There was no doubt about it!
Kie, looking ten years younger, made Kaito—or rather, everyone—see her in a whole new light!
She no longer had the aura of a farmer's wife but possessed a temperament more akin to a young lady of a distinguished family, like Sayuri.
Yet, even though she had become younger and more beautiful, her inherent character remained.
It was just...
More pronounced…
Seeing the result Kaito inwardly applauded his own decision.
Well, who doesn't like a young and beautiful lady?
She was great before, but now, being younger, she was even more outstanding!
As for more words, there was no need to elaborate.
With Shinobu's arrival, Misuzu became lively again.
Last night, they had talked about the Demon Slayer Corps and Demons. But what about Breathing Techniques?
She was incredibly curious about those!
The butterfly effects made Misuzu eager to learn a thing or two!
So, amidst everyone's curiosity, Shinobu agreed with a smile. She began to demonstrate Breathing Techniques in the garden.
Starting with the basic forms of Water Breathing, the familiar ukiyo-e effects appeared.
Then came Insect Breathing, which Shinobu herself had developed. It was also very dreamlike.
Although Insect Breathing, the word "insect" might make one instinctively think of disgusting bugs, Shinobu's "insects" weren't disgusting creatures at all.
Instead, they were mostly butterflies and the like.
Beautiful and dreamlike.
Watching the butterflies flap their wings and circle around Shinobu, Sayuri and Eriri also longed to learn.
Shinobu was naturally willing to teach them. Unfortunately, after most of the day...
Except for Tanjiro and Nezuko, who seemed to have a faint glimmer of understanding, the others couldn't succeed.
Breathe, they breathed, but they couldn't achieve the effect Shinobu described!
Kaito observed and deduced a simple conclusion: this was a rule of this world's power system.
It essentially treated the body's various blood vessels as magic circuits. Through breathing, energy flowed within the body, producing magical effects.
The air also contained faint elemental particles. By absorbing these elements and refining them within the body, the ukiyo-e effects were born.
This was Breathing Techniques.
Understanding this, Kaito didn't even need to breathe. He simply absorbed the surrounding elemental power into his palm, and ukiyo-e flames burned in his hand.
It wouldn't harm him, and he didn't feel it was too hot. But for others, it would cause burns.
"I never imagined it could be used without breathing..."
Shinobu was truly amazed.
"Haha, maybe I'm just special."
Kaito smiled without further explanation.
Everyone returned to the tea room to rest. Only Tanjiro, Takeo, Nezuko, and Hanako continued diligently trying to learn Breathing Techniques.
Takeo was destined to inherit the inn, and Hanako wasn't sure about her future, so she still wanted to become stronger to avoid being powerless if Demons appeared.
"Mr. Kaito, when do you plan to accompany me to the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters?"
"Are you in a hurry?"
"Not exactly, but the Butterfly Mansion, which I'm in charge of, has many injured members lately. I need to return to treat them."
"I see. How about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? That works!"
Shinobu was a Hashira and needed to go out to hunt Demons or scout her designated area. But she was also the head of the Demon Slayer Corps' medical facility, the Butterfly Mansion.
She held both combat and medical roles, which allowed her to become a Hashira even with relatively weaker combat ability.
"By the way, could you step out with me for a bit?"
Since it wasn't appropriate to discuss too much in the tea room, Kaito chose to speak with Shinobu privately.
Shinobu was curious but agreed. The two walked out into the garden and strolled into the woods on the hillside behind the gate.
"What I wanted to discuss privately, first, is about your sister."
"My sister... what about her?"
"Well, if your sister could be revived, what price would you be willing to pay?"
What was his intention? Let's just say it was a matter of taste.
Kaito had several Revival Coins; it would be a waste not to use them.
Kocho Kanae was also a wonderful woman.
Leaving her in the grave was too regrettable; he should revive her.
Cough, cough!!
That phrasing was a bit odd.
Anyway, even before obtaining the Revival Coins, Kaito had considered reviving Kanae.
It was just...
He couldn't just revive her for nothing, could he? He could set conditions for her younger sister, Shinobu, right?
"You, you can really revive my sister?"
"Yes, I can. But it will cost me something. So I need you to pay a price to compensate for what I will expend."
That statement wasn't wrong.
Wasn't using a Revival Coin a cost?
The Revival Coins themselves were pulled with points, and whether you could pull one was entirely luck-based!
Even after 218 ten-pulls, he had only gotten a few Revival Coins.
As for reviving someone with magic...
He didn't have the ability yet, mainly because he didn't have any resurrection magic without severe drawbacks. Using those to revive Kanae would be foolish.
"If, if Mr. Kaito can revive my sister... I..."
"I..."
Shinobu hesitated.
If her sister could be revived, of course she would be overjoyed!
But what price could she pay to offset Kaito's cost?
What did she have?
Money? Would he want money?
Treasures?
No, she didn't have any precious treasures either.
So...
Gradually, Shinobu thought of herself.
She would trade herself for her sister's revival!
"I am willing to become Mr. Kaito's attendant! I beg you, please revive my sister!"
Since Kaito, through his dreams, seemed very familiar with her and her sister,
and since he had approached her privately to discuss this, it must mean he had some intention.
Shinobu was not a naive girl; on the contrary, after her sister's death, she had become more mature and understanding than anyone. So, with a little thought, she understood.
Thus...
She chose to become Kaito's attendant!
Of course!
Shinobu's term "attendant" was merely a nicer way of putting it. She was already prepared for other possibilities!