"Aoi! Quickly bring the hemostatic cotton! And bandages! Never mind, just bring the whole big basin over here!"
Inside the Butterfly Mansion, a pale-faced Demon Slayer Corps member had already lost consciousness, lying on the operating table.
On his chest, a bone-deep narrow wound was truly horrifying, with fresh blood still gushing out continuously.
Beads of sweat appeared on Shinobu's forehead.
Having removed her haori and donned a white coat, she looked very efficient, but the serious expression on her small face and the blood stains on her white coat indicated that the current situation was far from calm.
When Aoi Kanzaki anxiously brought a large basin of medical supplies to Shinobu's side, Shinobu didn't even look as she directly reached out and took a large piece of hemostatic cotton, pressing it onto the wounded area of the patient.
After finally stopping the bleeding and suturing the wound, checking that the patient's vital signs were still intact, Shinobu finally let out a sigh of relief.
With Aoi's help, she took off her white coat and gloves, then sat down on a chair nearby to rest for a moment, her face full of exhaustion.
Seeing how exhausted Shinobu looked, Aoi couldn't help but worry.
She went to the side and poured a cup of steaming wisteria tea.
"Shinobu-san, you haven't slept for almost four days. Please rest for a while. Going on like this will wear out your body."
Shinobu took the teacup and showed a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Aoi. Don't worry, I'm fine. Right now, the Demon Slayer Corps members are all fighting hard on the front lines. We in the rear must ensure their safety."
Since the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps had expanded, although the efficiency of demon hunting had greatly increased, the demons' counterattacks had also become more fierce.
Almost all the Hashira's had been dispatched to various area, hunting demons day and night without rest.
Within the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the Butterfly Mansion had become the busiest place.
Many wounded were sent here every day, and because of this, the Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho and the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho were working in shifts, treating the wounded day and night without rest.
But recently, the number of demons in the Osaka area had increased dramatically.
Oyakata-sama had no choice but to send the Kanae to support, so now only Shinobu was holding up the Butterfly Mansion.
If it weren't for the help of Aoi Kanzaki and Kumeno, Shinobu might have become the first Hashira to be worn out.
That's right, the Butterfly Mansion was now so busy that even Kumeno who had lost an arm, was running around non-stop.
Half of the Kakushi were also basically helping the Butterfly Mansion running.
"I wonder how nee-san and Shinichi-kun are doing now." Shinobu took a few sips of the wisteria tea, her heart fill with worries about her loved ones' situation.
Aoi didn't say much more.
Although she was also very concerned about Shinobu, there were still many patients in the Butterfly Mansion who needed her care.
It was Shinobu who had chosen her from within the Demon Slayer Corps to join the Butterfly Mansion.
Otherwise, she, who feared combat, might have been dismissed from the Demon Slayer Corps long ago.
After a few final words of caring advice, Aoi hurriedly went back to her busy work.
Shinobu had just finished her hot tea and put down the cup when suddenly, she felt her hand being grabbed.
Turning her head in confusion, Shinobu saw a very cute little face and a pair of big, watery eyes.
"Oh, it's Kanao. What's wrong? Do you have something to tell me?" Shinobu raised her hand and gently ruffled Kanao Tsuyuri's hair.
This child, rescued by her and her sister, was still so shy and well, a bit slow even today.
As expected, Kanao didn't speak, but she grabbed Shinobu's hand and started pulling her with some force, trying to make Shinobu leave.
"Eh? Kanao, what are you doing?"
Kanao still didn't speak, her cheeks just turning slightly red as she continued to pull on Shinobu's arm, then pointed in a direction.
"The bedroom?" Shinobu looked in the direction Kanao was pointing, which was indeed towards the bedrooms where they usually rested at the back of the Butterfly Mansion.
I see!
A flash of understanding and surprise passed through Shinobu's eyes.
So Kanao was worried about her.
Realizing this, Shinobu's heart couldn't help but warm.
"It's alright, Kanao. Don't worry about me. I'm a Hashira you know. Hashira's don't fall so easily. But thank you for your concern, Kanao. If you can, could you pour a cup of hot tea for me?" Shinobu said softly, using a tone as if coaxing a child.
A slightly confused expression appeared on Kanao's little face, but in the end, she let go of Shinobu's hand and took the teacup Shinobu handed her to go pour some tea.
Shinobu watched Kanao's retreating figure, then sat back down in the chair.
Perhaps she was truly too tired, as she slightly tilted her head, resting it against the back of the chair for a moment.
But in just that moment, drowsiness came rushing in like a tide.
Suddenly, Shinobu felt her eyelids become extremely heavy.
Although she tried her best to resist, in the end, she dozily closed her eyes.
Soon after, Kanao returned with a steaming cup of flower tea, but seeing Shinobu fast asleep in the chair, she froze on the spot for a moment.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A somewhat hurried blue-green figure walked into the Butterfly Mansion.
The haori on his body was slightly tattered, but Shinichi's expression was still as energetic as ever.
The recent rampancy of demons had kept all the Hashira's busy.
Even Giyu Tomioka had just gotten out of his sickbed heading off to Hokkaido to support Uzui.
The high-intensity demon hunting missions were taxing even for Shinichi, who's a 'demon', let alone others.
However, although the demons were rampant, those that came out were just small fry.
Not even one of the Twelve Kizuki had appeared.
Their strength, of course, couldn't threaten a Hashira like him, so while it was tiring, the results of their slaying were definitely not bad.
For example, Shinichi had slain enough demons during this period to qualify for another Hashira promotion.
Returning to headquarters, Shinichi's first stop was the Butterfly Mansion.
He had heard that the Butterfly Mansion had been extremely busy lately and he wondered how Shinobu was doing.
Soon, Shinichi found Shinobu in the operating room.
However, when he saw Shinobu sleeping soundly leaning against a chair and Kanao standing beside her holding a cup of cold tea with a blank expression, Shinichi was taken aback for a moment.
People generally don't fall into a deep sleep while sitting or standing unless they're extremely exhausted.
Clearly, Shinobu leaning against the chair now was absolutely worn out.
As for Kanao on the side, Shinichi knew a lot about this child too.
Seeing her holding the teacup with a dazed look, Shinichi could pretty much guess what had happened.
Without saying a word, Shinichi removed the two Nichirin Blades from his waist and took off his dust-covered haori.
He stepped forward and gently embraced Shinobu in the chair.
Almost effortlessly, Shinichi picked up Shinobu.
She really was a light little thing.
Shinichi sighed, then said softly to Kanao, "Kanao, do you know where your sister usually rests? Can you lead me there?"
Kanao tilted her head, then suddenly her eyes widened.
She turned around, pointed in a direction and started walking.
Shinichi followed behind her.
Curled up in Shinichi's arms, Shinobu was truly exhausted.
Even being carried by him didn't wake her up.
Instead, her breathing became more even and she unconsciously snuggled deeper into Shinichi's embrace.
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