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One week later.
Kaito sat upright on the wooden floor of the Butterfly Mansion's corridor, basking in the sunlight. The faint whispers of three young girls reached his ears from a distance.
"That's the gentleman."
"Is he the one who saved Lady Kanae?"
"He even fought alongside Lady Kanae to defeat Upper Rank Two, the demon!"
"So incredible!!"
"Lady Kanae also said that gentleman is an onmyōji who uses mystical arts!"
"Wow!!!"
Kaito turned his head and smiled at the three girls peeking around the corner.
"Eek!!" The three little heads immediately ducked back, followed by a series of hurried footsteps echoing on the floor.
"Mr. Uchiha."
Shinobu walked through the main entrance of the Butterfly Mansion.
"The Lord wishes to see you now."
"Then let's go."
Kaito stood up, stepped down from the corridor, slipped into his wooden clogs, and walked over to Shinobu.
"Please follow me." Shinobu turned and led the way outside.
"Thank you for your trouble." Kaito followed behind her.
Exiting the Butterfly Mansion, the two walked along a path flanked by blooming wisteria flowers.
Kaito noticed that Shinobu was subtly observing his shadow.
Seeing her hesitant and unable to speak up, he merely curled the corners of his lips, pretending not to notice, and smiled without saying a word.
He had certainly heard Shinobu's exclamation a week ago but had chosen not to respond.
On the night he encountered Upper Rank Two and Kanae, he had just emerged from the Yomi Hell in a soul state.
Later, due to the urgency of the situation, he had forgotten about this detail.
After Shinobu's "reminder," he had since inhabited a paper doll, effectively regaining a physical body and a shadow.
As for his original body?
It was probably being manipulated by King Enma, busy constructing a space defense line on the moon.
Speaking of which, two days ago, when the Kochō sisters went to the Seimei Shrine in Kyoto to bring Kaito here, Shinobu had been particularly fixated on the shadow at his feet throughout the journey.
"The location of your Demon Slayer Corps is well-chosen—highly concealed. No wonder it has never been discovered by demons." Kaito broke the silence proactively.
"According to the Lord, the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters has been discovered several times throughout history. I hope this place can remain hidden a bit longer."
Shinobu, unable to keep staring at his shadow, seized the opportunity to continue the conversation.
As they spoke, the two passed through several layers of overlapping wisteria trellises, and a quaint traditional house came into view.
The gate of the house was wide open, with several people standing in the courtyard waiting.
Kaito immediately noticed a man with medium-length black hair at the forefront.
"Welcome, Mr. Uchiha."
The black-haired man, supported by a white-haired woman, took a few steps forward.
"Please forgive my frail health. I was unable to personally go to Kyoto to welcome you."
"You are too kind, Mr. Ubuyashiki."
Kaito quickly walked up to the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps and shook his hand.
Next, the leader introduced the people around him to Kaito.
Himejima Gyōmei, the Stone Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, user of Stone Breathing.
He was a monk as burly as the Fourth Raikage, seemingly blind, who silently offered a Buddhist greeting to Uchiha.
Shinazugawa Sanemi, the Wind Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, user of Wind Breathing.
The Wind Hashira was a white-haired young man with a defiant expression, currently glaring discontentedly at Kaito.
Iguro Obanai, the Serpent Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, user of Serpent Breathing.
The Serpent Hashira was of shorter stature, with bandages wrapped around his face and a small snake coiled around his shoulder. He, too, watched Kaito coldly.
Kanae Kocho, the Flower Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, user of Flower Breathing.
Kanae smiled and waved at Kaito.
Lastly, the wife supporting the leader himself, Amane, a woman from a family of shrine priests.
"In addition, there are the Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen, the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyōjurō, and the Water Hashira Tomioka Giyū. Those three are currently on missions."
Kagaya spoke of his swordsmen with a proud expression.
By now, everyone had taken their seats inside the house, with Kaito sitting on one side.
On the other side sat Kagaya, with several Demon Slayer swordsmen kneeling silently behind him.
"The swordsmen under your command are truly exceptional."
As he spoke, Kaito glanced amusedly at the two individuals behind Kagaya who were radiating displeasure.
"From what I have witnessed, Miss Kanae, despite her youth, possesses superb swordsmanship. Facing a powerful Upper Rank demon, she mustered the courage to risk her life and strike. It is truly admirable."
"You flatter me too much. If it weren't for your help..." Kanae waved her hands repeatedly under everyone's gaze.
"No need to be modest, Kanae." Kagaya looked at her gently. "You are indeed an outstanding child."
The Stone Hashira also nodded, tears streaming continuously down his face.
"Slaying an Upper Rank Two demon at the age of seventeen is something to be proud of, Kanae."
"Lord, Mr. Himejima, Mr. Uchiha..."
Kanae grew even more embarrassed and covered her face with her hands.
Then, Kaito briefly praised the other swordsmen as well.
In return, Kagaya also complimented Kaito and expressed heartfelt gratitude for his rescue of the Flower Hashira.
After the polite exchange of pleasantries, the two sides finally moved on to the main topic.
"I assume Mr. Ubuyashiki has already guessed the purpose of my visit," Kaito said.
"Indeed." Kagaya nodded with a smile. "I warmly welcome talented individuals like yourself to join our mission to eradicate demons."
"Thank you for your acceptance."
Kaito slowly stood up and smiled.
"However, before that, I must demonstrate my abilities to ensure your swordsmen don't think I deceived Miss Kochō."
"There's no need for that," Kagaya said hurriedly. "I fully trust the judgment of our Flower Hashira."
"Even so..."
Kaito slowly walked up to Kagaya under the wary gazes of the Wind and Serpent Hashiras.
He suspected that if his current "body" didn't appear so frail and unarmed, those two might have already drawn their swords.
Ignoring the warning aura emanating from the two, Kaito leaned down to examine the festering area on Kagaya's forehead.
"Even so, your condition must be addressed immediately. The curse is spreading rapidly. At this rate, you will lose your eyesight within two years. And within four years, you will be critically ill and immobile."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Wind Hashira laughed, gripping his Nichirin Blade and glaring fiercely at Kaito.
"You bastard, what are you talking about?!"
"Who do you think you are, trying to play tricks in front of our Lord?" The Serpent Hashira also stood up and grasped his Nichirin Blade.
"Sanemi, Obanai, sit down."
Kagaya raised a hand to stop them and looked up at Kaito.
"There's no need to worry. This is the same fate my family has endured for generations."
"Lord!!"
The swordsmen looked at Kagaya in shock.
"May I ask if you have a way to resolve this?"
Amane, who had previously retreated to the adjoining room, couldn't help but push the door open and step out, looking at Kaito with hope.
*****
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