Looking at these noisy rascals, Yamada didn't bother to respond and walked straight toward the front yard of the Butterfly Mansion.
Just as he passed through the long corridor of the inner courtyard, a petite yet tall figure blocked his path.
Shinobu stood quietly under that massive wisteria tree, holding a small package in her hands.
Tonight, she wasn't wearing her Demon Slayer Corps uniform. Instead, she had changed into a simple and elegant light purple casual outfit.
The night breeze blew through her smooth black hair, making her look exceptionally gentle and moving.
"You're leaving?" Shinobu looked at the approaching Yamada, her voice much softer than usual.
"Yeah, going to the Mugen Train. There's a high probability one of the Twelve Kizuki is hiding there." Yamada stopped and reached out to take the package she offered.
"Inside are some specially-made Wound Ointments, Blood-Coagulating Powders, and... rice balls I made myself."
Shinobu turned her head slightly, seemingly afraid to look Yamada directly in the eye.
"Don't misunderstand, the rice balls are just because I'm afraid you'll starve to death on the way and disgrace the Butterfly Mansion. As for the medicine, it's best if a headstrong brute like you never has to use it."
Yamada weighed the still-warm package in his hand, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl upward.
He didn't speak. Instead, he suddenly took a step forward, reached out with his free left hand, and swept his arm around Shinobu's slender waist, drawing her entire body into his embrace.
"Hey! What are you—"
"Mmm!"
Just as Shinobu was about to cry out in surprise, Yamada had already lowered his head and kissed her soft red lips.
The kiss was brief, like a dragonfly skimming the water, yet it carried a sense of absolute possessiveness. They separated as soon as they touched.
Yamada released Shinobu, who was completely frozen in place with her brain stalled, and his thumb flirtatiously brushed the corner of her lips.
"Thanks. I've received your feelings."
Yamada looked at that pretty face, which was now extremely red, and gave a light chuckle. "Be a good girl and wait for me to return to the Butterfly Mansion. Go to bed early tonight, no staying up late to mix medicines."
With that, Yamada turned around with extreme flair, waved his hand with his back to her, and walked toward the main gate with long strides.
It wasn't until Yamada's silhouette completely disappeared into the night that Shinobu finally snapped out of it. She pressed her hands tightly against her burning cheeks, her legs even feeling a bit weak as she leaned against the trunk of the wisteria tree.
"That bastard... that scoundrel... who allowed you to suddenly..."
Though she cursed in shame and indignation, Shinobu's purple eyes were filled with uncontrollable sweetness and throbbing excitement.
—
Late at night, at a train station on the outskirts of Tokyo Prefecture.
"WHOOO!"
Accompanied by the deafening sound of a whistle, a steel beast spewing thick black smoke lay quietly dormant at the platform.
"What kind of monster is this? It not only screams, but it also spits steam." Tanjiro asked with a face full of confusion.
"Is this the ruler of this land? Watch this Great One give it a headbutt!"
Inosuke was the exact opposite. He excitedly drew his two serrated nichirin blades and lowered his head, preparing to ram into the locomotive.
THUD! THUD!
Two crisp, heavy thuds sounded.
Yamada delivered a sharp rap to the heads of both Tanjiro and Inosuke, sending them both crouching on the ground, clutching their heads in pain.
"If you dare to shout and make a fool of yourselves here again, I'll immediately stuff you into the boiler to be burned as coal." Yamada coldly withdrew his hand and tightened the haori on his shoulders.
"Get on the train."
Under Yamada's absolute suppression of force, the youngsters instantly became obedient, following him to have their tickets checked and board the train.
Just as they stepped into the first carriage of the Mugen Train, a shout so loud it even drowned out the roar of the train reached everyone's ears.
"Delicious!"
"Delicious!"
"Delicious!"
In a seat in the middle of the carriage, Kyojuro, with his flamboyant yellow and red hair, was holding a vintage Beef Hotpot Bento. He was shoveling rice into his mouth while shouting frantically with his wide, bright eyes.
At his feet, a full dozen empty bento boxes were already stacked.
This shocking appetite and volume caused the surrounding passengers to look over one after another.
"This person... seems a bit abnormal?" Zenitsu hid behind Tanjiro and gulped.
"Rengoku." Yamada walked over with long strides, hands in his pockets, leading the three.
Hearing someone call his name, Kyojuro suddenly turned his head.
When he saw that the newcomer was Yamada, his large eyes brightened instantly. He immediately set down his chopsticks and stood up solemnly.
"Yamada-san, I didn't expect Master to send you personally." Kyojuro's voice was loud, his tone filled with unhidden fervor and respect.
Ever since being instantly defeated by Yamada's large-scale Lightning Release in the Ubuyashiki courtyard, he had been thoroughly convinced of Yamada's strength.
"Just stopping by to take a look. Keep eating."
Yamada sat in the seat opposite Kyojuro, and Tanjiro's group of three quickly found seats as well.
"With Yamada-san here, the demons on this train will have no escape!" Kyojuro laughed.
Then he turned his gaze toward Tanjiro, "Young Kamado, I heard about you from Master. Hinokami Kagura? That seems to be a very ancient breathing technique. Although I don't know it, if you're willing, become my Tsuguko. I will train you into a top-tier swordsman."
Looking at Kyojuro's enthusiastic talking to himself, Tanjiro was somewhat overwhelmed and hurriedly waved his hands to explain.