Chapter 38: The Establishment of the Butterfly Mansion
"Alright," Ubuyashiki Kagaya's calm voice settled over the garden, drawing the meeting to order after the initial pleasantries. "There are three objectives for this Hashira Meeting. First, to formally announce Kanzaki Akira's succession to the title of Sound Hashira. Second, to re-designate the patrol zones for the three of you. And third, to freely exchange cultivation insights and any new information regarding demons."
As he spoke, the grotesque, violet mark on his left temple seemed to pulse faintly. It spread across his skin like a web of swollen, intersecting veins, a grim reminder of the curse that was slowly consuming him.
"It seems Gyoumei and Shinjuro have both accepted Akira as a fellow Hashira," Kagaya continued, a gentle smile touching his lips. "Let us go inside to discuss the remaining two matters."
Following him into the residence, they found that his wife, Amane, and their daughters, Hinaki and Nichika, had already spread a large map across a table. The territory was currently divided into two regions, marked with simple symbols indicating the patrol areas guarded by Gyoumei and Shinjuro.
Akira studied the map for a moment, his gaze tracing the borders. After a brief, thoughtful pause, he spoke. "I will be responsible for guarding the Medical Department and its surrounding areas."
He pointed to a section on the map. "Firstly, this area lies at the intersection of the regions managed by Master Gyoumei and Lord Shinjuro. My presence there can help alleviate some of the pressure on both of them. Secondly, the Kocho family, whom I just brought into the Demon Slayer Corps, is stationed at the Medical Department. I am familiar with them, and my presence nearby will help put them at ease."
In truth, Akira had decided on his desired patrol zone long before becoming a Hashira. His momentary hesitation was merely for show, a way to frame his personal choice as a sound, strategic decision.
"In addition," he added, "I propose renaming the Medical Department to the 'Butterfly Mansion.' This will help develop a greater sense of belonging for the Kocho family. I have personally witnessed the medical skills of Kocho Sawaki. While pursuing Lower Rank Three, I was accidentally injured, and the wound was poisoned. He identified the demon's toxin at a glance and prepared an antidote in an remarkably short time."
Akira's tone was firm and certain. "I believe a doctor of his caliber is worth the Corps' extra effort to retain. Coincidentally, the two doctors currently in the Medical Department are so old their hands tremble when dispensing medicine. It is time for them to enjoy a well-deserved retirement."
Shinjuro, the Flame Hashira, grunted in agreement. "If this Mr. Kocho's medical skills are truly as young Kanzaki says, then I agree with the proposal. A good doctor allows the swordsmen on the front lines to face demons with greater peace of mind and can reduce unnecessary casualties."
"Amitābha," Gyoumei intoned, his hands clasped in prayer. "I have no objections."
"In that case, it is decided," Ubuyashiki Kagaya concluded with a definitive nod.
And just like that, the Demon Slayer Corps' Medical Department was officially renamed the Butterfly Mansion. As for seeking the opinions of the two elderly doctors? They had been raised and supported by the Ubuyashiki family for generations. Since Kagaya, the head of the family, had spoken, what objections could they possibly have?
"Now, as for the specific area Akira will guard," Kagaya said, taking a brush to mark the map, "given your exceptional speed, your designated region will be partitioned to be relatively larger. Do you have any objections?"
He drew the new lines, and though the area was described as 'larger,' it was only slightly bigger than the adjusted zones now managed by Gyoumei and Shinjuro, a proof of the burden Akira was shouldering.
"I have no problem with that," Akira confirmed.
"Then, onto the final matter: the exchange of insights on Breathing Technique cultivation and information regarding demons."
This exchange was crucial. Regular missions often didn't require detailed reports from every swordsman; the Kasugai Crows and the Kakushi typically provided simple summaries. This meant that crucial details about a demon's specific behaviors or abilities could be easily omitted. While this was less of a concern for ordinary demons, Akira had just slain a member of the Twelve Kizuki. Intelligence on a demon of that level was vital.
