After an hour, Shun left the naked Shinobu in the woods as he ran away…
'I told her I was going to buy clothes. But… I could just make one anytime.' Shun spent five minutes sitting on a rock then returned with a brand new set of clothes. Since their body sizes were similar, Shun just copied Levy's clothes.
It was just a light orange dress.
Shun finally returned to Shinobu. Her clothes had become the victim of their spar earlier.
'Being a regular person sure is hard.' Shun sighed as he gave her the clothes.
"Let's return soon or they'll get suspicious of us." Shun said righteously.
"People who will feel suspicious must have already felt that, it's been almost two hours!" Shinobu reminded him. She was initially enraged by Shun's words, but after spending time with him, she understood it was just his personality.
She had wild imaginations of an affair behind Kie's back when they entered the forest, but they actually did it.
"Aahh-! My first time was outside… in a forest… with a man I met for the first time." Shinobu lamented as she got dressed.
"What a coincidence, that was my first time too." Shun comforted her.
"Yeah, sure."
——
"Eat without restraint. It's your reward for treating me to dessert earlier." Shun said with a smile. The two were sitting on a street vendor bench as they ate ramen.
"…Is my body worth one ramen?!" Shinobu complained playfully as she dug in.
"Of course not!" Shun refuted her strongly, surprising her a bit, but then…
"Owner, bring two hard boiled eggs and a soda for her."
"Yes~" the old woman replied.
"…"
Shinobu had a vein popping up on her forehead as she ate the ramen with two boiled eggs.
"Aren't I very caring?" Shun asked as they left the small street ramen vendor.
"…"
Seeing Shinobu turn quiet, Shun realized that he might've gone too far. So he brought her to a high end dessert shop. It was high end, at least during this era…
"Yum-!" Shinobu smiled blissfully as she ate the mango pudding, happy that her silent treatment had worked.
"I'd say it's an amateur level pudding."
"Eh?"
"Next time we meet, I'll show you that there's levels to cooking."
"Oh, I'm looking forward to it." Shinobu replied honestly.
After that, the two awkwardly parted ways as Shinobu had to prepare for the night raid.
Their whole date was an out of order mess. They did the main event first, then went on a date.
Since Shun still had a few hours, he returned to the Mushoku world that he had ignored for a few days.
As soon as Shun came back, it was a big deal. Rudeus and his little group were gathered at Shun's house because Lilia was the perfect choice to take care of the unconscious Zenith.
"Shun-san! Mother is… not responding to anything."
When Shun looked at the group gathered there, there was an unexpected girl staring sharply at him as if to say "Did you think you could hide from me?"
It was Nanahoshi, probably here to get Shun to help her with her summoning rituals, as it was their deal before they went to the Begaritt continent.
"Let me see her." Shun said as he headed towards Zenith's room. Though they knew Shun wasn't a doctor, they felt like he could do something.
When Shun entered, there were Lilia and Aisha taking care of Zenith, who seemed to be mentally broken and detached from reality.
"Master…" Aisha muttered sadly, as Zenith was the only one who didn't neglect her when they used to live together.
"I'll take a look."
Shun touched her head and closed his eyes as if he were a prophet.
After a deep silence settled in, everyone was worried about Zenith.
"…There's nothing to heal. She is completely healthy."
"!"
"W-What does that mean? She is looking like a soulless hollow person." Rudeus' words were rather crude, but that just showed he was worried.
"…Is there anything you can do to help her?" Lilia asked.
"I do."
"!"
"But not now. Despite how she looks, she is perfectly healthy and understands everything. Explain to her what had happened during her sleep for the past six years. I'll help her after that." Shun's words were surprisingly professional.
"T-Thank you very much!" Rudeus bowed deeply with tears.
"Thank you!" For some reason Eris thanked Shun, followed by Sylphy and Roxy.
'Already acting like a family… Kids nowadays.' Shun shook his head as he remembered Nezuko and Hawk.
"…I still haven't found any clue on how to enter Hitogami's place yet. But all I'm receiving is help…" Rudeus looked down in shame.
"From now on, I'll research every possible method to find that bastard!" Rudeus said with a determined expression, but…
"Ah, about that guy, it doesn't matter anymore."
"Eh?"
"…Lately I've started to feel like 'Who cares' about that guy named Hitogami."
"…"
"I can't be holding a grudge forever about a guy that is so much weaker than me."
"…"
Hearing Shun's words, Rudeus felt at a loss for words, then…
'No no, aren't you exactly the type of guy to keep holding grudges?' Rudeus thought, but he wasn't crazy enough to say it.
