Time passed quickly. It had already been nearly a week since James arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Most of his time had been spent training and refining his body, working to fully adapt to his rapidly growing strength. Each day brought subtle changes—more fluid breathing, faster reaction time, and a greater command of his swordsmanship. His days were strict, almost mechanical, but he thrived on the intensity.
Whenever he had spare time, James would spar and exchange techniques with Kanroji and the swordsmen who had recently returned to headquarters. His goal wasn't just to practice but to absorb—adapting what others had mastered into his own evolving style.
A few days prior, James had taken the opportunity to visit the three younger swordsmen who were still recovering from their injuries.
Inosuke was the fastest to recover. Already back on his feet, he was jumping around like nothing had happened, full of his usual reckless energy. Zenitsu, on the other hand, didn't seem particularly injured to begin with, but that didn't stop him from pretending to be gravely wounded just to avoid being sent on missions. He clung to his blankets dramatically, as if he were on the verge of death.
Tanjirou was in the worst shape. Wrapped in thick bandages from head to toe, his recovery was taking longer due to extensive blood loss and deeper wounds sustained during the battle. He was still undergoing daily rehabilitation therapy under strict supervision.
Despite their different recovery speeds, all three of them were thrilled when James came to visit. Zenitsu immediately launched into exaggerated tales of heroism, boasting loudly in front of the three younger girls of the Butterfly Estate—Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho. Inosuke shouted at the top of his lungs that he wanted to challenge James to a duel.
James agreed—and promptly beat him down again.
As a result, Inosuke ended up with a few new bruises and was sentenced to another half-week of rest.
During that visit, the three little girls had casually mentioned that Kochou Shinobu would likely be returning to headquarters very soon—possibly within the next few days.
James had been waiting for her return.
Not for romantic reasons, of course. What he sought was her unique skill set—particularly her vast knowledge in pharmacology and poisons. As someone who intended to travel across dimensions, he knew the risks of being poisoned, ambushed, or incapacitated in unfamiliar worlds. If Shinobu's expertise could offer even a sliver of defense or understanding, it was worth pursuing.
Today felt like the right time. The sky was a bright blue canvas brushed with wisps of soft, white clouds. The air was fresh, and the sun gently warmed the earth.
He packed a few essentials, slung his sword across his back, and headed for the Butterfly Estate.
On his way, he passed several Demon Slayer Corps members. Their reactions were warm and respectful.
"Good afternoon, Lord Flame Pillar!"
"Thank you for your guidance yesterday, Master James!"
"Master Yang Pillar...!"
James returned their greetings with a nod and a faint smile. During his week at headquarters, he had unintentionally become a point of admiration. In his casual interactions with the younger swordsmen, he had often given them advice or demonstrated breathing techniques. Word had spread quickly, and many now looked up to him.
It didn't take long before he arrived at the entrance of the Butterfly Estate.
Even before he reached the door, he could hear familiar voices—the loud, wild yelling of Inosuke, and the determined grunts of Tanjirou as he pushed through his rehabilitation exercises.
Looking up, James spotted a figure watching him silently from atop the bamboo wall.
She was a quiet girl with long, straight purple hair tied in a low ponytail. Her eyes were a soft pink-purple, glinting with a diamond-shaped reflection. Her lips were a delicate sakura pink, and a butterfly-shaped hairpin in green and pink was tucked into her hair.
Tsuyuri Kanao.
If James remembered correctly, she was Kochou Shinobu's adopted daughter. In the original timeline of his past life, she would eventually become Tanjirou's wife—a fact that James found oddly amusing.
Tanjirou, do you even realize you're going to have a wife someday?
He raised a hand and knocked gently on the door.
The one who answered was a stern-faced girl with dark blue eyes and black hair tied into twin ponytails. She wore a blue butterfly accessory on her head and had a no-nonsense aura about her.
Kanzaki Aoi.
"Mo~ Kanao, you were standing right there—why didn't you open the door?" she grumbled, turning back to glance at the wall.
She blinked when she saw James standing there.
