Kanae Kocho made her decision:
"Yosh! That's settled then!"
Horitake, a bit panicked, braced for her verdict, though her disapproval wouldn't change much.
Kanae spoke seriously:
"Horitake-kun, regarding you, Shinobu, and the other girls… I've decided to stay out of it!"
"Huh?!" Horitake was floored. He hadn't expected Kanae to opt out.
Kanae shrugged helplessly.
"What can I do? I'm already dead. I linger because I worry about everyone at the Butterfly Mansion, but I can't interfere with the living.
Even if you're a bit of a playboy, Horitake-kun, there's nothing I can do.
At most, I worry about my sister.
Besides, Shinobu's grown up, with her own personality and choices. Even if I were alive, I couldn't control her decisions.
If you can truly win her heart and treat her well, why would I object?
If Shinobu finds her happiness, as her sister, I'd only bless her.
As for your… playboy tendencies… well, this era is what it is. As long as you're good to Shinobu, I'll turn a blind eye."
Horitake was moved by Kanae's understanding.
"Kanae-nee, you're so open-minded! So reasonable! Thank you!
Rest assured, I'm sincere about Shinobu-nee. I'd never hurt her. If I win her favor, I'll take responsibility for life, ensuring her happiness.
That's my promise to you, Kanae-nee."
His words were heartfelt, and Kanae smiled warmly, like blooming flowers.
"I believe you."
Then, her expression turned concerned as she added:
"Since you care for Shinobu, please look after her. After my death, I've noticed her mental state isn't quite right. And lately, her actions…
I feel she might do something shocking in the future.
Please help her find happiness. Don't let her push herself so hard."
Horitake's face grew serious.
Knowing the original story, he understood what Shinobu might do—something beyond shocking.
In the manga, Shinobu would sacrifice everything, using any means necessary, even turning her body into a living poison to kill Doma by letting him consume her!
The thought of Shinobu being devoured by Doma sent a chill through Horitake, his heart aching.
That can't happen! It absolutely won't! With me here, it's impossible! Doma must die—though death's too good for him!
He needed to stop Shinobu's self-destructive plan early.
Nodding, Horitake promised Kanae:
"I'll keep a close eye on Shinobu-nee's mental state. As for Doma, I'll kill him—to avenge you, Kanae-nee!"
Kanae's smile bloomed, radiant and kind.
"Thank you, Horitake-kun. Now, go slay those demons. Goodbye."
With that, her spirit faded, returning to the Butterfly Mansion.
Horitake exhaled, glanced at the mansion, and turned to leave.
At the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters gate, he met up with Mitsuri, and the two left together.
As they departed the mountains, Horitake instructed his Kasugai Crow:
"Request all available intel on nearby demons from the Corps. I'll follow the leads, kill as many as I can, and wipe them out completely!"
His killing intent was palpable.
Mitsuri, far from intimidated by his ferocity, found this cold, intense Horitake dashing and captivating, slipping into fangirl mode again.
She fully supported his burning resolve. Their mission was to slay demons—more intensity was better.
Infected by his drive, Mitsuri's own killing intent flared.
Together, they marched forward, cutting down demons in their path!
Time passed, and summer turned to early autumn. The cool weather was refreshing, fueling Horitake and Mitsuri's demon-slaying zeal.
Let's talk about their record.
The exact number's blurry, but they'd taken down nearly a hundred demons. The duo killed relentlessly, sparing no demon they encountered!
Rumors spread within the Corps:
The Sky Hashira's gone full workaholic again, slaughtering countless demons!
This time, he's got a beauty by his side, making his efficiency even more terrifying!
Wherever they went, demons fell, evil retreated, and the Corps' reputation soared!
Ahem, as we know, Nihon's flair for the dramatic runs deep. The Corps gave Horitake and Mitsuri grandiose nicknames:
Horitake: The Sky-Piercing Blade of the Demon Slayer Corps!
Mitsuri: The Devoted Sakura by the Sky Hashira's Side!
When Horitake heard these, he could barely look at them.
Sky-Piercing Blade? Just because I'm the Sky Hashira, it's gotta involve the sky? And my recent killing spree led to this?
And Mitsuri's title—Devoted Sakura?
Sakura makes sense for her pink hair, her standout feature, but "devoted"? By my side? Did you all misunderstand something?
I'm the one bringing her along, not her clinging to me!
Are you Corps folks so idle you're coming up with this nonsense? Should I suggest to Lord Ubuyashiki that we increase your workload?
Make you feel the grind of a 996 schedule, and you'll stop with these silly nicknames!
That said, of the many demons they slew, about half fell to Mitsuri, dispatched cleanly and swiftly.
The other half were Horitake's, but his kills weren't so tidy. Those demons endured prolonged torment before death.
Not because Horitake had turned sadistic, but because of duty—and practice.
Don't forget, he'd promised to help Lord Ubuyashiki dispel his curse!
He couldn't practice on Ubuyashiki or Kiriya, so he turned to captured demons.
"Captured" meant Horitake using his lightning to disable a demon's limbs, rendering them immobile with irreparable damage.
"Practice" was simpler: using these demons as test subjects.
How?
By channeling lightning into their bodies, guided by Spirit Vision, to erode and destroy the curses within.
Horitake's lightning inflicted permanent damage on demons. Picture it surging through their bodies, tearing them apart from within.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
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