"That's why… just research about him when you have free time. If there is an apostle of his, we'll just have to get rid of them at that time." Shun said with a yawn.
"I've never even met the guy before. The guy that had been tricked told me that it's fine as well. If we can find him it's good, but if we can't… then it's also fine." Shun said as he got out of the room, leaving the confused Rudeus and his little family to their thoughts.
When Shun was about to leave the house…
"Hey, are you forgetting something?" A tiny woman that looked like a middle schooler appeared with a crease on her forehead as if she were a delinquent from the 1900s.
"…" Shun didn't know what to say to her.
"Follow me. It won't take long. I won't make you regret it." Nanahoshi said and pulled the innocent Shun to her room at the Ranoa University.
Shun arrived and looked at Nanahoshi's weird room.
There was some weird magic symbol painted on a paper on the floor.
The room was overall messy, with crunched up papers lying everywhere and bunches of books everywhere.
"So what do you want me to do? I don't have much time today." Shun said, as he had to return to the Demon Slayer world before they hunted Daki. He had told Hawk not to actively fight tonight and also not to bring Nezuko, since it might get ugly.
"I want you to be a battery that powers my summoning circles." Nanahoshi said as she pointed to the ground where some weird magic pattern was.
Though Shun was supposed to be the strongest mage in two worlds, he had no clue what this thing even was.
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Alright, just tell me when to power it." Shun said as he pulled out a book and took a seat.
"This one is already prepared. Power it now."
"Okay." Shun sent some power, much to Nanahoshi's delight, but soon her expression turned into anger.
"Another fail! Where did I go wrong? Wait, I'll paint a new one."
Shun ignored the weird girl as he was immersed in his book.
After a few minutes, Nanahoshi returned with a new painting. It looked the same as the previous one to Shun's eyes, but she had probably fixed something.
Shun powered the summoning circle once again, only to get the same result.
After half an hour of failures, Shun had already left his seat and was now lying on the ground reading his book.
'What is he even reading that's so immersive?' Nanahoshi thought during her frustration, then she stole a glance at his book.
The title was…
'…How to apply pleasure to a woman's body through massage. Complete step by step guide…'
"…"
Then Shun's fingers started moving as if he were practicing the book's instructions.
Nanahoshi shook her head as she started painting a new summoning circle.
"…What are you even trying to do with those weird circles?" Shun asked as he stashed away his book, now staring at the weird girl.
"I'm trying to summon an item from another world. I'll gradually summon bigger items, then finally a living being."
Nanahoshi explained her peculiar plan, but… Shun just found it annoying.
Suddenly Shun offered her a solution.
"…Are you fine with any modern world? If that's the case, I'll drop you off somewhere."
"!"
"N-No, though a modern world sounds better than here. I have someone I want to meet." Nanahoshi said. With Shun's outrageous offer, she got a reminder of what kind of guy she was making help her.
"Alright, I'm going home for today. I'll help you some other day." Shun said and was about to get out, but…
"Power this one. I promise it's the last one."
"…"
——
Shun was finally back at Kyogoku house after being dragged by Nanahoshi's "last one" for three more.
There was still some time before Shun's usual departure for the Kyogoku house, but today he headed there early.
'I've promised the two hashira that I won't go there anymore, but… why would I keep my promise with them?'
The man who was about to kill Aramaki for not honoring a promise now broke his promise as casually as he breathed.
Shun gave an additional piece of instructions for Hawk as he entered the Kyogoku house.
'Since it's probably the last day, I'll make the best of it.'
'As for whether I'd save Daki or not, that will depend on her choices today.'
"Welcome!"
Creak-!
After following the same procedure, Shun entered Daki's room.
Today, to Shun's shock, the two ninjas weren't tied up. Instead, they were sitting next to Daki.
Their expressions seemed to be much better than before, as they were clean and fed.
'So this girl has at least that level of kindness in her.'
"Good evening." Shun greeted them.
But he didn't get a reply from any of them.
"After today, I think it'll become hard for us to meet."
"!"
'Is this bastard going away somewhere?' The two ninja girls were glad initially, then… their faces turned pale as they realized he was the only one keeping them alive.
Even Daki was feeling a bit sad, as this was too sudden.
"…are you going away?" Daki asked.
"No… I'll just get a bit busy."
Even Shun was feeling awkward today. Unknowingly, he had gotten attached to them.
"Since today might be our last time, let's start with the Warabihime."
"!"
——
Shun had imagined they would be awkward or go too wild, but the three of them were surprisingly obedient the whole time.
