"Nezuko~ Nezuko~ Aha, Nezuko is so adorable~"
In the temporary Butterfly Mansion set up within the Moriki Conglomerate's estate, a black-haired girl with turquoise eyes giggled while hugging a chibi version of Nezuko, rubbing her cheeks against the cute demon girl.
Nezuko responded with cheerful giggles.
This heartwarming scene drew the attention of many female Demon Slayers, their eyes sparkling with pink hearts as they gazed at Nezuko, wishing they could hold her too.
"Senpai, Nezuko, she..." Tanjiro, lying on a nearby sickbed, raised his hand as if to say something.
But seeing how happy Makomo and Nezuko were, he swallowed his words.
With a soft sigh, Tanjiro leaned against the bedside, his expression troubled.
For some reason, Nezuko could now survive in sunlight.
When Tanjiro discovered this, beyond joy, he felt an even greater unease.
Having spent years in the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro knew well that sunlight was the greatest weakness of all demons—even Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of demons, couldn't withstand it.
Often, when facing overwhelmingly powerful demons during missions, Demon Slayers would stall until dawn, letting the rising sun vanquish their foes.
But now, Nezuko could move freely under the sun.
What did this mean?
The secret Muzan had sought for centuries—survival in sunlight—might lie within Nezuko.
If Muzan unraveled this secret, allowing demons to walk in daylight, humanity would face anihilation.
Tanjiro wasn't the only one who realized this.
Some radical Demon Slayers had even rested their hands on their Nichirin Blade hilts while watching Nezuko in the sunlight.
Yet Tanjiro's worst fears didn't come to pass—because Nezuko wasn't the only exception.
As surreal and unbelievable as it was, Shinichi, his senpai, was also a demon.
Recalling that Shinichi too could move freely in sunlight, Tanjiro felt slightly reassured.
Still, underlying worries remained.
At the very least, Tanjiro desperately wished for his sister to become human again.
The most promising hope lay with Tamayo, who had been out of contact for a long time.
As if summoned by his thoughts, a commotion arose from the crowd.
Amid a chorus of greetings—"Greetings, Forest Hashira-sama!"—Shinichi, the very senpai Tanjiro had just been thinking about, appeared before him.
"Makomo? What are you doing here?" Shinichi noticed the black-haired girl holding Nezuko—wasn't she Sabito and Giyuu's friend, as well as Tanjiro's senpai?
"Forest Hashira-sama." Makomo smiled and bowed respectfully to Shinichi.
Although this seemingly delicate girl was far less powerful than her two Hashira friends, it didn't prevent Makomo from being an outstanding member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
All comrades who had worked with Makomo would marvel at her gentleness and attentiveness.
"I heard Tanjiro was injured, so I came to see him. Oh, and Giyu and Sabito too—I heard they've returned. I thought they'd come to Butterfly Mansion for a check-up," Makomo replied shyly to Shinichi's questioning look.
"I see."
Understanding dawned in Shinichi's eyes, along with a flicker of something else.
Interesting, wasn't it?
After briefly explaining to Makomo and the other members, Shinichi approached Tanjiro's sickbed.
"Shinichi-senpai!" Tanjiro struggled to sit up, but Shinichi's firm hand pressed steadily against his chest, pushing him back down.
"Don't move recklessly. You're not fully recovered yet. You're quite the reckless one, aren't you? How many times have you fought the Twelve Kizuki now? At this rate, I think the Master might as well promote you as the 'Reckless Hashira'," Shinichi joked.
Though spoken in jest, it was also a form of acknowledgment.
As Shinichi had said, Tanjiro had not only battled Lower Rank Demon Moons but had also faced Upper Moon-level opponents—not to mention the progenitor of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji.
Based on these feats alone, Tanjiro could easily be considered the strongest swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps below the Hashira rank.
"I've heard about what happened. Rest well—leave everything to us. I'll investigate Lady Tamayo's disappearance. Don't worry, Tanjiro."
"Ah! Shinichi-senpai, are you going to search for Lady Tamayo? Please—please take me and Nezuko with you! I—cough cough!"
Overcome with agitation, Tanjiro burst into a fit of violent coughing.
Shinichi sighed and patted his back. "I know you're anxious, but you need to consider your condition. Hmm? More than half your ribs are broken, your lungs are damaged, multiple internal organs are bleeding, and your thigh is fractured... Do you always push yourself this hard?"
"Cough But Shinichi-senpai, Nezuko needs—"
"I understand. Rest easy. If Muzan dares show his face, I'll cut him down first!" Shinichi's voice was icy with killing intent as he spoke.
"Also..." Shinichi's tone shifted as his gaze settled on Tanjiro's forehead—on the flame-shaped scar.
Tanjiro touched his forehead and smiled.
"This scar? It wasn't there from birth. My parents told me it happened when my younger brother was being too playful as a child. I got burned by hot water while trying to protect him. I must've been quite a mischievous kid back then."
At the mention of his parents, Tanjiro's eyes dimmed slightly, but he quickly regained his spirit.
"Shinichi-senpai, when are you setting out? I—I really can do it! For Nezuko, I can do anything. Please take me with you!"
Staring at the boy's determined expression, Shinichi was momentarily at a loss for words.
His gaze lingered on Tanjiro's forehead—that flame-shaped scar was far more than what Tanjiro had described.
The power it contained was beyond words.
The discussions from the Hashira Meeting flashed vividly in his mind.
"The Demon slayer mark..."
"Shinichi-senpai, what did you say? Something about markings?" Tanjiro blinked curiously as he asked Shinichi.
Shinichi: "Ah, it's nothing. Just thinking about ways to improve our strength."
"The Demon Slayer Corps members' abilities indeed need enhancement. Against ordinary demons it might be fine, but when facing Upper Rank Demons, our members can barely survive, let alone fight back."
A familiar flamboyant voice rang out behind Shinichi.
Turning around, Shinichi saw the tall, upright figure of Uzui Tengen standing behind him.
Though his hands were bandaged and his body wrapped in dressings, none of this diminished the confident, extravagant charm radiating from this flashy man.
"Huh, why didn't those Upper Rank Demons think to scratch up that pretty face of yours?"
"What?"
"Never mind. Tengen, what's your point?"
"I believe the Demon Slayer Corps members need some extravagant yet rigorous special training!"
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