Shortly after.
Sanemi and Iguro, ashamed and embarrassed beyond words, left hurriedly without uttering a single word. They limped and groaned as they walked away.
Tanjiro didn't care about it at all.
He merely released a sigh.
Everyone in the organization — most of them — had their own mind-shattering trauma and heartbreaking backstory. So he decided not to be too hard on others, no matter how they acted outwardly.
In those two's cases:
Sanemi had lost his siblings and been forced to fight his own demon mother until he watched her turn to ashes under sunlight before his very eyes.
In Iguro's case, a naive and young boy had naturally saved his own life, yet lived with extreme guilt because he believed his family, so many people, had died due to his unwanted struggle to survive. A harsh truth.
Both had endured their own tragedies and lived through them.
Even though Tanjiro didn't like them personally, he found himself sympathizing with them. He felt sorry for them.
Because if he hadn't acquired such overwhelming strength from the beginning, his own family could have been massacred by Kibutsuji Muzan in a similar way.
Although the chances were low since he knew about the danger, it was still very much possible.
'Well, as long as they understand how to be humble and respectful now, I don't care about other things...'
Shaking his head lightly, he had that thought.
Afterward, Tanjiro decided to spend some time with Gyomei and the others, even playing with Kagaya's kids without much regard for his image.
The brats simply enjoyed his company and played tag for quite some time.
Tengen and his wives had to leave for a sudden mission, so they didn't get to talk much.
Meanwhile, Gyomei spoke at length about his past, meeting Kagaya, Stone Breathing, his extrasensory perception, and ultimately showed great concern for Tanjiro's health now that everyone knew the grave outcome awaiting anyone marked.
Then, approximately an hour later, Tanjiro, Shinobu, and Kanao exited the Ubuyashiki Manor.
Gyomei also departed for his assigned territory, as Hashira were expected to defend their areas by themselves.
At some point, Shinobu suddenly bumped her shoulder against his and asked. "Well, well, who could have thought Tanjiro-kun was a monster in hiding... You even kept this Onee-san in the dark, hē..."
She looked at his wry expression before adding out loud, showing her usual fake smile. "Mmu, I bet you enjoyed these past few days laughing in your mind about how weak Insect Hashira is, didn't you..."
Kanao, who was following them silently, pressed her lips together nervously. Her fingers fidgeted. 'D–Don't fight...' she wanted to tell her sister but found herself too weak to speak.
After all, she was just a thirteen-year-old tragic girl who had only been introduced to the warmth of a family two or so years ago.
Then, after a few months of her arrival, her older sister Kanae had been killed by a demon, which had wrecked her mind even further.
She had suffered and isolated herself for too long.
That was why she failed to realize that Shinobu was merely teasing Tanjiro, not starting an aggressive argument.
There was no way a sharp-minded girl like Shinobu would pick a pointless fight over a stupid matter.
Tanjiro's response came quickly. "I'm not immune to poison, you know..."
His answer shut Shinobu up completely.
Though he wasn't finished.
"Shinobu-san... I would never ridicule a person's efforts and strength they have earned through relentless hardships, in exchange for their blood and sweat over years... Never. Such shameless and disgraceful conduct is beneath me."
"..."
Three girls, two human and one ghost, suddenly felt something stirred deep inside them upon hearing his passionate and sincere words. Their wide eyes stared at him nonstop as if glued to his figure.
Such humility and virtuous character...!
'Tanjiro...' They were left utterly speechless.
As for Tanjiro, he couldn't help but think: 'Damn, I said too much... Though truth be told, the Corps' members are too weak for now. Even the Hashira! They need some hellish training... Currently they can't even solo an Upper Rank Demon, and even if they somehow beat one, they have over a 96% chance of dying in the process... Hmm, no choice left, huh. I'll have to take down those Upper Ranks one by one myself...' He decided.
Even if four to five Hashira grouped up against a single Upper Rank Demon, casualties were almost guaranteed. Or they might defeat the demon but lose limbs in the aftermath, forcing early retirement.
Either way, whether a group battle or an all-out fight, the result would be wasteful, hurting the organization badly.
Upper Rank Demons were nothing like the Lower Ranks. They possessed insane physical strength, rapid regeneration, endless stamina and endurance, troublesome Blood Demon Arts, and above all, they were cruel monsters.
If one snapped and used humans as meat shields in a crowded city, forget defeating it. The Hashira would die protecting civilians instead.
After a few seconds, Shinobu's defeated voice reached his ears, soft and melodic. "I get it, all right... Moh. Always making me feel bad..."
Seeing her emotional reaction, Tanjiro could only chuckle, his eyes softening.
Kanao smiled without realizing it. She was happy to see others happy, especially when that person was her close family.
A few minutes passed as they walked back to the Butterfly Mansion.
Once they stepped through the entrance, passionate humming from the training ground reached all four of them.
'....' Tanjiro's mouth twitched as he recognized the song and the voice. It was Mitsuri, of course.
A smiling Shinobu mumbled. "I think she really liked that song you made up last night... Hehe, it was such a good song, so it's no surprise Mitsuri-san became your fan girl. Don't you agree with me, Kanao?"
Beside her, Kanao nodded with a slight smile. "Yes... I... I liked it too." She showed genuine adoration.
'....'
The next second, an excited Kanae appeared right next to his face, singing with a lovely grin, almost ardently. "Shinzooo wwoo Sasageyooo~ woo~ Come on, Tanjiro! Sing with Nee-san~!"
'Oh Lord, what have I done...'
....
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