Inosuke sensed danger the instant Shinobu descended.
He retreated quickly, creating distance.
Shinobu flipped gracefully and landed lightly on the ground, her smile unchanged.
She could have chained the attack and ended it instantly—
But remembering the Master's gentle reminder to show leniency toward the younger members, she held back.
"HAHA! Not bad! BOAR CHARGE!"
Inosuke's eyes gleamed with excitement.
This petite, seemingly delicate girl—
Was fast. Incredibly fast.
Shinobu tucked the wooden sword behind her back, posture relaxed and almost playful.
No matter how wildly Inosuke charged, she evaded him like a butterfly drifting through wind—light, untouchable.
Aoyama stood at a distance, arms crossed, observing quietly.
She wasn't attacking.
She was teasing him.
Inosuke's strength wasn't low—but against a Hashira-level opponent like Shinobu, the gap was obvious.
After several exchanges, even his boundless stamina began to fade.
Shinobu's smile deepened.
She bent her knees and leapt.
"Total Concentration. Insect Breathing. Butterfly Dance: Caprice."
Her voice brushed past Inosuke's ear.
A second later—
His boar mask fell to the ground.
His wooden sword clattered after it.
Silence.
He had lost.
Shinobu turned, covering her mouth slightly as she smiled.
"What a shame. You didn't manage to bully me. Perhaps next time, work harder?"
Before leaving, she added sweetly,
"Inosuke, try not to cause trouble around the Butterfly Estate. Otherwise… I might bully you instead."
Inosuke lowered his head and walked away.
Beaten by a girl.
Again.
First Nezuko.
Now Shinobu.
His pride suffered double damage.
Suddenly—
Shinobu appeared behind Aoyama.
The wooden blade swung.
Aoyama's body reacted before his mind did. He leaned back sharply, the blade slicing through the air just above him.
Close.
Very close.
Shinobu moved like a shadow—silent footsteps, no warning.
He had heard her say she was leaving to handle other matters, so his guard had lowered.
But the system-enhanced body sensed danger first.
His sharpened senses caught a faint, unfamiliar scent—
And he moved in time.
"Shinobu, that's dangerous," Aoyama said lightly.
She lowered the wooden sword.
"Dangerous? For you?" Her violet eyes curved in amusement.
She had noticed him watching during her spar with Inosuke.
Her earlier comment about having other matters to attend to—
Was meant for him.
At Mount Natagumo, they had clashed briefly. Neither had gone all out.
Even after watching him fight Sanemi and Rengoku—
She still couldn't gauge his true strength.
He always seemed to be holding something back.
"The Master reports a town nearby where demons have appeared," she continued calmly. "The squad sent there never returned."
Aoyama waited.
"Perhaps one of the Twelve Kizuki is hiding there. Sanemi and Rengoku have been dispatched elsewhere. Would Aoyama Ren be willing to take a look?"
She watched him carefully.
"I've rested long enough," he replied casually. "Time to stretch a little."
Shinobu nodded.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
As she departed, Aoyama watched her back thoughtfully.
A sudden idea popped into his mind—
She wouldn't actually be thinking of taking him in as her Tsuguko… would she?
He nearly startled himself.
Impossible.
Even if she wanted to—
He wouldn't agree.
Becoming someone's successor?
Absolutely not.
Before leaving, Aoyama stopped by the ward to see Tanjiro and the still short-limbed Zenitsu.
He briefly explained that he would be leaving the Butterfly Estate to slay a demon.
From inside the wooden box—
A faint rustling sound.
Nezuko pushed the lid open and climbed out.
The moment she stood up—
She puffed her cheeks and glared at Aoyama.
"Mm!"
Angry.
Tanjiro hurried over and patted her head.
"Nezuko, you can't be rude to Aoyama-senpai."
Zenitsu, meanwhile, secretly rejoiced.
Yes! Hate him! Hate him! Then I'll have my chance! A peaceful farming life with Nezuko-chan awaits—
"Mm!"
Nezuko clenched her tiny fists and shook them furiously.
Tanjiro blinked.
"Nezuko… what's wrong?"
Aoyama understood.
She wanted to go with him.
"You want to come with me?" he asked gently. "Not stay here with Tanjiro?"
For her safety, staying was better.
But if she chose to go—
He would protect her.
Absolutely.
Nezuko stopped flailing.
She lowered her head, thinking seriously.
Tanjiro suddenly realized.
She wanted to leave with Aoyama.
Something inside him snapped.
"Nezuko… you don't want to stay with your brother?"
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Nezuko looked between the two.
Then—
She stepped forward and grabbed Aoyama's hand.
Turning to Tanjiro, she gave him a tiny encouraging fist pump.
You can do it!
Tanjiro turned to stone.
She chose Aoyama.
And this time—
He couldn't even follow.
As Aoyama picked up the wooden box and walked out hand-in-hand with Nezuko—
Tanjiro slowly turned to Zenitsu.
"Was Nezuko kidnapped?"
Zenitsu collapsed into his blanket, wailing in despair.
"NEZUKO-CHAAANNN!!!"
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