At daybreak, the next ship came over.
Just docked on shore, several Corps members jumped down from the ship. Rushed over in a flurry.
I hid with Tamayo and the others in a tent set up under the tree shade. Watched those swordsmen surround Tengen talking. Every person's face showed anxiety and worry.
After talking for quite a while, they began under Tengen's orders, together with the Kakushi who gradually disembarked, to transport the wounded.
Counting all Hashira and swordsmen—four died, seven seriously injured, six lightly injured.
Fortunately, the medicine I distributed to them worked. Plus Tamayo's treatment, everyone's injuries stabilized. No new casualties added.
Only after Tengen finished talking with the reinforcements did he walk over seriously. Told me about last night's situation.
Kokushibo and Doma indeed went to hunt Hashira last night.
However, before departing, Kagaya had made arrangements. The remaining Hashira split into two teams.
One person as bait. The remaining Hashira used Yushiro's Blood Demon Art to hide. Ambushed the Upper Rank demons who came knocking.
Kokushibo and Doma's strength couldn't be compared with ordinary Twelve Kizuki... But having prepared in advance, the casualty situation wasn't too severe.
Kagaya guessed Kokushibo would attack Ritsuka. Arranged Gyomei on that side. Also Giyuu, who coordinated better with Ritsuka.
Specific situation still unclear. Just heard Ritsuka and Giyuu were both injured. But no missing arms or legs.
While the other side facing Doma had a more serious situation.
"Heard the Butterfly injured her lungs. I'm afraid she'll have to retire." Tengen said.
Doma's Blood Demon Art was indeed hard to guard against. I understood his abilities all too well.
But I'd clearly already told Kanae and the others about Doma's ability characteristics. After they carefully guarded against it, they still got hit.
Meant Doma had grown stronger these years.
Sabito injured his eyeball. Plus the poison's effects. Though Tamayo treated him in time, he still had some aftereffects.
Even after healing, his right eye probably couldn't see things clearly.
However, Sabito didn't care. After boarding the ship, he grabbed any free Corps member. Still persistently asked about Ritsuka and Giyuu's injury conditions.
While Muzan lost two Upper Rank demons with decent strength. Plus about twenty new demons with huge potential.
Comparatively, this hunting and counter-hunting battle—the Demon Slayer Corps gained the upper hand.
After returning to port, Tamayo took her leave with Yushiro.
Though I said Kagaya would very much like to meet her, Tamayo still politely declined. Could only wait for next opportunity.
Besides sending the wounded for treatment, there was still cleanup work to handle.
That underground fighting ring was uprooted. Thoroughly investigated the funding sources and related personnel's culpability behind it.
To try finding more flaws Muzan left behind, I stayed to handle matters here.
After another busy half month, I finally got away to return to the Butterfly Estate. Visit those already discharged and not yet discharged patients.
Heard Ritsuka broke three ribs. The bones nearly pierced her heart. But she still recovered fastest.
Not even five days before she climbed out of bed. Her astonishing recovery speed made all her colleagues envious. Also sparked another heated discussion about the Demon Slayer Mark.
When I went to see them, I found Ritsuka sitting between Sabito and Giyuu's beds. Eating large mouthfuls of peeled apple chunks.
Sabito was cursing loudly. Cursing that she was eating his get-well gifts.
Giyuu could only watch helplessly. Both right hand and left foot in casts. Could only eat with a spoon.
Shinazugawa's wounds had dozens of stitches. After resting two days, he secretly climbed up. Returned to his jurisdiction to handle official business delayed these days.
I thought he was more diligent and capable than a millstone donkey. Could be called the Demon Slayer Corps' number one model worker.
But because he left the hospital without permission, Shinobu cursed him for several days at the estate.
The remaining people's injuries weren't big problems. The most serious condition was Kanae's.
Apparently because her senses were keen, she detected Doma's secretly released Blood Demon Art. Immediately rushed forward to block the attack... Therefore inhaled large amounts of frozen powder in the air. Frostbit her lungs.
When I visited her, Kanae still lay sick in bed. Occasionally coughed lowly. But her complexion looked pretty good.
She smiled and pinched Shinobu's face. Seemed to be teasing her. Hearing me knock, quickly withdrew her hand.
"Miss Chihaya—"
Kanae greeted me in a cheerful tone. Her brilliant smile showed not half a trace of dejection.
I also followed her intention. Didn't ask about retirement. Only asked how her body was.
