while, Kael received the blood analysis report.
"It is indeed different from ordinary demon blood; further verification is still needed."
Kael looked up at Tanjiro and casually wrote a long list of medications for him. The cursive handwriting made Tanjiro a bit dizzy, and he asked worriedly.
"Big Brother Sakuragi, am I sick with something?"
"No, it's just to nourish your body and try to help you grow a bit taller."
Kael waved his hand. High-intensity training at too young an age would affect physical development, so he could only try his best to compensate for it.
"Thank you, Big Brother Sakuragi."
Tanjiro bowed respectfully and expressed his gratitude.