Chapter 151: Hinatsuru's Revelation!
At the bottom of the staircase, Hinatsuru's figure suddenly appeared.
Sanemi's eye twitched.
"I know you. You're…"
"Mr. Shinazugawa," Hinatsuru hurriedly said, "why don't we go upstairs and talk?"
Shinobu nodded. "All right, Miss Hinatsuru."
Afterward, Shinobu lightly poked Sanemi with the hilt of her Nichirin Sword, signaling him to watch his manners.
The two Hashira followed Hinatsuru to her private room.
The moment Shinobu stepped inside, she caught a faint scent of wisteria.
Almost instantly, she reacted.
"Ren!"
Shinobu's expression changed.
That was Ren's scent.
"Has Ren been here?!"
Hinatsuru looked startled.
She hadn't even said anything yet. How had the Insect Hashira guessed it already?
Sanemi also asked, "Have you seen Ren?"
Hearing that, Hinatsuru couldn't help sighing.
Master Ren really was popular. She hadn't even had the chance to speak, yet the two Hashira were already eagerly asking about his whereabouts.
It seemed Master Ren's personal charm really was extraordinary.
Hinatsuru smiled.
"Yes, Insect Hashira, Wind Hashira, Dragon Hashira. Master Ren did come here before, and…"
Before she could finish, Shinobu immediately interrupted her.
"Where is Ren now?" Shinobu asked anxiously.
The smile on her face gradually disappeared.
Although she had guessed that Ren was probably fine, her worry still made her panic.
Until she heard news about Ren, her heart had remained tightly wound.
Hinatsuru's tone became calm as she continued.
"Insect Hashira, please rest assured. Dragon Hashira is completely safe at the moment."
"Dragon Hashira has already left."
"He left?"
Shinobu furrowed her delicate brows and clenched her tiny fists.
"Where did he go?"
Following Shinobu's instructions, Hinatsuru explained, "Master Tengen and I bought Master Ren a ship ticket and a train ticket back to Butterfly Estate. He should already be on his way home by now."
Shinobu froze.
He went home?!
She had traveled all this way to find him, only to discover that Ren had already gone home?
That was good.
That was very good.
As long as Ren was safe, she could finally relax.
At that moment, Sanemi spoke up.
"That Tengen Uzui? Looks like he got here before me!"
"But there's something I'm curious about."
Sanemi looked at Hinatsuru.
"You said there was an Upper Rank demon here. So why haven't I seen Tengen Uzui?"
"That's the second thing I wanted to tell you."
Hinatsuru's expression grew somewhat excited.
Whenever she talked about Dragon Hashira's accomplishments, she became extremely happy. After all, she had personally participated in the battle.
She, Makio, Suma, Master Tengen, and Master Ren—the five of them had joined forces and defeated three Upper Rank demons!
The five of them had been incredible.
At the very least, Hinatsuru and Tengen Uzui had both felt an incredibly strong sense of participation in the battle.
Hinatsuru's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"All the Upper Rank demons are dead!"
"Dead?"
Sanemi frowned.
"Be careful with your words. This is a serious matter. Don't try to fool a Hashira."
Hinatsuru hurriedly shook her head.
"No, it's true! Dragon Hashira and Master Tengen did it. Upper Four, Upper Five, and Upper Six were all slain here."
"The report concerning the extermination of the demons may still be on its way. In any case, we've already sent word. Headquarters may receive the information in a few days!"
"Upper Six—Gyutaro and Daki."
"Upper Five—Gyokko."
"Upper Four—Hantengu."
"All of these enemies! Every single one of them was eliminated by members of the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"And Dragon Hashira even fought two of them at once! He escaped from Upper Five all by himself, then personally slew Upper Five!"
Hinatsuru's voice was high and impassioned, her words stirring the blood.
Her cheeks flushed red.
No matter how many times she talked about it, she still became incredibly excited.
After hearing Hinatsuru's account, both Sanemi and Shinobu were left stunned.
The news was simply too explosive.
They needed some time to process it.
Sanemi's eyes widened instantly, even becoming bloodshot.
"Ren! I knew it! Ren!"
Sanemi laughed, but there was something strange about his smile.
"Looks like I really didn't choose the wrong opponent. You really are strong!"
Shinobu's reaction, however, was completely different.
Her expression first showed happiness.
Then excitement.
And finally, deep concern.
Sure enough, Ren had been imprisoned by demons.
Then how much suffering had Ren endured while he was imprisoned?
Hinatsuru had also mentioned earlier that Ren's goal was to return to Butterfly Estate.
So how much effort had Ren put in to accomplish that goal?
How much did it take to slay an Upper Rank demon?!
Shinobu couldn't help tightening her grip around her Nichirin Sword once again.
All of this was because she had been too weak.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed Ren to suffer so much.
If only she had stayed that day.
If only her poison had been stronger.
If only she had helped Ren a little more.
If only she were a little taller.
If only she were stronger…
What was she even thinking?
Shinobu slowly loosened her grip again.
Ren had once told her that she was one of a kind and that she shouldn't keep denying herself.
Shinobu raised her head once more, and a smile returned to her face.
But this time, it was different from before.
This smile was genuine and radiant.
There was even a hint of pride in Shinobu's voice.
"I knew it. I knew Ren could do it!"
Sanemi continued questioning Hinatsuru.
"And then? What happened after that?"
"After that…"
Hinatsuru spoke mysteriously.
"After Master Ren escaped, he came to my Kyogoku House, and then ordered…"
"He picked a girl?!"
Shinobu's expression changed instantly.
Huh?!
How had the situation suddenly taken such a drastic turn?!
Shinobu's tiny fists clenched once again.
"Ren actually picked a girl?!"
Shinobu looked toward Hinatsuru.
A trace of killing intent even flashed through her eyes.
The corners of the girl's lips curled slightly upward, her smile concealing a hint of coldness.
"Miss Hinatsuru, are you saying that Ren came to a brothel?"
Before Hinatsuru could answer, Sanemi spoke first.
In that same serious tone of his, he asked, "Little Butterfly, what's wrong? You don't seem to be feeling very well."
"Ren still had enough energy to visit a brothel. Doesn't that prove he's still full of energy? Shouldn't you be happy about that?!"
Shinobu's expression darkened even further…
Sanemi continued digging his own grave.
"If I remember correctly, Ren is only fourteen. To have those kinds of urges at that age…"
He nodded solemnly.
"Looks like Ren really is precocious."
By now, Hinatsuru could already sense that something was wrong.
She knew that Ren and the Insect Hashira were a couple, but she hadn't even finished explaining!
Dragon Hashira had specifically told her that he had come to the Kyogoku House to gather information.
Remembering this, Hinatsuru hurriedly said, "That's not what happened!"
But Sanemi interrupted her.
"No need to explain. I understand. After all, some members of the Demon Slayer Corps really do enjoy that sort of thing. Ren isn't some saint either. I can understand!"
The moment Sanemi finished speaking, the air fell completely silent.
Sanemi looked at the two women in confusion.
"What's wrong? Why has everyone stopped talking?"