"The Meeting Concludes"
"Tch! That's a piece of cake! If those are the only conditions for the markings, I could easily do it!" Sanemi Shinazugawa scoffed.
Giyu Tomioka glanced at him, calmly remarking, "I envy your ability to dismiss such stringent conditions so casually."
Sanemi glared at Giyu Tomioka, seething with anger. This guy—silent when he should speak, then chattering incessantly, always saying the most irritating things. No wonder he was disliked.
Giyu Tomioka: "I am not disliked."
Sanemi Shinazugawa: "What'd you say?"
Giyu Tomioka: "Nothing."
Shinobu Kocho: "Then, our immediate priority is to awaken the markings."
Gyomei Himejima: "Indeed. We will dedicate ourselves to this. Please convey our best regards to the Master and urge him to focus on his recovery."
"Thank you for your concern," Amane Ubuyashiki said gratefully. "However, regarding the markings, there's something crucial I must share."
Mitsuri Kanroji tilted her head, curiosity evident in her expression. "What is it?"
Amane Ubuyashiki's expression turned grave, causing the Hashira to tense. Her serious expression invariably signaled bad news.
"If the markings have already appeared, there's no changing it, but I must make this clear: everyone who has manifested the markings has died at age twenty-five. In other words, any swordsman who awakens the markings will not live past twenty-five."
Silence fell upon the room.
The silence lingered until Amane Ubuyashiki departed, broken only by Gyomei Himejima. "So it is… I wonder what will become of me… Namu Amida Butsu."
Aoki hung his head. He knew the markings offered a terrifying power boost, but he hadn't anticipated such a severe side effect.
Tanjiro, who already possessed the markings at fifteen, nearing sixteen, had at most ten years left to live.
Aoki then looked at Shinobu, who was also looking at him. Unlike her usual shyness, she met his gaze with an unprecedentedly gentle smile.
She understood what he was thinking, and her smile conveyed her answer.
…
The Hashira then discussed their strategies for utilizing the markings. The emergency meeting concluded, and they dispersed.
Aoki and Shinobu walked side-by-side in silence.
"Shinobu, about that… perhaps we should discuss it? I'm confident I can defeat Muzan Kibutsuji without you activating the markings, given enough time," Aoki said, breaking the silence.
Shinobu smiled, gently rejecting his suggestion. "No, no, Aoki-kun. You know there's something I must do. Even you aren't certain of victory, let alone me."
"Now that the markings exist, even if you awakened them, you could probably defeat Muzan alone, but I don't want you to die at twenty-five. So, I'll do it. It's my responsibility."
"Besides, I'm only eighteen. Even with the markings, I have several years left."
Before Shinobu could finish, Aoki suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, his movement too fast for her to react.
She found herself held close, feeling the warmth of his body.
"Don't be ridiculous," Aoki said, his voice unusually cold. "What would I do without you? I don't want to spend those few years in fear, but a lifetime with you. If you insist on activating the markings, I'll knock you unconscious before the battle begins. When you wake up, it will all be over."
"I'm sorry, forgive my stubbornness. I won't let you die. Absolutely not. If you die, I won't live either."
An unprecedented wave of emotion washed over Shinobu. She broke free from his embrace, tiptoed, and kissed him.
Aoki gently held her close, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Only after a long moment did they reluctantly part.
Shinobu immediately threw herself back into his arms.
"Aoki-kun, my hatred consumes me right now. After the final battle, after my revenge, we'll face each other without reservation."
Aoki nodded softly. They remained embraced until sunset.
…
The next day, in the Butterfly Mansion infirmary.
Tanjiro, recovering from his injuries, was chatting with a member of the Hidden Division.
"You two have been quite noisy," Genya Shinazugawa's voice interrupted their conversation from the next bed. He'd been awakened by their chatter.
"Ah, sorry, Genya," Tanjiro apologized. "Sorry for waking you. We're done talking."
"Crash!"
Suddenly, Inosuke burst through the window, shattering it.
Tanjiro panicked. "Ah! Inosuke! What are you doing?! You broke the window! Are you trying to die?! Shinobu-san will kill you! And Aoki-senpai might join in a mixed martial arts beatdown!"
Genya Shinazugawa: "So noisy. I want to change rooms."
Ignoring Tanjiro, Inosuke yelled, "Strengthening! Intensive training begins!"
"Ah? What's that?" Tanjiro was confused, having been bedridden for days.
The Hidden Division member explained, "Apparently, a group of strong people are giving everyone special training. I forgot the details… Oh, Devouring Hashira Aoki-sama is involved."
"I see!" Tanjiro exclaimed, then realized something was wrong. "Wait? Aoki-senpai is involved? He's going to train us?!"
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters