When Suzuki Makoto returned to the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu Kocho keenly noticed that something was off with his mood.
"What's wrong?"
"...It's nothing. It's just that Master Ubuyashiki's condition is unlikely to improve. He may not have much time left."
Suzuki Makoto shook his head, took off his haori, and hung it on the coat rack.
Hearing this, Shinobu Kocho didn't overthink it, simply letting out a sigh with a somber expression.
"The Master treats every member of the Demon Slayer Corps as his own child. He remembers the name of every person who has sacrificed their life. Back then, my sister and I were rescued from a demon's jaws by Master Gyomei Himejima and joined the Corps. It was he and Lady Amane who showed us the kindness of a family."
"Shinobu, you need to be extra careful these next few days. You know our plan is to lure Muzan Kibutsuji into attacking this place. The exact moment the attack begins is up to him, so we can't let our guard down."
Shinobu Kocho nodded seriously.
"Those three kids and Aoi have already been sent away. Although nothing has been officially announced, everyone has sensed that something is coming. Every Hashira is secretly on high alert."
"What about Kanao?"
"She's also participating in the training. She was originally supposed to train with me, but I have to research poisons with Lady Tamayo, so I'm not taking part. Lately, she's been spending most of her nights at Mitsuri's place."
Although he spoke casually, Suzuki Makoto could still sense Shinobu Kocho's tension and worry. He took her hand, passing his warmth to her.
"I was just thinking, when I go to ask for your hand in marriage, what kind of gifts should I prepare for Master Ubuyashiki and Lady Amane to convince them to let you marry me?"
The girl's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Her once-still hand tried to pull away, but she couldn't escape Suzuki Makoto's grasp.
"Hmm... that's a good point. I don't know what the Master likes either, but Lady Amane's favorite flowers are cherry blossoms. It's said that when she first met the Master, she saw him standing under a shower of falling cherry blossoms, and her heart skipped a beat."
"That sounds like something the Love Hashira would say."
"Oh my, you can tell? Mitsuri loves to hear about these things, especially if they're related to romance."
Suzuki Makoto shrugged. He had also heard the rumor that 'Mitsuri Kanroji joined the Demon Slayer Corps to find a suitable husband.' It was just gossip, something to be taken lightly.
"Still, it would be wonderful if the Master could attend our wedding."
Shinobu Kocho's smile faded once more, her serene expression tinged with a hint of sadness.
"Maybe he can."
"Huh? But you said the Master's health..."
"The Ubuyashiki clan's bodies are this way because of a heavenly curse. As long as we kill Muzan Kibutsuji, the curse should be broken. If he recuperates properly, his health might improve."
Of course, Suzuki Makoto wasn't just speaking empty words. He had genuinely felt that curse. It was less of a curse and more like... Muzan was gaining immortality by siphoning the life force from the male heirs of the Ubuyashiki family.
Shinobu instantly perked up. She began to chatter on and on with Suzuki Makoto about all the arrangements they should make if Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Lady Amane could attend their wedding. It was only when she saw the brilliant smile on his face that she realized she had revealed quite a bit.
"So annoying! I'm not talking anymore!"
The girl feigned to leave, but Suzuki Makoto pulled her into an embrace.
"Alright now, let me see your wedding dress. Haven't you been embroidering it every day?"
"Huh? You knew about that too?"
"There's a strong scent of wisteria coming from your room again. How could I not take a peek?"
Shinobu Kocho's squirming immediately stopped.
After a long moment, a faint voice spoke.
"No, it's not finished yet."
"Alright, then I'll wait until it's finished to see it."
The room fell silent once more as the two of them enjoyed this moment of peace and warmth.
But soon, a commotion arose outside.
"What's wrong?"
"It seems someone is injured. I can smell blood."
"A demon?"
"No, maybe there was an accident during training?"
The moment she heard there was an injured person, Shinobu Kocho switched back into doctor mode. Suzuki Makoto released his hold, and the two of them headed towards the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion.
To their surprise, the person lying on the stretcher was not some young corps member, but an old man Suzuki Makoto knew well.
"Master Jigoro Kuwajima? What happened?"
"This guy suddenly tried to commit seppuku. He wouldn't say a word when we asked him what was wrong. In the struggle, he cut his hand, so we rushed him over here."
Sakonji Urokodaki, who was leading the group, quickly explained to Suzuki Makoto.
The man's injury wasn't severe, but he was struggling restlessly on the stretcher. He seemed to become even more agitated after seeing Suzuki Makoto—though he was currently being held down firmly by a group of old-timers of similar stature.
"Shinobu, find an empty private room and leave some bandaging supplies for me. I'll talk with the old man."
"Okay."
Shinobu Kocho hurried back to prepare. The old man was soon moved inside. Although the others didn't know what had happened, they understood that he would never speak the truth in front of so many people, so only Sakonji Urokodaki and Suzuki Makoto remained.
"Did you find any clues?"
"It might be about his disciple. As you know, the number of Demon Slayer Swordsmen returning has dropped sharply recently. Besides the fact that most are already here, it's also because demons out there are intercepting and killing them."
Sakonji Urokodaki recounted the cruel facts with a calm expression. The stench of blood from this war was truly beginning to permeate the air.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. I don't believe Master Jigoro is the kind of person who can't handle the sorrow of parting and death."
Suzuki Makoto's expression was grave. He recalled when Zenitsu Agatsuma had come to visit him and Tanjiro Kamado. The blond boy was now participating in the training—which meant the one still out there was the one named Kaigaku.
The two entered the patient room, removed the ropes binding him and the towel preventing him from biting his tongue. The old man was panting heavily, but tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.
"Old man, it seems some of the things I said back then have come true, haven't they?"
Jigoro Kuwajima covered his face, remaining silent for a long time before finally nodding.
"What does that mean?"
"It means his other disciple has done something treacherous—betraying his master and his legacy."
Suzuki Makoto already had his suspicions, but this was something Jigoro needed to say himself.
"Kaigaku... knelt at the feet of a demon and drank its blood. That's the message his Kasugai Crow brought back."
The old man's voice was hoarse and strained, almost inaudible.
____
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