Shinobu's threat had been born of pique, and Aoi knew better than to take it literally.
That very afternoon, Aoi prepared lunch with a portion specifically for Horitake, and he naturally continued his streak of freeloading at the Butterfly Mansion.
And so, the days passed in a tranquil blur. When he had no pressing matters, Horitake rested or trained at his own estate. When the dinner bell rang, he drifted next door to mooch a meal, chat with Shinobu and the girls, or occasionally provide some pointers for Kanao's training.
Peaceful days, however, are always fleeting.
Once the rare medicinal herbs Shinobu had ordered finally arrived, their leisure time came to an abrupt end. Everything was ready; all that remained was the final, grueling push of research.
Thus began a period of intense, unrelenting labor. Day after day and night after night, Horitake and Shinobu buried themselves in the Butterfly Mansion's laboratory. They dissected the formula and meticulously calibrated the reagents.
They were busy to the point of exhaustion. During this time, the word "medicine" was etched into their very souls. It was the last thing they thought of before closing their eyes and the first thing they saw upon waking. Even in their dreams, they were surrounded by bubbling beakers and precise measurements.
Shinobu even delegated her daily medical duties to Aoi, stepping out only for severe emergencies that Aoi couldn't handle.
They labored through the winter and past the New Year. By the time the first hints of green began to sprout on the branches and the frost retreated from the soil, their research finally reached a monumental breakthrough.
They were at the threshold. If they could just overcome one final, stubborn obstacle, the Life-Replenishing Medicine would be officially complete.
It was at this critical juncture that Kagaya Ubuyashiki arrived at the Butterfly Mansion, seeking Horitake.
The Master of the Demon Slayer Corps rarely visited the mansion in person. Seeing the esteemed Master himself, the younger girls of the Butterfly Mansion were overcome with nerves, serving him with a jittery, wide-eyed reverence.
Fortunately, Kagaya was a man of profound kindness. His gentle demeanor and warm words soon dissolved their anxiety, making them feel at ease in his presence.
While Kagaya was chatting with the girls, Horitake was summoned from the lab by a hurried Aoi.
He approached Kagaya and took a seat opposite him, offering a weary but respectful greeting.
"My apologies, Oyakata-sama. I've been so consumed by the research lately that I've neglected my duties to you."
Kagaya shook his head gently. "Think nothing of it. The work you and Shinobu are doing is of the highest priority. There is no neglect in saving lives. Tell me, how far along is the medicine?"
At this, Horitake's expression sharpened with pride. "The research has progressed by leaps and bounds. Shinobu has already conquered the most difficult hurdles. We are down to the very last step. I estimate the medicine will be ready for use in just a few more days!"
"I see. So, success is finally within reach?"
"Indeed it is."
As they spoke, Horitake noticed a flicker of shadow—a trace of lingering worry—behind Kagaya's calm eyes. He leaned forward.
"Oyakata-sama, you didn't come all the way to the Butterfly Mansion just to ask about the medicine, did you? Is there a problem that needs solving?"
Caught in his thoughts, Kagaya offered a helpless nod. "You read me well, Horitake. There is indeed a troublesome mission that requires your attention. However, knowing that your research is at such a critical stage, I felt hesitant to disturb you..."
Seeing the Master's dilemma, Horitake didn't hesitate. "Say no more! I'll take the mission."
He gave a small, reassuring smile. "Honestly, Master, you worry too much. What did I tell you before? I'll pass on the trivial tasks, but when there's a real emergency, you can command me as you see fit. Regardless of my personal projects, I am the Heaven Hashira. I will never run from my responsibilities. You clearly wouldn't be here if there were any other choice, so you should have come to me sooner!"
Hearing such conviction, Kagaya could only offer a grateful, slightly pained smile. "To have a man of your resolve in the Corps is truly a blessing. As you said, the medicine is vital, and I would not have come if the situation weren't dire."
Horitake waved it off. "You're being too formal, Master! Besides, there's something you should know. During the early stages of the research, I was indeed indispensable because I was the one who provided the formula. Shinobu needed me to help her grasp the core concepts. But as she became more familiar with it and her own genius took over, my role became... well, secondary."
He chuckled at himself. "To be honest, Shinobu is the true mastermind behind the progress now. Me leaving for a mission won't hinder her work in the slightest. In the beginning, I was a partner; now, I'm basically just her lab assistant. Whether I'm there or not won't change the final outcome."
Kagaya let out a long breath of relief. "If that is the case, then I am much more at ease."
"Mmh," Horitake nodded, then blinked as the implication hit him. "Wait... did you just say you're 'at ease' with me leaving?"
"Uh... I mean to say, it is a great relief that you are available to handle this mission!" Kagaya corrected himself with a slight cough.
"Right. So, tell me—just how troublesome is this mission? Are we talking about an Upper Rank of the Twelve Kizuki?"
Kagaya's face turned grave. "Whether it is an Upper Rank or not, we aren't yet certain. However, I suspect it is at least a member of the Twelve Kizuki. Even if it isn't an Upper Rank, it is almost certainly a Lower Rank of significant power."
He sighed. "Normally, I would send any of the Hashira to investigate. But as fate would have it, the others are either occupied with their own sectors, tied down by ongoing missions, or are simply too far away to respond in time. You were the only one left, which is why I've come to ask the Heaven Hashira to intervene."
Horitake nodded solemnly. "I understand. Give me the details, Oyakata-sama."
Kagaya began his report, his voice low and heavy.
"The incidents are occurring in Kyoto. Over the past few days, a massive number of people have vanished within the city. The victims span all ages and backgrounds—men, women, the elderly, and children. Different professions, different lives... all gone."
He paused, his eyes dark. "To date, over a hundred people have disappeared. Every single one of them vanished at night, leaving behind no clues, no traces, and no sounds. The local authorities sent their own investigators to look into it after dark. The terrifying part is that those government and police agents vanished as well."
Kagaya looked at Horitake. "No bodies have been found. No blood. Nothing. It is as if they were simply erased from existence. It is profoundly unsettling."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"