"Me?" Kanao blushed, pointing to herself. "Am I allowed to?"
Su Chen chuckled. "Why not? It's only because Shinobu overslept! Besides, if no one from the Butterfly Mansion comes to confirm my identity, how will anyone know I belong there?"
He leaned closer to Kanao, looking into her big eyes with interest. "Or... are you saying you don't want me to be from the Butterfly Mansion, Kanao? If you don't go, I might not come back, you know."
"I'll go!" Kanao nodded quickly.
She was so afraid he might change his mind that she ran to his side in just her white socks, forgetting her shoes.
Seeing this, Su Chen sighed with a wry smile. "Oh, Kanao. You're a young lady now; you can't run around like that."
He went back inside and returned with a pair of shoes, carefully putting them on her feet.
"Mister Su Chen, where are you going?"
"Are you leaving now, Mister Su Chen?"
"Please be careful on your way!"
"Sister Kanao, you have to protect Mister Su Chen!"
When Su Chen had gone inside to get the shoes, he had run into Kanzaki Aoi, Xiao Qing, Xiao Cheng, and Xiao Caihui. The girls' eyes were all filled with worry.
The Butterfly Mansion had been too busy recently, so they couldn't go to the competition site to cheer for him. When they saw Kanao standing beside Su Chen, they understood he planned to take her with him.
After exchanging a few words with the girls, Su Chen smiled and nodded. "Alright! Everyone, stay home and work hard!"
"Yes, Lord Su Chen!" the girls replied in unison, patting their chests.
Without anyone really noticing it, Su Chen's status in the Butterfly Mansion had risen sharply, second only to Kochou Shinobu herself. Whatever he said, the girls now listened attentively.
"Let's go!"
Su Chen looked at the morning sun, took Kanao's small hand, and excitedly left the Butterfly Mansion.
The young man pointed his thumb toward the path ahead. "Destination: Ubuyashiki Residence!"
In the next moment, their figures were running under the morning sun. Kanao smiled happily, following just behind Su Chen with a sweet expression. The sun was bright, and Su Chen held her hand tightly. The Nichirin Sword at his waist shone in the light.
Shinazugawa, I'm coming.
The scorching sun was high overhead. Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon.
In front of the Ubuyashiki Residence, a large group of Kakushi members rushed about busily. They all wore their uniform black outfits, and it didn't take long for sweat to soak through their clothes.
There was only one reason for all this activity: they were setting up a simple stage for the match between Su Chen and Shinazugawa.
As they worked, everyone was excited. They might get to witness the birth of a new Hashira right here. This wasn't just any promotion; this new candidate was personally named by the Master , skipping the ranks entirely.
This was incredibly rare in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps, and everyone was very curious about Su Chen. If he was personally named and promoted by the Master, this person named Su Chen must have amazing talent or capability, right?
The Kakushi members' thoughts were surprisingly consistent. They were all looking forward to today's match.
Another half an hour passed. Under the scorching sun, the Kakushi only moved faster.
While they were finishing up, other Demon Slayer Corps members began to arrive. Today was a rare day off, and many slayers had not received missions. Watching the match and learning from it became the first choice for these members.
Even many of the Hashira came to watch. After all, this match concerned whether the tenth Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps would emerge, which was a significant event.
Of course, the main reason for their interest was Su Chen's Mark. At the last Hashira meeting, the Master had repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Mark, so the Hashira were very curious.
How strong would Su Chen be after half a month of training with his Mark? And how many moves could he possibly withstand against Shinazugawa?
So, with the exception of the Flame Hashira , who was on a mission, and the Insect Hashira, who was sleeping in, almost all the other Hashira had come.
"Su Chen is here!" someone shouted.
Everyone turned their heads toward the entrance at the same time.
A young man walked in calmly. Beside him, a graceful young lady followed. As the two stepped through the gate, everyone's gaze fell on the young man.
He had a Nichirin Sword with a rose-red sheath at his waist, and his eyes were clear. On his face, you could still see a trace of the innocence unique to a fourteen-year-old. Dressed in white, his temperament was extraordinary.
Su Chen looked incredibly handsome.
"Lord Su Chen seems to have gotten even more handsome!"
"Yes, he looks so tall and elegant. Lord Su Chen didn't look this tall yesterday! Did he grow taller?!"
"Lord Su Chen, good luck!"
"Good luck~!"
Because of Su Chen's glorious deeds at the Butterfly Mansion the day before, many Demon Slayer Corps members recognized him at first glance. Suddenly, many gazes in the venue, including those from many beautiful female members, were focused on him.
Kanao, following behind Su Chen, felt a little dizzy. She wasn't used to Su Chen being so popular.
So many people were looking at her!
Although Kanao could communicate normally with people now, that was mostly just with Su Chen. With so many eyes scanning her, she felt a surge of panic.
Just as the young girl was getting flustered, a warm and strong hand suddenly took hers.
Kanao looked up abruptly.
Su Chen gently squeezed her hand and said with a gentle expression, "It's okay, Kanao. Just be a little braver."
The young girl suddenly blushed. Looking down, Kanao made a sound smaller than a mosquito. "Mm…"
The two continued forward.
Soon, Su Chen ran into his first acquaintance: a young man wearing a fluffy, pig-headed mask. Hashibira Inosuke!
Beside him was a yellow-haired young man and another young man with a scar on his forehead, who was carrying a large wooden box on his back.
Su Chen recognized them at a glance. It was the users of Thunder Breathing and Sun Breathing!
Su Chen naturally knew their names: Agatsuma Zenitsu and Kamado Tanjiro. That meant the large wooden box on Tanjiro's back must contain his younger sister, Nezuko.
At that moment, Inosuke also noticed Su Chen.
He immediately cried out excitedly, "Hegagaga gaga gaga! Su Geng, long time no see!"
Su Chen nodded. "Yes, we just saw each other yesterday."
Inosuke froze, seemingly not knowing how to react to that.
Taking advantage of the pause, Tanjiro spoke up. "Inosuke, is this Mister Su Chen? He really is a talented person. He's the same age as my sister Nezuko, but he's already so amazing."
"Hello, Zenitsu, and hello, Tanjiro," Su Chen greeted them warmly.
"Hello, Mister Su Chen!" Tanjiro replied.
"Eh?!" Zenitsu yelped, looking puzzled. "Mister Su Chen knows who we are?!"