Following Abel's activation of Gale, everyone transformed into a gentle breeze and arrived at the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion.
"Wow! It's so big and luxurious."
"It's indeed very nice, full of ancient charm."
"Is this Kanae's sister's house?"
Standing outside the Butterfly Mansion, Miko, Hana, and the others looked at the vast house, and couldn't help but exclaim.
"It's still good, I just wonder how Shinobu and Kanao are doing? Have they grown up? Is Shinobu still as short-tempered? Will Kanao be able to make her own choices now?" Kanae said with a smile, her eyes full of longing.
Abel said, "Alright, knock on the door."
"Mm."
Kanae nodded, then prepared to knock on the door.
At this moment, the door suddenly opened, and a twin-tailed girl wearing a dark blue butterfly hair ornament opened the door.
"Who are you? Don't you know this is where the injured are recuperating..."
The girl didn't finish her sentence, clearly stunned as she looked at the person in front of her.
"Eh!? Insect Hashira... No, the Insect Hashira is still inside, you... you are the Flower Hashira!?
"Oh my. I didn't expect Aoi to still remember me." Kanae said with a smile on her face.
Aoi covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes full of excitement. "Flower Hashira isn't... isn't dead! That's great!"
She turned and ran towards the Butterfly Mansion, shouting loudly, "Flower Hashira is back! Insect Hashira, Kanao, Flower Hashira is back!"
Watching Aoi spreading the news and shouting, Kanae smiled. "This child..."
"Let's go in together, Abel, and everyone."
"Mm."
"Let's go."
Led by Kanae, everyone walked into the Butterfly Mansion together, and slowly began to tour it.
At this moment, inside a room in the Butterfly Mansion.
Shinobu and Kanao were kneeling in front of a memorial tablet. The name Kanae Kocho was clearly written on the tablet.
Shinobu lowered her head, controlling her tears from flowing out, and after a while, she raised her head and showed a sweet smile. "Sister, today I became a Hashira, and Kanao is diligently learning your Flower Breathing."
"Sister, do you know? I've been working hard, to avenge you and to kill those evil demons."
Shinobu's voice trembled slightly, her words filled with longing.
At this moment, the door suddenly opened.
Shinobu looked at the girl leaning on the door and panting, and asked helplessly, "Aoi, what happened?"
Aoi said, "Good... good news. The Flower Hashira is back."
Shinobu and Kanao quickly stood up, standing on either side of Aoi.
"Aoi! What did you say?" Shinobu looked at Kanzaki Aoi with some disbelief.
"Take me there immediately!"
"Understood."
Led by Aoi, Shinobu and Kanao quickly walked towards the outside.
Shinobu stopped her steps as she saw the figure walking towards her.
As the figure got closer and closer, when Shinobu saw the person she had longed for day and night, her eyes gradually turned red, and even the expressionless Kanao next to her was stunned for a moment.
"Sis... Sister?"
Shinobu couldn't help but call out as she looked at the person in front of her, her voice trembling slightly, as if afraid that everything in front of her was an illusion.
Kanae looked at Shinobu, who seemed a bit taller than before, her face beaming with a gentle smile.
Looking at the matured Shinobu and her Nichirin Blade with the Hashira mark, Kanae had a look of gratification. "Shinobu, long time no see, you've grown up, and you've even become a Hashira."
Upon hearing this, Shinobu could no longer control her emotions, and tears burst forth. She rushed over, tightly hugging Kanae and sobbing uncontrollably. Kanae said nothing, gently patting Shinobu's back.
Kanao stood rooted to the spot for a moment. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something but remained frozen.
Kanae noticed her and waved, beckoning her to come over. Kanao could no longer suppress her longing. She quickly came to Kanae's side, hugging her and burying her head in her arms.
Feeling the trembling of her two sisters' bodies, Kanae said softly, "Alright, alright, don't cry anymore. I am back."
Thus, the three sisters were reunited once again.
Everyone looked at this heartwarming scene, all revealing gratified smiles.
Shizuka, holding a handkerchief she got from who knows where, wiped her eyes. "Too... too touching."
Hana smiled. "What a heartwarming reunion scene."
Erica nodded. "That's right, deep sisterly affection."
Abel stood by, looking at this reunion scene, also smiling.
No one stepped forward to disturb the sisters' reunion, they just stood quietly by and watched.
After a while, Shinobu pulled away from Kanae's embrace.
She wiped her eyes and said with a smile, "Sister, welcome back."
—
At the same time, at the Ubuyashiki residence.
Kagaya and his wife and children were sitting at the entrance, looking at the moon in the sky.
At this moment, a crow flew over and stood in front of Kagaya. It was Kagaya's Kasugai Crow, Doro.
"It's Doro, why have you come?" Kagaya looked at his Kasugai Crow and then waved for it to come over.
Doro came to his side and spoke, "Good evening, Master, how is your body today?"
"Not bad. Doro, do you have any news?"
Facing Kagaya's question, Doro spoke, "Master, Flower Hashira Kocho Kanae has returned to the Butterfly Mansion."
"Really?! Cough, cough."
Kagaya was so excited upon hearing the news that Kanae was alive that he began to cough.
His wife, Amane, quickly patted his back, looking at her husband with concern.
Kagaya slowly recovered. "This is truly good news. Doro, thank you for bringing this good news."
Doro continued, "Along with the Flower Hashira, there are seven companions, led by a man named Abel."
"Abel... It seems Kanae has had quite a few stories." Kagaya said with a smile.
"I have a premonition that Kibutsuji Muzan is not far from death. Doro, tomorrow I'll trouble you to invite this gentleman and the Butterfly sisters."
"Understood."