Crack! It was the sound of a man's pride shattering. Shinazugawa felt as if a bright blade had just awkwardly sliced open the scar on his face. This unbearable humiliation made him feel worse than being slapped by a weak Lower Moon demon. Especially Kocho Shinobu's last few words. That 'Brother' was said with such a sweet, tingling tone... It seemed caring, but in reality, it was full of murderous intent! Hidden behind her smile was a deadly move, a dagger revealed at the end of the scroll! At this moment, the woman's 'malice' once again refreshed Shinazugawa's understanding.
Just as he was hesitating whether to flee... Suddenly, behind him, the sound of water droplets hitting the ground echoed. Following that, Su Chen's surprised tone spoke: "Oh? Shinazugawa, why are you here?"
Upon hearing this, a vein throbbed on Shinazugawa's forehead. "I'm leaving first," Shinazugawa said, walking out without looking back. Kocho Shinobu quickly followed, her voice bright and loud. "Mr. Shinazugawa, aren't you going to ask Mr. Su Chen your question? Mr. Shinazugawa, didn't you say you've been troubled for a long time? Mr. Shinazugawa, how about I let Mr. Su Chen see you off."
Damn! Shinazugawa's hands were almost purple from clenching them. He was such an idiot for provoking Kocho. And what made Shinazugawa feel even more suffocated was this: All the injured Demon Slayer Corps members in the courtyard heard Kocho Shinobu's words and instinctively looked over. Shinazugawa. His social life was over.
"Damn it!" Shinazugawa pulled out his unsheathed blade and roared, "Close your eyes, all of you!" This exasperated tone, combined with that face that could make children cry, had a very obvious effect. The Demon Slayer Corps members first froze, then were intimidated by the Wind Hashira's aura. They all turned their heads away, each as silent as a cicada in winter.
At this moment, Su Chen walked over. "Brother Shinazugawa, what do you want to ask me?" These words were like dancing on Shinazugawa's grave. His blood vessels were almost bursting from anger.
Swish! A flash of a blade. Shinazugawa drew his Nichirin Sword. He then said, "My blade wants to ask you if your blood is as sweet as your mouth!" Then, Shinazugawa took a step back. He actually started to prepare a sword technique. He said seriously, "You've made great progress recently, haven't you? Then let me test your strength before the big competition!" "Wind—"
"Insect Breathing: Butterfly Dance - Frolic!" Kocho Shinobu's sword technique was unleashed first. As Su Chen retreated, Kocho Shinobu instantly flashed between the two. And she preemptively interrupted Shinazugawa's sword technique! She slowly stood up, still with a smile on her face. But her tone already held a hint of displeasure. "Mr. Shinazugawa, are you trying to destroy my Butterfly Mansion?"
Shinazugawa was startled. He then hurriedly explained, "No, I just wanted to spar with Su Chen."
"Spar?" Kocho Shinobu's smiling eyes narrowed slightly, emitting a dangerous light. "Mr. Shinazugawa, don't you know how wide the attack range of one of your sword techniques is? I don't think my Butterfly Mansion can allow you to use a Nichirin Sword to spar." She paused, her smile fading. "And Mr. Shinazugawa, I must remind you... this Butterfly Mansion was built by my elder sister, Kanae Kocho."
Shinazugawa fell silent. Especially when he heard the name 'Kanae Kocho'. His long-dormant heart inexplicably stirred. "I'm sorry." A hint of complexity appeared in Shinazugawa's eyes. He carefully sheathed the Nichirin Sword in his hand.
Seeing this, Kocho Shinobu cautiously let out a sigh of relief. It seemed this problem was resolved. She turned around, a slight, gentle smile on her face. She apologized to the Demon Slayer Corps members Shinazugawa had just intimidated: "I'm sorry, everyone. Our Wind Hashira felt the weather was too hot just now, so he wanted to blow some cool air for everyone!" "I apologize for any inconvenience caused to everyone!" Kocho Shinobu's tone was extremely gentle. Her smile was deeply etched into the faces of every teammate. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew. Her colorful haori billowed with the wind, spreading out like the wings of a butterfly. Gentleness, smiles, encouragement—these qualities were fully embodied in Kocho Shinobu. She looked like a beautiful angel.
Everyone gazed in a daze, their faces flushing as they said: "Lady Shinobu, you're too kind. We weren't angry at all; you don't need to apologize to us ordinary members." "Lady Shinobu is so cute! But we're fine now, thank you for your concern, Lady Shinobu!" "Not angry, not angry! Lady Shinobu, you should also stay happy!" The atmosphere instantly became harmonious.
Kanzaki Aoi, who was tidying the beds, couldn't help but sigh. "As expected of Lady Shinobu; she's always so gentle." I also have to work hard and protect the Butterfly Mansion! Kanzaki Aoi encouraged herself. But the next moment, a heavy panting sound came from beside her. A fanged beast's face suddenly appeared beside Kanzaki Aoi. Before she could even react... This 'wild boar' rushed out as if flying. Its direction pointed straight at Su Chen! A wild laugh rang out: "Heh-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga! I didn't expect you, kid, to be hiding here! We hadn't finished fighting just now!"
Upon hearing this, Kanzaki Aoi was stunned. Inosuke?! When did he come back? Seeing Inosuke's target, Kanzaki Aoi couldn't help but exclaim, "Inosuke, no! That's Mr. Su Chen!" But Inosuke didn't listen to Kanzaki Aoi's words. Instead, his speed increased even further.
Upon hearing the commotion, Su Chen turned his head toward the sound. And then he saw 'a pig' rapidly approaching him. "You can't fight with blades, Mr. Su Chen," Kocho Shinobu suddenly said with a smile. She had also noticed Inosuke charging over. But she didn't feel worried at all. Inosuke's strength was far from that of the Wind Hashira; she didn't need to guard against him as she did Sanemi. He could spar with Su Chen in the Butterfly Mansion. Su Chen's strength was sufficient.
Su Chen glanced at Kocho Shinobu. He couldn't help but complain internally. When did I agree to fight? If she wanted me to train her pet, she should have just said so!And no blades allowed? You can't even provide me with a blade, so where would I get one? But Su Chen knew how cunning Kocho Shinobu was. So he chose to keep his mouth shut. Su Chen glanced at Inosuke again. He remembered that Inosuke's hand-to-hand combat was quite good. Perhaps he could learn a few strange moves from him.
And so... Su Chen pretentiously put down the decorative wooden sword in his hand. Then, he lightly retreated. A black shadow instantly pounced, precisely rushing to the spot Su Chen had just left. Su Chen had dodged Inosuke's wild charge. Bang! The sound of plowing the ground came. Inosuke slammed on the brakes on the ground. Seeing that Su Chen didn't have a blade, he simply put down the blades in his hands as well. The pig nose on his face immediately let out a heavy pant. "Soga! So your name is Su Geng! I got it, big boss!" "Since you're not using a blade, let's fight bare-handed!"