The four were now all dressed up and just enjoying the time. While the two ninja girls were cuddling with Shun, Daki was playing an instrument resembling a guitar.
'Was it called shamisen… or koto.' Shun didn't know the difference.
Daki was surprisingly skilled with the instrument.
'I guess she hasn't lived this long for nothing.' While Shun was enjoying his time and having rude thoughts. He was being sandwiched by the two ninja girls and being fed by them…
Creak-!
The Japanese style tatami door opened forcefully as people familiar with Shun stood there observing the room's current situation in shock.
The four strangers that suddenly intruded were… Tengen, Shinobu, Hinatsuru, and Hawk.
"…"
Both sides had four people as they stared awkwardly at each other.
Tengen saw his two wives hugging and feeding Shun.
'An upper moon demon is actually playing an instrument and entertaining a human?'
While Shinobu's focus was more on Daki than Shun, whom she had just sparred with a few hours earlier.
Hinatsuru had a mixed opinion of both.
Only Hawk didn't care, as he thought 'I'm glad Nezuko stayed home.'
Suddenly someone made a move. It was Shun… he nudged Makio and Suma on their chests. It was their sign that they were used to feed Shun.
But… now wasn't a good time for their perverted play.
Makio and Suma didn't move, so Shun continued.
Until…
Even the pervert Tengen, who had questionable tastes, had his limits.
Tengen was a man that had sent three of his wives to work as oirans, but seemed not going to let this slide if it happened before his eyes.
Sprint-!
He disappeared in a blink of an eye, at least for the people below vice admiral level.
His flashy sword was aimed at the hand that was grabbing Makio's breast.
"…"
'This whole thing is going as orchestrated by Shun…' Hawk was a bit creeped out.
Shinobu was shocked initially, but she knew Shun's strength by now. So she didn't rush to help, but… a pink obi cloth shielded Shun.
"…Demon slayer bastards, did you call them?" Daki asked the two ninja girls angrily as she stood in front of Shun.
"…"
"Don't you see he is a human? Why did you attack him?"
Tengen and Shinobu couldn't believe their ears.
'A demon protecting a human?'
Meanwhile…
"Ah-! A cloth moving on its own?" Shun said in shock.
"…"
"Get out of here! You're no longer needed!" Ignoring Shun's surprise, Daki shouted at him.
"Yeah, get out of here. That woman is a demon." Shinobu said just for the sake of it as she drew her sword.
'Two hashira…? No… three?!' Even Daki couldn't beat them on her own, so she immediately pulled her trump card.
Shocking everyone, she shouted:
"Big brother!!"
As soon as she screamed, the air seemed to freeze for everyone except Hawk and Shun.
A deep, raspy, and unsettling voice began oozing directly from Daki's body. The flesh on her back warped, bubbled, and split open. Like a nightmare tearing through a corpse, Gyutaro slowly manifested and detached himself from her spine.
"…"
'What the hell is this?' Shun didn't remember a scene like this.
'I thought the brother was hiding somewhere, but he came out… from her spine?'
He emerged completely hunched over, revealing a skeletal waist, an unnaturally jutting pelvis, and prominent spinal bones. His skin was a pale gray, covered in dark blotches, and his green hair was wild and messy. He had bloodshot yellow-orange eyes that bore the kanji for "Upper Rank Six".
"…Who is troubling my stupid sister…?"
Gyutaro looked at the people gathered here one by one.
"…Is it you?" Gyutaro asked Shun, but…
"…No. You're the crazy bastard that had been visiting everyday. But… I'm… jealous!" Gyutaro said in rage as he saw the two ninja girls hugging Shun tighter in fear.
Then Gyutaro created blood sickles made of his own flesh.
Seeing Gyutaro, Shinobu and Tengen's expressions turned serious as they now realized that he was the real upper moon demon.
Gyutaro and Tengen both wanted to kill Shun at this moment for their respective reasons, but…
Clang-!
The two turned and clashed with each other.
Suddenly…
"Hawk, stop them without killing."
It was an arrogant order, but a child of about thirteen years old replied as he stepped up.
"…Understood."
"Everyone else, don't move." Shun said as he got up. He was already done with his little test.
'All I wanted to see was if Daki would let me die or not, but… she even stood up to protect me.' Shun thought.
Soon enough, Gyutaro and Tengen, who were having a clash, both got beaten up and were pinned to the ground by Hawk.
"What's your plan?" Shinobu asked. She was angry that Shun wasn't just killing the demon.
"I'll take care of those two." Shun said as he pulled out a pill from his pocket.
"…"
"It's a pill that turns a demon back into a human."
"!"
"Y-You bastard, were you colluding with the demon slayers?!" Daki asked, her expression becoming hard to describe. She felt betrayed.
"…Just leave everything to me from now on."
Shun said as he disappeared in a blink of an eye, then he knocked Daki out with a light bonk on the back of her neck.
Then he proceeded to do the same to Gyutaro, who was pinned on the ground by Hawk.
"…Let's return." Shun said to Hawk as he carried both Gyutaro and Daki under his arms as if they were sacks of potatoes.
"…"
"Just who are you?"
Shinobu and the others followed. Tengen was carried by his three wives, as Hawk had gone a bit too hard on him.
Once again, Shun would have been quite touched if he knew Hawk had punched Tengen hard because he tried to attack Shun earlier. But he would never know.
After spending time with Shun, Hawk was starting to become petty too.
"My family had been fighting demons for centuries around the world." Shun started a story time as they headed toward Kie's house.
"Did you think only this country has demons?"
"!"
"But I didn't become like them."
"You didn't want to kill demons?!" Shinobu asked in anger and confusion.
"Yes. To me, demons and humans are the same. They're all equally weak."
"…"
"So I spent my time creating this pill that would reverse a demon back into a human."
"But…" Shun's expression changed as if he were remembering a painful past.
'…What is this guy on about?' Hawk was speechless.
"While I was gone on a harvest, my family had been wiped out by the demon hunters who wanted to steal my pills."
"!"
"They used my pills to turn stronger demons back into humans so they could kill them easily."
"…"
Though it was a cruel and crazy story, Shinobu and Tengen could believe it, as it sounded like a very smart move.
"So… I did the natural thing."
"The natural thing?" Shinobu asked.
"I spent two years hunting every demon slayer and demon alike."
"!"
"…Now only this country is left. I came here to see if there are salvageable demons."
"I don't know the brother much, but I'll turn them into humans. I'll take responsibility for them."
"…"
Even Hawk would have believed this if he didn't know Shun.
Shun realized the two siblings could hear him, that's why he started the story time now. The demons had crazy regeneration skills, but they didn't fight back for now. Because… they felt an immense fear at this moment.
Just like how Muzan felt when he met Shun a month prior.
"Welcome… Oh my, such a large group." Kie welcomed them.
"Take a seat. I'll go feed them the pills." Shun said some suspicious words as he entered an empty room.
"You guys heard the story, right?"
"!"
The two siblings stopped pretending to be unconscious.
"Why would we believe that crazy story?!" Daki asked in rage.
"Because I'm strong."
Shun's words were ridiculous, but it was also the most convincing reason. After all, Shun had no reason to lie. If he wanted to, he could have killed them in an instant.
"I won't force you." Shun said as he threw them the pill.
"If you eat them, I'll take care of you two. I'll make sure you two will be able to live your lives to the fullest as humans."
"…"
The two were still hesitant.
"If you refuse, I'll let you two run through the backdoor."
"!"
"…If that's the case, I'll refuse." Gyutaro said in a hoarse voice. There was just no way he was going to become a human. He didn't have a single good memory as a human.
"!"
"Big brother…" Daki was still hesitant, while Gyutaro's answer was instantaneous.
"What? Do you really think we can live as humans?"
"We wouldn't know until we try!"
"That's why you're stupid!"
"Did you just call me stupid again?!"
"Then you become human alone!!"
"I will!"
To Shun's shock, the two started arguing.
'I can't live as a human, but… Ume is pretty. So she should be the only one.' Gyutaro thought.
Creak-!
"…I'm going." Gyutaro said as he opened the door.
"Okay." Shun nodded. He could somewhat guess his intention.
Swoosh-!
Gyutaro disappeared through the backyard in an instant. He had no clue where he was going, but… he just ran.
"Big brother…" Daki muttered as she drank the pill in tears.
Thud-!
Daki fell unconscious after taking the sleeping pill.
Shun approached her and repelled the demon cells that were planted by Muzan into a blood red colored paw bubble and destroyed it rather easily, effectively turning her back into a human.
After about half an hour, Shun returned to the dining room with now human Daki.
Daki's expression now wasn't as pale as when she was a demon. Her hair was long, silver-white, tied into a ponytail that faded into a vibrant lime green at the tips.
Her previous lime green eyes now became blue as they no longer had the upper moon six words engraved.
Shun gave her the dress she wore when she was an oiran.
"!"
Tengen's group and Shinobu were shocked that the pill was this quick and effective.
