DS Chapter 94: The Demon Slayer Corps' Tenth Hashira!
"How could that be?" Ren said with a helpless smile. "Lady Amane, why would you think something like that?"
Amane paused before giving him a meaningful smile.
"Ren, I have no objection to you continuing to live at the Butterfly Mansion."
"I've been through these things myself, so I know exactly what you're thinking."
"If you're too embarrassed to say it, I can speak to Shinobu for you. Perhaps I can persuade her to take the first step... you know."
"But living at the Butterfly Mansion..."
"Amane, that's enough."
Kagaya quickly interrupted his wife before she could continue.
He was genuinely worried she might say something that would embarrass everyone.
Nothing had even been confirmed yet.
She was jumping far too far ahead.
Besides, Ren had only recently joined the Demon Slayer Corps. Where he chose to live was entirely his own decision.
With that thought, Kagaya coughed lightly and discreetly pinched Amane's waist.
Receiving the signal, Amane obediently fell silent.
Kagaya turned back to Ren with his usual gentle smile.
"Ren, I think you're absolutely right."
"A physician's work is every bit as noble as fighting on the battlefield."
"So we'll do as you wish. I have no objections."
"Furthermore, since you're now a Hashira, the Butterfly Mansion will fall under your jurisdiction."
"As for Shinobu, I'll speak with her personally."
"The two of you can manage it together."
"If funding ever becomes an issue, let me know."
Then his tone became more serious.
"However..."
"Shinobu must continue accepting missions."
"Evil demons still exist in this world, and the Corps still needs her."
"Can you accept that?"
"Of course."
Ren was briefly puzzled before suddenly understanding.
Combining Kagaya's words with Amane's earlier teasing, he finally realized what they had assumed.
The Ubuyashiki couple thought he and Shinobu were already in a relationship.
They were worried that, as Shinobu's boyfriend, he would insist on keeping her at the Butterfly Mansion instead of allowing her to continue fighting demons.
How was that even possible?
Still...
Another part of Kagaya's proposal caught Ren's attention.
Shared authority over the Butterfly Mansion.
Although the Butterfly Mansion had been established by the Kocho sisters, its operating expenses had always been funded by the Ubuyashiki family.
Their relationship resembled that of investors and operators.
Which meant Kagaya's true intention was simple.
He wanted Ren to become one of the people responsible for running it.
Ren almost laughed.
Didn't that mean...
He had gone from being Shinobu's subordinate...
...to becoming one of her bosses?
He would even have authority over half the mansion's budget.
The thought was strangely amusing.
For a brief moment, a mischievous idea crossed his mind.
Still...
Those were trivial matters.
At the very least, it meant he could officially apply for operating funds in the future instead of forcing Shinobu to pay for everything herself.
After collecting his thoughts, Ren nodded.
He accepted Kagaya's arrangement.
Then he carefully explained everything.
He clarified that he and Shinobu were not romantically involved.
At present, they were simply colleagues.
There was no need for the Master and Lady Amane to worry.
As for managing the Butterfly Mansion...
Shinobu would continue handling external affairs and medical operations.
Ren would take responsibility for internal management and logistical matters.
Their duties would never overlap.
Even after hearing the explanation...
Amane still wore an unconvinced expression.
Her beautiful fox-like eyes remained fixed on Ren with obvious suspicion.
Her gaze practically said,
"Go ahead. Keep making excuses."
"Do you really expect me to believe that?"
Kagaya wasn't much different.
Although he continued smiling gently, Ren could tell...
He wasn't entirely convinced either.
But it didn't matter.
The truth would reveal itself in time.
If nothing existed between him and Shinobu, then nothing existed.
After chatting with the couple a little longer, Ren finally took his leave.
Picking up the broken remains of his Nichirin Blade, he headed straight back toward the Butterfly Mansion.
---
After Ren departed, Kagaya and Amane exchanged amused smiles.
Amane asked softly,
"Kagaya..."
"Did you believe what Ren said?"
Kagaya shook his head.
"No."
"But that's fine."
Amane blinked.
"Fine?"
"Why do you say that? Did Ren say something else?"
Kagaya gently held his wife's hand.
"He didn't."
"It's simply that..."
"That child is extremely cautious."
"I could sense it."
He smiled warmly.
"But that's not a bad thing."
"At least I won't have to worry about him and Shinobu being deceived when they're out on missions."
Amane nodded in agreement.
"That's true."
"Ren seems like a very responsible young man."
"I certainly wouldn't object if those two ended up together."
The couple smiled quietly at one another.
After a long silence, Kagaya suddenly spoke.
"Amane."
"Yes."
"Draft a letter."
"Send copies to the Swordsmith Village, the Butterfly Mansion, the Kakushi, and every branch of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"The notice should announce that, effective today..."
"Ren has officially become the Demon Slayer Corps' tenth Hashira."
"His title shall be based on Dragon Breathing."
"From this day forward..."
"He will be known as the Dragon Hashira."
---
Early the following morning...
Letters personally drafted by Lady Amane departed from the Ubuyashiki Estate.
Flocks of Kasugai Crows took to the skies, carrying the news of Ren's promotion in every direction.
Some flew toward the Swordsmith Village.
Others headed for the Butterfly Mansion.
Several made their way toward the Entertainment District.
Within a single morning, the announcement spread throughout every region connected to the Demon Slayer Corps.
---
Deep within a mountain forest...
A man wearing a crimson tengu mask caught a Kasugai Crow and removed the letter tied to its leg.
He lifted the mask, revealing a gentle face completely unlike his stern appearance.
Slowly, he unfolded the message.
---
On another mountaintop...
An elderly man missing one leg sat down beneath a tree.
With astonishing speed, he removed the letter from a crow's leg.
His hands moved so quickly that faint afterimages seemed to flash through the air.
He calmly opened the note.
---
Inside three different oiran houses within the Entertainment District...
Three Kasugai Crows each found their respective masters.
The letters were delivered to three female shinobi disguised as oiran.
Each quietly opened her message.
---
Meanwhile...
At the Swordsmith Village...
A muscular, half-naked swordsmith had just finished polishing Tanjiro Kamado's new Nichirin Blade.
Before he could even wipe away the sweat on his body, he eagerly tore open the envelope.
The moment everyone finished reading...
Their eyes widened.
"The Dragon Hashira?"
"So the Demon Slayer Corps has produced another Hashira!"
"What incredible potential!"
"Was Uzui the examiner?"
"A fourteen-year-old actually became a Hashira?"
"Ren... what an unusual name."
"I wonder if he's a handsome young man."
Then, from somewhere inside the village—
"What?!"
"My Nichirin Blade broke again?!"