When Okane Kichiro opened his eyes again, he wasn't in the forest anymore.
Sunlight filtered through shoji screens. The faint aroma of herbs and medicine lingered in the air. Someone must have found him and brought him here.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a sharp voice pierced the quiet—"Hey! Wake up! It's already noon!!"
The chirping voice, as noisy as a flock of sparrows, made Okane Kichiro frown. He pulled the blanket over his head and mumbled groggily,
"Don't make a fuss. It's the weekend—what's wrong with sleeping in a bit?"
Kanazaki Aoi's mouth twitched. After staring at him for a few seconds, she grabbed the corner of his blanket and yanked it off in one sharp pull.
"If you're not injured, then stop wasting a bed!"
Okane Kichiro was instantly thrown onto the cold floor. The chill pierced through his thin clothes, shocking him awake.
He blinked blearily, staring at the furious girl before him, and then it hit him—last night hadn't been a dream.
Aoi tossed a clean set of clothes his way.
"Get dressed. Lady Butterfly wants to see you. Hurry up!"
"Oh…"
Now fully awake, Okane Kichiro's mind started working again. Under Aoi's relentless urging, he dressed quickly, only to be shoved out of the room with clear irritation.
"Don't rush me, I haven't even put my shoes on—"
"Move it! Don't keep Lady Butterfly waiting!"
In the courtyard, Shinobu Kōchō was already standing there, a faint, knowing smile on her lips.
Once Aoi dragged Okane Kichiro before her, she bowed politely.
"Lady Butterfly, I'll take my leave now."
"Mm," Shinobu replied with a nod, her expression calm as always.
"The Master wishes to see you," she said softly, turning to Okane Kichiro. "Come with me."
"Outsider," said Kagaya Ubuyashiki, his tone as gentle as a spring breeze, "I owe you an apology for what happened last night. It was our failure to secure Mount Fujikasane properly that led you into danger. I'm deeply sorry you encountered demons there. I'm simply grateful you weren't harmed."
The warmth in his voice disarmed Okane Kichiro completely.
He hurriedly waved his hands. "It's really not your fault. I'm fine—there's no need to apologize."
"Don't take Shinobu's words from last night to heart," Ubuyashiki continued kindly. "You are free to leave whenever you wish."
He pushed a cup of tea gently toward Okane Kichiro.
Ubuyashiki had already heard Shinobu's account.
A man with no training in Breathing Techniques, who somehow slew over a dozen demons singlehandedly.
If such a man could be recruited into the Demon Slayer Corps, he would no doubt one day become a Hashira himself.
But now, seeing him face to face, Ubuyashiki quietly dismissed that thought.
He could sense no hatred toward demons in Okane Kichiro's heart.
And from his speech and demeanor, it was clear—this man was not of this land.
Just as he had said: an outsider.
There was no need to pull him into the Corps' endless cycle of vengeance.
Shinobu sat quietly at the side, eyes lowered to the tea leaves swirling in her cup.
She, too, shared that same conflict.
Though she admired his potential, she also believed that ordinary people should live ordinary lives—away from the bloodshed and the night. That, she thought, was true happiness.
Okane Kichiro finally spoke.
"I may not hold a grudge against demons… but I do have a reason to kill them. If you won't take me in, then I'll hunt them on my own."
He set his cup down firmly, unwilling to lie before a man like Ubuyashiki.
"Since that's your resolve," Ubuyashiki said, smiling faintly, "then I welcome you, Kichiro, to the Demon Slayer Corps. You don't yet know any Breathing Techniques, so I'll assign you a teacher. How about Shinobu?"
He turned his gaze toward her, seeking her agreement.
"If it's the Master's wish," Shinobu replied, her expression unchanged, "then I have no objection. But my time is limited."
"No matter," Ubuyashiki said. "I have faith Kichiro will master the basics before the Final Selection."
There was something about his calm smile that made Okane Kichiro uneasy
the kind of smile that reminded him of those old matchmakers from his past life who loved setting people up.
The meeting soon ended. Given Ubuyashiki's frail condition, lingering too long would only tire him.
"All forms of Breathing trace their origins to the Breath of the Sun," Shinobu explained as she led him outside.
"Though no one alive today can use it, my own Insect Breathing derives from the Flower Breathing, which itself came from Water Breathing—the simplest to learn."
She smiled softly and picked up a practice sword from the rack, tossing it lightly to him.
"Given your natural talent, you won't need to start from the very basics. My time is precious, so…"
Okane Kichiro swallowed nervously. "So… what exactly do you mean by that?"
Her smile deepened—gentle, almost musical.
"So you'll feel Water Breathing with your body. Once you experience it firsthand, you might grasp it quickly. Brace yourself—you might get hurt. But don't worry," she added sweetly, "my medical skills are excellent. I won't let you die."
"How can someone say something so terrifying in such a soft voice…" Okane Kichiro muttered.
Not every sentence suited that kind of smile—especially now, when the way she looked at him was honestly kind of chilling.
"It seems you're ready," Shinobu said lightly, unsheathing her blade.
Then she stepped forward.
Her sword flashed.
[Mission: Shinobu Kōchō is teaching you "Water Breathing"…]
[Do you wish to learn?]
[Matching skill compatibility…]
[Compatibility: 92 — learning requirements met.]
[Learning in progress…]
[Player's "Clear World" ability accelerates skill experience gain…]
[Additional bonus from Shinobu's direct instruction…]
[Progress: 20%… 40%… 60%… 100%]
[Skill learned successfully!]
Skill: Water Breathing Lv.1 (Rare)
Quality: Medium
Effect 1: Potential Unleashed — Temporarily increases Strength, Agility, and Stamina by 1 point each.
Effect 2: Exclusive Sword Technique — Grants sword forms compatible with the Water Breathing style.
[Note: All skills obtained in derivative worlds must be verified by the Paradise System. Unverified skills will be sealed.]
Seriously?!
He just learned a new skill—and now there's a verification fee?
Even without checking, Okane Kichiro knew this so-called "certification" wouldn't come cheap.
He sighed internally.
[Damn you, Paradise.]
"To have mastered Water Breathing in just one day…" Shinobu murmured, lowering her blade.
"I can only hope your arrival brings change."
Her voice was soft, almost wistful, as she sheathed her sword. Watching Okane Kichiro, battered and bruised but still standing, she couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of admiration and amusement.
When she herself had first learned Water Breathing, it had taken her months.
The difference was… humbling.
But seeing the exhaustion—and the pile of bruises—on him now, her mood lightened.
Somehow, the sight was oddly satisfying.