With everyone's careful care, Kanao Tsuyuri had almost recovered to the point of being no different from an ordinary person, though she still habitually relied on flipping her coin whenever faced with a decision.
One night, Hakuji, Gyutaro, Ume, and Koyuki came to see Yosuke.
Yosuke was a little surprised. "You're leaving? Why so suddenly?"
After such a long period of living together, the Butterfly sisters had built a deep bond with Hakuji and the others. Their sudden farewell left the sisters at a loss.
Shinobu, reluctant to part, asked softly, "Koyuki-nee, are you all leaving?"
Koyuki smiled gently. "We still have our own duties unfinished. This is not yet the time when we can simply enjoy peace."
Hakuji's gaze was firm. "In that battle with the Eternal Paradise Faith, we realized just how lacking we still are. We need more training, more experience to make up for those shortcomings. It's time for us to go."
The one most unwilling to leave Yosuke's side, Ume, tugged at his sleeve. "Even though I really don't want to be apart from Yōsuke-sama, I don't want to become a burden to everyone."
Yosuke fell silent for a moment, then smiled. "Since you've already made your decision, I won't try to stop you. Just remember—your safety comes first. If anything happens, you can always come to me."
Kanao, expression blank as always, tugged at the hem of Koyuki's kimono. She didn't understand why her body acted on its own, without her coin telling her what to do.
Koyuki stroked Kanao's head with affection. "Kanao, make sure to listen well to Yōsuke-sama, and to Kanae-nee and Shinobu-nee. When the chance comes, we'll come back to see you."
Under the reluctant gazes of the Butterfly sisters, Hakuji's group once again set out on their journey.
A few days later, while Yosuke rested indoors to avoid the sunlight, he sensed the approach of several presences—clearly not ordinary humans.
"The Demon Slayer Corps, is it?" Yosuke murmured to himself.
Not far away, nine figures steadily approached his residence.
They arrived before Yosuke's house. The man in a white kimono knocked at the door. "I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya. May I ask if Yōsuke-sama is within?"
"Come in."
At Yosuke's word, the door opened.
At the front stood a frail-looking man in a white kimono, faint scars marking his face. His voice was gentle, soothing—so much so it made one's head feel light and airy—as he spoke: "It has been a long time, Yosuke-sama."
"Ubuyashiki Kagaya, is it? What of your father?"
"My father has already passed. Now, I lead the Demon Slayer Corps. These here are the new generation of Hashira." Kagaya introduced them to Yosuke.
The Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyomei, was a towering monk-like giant, a long scar across his forehead, both eyes blind. Over his uniform he wore a brown kasaya with the words 'Namu Amida Butsu.'
The Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen, dressed in a sleeveless Corps uniform, jeweled headpiece with blue chains hanging from each side, a high ponytail at the back, exuding a dashing flair.
The Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri, wore a white haori, her uniform open at the chest with a short skirt. Her large light-green eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed, each beneath a small beauty mark.
The Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, had heterochromatic eyes—one green, one gold. His face was wrapped in bandages, a black-and-white striped haori draped over him, and a white snake coiled around his shoulders.
The Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi, had wild spiked white hair. Three scars slashed across his face. His uniform was open, exposing scar-covered muscles, and he wore a white haori with the kanji for 'kill.' He glared at Yosuke with vicious hostility.
The Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro, had hair of vivid yellow tipped in red, thick black brows, and eyes burning with intensity. His Corps uniform was deep brown, and his haori bore flame-like patterns at the edges.
The Mist Hashira, Tokito Muichiro, was a long-haired boy with a blank expression and vacant eyes—his demeanor reminiscent of Kanao.
The Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu, stood apart from the others, distant and aloof. Over his uniform he wore a haori with mismatched patterns on each side. His face bore a shadow of gloom, exuding arrogance.
Yosuke let out a quiet sigh. So it's come to this… It won't be long before the heir of Yoriichi's will—Kamado Tanjiro—joins the Demon Slayer Corps as well.
"What business do you have with me? I don't see how our paths intersect," Yosuke asked Kagaya calmly.
Kagaya bowed his head slightly. "First, we came to express gratitude to your disciples, Kanae and Shinobu. Thanks to them, many of our Demon Slayers who had been poisoned by demons were saved and pulled back from the brink of death."
Since the Butterfly sisters often went out to slay demons in the surrounding regions, it wasn't strange that they had encountered Demon Slayers.
"Since you said first, I assume there is more. And?" Yosuke pressed.
Kagaya continued, "The Corps has established a medical institution to treat the wounded children who fight demons. But when it comes to demonic poisons, we have no means to counteract them. Kanae and Shinobu are skilled in medicine, with profound knowledge of pharmacology. They can create antidotes where we cannot. That is why I wish to invite them to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
Yosuke's finger tapped idly against the table. "This matter—I cannot agree to on their behalf."
At once, tension rippled through the room. The battles with demons were growing ever fiercer, casualties mounting by the day. Many lay bedridden from poison, awaiting salvation. What they lacked most was a physician who not only excelled in medicine but understood the nature of demonic toxins.
When Kagaya learned that the Butterfly sisters had developed antidotes effective against demon venom, he knew they were exactly who the Corps needed.
But Yosuke continued, "This is for Kanae and Shinobu to decide. I will not interfere in their futures."
Kagaya exhaled softly. "That is as it should be. If they are unwilling, we will not force them."
At that time, the Butterfly sisters were away in town with Kanao, purchasing herbs for medicine, and had not yet returned.
Yosuke allowed Kagaya and the others to make themselves comfortable. As Kagaya took a seat, the other Hashira's followed suit.
Only Giyu remained standing, withdrawn in a corner.
Yosuke, intrigued, asked him, "Why don't you sit and wait like the others?"
Giyu answered coldly, face stern. "I am not like them."
At this, Sanemi's veins bulged on his forehead. "You bastard—are you looking down on us?!"
Giyu didn't respond. He merely cast him a blank, dead-eyed look before turning his head away.
Insulted, Sanemi immediately tried to rise, but Gyomei restrained him. From his blind eyes, tears welled as he whispered, "Do not disgrace yourself before the master."
Sanemi then remembered—they were in the dwelling of the Demon King himself. And Yosuke was watching them as though it were a play. Grinding his teeth, he reluctantly sat back down.
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