Then they noticed someone was missing.
"Where is he?!"
"I let him run away."
"!"
Daki expected Shun to make up a lie, but… he just admitted it.
"You did what?!" Tengen asked in anger.
"Do you know how many people will be harmed because of that?"
"Then go hunt him. Isn't that your job? I already have made your enemy one less."
"…"
Tanjiro and his siblings were clueless about what they were arguing about.
Ignoring the Tengen group, Shun turned to the Kie family.
"This woman is Warabihime. She will live with us as one of my wives, along with Kie."
"…"
While the group was surprised, they weren't really opposing it. Their real concern was their mother's reaction but… she looked happy?
Kie's cheeks blushed
'…I was his wife?!' Kie finally realized what their relationship was.
——-
Kie smoothly prepared dinner for the group in the awkward atmosphere.
"So you guys were married?" Shun asked with pure innocence.
"Yes…" the three ninja girls nodded.
"I didn't know they really existed…"
"Huh?" Shinobu, now relatively calm, asked.
"…I don't remember the exact word, but allowing your wives to work at a place like that?" Shun judged Tengen openly.
"…"
"We were raised as ninjas from birth…" Tengen explained with frustration, but Shun had already changed the subject.
"Eat well." Shun said as he fed the awkward Warabihime.
"So… what's your hobby, Warabihime-san?" Tanjiro, the talkative, spoke.
"…"
"…My name is Daki." After a moment of silence, Daki spoke, because she didn't want to remember her past. She refused to use her human name 'Ume'.
"Oh, I'm Tanjiro. Nice to meet you!"
"…"
"And this is Nezuko. Rokuta…"
While Daki was silent, Tanjiro kept blabbering.
"Her hobby is music and dancing." Shun spoke on her behalf.
"Can you play us some music? I'll go bring the instrument." Shun went behind a corner and created the instrument she had used a few hours earlier.
Daki didn't want to talk much today, so she accepted to perform some music.
It was a gentle and tragic melody.
'This girl… was a beauty when she was a demon, but as a human she looks prettier. I'd say she is only behind Boa Hancock in beauty.'
Shun was captivated.
Once her performance ended, Nezuko and Tanjiro bombarded her with praises.
"By the way, I didn't like how I was treated today." Suddenly Shun spoke, turning the room into a silent one.
"So, Hawk will no longer work as a demon slayer. He is retiring as of today."
"!"
"W-What?!" Tengen and Shinobu were shocked for obvious reasons. Hawk was already their trump card to beat the upper moons.
"You can't decide that without hearing his opinion!" Shinobu said, but…
"I'll retire." Hawk said curtly. He was just on a mission. He and Shun didn't care if demons killed more people because he retired.
"Anyways, it's late now. Let's rest for the day."
Just like that, the Tengen group was told off, and the children went to sleep.
As for the three wives of Tengen, they wouldn't be with Shun again as it was just a job. Shun didn't have any problems with that, as he too agreed that he was just a customer.
"You're not going back?" Shun asked the insect hashira.
"No."
"Okay." Shun said and headed to Daki's room.
"…"
'…I'll have to bribe him somehow and keep Hawk as a demon slayer.' Shinobu sighed.
Creak-!
Daki was alone in her room, already in her futon, but her eyes were wide open as she couldn't sleep.
Shun entered her futon as if it were the most natural thing.
"…Are you worried about your brother?" Suddenly Shun asked.
"!"
"H-He refused because he didn't want to be a burden!" Daki said as her eyes became tearful.
Shun hugged her tightly as he comforted her.
"…I'll find him later and get him out of Muzan's control. You two will be able to meet soon."
"!"
"T-Thank you…" Daki fell asleep peacefully, finally calming down after the sudden events.
While Daki was worrying about her brother, Shun didn't worry at all.
'…It's cruel, but… your brother will be stronger without you.'
Shun left her to sleep, and just as he was about to enter, a woman approached him.
When they met eyes, Shinobu turned her head away in anger.
'She waited for me to do that?' Shun found it amusing.
"…Let's go to the yard." Shun said as he walked, followed by Shinobu.
"Was there anything you wanted to say?" Shun asked.
"…Let Hawk continue his job as a demon slayer."
"…"
Shun stayed silent to her direct demand.
"You really won't do that for me?" Shinobu asked as she hugged his arm between her chest.
"That depends on how you bribe me."
"…"
Shinobu sighed as she tied her hair up in a ponytail and kneeled before him.
After a bit of persuasion…
"I'll consider it." Shun said, much to Shinobu's anger.