"I feel much better. That Miss Tamayo's medicine is really good. I still have many areas where I must learn more from her."
Kanae spoke lightly. Again gently pushed Shinobu, who'd only greeted me once then became gloomy.
"Shinobu, don't look so worried. Smile."
Shinobu forced a smile. Then said as if determined: "Sister, I've already submitted an application for Hashira to Lord Kagaya. Presumably I'll get a reply soon."
Kanae froze. Smiled with somewhat complex emotions. "I see... Lord Kagaya definitely won't object. Shinobu originally had Hashira strength anyway."
"Yes, could've applied earlier. Just that I didn't want to separate from Sister, so didn't do this."
Shinobu bit her lip. Expression gloomy. Probably this battle left her with very bad feelings.
"This time our losses weren't small either. Originally the Hashira weren't at full strength. If I can fill in, Sister will be more at ease too."
Kanae hid all those complex emotions. Raised her hand to pat her head. "Of course. Shinobu is most capable. From now on, it'll be Sister guarding the Butterfly Estate, waiting for you to come back—"
Shinobu nodded forcefully. Clenched her fists. Blazing fury ignited in her eyes.
"Also, that bastard demon who hurt Sister—I absolutely won't let him go!"
Shinobu suddenly looked at me. Solemnly bowed deeply. "Regarding anything about that guy, I'm troubling Miss Chihaya. Please tell me more intelligence!"
Mm. Her being able to pull herself together couldn't be better.
After visiting Kanae, I pushed Kanao, who was hiding behind the door peeking, inside. Let the three sisters love each other dearly in the room.
I turned to visit Kyojuro and Muichiro again.
Only these wounded remained in the estate. Everyone else had long recovered to a state where they could return to duty.
Just that before reaching their room, I heard cheering from inside.
Pushed open the door and quietly stuck my head in. Saw those little girls from the estate loudly shouting in the room.
While Kyojuro on the bed and Mitsuri sitting at the table were... were competing at eating?
Honestly, this scene was quite astonishing.
Even Muichiro, who usually loved spacing out, was attracted over... Looked at this one, then that one. Finally looked at the empty plates piled into a small mountain on the table.
He fell into contemplation again. Seemed to be pondering what unknown place human stomachs connected to—such extremely profound questions.
The winner in the end was Mitsuri.
After Kyojuro had already stopped, she ate two more plates of sakura mochi. Covered her mouth and gave a small burp. Revealed a satisfied smile.
The three little girls enthusiastically applauded her.
Heard she joined the Demon Slayer Corps. I hadn't had time to see her yet.
However, Kyojuro said she performed very well. Even self-created a very interesting and novel Breathing Style. Combat ability not to be underestimated.
To let her get more training, every time he went out to patrol his jurisdiction, Kyojuro would bring Mitsuri along.
If they encountered demons without too much strength, Kyojuro would let Mitsuri fight on her own.
She hadn't gone to take the Final Selection yet. Wasn't an official Demon Slayer Corps member... Therefore wore hakama. At her waist was Kyojuro's old sword.
After observing at the door for a while, Kyojuro lying in bed keenly looked over. Loudly greeted me.
Mitsuri was also very happy seeing me. Just that mixed with the happiness was some confusion.
But she didn't ask anything. Warmly sat together with me. Shared her experiences and insights during this time.
Not until dusk with no one around did Mitsuri quietly ask me: "Miss Chihaya, that... If I misunderstood, I apologize to you. But you should... not be human, right?"
I said: "Yes, I'm not human. I'm a demon."
Saying this, I showed her my sharp canines. Put on a proper threatening expression.
Mitsuri burst out laughing. "Then you must also be the kindest demon."
She very considerately didn't pursue my origins and past. Very naturally accepted the fact that demons existed in the Demon Slayer Corps.
I mischievously asked her—following Kyojuro to so many places, also meeting quite a few Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, had she set her sights on anyone she fancied?
Mitsuri smiled shyly. Still said very generously: "Everyone is very capable boys. But I still want to find someone more—capable than me to be my husband."
This feeling was actually quite novel. People who could come to the Demon Slayer Corps basically all had somewhat bitter pasts. Single-mindedly focused on killing demons. Didn't consider solving their singleness problem at all.
Even Kagaya wasn't willing to chat with me about his love story with Amane. Hmph!
First time a girl was willing to cheerfully chat with me about romance topics. I also became excited. As if my mindset grew much younger.
I smiled and told her: "Then you can only look among the Hashira."