"Lower Rank Three had three main characteristics," Akira began his report, his voice steady and clear. "First, it was exceptionally fast. It managed to survive my First Form, and its fleeing speed was a match for my own even when I pushed my Breathing Technique to its limit. I ultimately had to use a new technique I created myself to finish it."
"Second, it could create lifelike clones to serve as diversions. I only avoided being deceived because of the unique nature of my eyes. Third, it could manifest darts out of thin air to throw. Its aim was precise, and the darts carried a paralyzing toxin."
He gestured to his shoulder. "At the time, I needed to save someone, so my shoulder was grazed by one of its darts as I forced the kill. The area around the wound went numb almost instantly."
"It seems fortunate that you were the one to encounter this Lower Rank Three," Shinjuro said, his expression turning serious. "With a speed that even you, a user of Thunder Breathing, could not quickly overtake, Gyoumei and I would have likely let it escape."
Having worked alongside the former Thunder Hashira, Kuwajima Jigorō, Shinjuro knew just how fast the style could be when mastered. Since Akira had become a Hashira and solo-killed a Lower Rank with almost no injury, his mastery was beyond doubt. The fact that the demon could still nearly match his speed was deeply unsettling.
Fortunately, that demon was now dead. A speed of that level was likely a rarity, even among the Lower Ranks. As for the Upper Ranks… the Demon Slayer Corps currently had no relevant intelligence on them. For hundreds of years, almost no one who encountered an Upper Rank had ever returned alive.
Akira, of course, knew about the Upper Ranks, but he had no plausible reason to reveal that knowledge. And even if he did, it wouldn't change much for the current Demon Slayer Corps. Of the demons he knew, only the sibling duo of Upper Rank Six might be killable by the combined efforts of the three Hashira present. However, with Lower Rank Five not even at Mount Natagumo yet, there was no telling if the siblings were already in the Yoshiwara Pleasure District. They changed their hiding spots periodically, and Yoshiwara wasn't the only entertainment district in the world.
Snapping out of his thoughts on the demon, Shinjuro's focus shifted to another detail from Akira's report.
"You said you created a new form for Thunder Breathing?"
"Yes," Akira confirmed. "I sought guidance from Senior Urokodaki Sakonji on Water Breathing and combined two of its forms with my own style. I have named it 'Seventh Form: Soaring Dragon.'"
"What a genius…" Shinjuro breathed, a look of genuine awe on his face. "You've been practicing Breathing Techniques for such a short time, yet you've not only mastered Thunder Breathing but have even created your own form. It seems I really am getting old…"
Though his words sounded like a lament, his expression held no disappointment. Instead, a flicker of admiration—and even a hint of a competitive fire—ignited in his gaze as he looked at Akira.
"Lord Rengoku is in his prime; how can you say you're old?" Akira replied smoothly. "Besides, in a few days, I was hoping to visit your home to ask for guidance on Flame Breathing. I want to see if I can find inspiration for developing more new forms."
He took the opportunity to voice his request. The Rengoku family had been vassals of the Ubuyashiki for generations, and Flame Breathing was their proud heritage. Although other swordsmen practiced the style, the title of Flame Hashira had been passed down the Rengoku line for centuries. Whenever one retired or fell in battle, the next generation would soon rise to take their place.
Akira's desire to visit was twofold. Learning Flame Breathing was part of it, but he also wanted to see the young, not-yet-grown Rengoku Kyojuro. More, he wanted to meet Shinjuro's wife, Rengoku Ruka. In the original story, her early death had shattered the once-cheerful Shinjuro, causing him to resign his post and spiral into a decadent, drunken despair.
But it was still early. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was still a chance to cure her illness.
"No problem at all!" Shinjuro's response was hearty and immediate. "You are welcome anytime. It'll be a good chance for my boy to see what a true genius looks like."
"Since the Rengoku family has passed down the title of Flame Hashira for generations, I'm sure your son must be exceptionally talented as well," Akira said politely.
"Compared to you, his little talent amounts to nothing," Shinjuro waved his hand dismissively, seemingly unwilling to discuss his son any further.
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