Withdrawing his magical barrier, everyone else was waking up one by one.
Taking the remaining ingredients from last night, Kaito used a stone pot he created to cook a large pot of congee. Everyone ate comfortably.
After all, the morning was a bit chilly, and the congee helped warm them up.
After finishing the congee, Kaito led everyone back.
Returning to the Kamado Hot Spring Inn, Kaito, accompanied by Shinobu and Tanjiro, set off for the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters.
Although it was initially planned for Nezuko to accompany Tanjiro in hunting Demons,
Tanjiro was a brother who only cared about his sister's safety!
How could he allow his sister to be in danger!
So, at Tanjiro's insistence, Nezuko stayed at the Kamado Hot Spring Inn.
He would handle the Demon hunting himself!
"This is the direction, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Kaito."
"Alright, hold on tight."
Whoosh—
The disguised rock platform, shaped like a fighter jet, carried Kaito, Shinobu, and Tanjiro straight towards the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters.
Because Japan's territory was small, in less than a few tens of minutes, Shinobu carefully observed and they arrived near their destination.
What they saw was a region surrounded by mountains. As Kaito landed the platform, several Demon Slayer Corps' members jumped out from the surroundings.
"Alright, everyone, please calm down! These two are my guests. The situation is a bit complicated, so could you all put away your weapons?"
Shinobu stepped forward helplessly to mediate.
As the newly appointed Insect Hashira, these Demon Slayer Corps' members naturally recognized her.
Or rather, any member who had ever visited the Butterfly Mansion would know Shinobu.
Typically, Kaito would have to land somewhere nearby, be blindfolded, and carried by a member to the headquarters.
After all, the exact location couldn't be exposed.
But...
Kaito had seen everything clearly from the sky, and he landed right next to the headquarters building. So, those steps were skipped.
Fortunately, Kaito wasn't an enemy, so Shinobu sighed and led him to a modest-looking house.
This was the residence of the Demon Slayer Corps' "leader", Ubuyashiki Kagaya, and also the headquarters.
At least two Hashira usually stayed here permanently.
Besides guarding the area, they also trained members who came for advanced study.
"Oh? Miss Shinobu, you're back so early? How delightful! Say, have you had lunch? Let's go have a big meal together!"
Just then,
The Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro, was there.
He seemed to have just finished training, wiping sweat from his face with a towel.
"Oh my, Rengoku-san, were you just training? Unfortunately, I can't join you for lunch. I've brought guests."
"Ah? Guests? I see! This guy is really handsome!! This kid? Not bad either! Both have potential to become Demon Slayer Corps members!" Rengoku said happily.
He looked at Kaito, his eyes narrowing slightly. He acknowledged that Kaito was undoubtedly a strong individual.
As for Tanjiro...
Well, he was just a kid. Nothing special stood out, except maybe a sturdy physique?
"Hehe, coincidentally, this boy's name is Kamado Tanjiro. I'd like to recommend him to become your Tsuguko. What do you think?"
"Become my Tsuguko? What a coincidence! I just took on a new Tsuguko from outside! I was planning to introduce her to you! Let me tell you, she's incredibly strong!"
"Oh, is that so? A girl with great strength is quite rare, isn't she?"
Shinobu couldn't help but imagine a woman with bulging muscles and a fierce appearance.
Like a female version from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the image...
It was truly...
Shaking her head, not daring to think further, Shinobu stepped back and introduced Kaito.
"Hello, Rengoku Kyojuro. My name is Kaito. Nice to meet you."
"Hello! Mr. Kaito, it's a pleasure to meet you as well! And a strong one at that! How about it? Interested in having lunch together and then a spar?"
"That's an excellent suggestion, but now isn't the time. I need to meet with your leader, Ubuyashiki Kagaya."
"The leader... he should be resting now. But since you're Miss Shinobu's friend, I can go see if he agrees to meet you."
"Okay."
Kaito nodded. Watching the straightforward, loud, and direct Rengoku, he felt a wave of emotion.
'What a good person...'
'And yet, he was the first Hashira to die in Demon Slayer, and a powerful one at that.'
'If he had survived to the later stages, maybe he could have learned a bit of Sun Breathing from Tanjiro, awakened a Mark, achieved the Transparent World, used a Crimson Blade, and had a grand showdown.'
'It was a pity...'
'But that "Crocodile" author still made him die a glorious death.'
Honestly, when Kaito watched the movie, he actually cried for this big brother.
Well, that wasn't shameful. When emotions run deep, crying is natural. For those who wouldn't cry, he had nothing to say.
Either their threshold for tears was too high, or they lacked life experience.
"Mr. Kaito, I apologize for making you wait here. I also need to explain things to the leader."
"No problem. It's only natural."
Kaito waved his hand, signaling Shinobu to go and explain their identities and purpose. He and Tanjiro stood outside, observing the surroundings.
'Come to think of it...'
'Rengoku mentioned he had just taken on a new Tsuguko with great strength.'
'That woman was definitely Kanroji Mitsuri!'
Well...
This woman was remarkable, but also somewhat puzzling in the manga.
Just look, she was incredibly strong, yet she used a flexible, whip-like sword with great elasticity. It was almost triggering for those with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
If you're strong, learn from the Stone Hashira and use an axe!
Wouldn't splitting Demons with an axe be satisfying!?
Using a whip-like flexible sword to attack, how could you leverage your strength!
Wait!
Love Breathing...
A whip-like flexible sword...
Hmm...
Wasn't this a bit... suggestive!?!??