"I agree! I want to join Tendo in eradicating all the Demons in this world!"
Shinobu Kocho declared without hesitation. Tendo had given her the blade to sever her past, and she was determined to repay him with a sword of her own.
"Yes!" Kanae Kocho nodded, her eyes shining with resolve. "I don't want others to suffer because of Demons either."
"I want them to have happy lives, so I choose to join your organization."
No matter their individual reasons, once those who had been harmed by Demons gathered together, they would march steadfastly toward a future without them.
Deep down, Tendo hoped Shinobu wouldn't walk this path, because slaying Demons was truly a life-or-death endeavor. But he respected their choice.
"By the way, we can't decide whether you can join the Demon Slayer Corps—that's up to the Master!"
"Come with us first!"
The four returned to the Wisteria House, where Shinjuro Rengoku had already retired for the night. The owner arranged lodging for the Kocho sisters.
At dawn, when Rengoku came for breakfast, he froze at the doorway, rubbing his eyes in shock.
He quickly pulled Tendo and Obanai aside and spoke with grave concern:
"You two are still young—no need to rush into finding wives!"
"And what's the deal with those two girls?"
"The Demon Slayer Corps forbids harassing civilians!"
Obanai shrugged innocently, pointing at Tendo and saying something utterly misleading: "Last night, I was just following Tendo, and then he went to those sisters' house..."
Obanai abruptly stopped there, thought for a moment, and added:
"Oh! Right, both sisters were crying—really hard, too."
Tendo's jaw dropped. What the hell was this guy implying? Leaving his words half-finished—what a bastard.
Stalking unfamiliar girls?Made them cry?
What happened?
Shinjuro Rengoku's gaze turned cold, nearly drawing his sword. It seemed necessary to discipline that brat Tendo on behalf of Senior Kuwajima.
Having improper intentions is unacceptable.
Obanai nonchalantly returned to his seat at the table, eating while watching the drama unfold. The Kocho sisters had indeed cried—everything he said was true.
"Uncle, let me explain—no, I mean, clarify. The situation is complicated..."
Tendo was at a loss for words. What kind of mess was this? Obanai, that troublemaker.
Shinjuro wasn't listening. Staying out all night and returning with two young girls—it was hard not to be suspicious.
"You brat, bullying girls? I'll beat you up first, then we'll talk!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a petite figure stepped in front of Tendo—it was Shinobu Kocho.
Unlike most shy and reserved girls, she was straightforward, always expressing her thoughts and actions openly.
"Sir, Tendo saved me and my sister. He even helped us get revenge. He did nothing wrong!"
To everyone's surprise, Shinjuro Rengoku burst into laughter, hands on his hips.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"I haven't even finished questioning him yet. Why would I hit him? It was just a joke!"
"Let's eat, let's eat!"
Kanae smiled at her sister without saying much. Her little sister had changed.
After breakfast, Shinjuro learned the full story. He expressed sympathy for the Kocho sisters' suffering and praised Tendo and Obanai.
He would write a letter to inform Oyakata-sama, confident that the Master would also sympathize with the sisters' plight.
Shinjuro's Kasugai Crow carried the letter away from the Wisteria House, flying over countless towns and into the desolate mountains.
Endless forests stretched like a green ocean, their boundaries unseen.
When the breeze gently brushed past, the leaves rustled like nature's own symphony, soothing the soul.
Hidden deep within the dense foliage was an exceptionally concealed complex of buildings, perfectly blending into the mountains and trees.
This was one of the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters—so well-hidden that even the Demon King Muzan would struggle to find it.
The Kasugai Crow soared over the estates before finally landing in a secluded courtyard.
The courtyard was paved with winding cobblestone paths, flanked by a shallow pond and a wooden pavilion.
Inside the pavilion sat a young man dressed in plain white robes.
His features were handsome, his demeanor gentle and refined, his eyes clear and bright like dazzling stars. At that moment, he sat quietly, engrossed in a book.
This was the 97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps—Kagaya Ubuyashiki, just fourteen years old.
At that time, the young Master had yet to be disfigured by the curse, still the most radiant presence in these woods.
"Oyakata-sama, a letter from Purgatory!"
The Kasugai Crow landed on the stone table, its loud voice shattering the tranquility.
Far from annoyed, Kagaya Ubuyashiki gently stroked the crow's little head. He scattered a handful of rice grains, his warm tone like winter sunshine, making the crow's head spin with delight—its exhaustion from the journey instantly vanished.
"Taro, thank you for your hard work."
He opened the letter and began reading. As he did, a deep sorrow flashed in the Master's eyes—he grieved for the Kocho sisters' suffering.
After a moment, Kagaya Ubuyashiki exhaled slowly and spoke to Taro:"Tell Senior Shinjuro that I agree. If the Butterfly sisters wish to, they may assist at the Demon Slayer Corps' Medical Infirmary!"
"They will benefit greatly from their expertise!"
"Understood, Oyakata-sama!" Taro nodded before spreading his wings and soaring into the sky.
After the Kasugai Crow departed, a mature and intellectual white-haired woman appeared beside Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Her pale violet eyes exuded an ethereal aura, as if she were a shrine maiden untouched by worldly affairs.
Amane Ubuyashiki, born into a family of shrine priests, had married the Master a year prior. Though it was an arranged union, the two treated each other with deep respect.
Amane, four years older than Kagaya, stood beside him more like an elder sister.
"Kagaya, it's chilly outside. Let's return indoors."
Amane tenderly draped a blanket over her husband, her voice filled with concern.
Kagaya clasped his wife's hand and smiled. "It's alright. The sunlight here is better—you should bask in it too."
"Then I'll stay with you."
Amane pulled over a wooden chair and sat quietly beside her husband.
"Amane, could you fetch me paper and a brush? I'd like to write."
"Of course."
Moments later, she returned with fine rice paper and an inkbrush, grinding ink beside him. The rich scent of ink filled the air—premium ink imported from Tendo's homeland.
For the Ubuyashiki family, such luxuries were trivial. Having sustained an organization of hundreds for over a century, their wealth was vast.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki dipped his brush and wrote five bold characters—a single name.
Curious, Amane leaned closer and read aloud.
"Tendo Kazama!"
"That's Senior Kuwajima's disciple!" The name left a deep impression on her. In his letters, the former Hashira had mentioned him repeatedly—and with unmistakable pride.
For someone praised by the strongest Hashira of the previous generation, he must be extraordinary indeed.
A faint, expectant smile graced Kagaya's lips as he said:
"Tendo has already slain three demons. And he's only twelve—he hasn't even undergone the Final Selection yet."
"I look forward to meeting him."