Meiji 45 (1911) — Early Summer
Kai — Age 16
Butterfly Estate & Demon Slayer Headquarters
Three Years Later
The world had changed—not loudly, not dramatically.
Just… steadily.
Demon reports were fewer.
Casualty lists shorter.
Return rates higher.
No celebrations announced it.
But everyone felt it.
---
Hashira Meeting — A Different Kind of Silence
The meeting hall at headquarters was full—but not tense.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat at the head, smiling gently as reports were delivered.
"Demon activity has declined another twelve percent this quarter," a Kakushi announced.
Murmurs followed.
Kanae spoke next, calm and precise. "Recovery rates have improved. The Butterfly Estate is operating near full capacity—but patients are returning to duty faster and safer."
Shinobu added, adjusting her glasses, "The latest bullet formulation has reduced fatal engagement outcomes by nearly half for lower-ranked slayers."
A quiet stir.
Tengen laughed. "Tch—turns out brains are flashy."
Giyu nodded once. Approval, from him.
Sanemi crossed his arms. "Demons aren't getting weaker. We're getting smarter."
Eyes—inevitably—shifted.
Toward Kai.
"Sun Hashira," Ubuyashiki said warmly. "Your proposals continue to save lives."
Kai bowed slightly. "They save themselves. I just remove obstacles."
Ubuyashiki chuckled softly. "Modest as ever."
The meeting continued—normal. Reports. Patrol zones. Rotations.
No emergencies.
No deaths announced.
That alone felt surreal.
---
The Gaze
Kai felt it the entire time.
A stare.
Sharp. Measuring. Unblinking.
He didn't look.
Didn't need to.
Obanai Iguro sat across the hall, heterochromatic eyes fixed on him like a blade testing a sheath.
Persistent, Kai thought mildly.
He ignored it.
That… seemed to irritate Obanai more.
---
Back to the Butterfly Estate
The estate was unchanged—and yet fuller.
More attendants. More systems. More life.
Kai had barely stepped inside when—
"Oh no. Not him again."
A familiar voice groaned.
Kai sighed. "What is it this time?"
Shinobu peeked at the intake notes. "Minor wrist strain. Again."
Kanae tilted her head. "Didn't he have a sprained ankle yesterday?"
Mitsuri blinked. "…And a headache the day before?"
Kai closed his eyes.
"…Send him in."
---
The Most Durable Patient Alive
Obanai Iguro lay on the examination mat like a man on his deathbed.
"…It hurts," he said gravely.
Kai examined the wrist.
Barely red.
"…You're fine," Kai said politely.
Obanai's eye twitched. "Pain is subjective."
Kai smiled. Thinly. "So is patience."
Mitsuri sat nearby, hands folded in her lap, watching with immense interest.
"Oh wow," she said innocently. "You came all this way just for that?"
"…Of course," Obanai replied stiffly. "Medical care is important."
Shinobu bit her lip to stop smiling.
Kanae covered her mouth outright.
Kai wrapped the wrist efficiently. Too efficiently.
"There," he said. "You are cured."
"…That's it?"
"Yes."
"…No rest?"
"No."
"…No observation?"
"No."
"…No tea?"
Kai's smile sharpened. "Absolutely not."
Mitsuri burst out laughing. "Kai, you're being mean!"
"I am being professional," he corrected calmly.
Obanai glared at him.
Kai met his gaze at last—calm, unreadable, entirely uninterested.
"…If you are injured again," Kai added politely, "please consider seeing a different estate."
Silence.
Then—
Shinobu lost it. "Pfft—!"
Kanae laughed softly. Mitsuri was openly giggling now, cheeks pink.
Obanai stood stiffly, adjusting his bandage.
"…I will return," he said.
Kai nodded serenely. "I'm sure you will."
---
Aftermath
Once Obanai left—
Mitsuri leaned toward Kai, grinning. "You know he's doing it on purpose, right?"
"Yes."
"…And you still send him away."
"Yes."
Kanae smiled. "You're very patient."
Kai sighed. "I deal with demons. This is worse."
Shinobu smirked. "Welcome to social complications."
Kai rubbed his temples.
"…I miss demons."
Laughter filled the hall.
Outside, wisteria petals drifted.
The world was calmer.
But—
Some troubles were oddly persistent.
---
{Mass realese on 100 power stone.
If you hit the 100 power stone I will realese 10 Chapters. }