Perhaps as the Child of God, he was naturally lacking precise understanding of mortal emotions.
Yoriichi couldn't comprehend Mitsuba's behavior of suppressing herself and hiding her heart.
And Butterfly once again gave the most blunt, yet also most accurate answer.
"Because she cared about you, Mr. Yoriichi—at least she once did."
Looking at the instantly stunned Yoriichi, Butterfly replied word by word with that consistently calm, even somewhat cold tone:
"She also thought more than once about speaking these true feelings, but because she cared, she ultimately strangled her own longings. Because she cared, she chose to make herself the sacrificed one, satisfying your willfulness.
Can you understand everything I'm saying, Mr. Yoriichi?"
Out of respect for the deceased, Butterfly didn't tell Yoriichi what Mitsuba once told her—those words their mother Juna spoke to Mitsuba on her deathbed.
But her silence made Yoriichi suddenly recall that night more than ten years ago when his mother died and he left the Tsugikuni household.
Yoriichi suddenly remembered that at the very end, Mitsuba seemed to want to call out to him, to say something to him?
It's just that at the time, with his mind solely on leaving the Tsugikuni household, he didn't realize Mitsuba's action then...
Remembering that night when Mitsuba's smile instantly froze upon hearing him entrust Elder Brother to her, Yoriichi's heart suddenly felt a prick of pain.
This pain was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly rippling across his heart.
"I never expected that as a physician, you would think this way..."
In Yoriichi's silence, Tamayo finally spoke.
"Perhaps because nearly half my life so far has been spent in the mountains, and I haven't read many books."
Looking at Tamayo, Butterfly's tone remained calm.
"Miss Tamayo, perhaps you find it unbelievable, but in my view, everything that exists in this world is reasonable as long as it exists.
So-called demons and humans are no different from wolves and rabbits in the mountains."
"Even if Tsugikuni Mitsuba indiscriminately kills innocents?"
Tamayo continued to press.
"Then, Miss Tamayo, may I ask—has Mitsuba indiscriminately killed innocents?"
Butterfly immediately counter-asked, seemingly full of confidence.
Tamayo froze for a moment. Under Yoriichi's gaze, she sighed lightly.
"If you're referring to people other than Demon Hunters, then she indeed hasn't...
Even, I've personally witnessed Tsugikuni Mitsuba let go of some true ordinary people..."
Although she didn't want to admit it very much, Tsugikuni Mitsuba did indeed possess her own principles to a certain extent.
During the days she traveled with her, Tamayo saw with her own eyes that from beginning to end, Mitsuba only ever killed Demon Hunters.
As for those ordinary people who knew nothing of the existence of demons and Demon Hunters, she indeed hadn't harmed a single one.
It could even be said that she got along especially well with these ordinary people, particularly children, always quickly blending in with them.
"Mitsuba truly hasn't changed at all..."
Hearing this answer from Tamayo that she had anticipated, the corners of Butterfly's mouth slightly rose.
She of course knew that Mitsuba's nature wasn't bloodthirsty. Someone who couldn't obtain pleasure from killing naturally couldn't kill indiscriminately.
Butterfly could even deduce that even having become a demon, Mitsuba would only limit the scope of her killing to Demon Hunters as enemies.
Because they were enemies, she absolutely couldn't show mercy.
Because she was hungry, she would find two Demon Hunters to fill her stomach.
From the Demon Hunters' perspective, this was very immoral.
But Butterfly had no morality, nor did she stand from the Demon Hunters' perspective.
Even if she could make a choice, she would rather become a demon herself.
You must know this was absolutely excellent research material... she was truly curious about the principles of demons' existence.
"Alright, let's stop here regarding Mitsuba's matters for now."
In the end, it was still Yoriichi, who had been silent for so long, who spoke to conclude this conversation among the three.
"This encounter with Kibutsuji Muzan during my mission—I must report to Master as soon as possible. Miss Tamayo, are you willing to return with me?"
First looking at Tamayo, Yoriichi actively proposed:
"You know much about Muzan. I believe the Demon Slayer Corps' future campaign against Muzan will likely need your help.
If you're willing, I hope to introduce you to Master.
Please rest assured, regardless of the final outcome, I will guarantee your safety."
"...Alright."
Although she had other thoughts in her heart, after some hesitation, Tamayo still decided to first follow Yoriichi to see the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
It just so happened that she also wanted to see what kind of existence the Ubuyashiki clan, who had fought Muzan for nearly five hundred years, truly was...
"Then what about you, Miss Butterfly? Are you willing to return with me?"
Having received Tamayo's reply, Yoriichi turned to look at Butterfly.
Although Butterfly had expressed a clear stance leaning toward Mitsuba regarding Mitsuba's matters.
Considering that the other party was also a physician with superb medical skills, Yoriichi believed the Demon Slayer Corps would certainly need Butterfly's abilities.
Moreover, if he let Butterfly meet Master, perhaps Master could change some of Butterfly's thoughts...
"Alright."
To this, Butterfly very straightforwardly nodded in agreement.
Because she wanted to find Mitsuba.
Since learning that Mitsuba hadn't died but continued to survive as a demon, Butterfly had been urgently wanting to find Mitsuba.
Temporarily joining the Demon Slayer Corps, relying on the Demon Slayer Corps' intelligence—this might help her find traces of Mitsuba faster...
Thus, the three people present unanimously decided to return to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters that very night...
"..."
"So, Lord Muzan indeed encountered Elder Brother Yoriichi..."
Having transformed into a giant cocoon, after a full day and night of recuperation, Muzan finally emerged from it.
In that already dilapidated mountain temple, after completely recovering, Muzan was carefully recounting his previous experiences to the Tsugikuni siblings.
Including how he encountered Yoriichi, the battle between him and Yoriichi, and how he fled in disgrace...
Speaking to the end, Muzan almost uncontrollably trembled all over once again:
"That monster, he simply isn't human..."
"You're absolutely right, Lord Muzan."
Sitting on the wall nearby, listening to Muzan's account in the courtyard below, sitting at the stone table with Michikatsu, Mitsuba nodded in acknowledgment.
"Elder Brother Yoriichi is the Child of God. His birth was to follow the gods' will to campaign against you as the Demon King.
Therefore, Elder Brother Yoriichi was born with strength far surpassing ordinary mortals. It's very normal that you lost to him, Lord Muzan..."
"Mitsuba, I've told you many times—don't always speak such mystical nonsense. This world doesn't have so-called gods."
Showing not the slightest dissatisfaction with Mitsuba's casual, even somewhat disrespectful attitude, Muzan only corrected her again with a helpless tone.
Yes, Muzan never believed in the existence of gods.
Even having encountered Yoriichi, even having personally experienced Yoriichi's superhuman strength that humans couldn't possibly possess, he still didn't believe gods existed in this world, still didn't believe Yoriichi was a messenger sent by the gods to punish him.
After all, if there really were gods, they would have dealt with him five hundred years ago—why wait until today?
In Muzan's view, Yoriichi was a monster, a monster even more monstrous than himself!
Yoriichi was a "natural disaster," a "natural disaster" specifically designed to counter him!
"Yes yes yes~"
Very obediently not refuting Muzan, Mitsuba only smiled and asked:
"Then Lord Muzan, what should we do next? Do you need me to eliminate Elder Brother Yoriichi?"
She spoke with a very ordinary tone, uttering words that made the two demons below simultaneously freeze.
Eliminate Yoriichi?
Mitsuba?
Mitsuba was going to eliminate Yoriichi?
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