The next day, the sun rose from the west.
Warm sunlight spread across the land of Fujikasane Mountain, dispersing the darkness.
After sending out the Kasugai Crow and waiting through the entire night, Ubuyashiki Amane finally received a reply.
"Good morning, Lady Ubuyashiki."
A young girl with black hair and purple eyes appeared at the entrance. A butterfly hairpin was fastened at the back of her head.
"I have come to assess the situation on behalf of the Master."
"Yes. I will leave it to you."
Seeing the girl before her, Ubuyashiki Amane finally let out a breath of relief, her expression relaxing slightly.
As the younger sister of the current Flower Hashira, Kochō Shinobu's strength and medical skill ranked among the best within the Demon Slayer Corps.
With her assistance, as long as Cain and Rengoku Kyojuro had not died on the spot, they could most likely be saved.
"I will head in."
Kochō Shinobu wasted no time.
After greeting Ubuyashiki Amane, she immediately rushed toward the interior of Fujikasane Mountain.
As an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kochō Shinobu was no stranger to this mountain range.
During her training period, she had come here together with her elder sister.
"Having privileges really is nice."
To maintain the quality of Demon Slayer Corps members, Fujikasane Mountain was theoretically off limits.
However, the circumstances this time were rather special, involving the son of the current Flame Hashira.
Although the current Flame Hashira had fallen into a state of decadence and frequently neglected his duties after his wife's death.
Still, a Hashira remained a Hashira. They were the most important combat force within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Considering that his mental state would hardly be able to withstand the pain of losing a son, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, as the Corps leader, broke the rules and specifically dispatched Kochō Shinobu to stabilize the situation.
When Kochō Shinobu recalled how she and her sister had once fought through the night on Fujikasane Mountain during their own Final Selection, and compared it to Rengoku Kyojuro's current situation with a secret protector sent after him, she could not help but feel a slight sense of imbalance.
Still, she was not someone who ignored the bigger picture. She clearly understood how important a Hashira was to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Steadying her thoughts, Kochō Shinobu hurried deeper into Fujikasane Mountain.
What Kochō Shinobu did not know, however, was that at the very same time she was heading toward the depths of Fujikasane Mountain.
On the opposite side of the mountain, two figures had already finished circling the entire mountain and returned to the entrance.
"Hmm?"
Only a few minutes after seeing Kochō Shinobu off, Ubuyashiki Amane suddenly saw Cain and Rengoku Kyojuro walking out side by side.
"Lady Amane! I have something to report!"
"...Speak."
Although Ubuyashiki Amane was puzzled as to why the two of them had appeared here.
Seeing the seriousness on Rengoku Kyojuro's face, she decided to listen to what he had to say first.
"Last night, while Cain and I were hunting demons, we encountered a Mutated Demon."
"That Mutated Demon was extremely cunning. It had been hiding within Fujikasane Mountain for decades and used various methods to kill a large number of Demon Slayer Corps trainees."
"A Mutated Demon that has lived for decades?"
Ubuyashiki Amane frowned, her expression becoming serious.
"Are you certain there is no mistake?"
"It is true. All of this was said by the Mutated Demon itself."
"In addition, it mentioned that it had originally been captured and brought here by the former Water Hashira, Lord Urokodaki Sakonji."
"To take revenge, that Mutated Demon has been specifically targeting Lord Urokodaki Sakonji's disciples."
"I see."
Ubuyashiki Amane's expression grew even more solemn.
She had heard rumors before regarding Urokodaki Sakonji's disciples.
Originally, she believed it was merely a matter of bad luck, but it now appeared there had been another reason behind it.
"What is the status of that Mutated Demon now? Did you two kill it?"
"To be precise, Cain killed it."
Rengoku Kyojuro stepped aside and gestured toward the black haired youth standing behind him.
"Aside from that Mutated Demon, every other demon within Fujikasane Mountain has also been eliminated by Cain."
"...All eliminated?"
"Yes. Every single one has been eliminated."
Rengoku Kyojuro repeated the words again, emotion faintly present in his voice.
As the site of the Final Selection, the number of demons inside Fujikasane Mountain was astonishing.
If he had not witnessed it with his own eyes, even Rengoku Kyojuro would have found it difficult to believe.
"If you doubt it, Lady Amane, you may send someone to confirm the situation."
"There is no need. I believe neither of you would lie about such a matter."
Ubuyashiki Amane shook her head.
She did not mention that Kochō Shinobu had already entered Fujikasane Mountain. Instead, she thought for a moment and summoned a Kasugai Crow.
"Please wait here for a moment."
"I must report the situation at Fujikasane Mountain to the headquarters."
"If you are sending a message, please deliver one for me as well."
Cain, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward.
He took out a letter that had been prepared in advance from within his robe and handed it to Ubuyashiki Amane.
"Lady Ubuyashiki, I would like to meet the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps as a partner."
...
Half a day later.
Kochō Shinobu returned from the depths of Fujikasane Mountain and saw Ubuyashiki Amane waiting at the entrance.
"Lady Ubuyashiki, the situation within Fujikasane Mountain has been confirmed."
"What is the current condition inside?"
"Aside from the people participating in the Final Selection, there are no other living beings remaining."
As Kochō Shinobu answered, her expression looked rather complicated.
Half a day earlier, she had received the mission to secretly enter Fujikasane Mountain and protect Rengoku Kyojuro.
Yet only minutes after stepping into the mountain, a Kasugai Crow delivered new instructions.
Her mission had changed.
She no longer needed to protect Rengoku Kyojuro. Instead, she was ordered to investigate the condition of the demons within Fujikasane Mountain.
Kochō Shinobu initially assumed that an extremely powerful demon had appeared within the mountain.
However, after completing her investigation, she discovered that the truth was the exact opposite of what she had imagined.
Forget powerful demons. She had circled the entire mountain and had not seen even a single demon.
At present, the only living people within Fujikasane Mountain were the other participants who had entered later for the Final Selection.
Since every demon on the mountain had disappeared, those people had nothing to do.
They could only find a corner to sit idly or wander around looking at the scenery.
Anyone unaware of the situation might even believe they were on a sightseeing trip.
"Lady Ubuyashiki, was the situation within Fujikasane Mountain caused by Cain and Rengoku Kyojuro?"
Recalling the information she received when she first accepted the mission, Kochō Shinobu asked carefully.
Ubuyashiki Amane nodded.
"To be precise, it was done by Cain alone."
"Cain..."
Kochō Shinobu murmured the name softly, a strange light flashing within her eyes.
Completely clearing out Fujikasane Mountain overnight was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
"Lady Ubuyashiki, could it be that Cain possesses strength comparable to a Hashira?"
"As for that matter, you will need to escort the two of them to headquarters for confirmation."
"The headquarters?"
"Yes. A reply from headquarters arrived not long ago. Kagaya has agreed to meet Cain."
Ubuyashiki Amane took out a slip of paper from her robe and handed it to Kochō Shinobu.
"I must remain here to handle the matters concerning Fujikasane Mountain for the time being."
"I am afraid the task of escorting Cain to headquarters must be entrusted to you."
[Invite Cain to the headquarters as a guest of the highest level.]
"...Understood."
Looking at the familiar handwriting on the paper, Kochō Shinobu's expression became serious.
"I will handle the task of guiding him."
...
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