"Kanao, how could you just leave without saying goodbye? Don't you know how worried we'd be?"
In the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu stood with her hands on her hips, her brow furrowed and her expression was serious.
It had been a long time since Shinichi had seen Shinobu with such a serious expression.
Or rather, since he had rejoined the Demon Slayer Corps, apart from their reunion moment, Shinobu's expression had mostly been that gentle smile.
However, this also proved from another angle that Shinobu truly cared about Kanao.
Kanao lowered her head, pursing her lips without saying anything, but there was no hint of regret in her eyes.
Shinichi, who was sitting nearby watching the scene, felt he should say something.
After clearing his throat lightly, he opened his mouth, "Well, I think, actually Kanao..."
Before Shinichi could continue, Shinobu turned her head, immediately directing her anger towards him.
Her violet eyes narrowed and she pointed a finger that nearly poked Shinichi's chest.
"And you! I had Eizo notify you to stop Kanao, but you idiot actually let her participate in the Final Selection! It's so dangerous! Kanao hasn't even began her breathing training. What if something dangerous happened? You watched Kanao grow up too, how could you bear to do this? Shinichi, you fool!"
The sudden accusation left Shinichi stunned.
He wanted to explain, but under Shinobu's relentless advance, he had no choice but to step back until he stumbled back into his chair.
"No, it's not... well, Kanao performed quite well since she can use... Flower Breathing..."
"Shut up!"
Shinichi immediately closed his mouth, his eyes full of helplessness.
He didn't dare say it was Kanao's own choice, as that would only make Shinobu angrier.
Just as Shinichi and Kanao were feeling tormented, a gentle exclamation came from outside the door.
"My, what's wrong with Shinobu? Why is she so angry?"
Kanae Kocho and Sanemi Shinazugawa walked into the Butterfly Mansion together.
After learning the details of the situation, Kanae looked at Kanao in surprise.
However, she didn't get angry like Shinobu, but instead gently comforted Kanao and asked why she did it.
Encouraged by Kanae, Kanao finally mustered the courage to raise her head and timidly said to Shinobu.
"I... I want to help Master and Sister..."
Her voice was very small, but everyone heard it clearly.
Although Shinobu was still angry, her brow relaxed a bit.
Kanae's eyes were full of pleasant surprise, while Sanemi off to the side curled his lip in disdain.
"Eh, even if Kanao wants to help, she doesn't necessarily have to participate in the Final Selection. She could help us just the same in the Butterfly Mansion," Shinobu sighed and said helplessly.
But Kanao blinked her innocent big eyes and said softly, "Sister Aoi said I'm clumsy and doesn't want my help."
Aoi Kanzaki who's eavesdropping outside the door suddenly panicked.
'What's going on!? How did I get dragged into this? When did I ever say such a thing? This is unfair!'
Soon, with Kanae's mediation, Shinobu finally calmed down.
However, upon learning that Kanao had learned Flower Breathing just by observing Kanae's training, she was greatly shocked.
Was this child's talent really so high?
Kanae was also very pleased and offered to further teach Kanao the essence of Flower Breathing.
Sanemi had been watching the group boredly because he was unable to join the conversation.
He sat down next to Shinichi and clearly showed his dissatisfaction towards him.
"Moriki, this problem was caused by your lack of decisiveness. I don't believe you couldn't stop a little girl. Otherwise, you doesnt deserve to be a Hashira, aren't you?"
'If it weren't for the fact that you're close to Kanae, I'd really like to let you taste the power of my Iron Birch Slash.'
Shinichi's mouth twitched, but he didn't say anything.
"Kanao has good talent. Since she has this intention, what's wrong with letting her make her own choice?"
Sanemi snorted, "There's no need for this at all. What if something happens to her? Won't Kanae and Shinobu be heartbroken ? Besides, how much can that child help them now? It's enough if she doesn't cause trouble. What help do two Hashira's need? It's better for her to behave and not worry her sister."
Shinichi frowned.
He didn't know why, but he felt like Sanemi seemed to have been stimulated by something, as if...
Looking at Sanemi's face Shinichi suddenly remember a face that suddenly flashed in his mind and unconsciously asked.
"Hey, Sanemi, do you have any siblings?"
Whoosh!
Shinichi's words seemed to touch Sanemi's heart and a chill instantly enveloped Shinichi, with a cool feeling on his neck.
"What did you say?"
Shinichi looked at Sanemi, who seemed somewhat agitated, feeling a bit strange, but still honestly recounted what he had seen.
"In this Final Selection, there was a kid who looked quite like you, with scars on his face and a pretty violent temper. And..."
Shinichi didn't continue, because that boy was somewhat special.
Not only was his temper violent, but when he couldn't get a Nichirin Blade and angrily rushed up to grab Kiriya Ubuyashiki's hair, Shinichi had stopped him just in time.
At that moment, Shinichi sensed something special about this boy.
There was a kind of familiar aura on him that Shinichi felt was familar - the aura of a demon.
However, being able to walk openly under the sun meant that this boy was definitely not a demon, but that aura was unmistakable, definitely the aura of a demon.
Thinking of this, Shinichi suddenly remembered some stories the old man had told him about various talented swordsmen who had appeared in the Demon Slayer Corps before.
Among them were some special swordsmen who might have ordinary swordsmanship but possessed a unique talent.
They could eat the flesh and blood of demons to temporarily gain some of the demon's abilities and physique, using the demon's power to hunt demons.
It sounded similar to Shinichi, but they were still human.
They were also called - demon eaters.
Shinichi was still pondering when Sanemi, sitting beside him, suddenly stood up, his fists clenched, veins bulging on his face as he was looks extremely angry.
Sanemi's condition also attracted the attention of others.
Kanae looked at the agitated Sanemi in surprise and asked with concern.
"Sanemi-kun, what's wrong?"
Sanemi didn't answer, but snorted coldly and muttered, "That fool! What does he think he's doing!?"
With that, he turned and hurriedly walked out of the Butterfly Mansion.
Sanemi's behavior made Kanae worried.
After briefly explaining to Shinobu and Shinichi, she hurriedly went out to follow Sanemi.
Shinobu was stunned for a moment, then comforted Kanao and told her to rest for a while.
Soon, only she and Shinichi were left in the room.
Her previously serious expression softened and a gentle, warm and somewhat embarrassed smile reappeared on her face.
Shinobu looked at Shinichi awkwardly, "Shinichi-kun, actually just now, I didn't mean to scold you. I was just a bit excited. I'm sorry..."
Shinichi chuckled and said in a strange tone.
"Shut up~~"
It sounded very similar to a certain person's tone just now.
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