Mitsuri nodded in agreement. Again quietly told me—while coming to visit Kyojuro, she also went to see those two Water Breathing master-brothers still lying in beds.
"Those two are also very capable people. Also look very cute. But still don't have the feeling I want."
Hilarious. Those two guys' mentalities probably still remained at the stage of competing with Ritsuka for apples through wits and courage.
"Then, what about Kyojuro?"
Speaking of strength, Kyojuro was the Flame Hashira. Speaking of appetite and strength, Kyojuro was also one of the rare people who could compete with her.
Why didn't Mitsuri like Kyojuro?
She showed a troubled expression. "Mr. Rengoku is of course also very good. Very enthusiastic and takes good care of me. But the feeling... too much like an older brother! Very sorry, I completely cannot develop romantic feelings!"
True. That guy also wasn't a suitable romantic partner.
I could only encourage her—the Demon Slayer Corps still had quite a few capable swordsmen. Even if she didn't fancy anyone now, didn't mean she wouldn't in the future.
Mitsuri also nodded seriously. Enthusiastically said she'd already made Hashira her goal. To find her ideal partner sooner, she'd definitely work hard to become a Hashira.
This was truly my first time hearing someone work hard for such a reason. But this was also good.
Compared to what Mitsuri chatted with me about, when Kyojuro mentioned her topic, it was more serious matters.
"Kanroji's body flexibility is very strong. Rather than learning rigid moves from me, better to leverage her own advantages."
Mitsuri thinking he was like a big brother wasn't wrong. Kyojuro just nagged like this, telling me how to give her special training targeting Mitsuri's strengths.
Her Nichirin Sword would also have to be specially forged. Most swordsmiths in the Swordsmith Village only knew how to forge ordinary styles. Could meet these requirements Kyojuro proposed—I estimated only the village chief.
Also because this style of sword wasn't easy to make, if they started after the Final Selection, would waste quite a bit of time.
So Kyojuro planned to write the village chief in advance. Ask him to first design a new sword according to Mitsuri's characteristics.
After seeing a round of patients, everyone's condition was fine. Now returned to normal.
Only then did I go to the Ubuyashiki estate. Summarize this battle's results with Kagaya.
Perhaps people feel refreshed at happy events—Kagaya's complexion looked good. Very gently said to me: "Muzan lost two Upper Ranks this time. I'm afraid he'll lie low for a very long period."
Upper Ranks and Lower Ranks were different. For demons to raise their power, they could only continuously eat people.
Because the era changed, demons also couldn't be as unscrupulous as before, casually eating people.
As long as too many people went missing without reason, it would definitely attract police attention. Then transmit intelligence here to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Even if new demons became Upper Ranks, their strength definitely wouldn't match previous Upper Rank demons.
Just that demon woman called Nakime by Muzan's side—her ability was really too annoying.
Couldn't win so ran. Had to think of a way to deal with her to seize the initiative.
However, this also wasn't a problem that could be solved right now. Taking advantage of this period while Muzan regrouped, the Demon Slayer Corps also had to hurry and cultivate new swordsmen.
I chatted with Kagaya about Shinobu. Kagaya had already approved her application. Next Hashira meeting, Shinobu would replace Kanae. Participate in the meeting as a Hashira.
Since talking about Shinobu, I also mentioned Mitsuri.
Kagaya was also quite interested in her. Smiled gently. "Sounds like also a very capable child. Presumably soon, I'll be able to meet her."
Counting the time, the Final Selection was also about recently.
Sure enough, not long after, Kyojuro sent a letter reporting good news. Said Mitsuri smoothly passed the selection. And obtained a new sword.
Her spirits were high. As soon as she got the sword most suitable for herself, immediately began desperately completing missions.
By the time the next Hashira meeting convened, she very unsurprisingly, as the Love Hashira, became one of the Hashira. Came to attend the meeting together with Shinobu.
Just that seeing her, I somewhat doubted my eyes. Couldn't help staring at her again and again.
Mitsuri also seemed quite embarrassed. Her small face flushed bright red. Desperately pulled at her clothes. Wanted to cover the large portion of exposed chest.
I beckoned to her. She immediately ran over.
Draping a coat over her, I asked in a low voice: "What's with this outfit?"
Mitsuri nervously blinked. Her forehead—don't know if from nervousness or embarrassment—was covered in sweat.
She said quietly: "The tailor said female members' Corps uniforms are all, all this style."
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