"Sorry, sorry, Maru-ni, it's all my fault. I'll definitely be more careful next time, I promise!"
Inside the carriage, Shinichi was comforting the pouting fat dog in his arms.
Heaven knew he truly didnt meant to slip up like this.
Now how could he ever have the face to ask Maru-ni to go on a diet again?
Watching this scene from the side, Yuichiro struggled to suppress his laughter.
Who knew his master could look so... adorable?
After a long journey, Shinichi finally brought Yuichiro back to the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The headquarters, nestled deep in the mountains, left the boy awestruck.
He never imagined the legendary organization that had fought demons for centuries would look like this.
As they made their way to meet the leader, Yuichiro couldn't help but curiously examine their surroundings.
Along the path, they encountered many Demon Slayers carrying Nichirin Blades and Kakushi Corps members wearing masks.
Upon seeing Shinichi, they would either bow respectfully or greet him with 'Mori no Hashira-sama'.
Shinichi didn't put on any airs, responding to each greeting with a smile or nod.
Whenever they passed notable locations, Shinichi would give brief explanations to Yuichiro.
"That's the Butterfly Mansion. When injured or needing recuperating, Demonslayers go there for treatment."
"That's the Kakushi Corps area. Oh, the cafeteria's there too. Maru-ni often sneaks in to steal food. Look, he's disappeared again—probably headed straight for the kitchen."
"Over there's the training grounds. If you need to train while at headquarters, you can go there. With some luck, you might even find a Hashira training there sometimes. You could learn from them."
.....
Yuichiro nodded along to Shinichi's explanations, though what he really wanted was to see his brother Muichiro.
However, after inquiring with headquarters members, Yuichiro learned Muichiro wasn't currently there—he'd gone on a mission with the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho.
This made Yuichiro even more anxious, his mind conjuring worst-case scenarios like his brother avoiding him on purpose.
Shinichi had to flick Yuichiro's forehead to snap him out of it.
"What nonsense are you thinking? We're about to meet Oyakata-sama. Straighten up—don't embarrass your master."
Rubbing his forehead, Yuichiro mumbled an acknowledgment.
Soon, master and disciple arrived at the Ubuyashiki residence, where Kagaya Ubuyashiki awaited them.
On the white-pebbled courtyard, Shinichi respectfully knelt on one knee before the man.
"Oyakata-sama!"
Yuichiro mimicked his master's gesture while sneaking curious glances at the legendary leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Was this the man who commanded powerful warriors like his master and hundreds of slayers in their bloody war against demons?
To Yuichiro's surprise, Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked nothing like the imposing, majestic figure he'd imagined.
The reality left him stunned.
A simple black robe, a plain yellow sash around the waist and a white outer garment adorned with purple flowing flame patterns—yet beneath these clothes lay an unusually frail and thin frame.
The forehead bore eerie purple scars, making it hard to believe that such a sickly-looking man was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Yuichirou was surprised, but for some reason, despite his apparent weakness, the master's gentle smile exuded an aura of trustworthiness...
"Shinichi, thank you for your hard work. I must also express my gratitude for protecting Amane and the two children of the Tokito family," spoke Ubuyashiki Kagaya, his tender voice making Yuichirou feel an inexplicable warmth.
"It was my duty, Oyakata-sama. Also, your health..." Shinichi hesitated, his left eye glowing with a faint emerald light.
Through his sharp vision, Oyakata-sama condition seemed to have worsened.
But Ubuyashiki Kagaya merely waved his hand dismissively, smiling.
"Birth, aging, sickness and death are the laws of nature, Shinichi. There's no need to worry too much about my body. My life holds the same value as every member of the Demon Slayer Corps. We are all gathered here for the sole purpose of eradicating the Demons. As long as we can eliminate them in our generation, all regrets will be mended."
Not much time had passed and Kagaya weakened state could no longer sustain prolonged conversation.
Supported by Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Nichika, Ubuyashiki Kagaya could only apologize for his inability to continue.
Naturally, neither master nor disciple minded, both wishing only for the master to rest and recover.
On their way back to the Butterfly Mansion after leaving Ubuyashiki residence, Yuichirou turned to his teacher and said.
"Oyakata-sama words were so comforting. But, Master... why does he seem so gravely ill? Even with his sickness, why he still leads the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's appearance reminded Yuichirou of his own mother.
Shinichi glanced back towards the master's residence, his voice soft but resolute.
"That is precisely why, with such a man leading us, the Demons will surely be vanquished!"
Shinichi brought Yuichirou back to the Butterfly Mansion, though at this time, both the Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho and the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho were away on missions.
Temporarily overseeing the mansion was Kumeno Masachika, who had lost an arm.
Upon learning that Yuichirou was Shinichi's disciple, Masachika enthusiastically gave him a full tour of the Butterfly Mansion.
Through introductions, Yuichirou also came to understand that this cheerful, scar-faced senpai who's missing an arm had once been a formidable swordsman—his arm lost in battle against a powerful Lower Rank One Demon.
Meanwhile, Shinichi wandered briefly around the mansion.
Spotting a small head peeking from behind a door, he paused, softened his expression and offered what he hoped was a gentle smile.
"Kanao? Would you like some candy?"
Kanao, her hair tied in a single ponytail, stared silently at Shinichi, her eyes devoid of emotion.
Shinichi's smile was beginning to stiffen from the awkwardness.
Elsewhere, upon hearing of Shinichi's return to headquarters, a figure came sprinting at full speed towards the Butterfly Mansion.
A not-so-tall figure was wrapped in a large green-patterned robe, carrying two long wooden boxes on his back and wearing his signature Hannya mask.
Such attire unmistakably marked him as a swordsmith from the village!
And indeed it was.
The one who rushed into the Butterfly Mansion was none other than Tetsushin Ren, the blacksmith who had once forged Shinichi's Nichirin Blade.
Upon seeing Shinichi, Tetsushin Ren's eyes behind the Hannya mask seemed to blaze with fire.
"Shinichi-san!!"
[Made a mistakes on Tetsushin Ren name was written, i write Tetsu Shinren before]
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