Outside the door stood a handsome young man with striking blue eyes and long black hair tied back neatly. His clothes were loose and elegant, and he carried a sword that distinctly didn't resemble a typical Nichirin Blade.
"Uh… who are you?" Aoi asked, briefly confused.
From inside, Tanjirou's voice called out.
"James! You're here to visit us?"
James smiled. "That's right."
"Is this the Yang Pillar?" Aoi asked, straightening in surprise. "Please, come in!"
James stepped into the courtyard, giving a small nod as a greeting. Tanjirou was still doing his rehab training under the watchful eyes of the three little girls. Inosuke, shirtless as usual, was aggressively doing push-ups on the ground, while Kanao still hadn't moved from her perch.
Did I hit Inosuke too hard last time? Did I break his brain? James wondered.
But the reality was simpler—Inosuke was sneakily watching him from the corner of his eye. The moment James didn't react, he launched himself forward.
"There's a flaw! The pig is charging!"
With a wicked grin, James turned slightly, raised one hand, and caught Inosuke mid-charge like a child catching a fly.
Inosuke froze. Sweat rolled down his forehead inside the boar mask.
"Tanjirou," James said coolly, "I brought you some extra weight!"
He twisted his hips and spun, creating a sudden vortex of wind. With a loud grunt, Inosuke was launched straight at Tanjirou like a living cannonball.
Tanjirou's eyes widened in horror. He rolled just in time to avoid being flattened, and Inosuke slammed into the dirt with a crash.
"Good reflexes," James commented, giving Tanjirou a thumbs-up before turning inside the house.
---
Inside a warm, wooden room, the fragrance of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air. Kochou Shinobu was seated elegantly at a low table, gracefully pouring tea.
She glanced up, her hands pausing slightly.
"Well, well. We have a distinguished guest today."
Her tone was light, teasing.
James studied the woman before him. She was dignified and calm, but there was an edge to her eyes that belied her gentle voice.
Shinobu had sleek black hair, the tips dyed a vibrant purple. Her signature butterfly hairpin shimmered faintly under the sunlight filtering through the window. Her eyes, too, were a rich violet hue, deep and discerning. She wore a haori patterned with delicate butterfly wings.
In James's memories from his past life, Kochou Shinobu had always been a fan-favorite. Not just because of her beauty, but because of her mysterious, paradoxical nature—a gentle smile masking deadly intent.
"I heard the Insect Pillar had returned to headquarters," James said, sitting across from her. "I thought I'd visit before the Pillar Meeting. I also had a selfish motive. I was hoping to exchange swordsmanship insights with you."
Shinobu smiled as she poured him a cup of tea.
"I'm flattered, but I must warn you—I'm not very strong. My swordsmanship is lacking compared to the other Pillars."
James wasn't surprised. He picked up the teacup and inhaled the calming scent of the brew.
"I understand. But from what I've heard, your medical knowledge and poison techniques more than make up for any shortcomings in brute force. To be honest, I'm extremely interested in those skills—especially for use against certain enemies I might encounter in other worlds."
That caught Shinobu off guard.
Medical and poison studies were dry, technical fields that few people cared for. Most swordsmen didn't have the patience or the aptitude to understand the delicate nature of toxins and antidotes.
And yet here was a combat-savvy Pillar asking to learn them.
"…Of course," she said after a pause. "If it can help you, I'm happy to share what I know."
"Then I'll begin bothering you starting tomorrow," James said with a light chuckle.
The two continued chatting for a while—sharing stories, experiences, and perspectives from their vastly different lives. James kept things vague about his background, but Shinobu sensed there was far more to him than he let on.
Eventually, the sky outside turned golden.
"It's getting late. I'll come back tomorrow," James said, rising to his feet.
As he passed by the ward, he noticed Tanjirou still hard at work, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he pushed through another set of painful movements.
That guy's determination really is something else.
Without saying anything, James quietly turned and left the Butterfly Estate, the light footsteps of a wandering warrior echoing in the distance.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
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