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The Butterfly Mansion.
At the entrance to the ward, the Wind Pillar, Sanemi, wrapped in bandages from head to toe with a butterfly ribbon atop his head, was glaring fiercely at Kanae Kocho.
"Kocho, where's my Nichirin Blade?"
"No can do, Mr. Shinazugawa," Kanae said with a smile. "You must wait until you're fully recovered before leaving."
"I've been lying here for days—my injuries are almost healed!" Sanemi roared, clearly frustrated.
"No, Mr. Shinazugawa," Kanae replied, unfazed, her smile unwavering. "Please return to your bed obediently."
"Tch, I told you I'm fine!" Sanemi growled, roughly grabbing at his hair and glaring even harder at Kanae.
"Trust my judgment as a doctor, Mr. Shinazugawa," Kanae said, still smiling, meeting his gaze without backing down.
"Move!" Sanemi tried to push past her toward the ward's exit.
"No way," Kanae said, blocking his path with her arm.
"Miss Kocho, Mr. Shinazugawa, what's going on here?" a gentle voice interrupted.
Both froze and turned to see Kaito slowly approaching from around the corridor's corner.
Kanae's eyes lit up as she saw him. "Mr. Uchiha, please help me convince him. Mr. Shinazugawa is such a disobedient patient—his body hasn't fully recovered, yet he insists on leaving."
"Mr. Uchiha," Sanemi said, his fierce expression softening as he greeted him.
Kaito nodded, giving Sanemi a quick once-over. His gaze lingered on the butterfly ribbon for a few seconds, the corner of his mouth twitching before he spoke calmly. "Mr. Shinazugawa, while I used spiritual energy to heal your internal injuries, your external wounds and blood loss mean you still need proper rest."
"No need. I can recover just fine at my post in my assigned region," Sanemi replied.
"Worried about your duties? Truly befitting a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps," Kaito said with a smile. "But there's no rush. Due to recent changes, Muzan has begun restricting demon activities. Lord Ubuyashiki has decided to hold a meeting in a few days to discuss our next steps. You can stay here until then."
"Is that so? If it's Lord Ubuyashiki's orders, I understand," Sanemi said, immediately turning back to the ward and lying down on his bed.
"It seems you're the one who knows how to handle him, Mr. Uchiha," Kanae said happily.
"I merely borrowed the authority of your lord," Kaito replied modestly.
Just then, a masked member of the Kakushi, dressed in black, ran up to him.
"Mr. Uchiha," the Kakushi member said, bowing deeply. "Per your instructions, the Tokito family has been settled. Mr. Tokito will work at a trading company owned by the Ubuyashiki family."
"Good to hear," Kaito said with a gentle smile. "Thank you for informing me."
"N-No, no!" The Kakushi member waved his hands frantically, bowing again. "We're the ones who should thank you, Mr. Uchiha, for saving all our lives."
Kaito shook his head, disagreeing. "No need for thanks. It was my duty. The demons targeted the Tokito family because of my presence, and you helped them relocate at my request. If anything, I'm the one who should thank you for your hard work and dedication. You're not swordsmen, yet you bravely stand in front of civilians. Truly worthy of the Demon Slayer Corps."
With that, he gently patted the Kakushi member's shoulder.
"Mr. Uchiha…" The young man's eyes sparkled with admiration, tears of emotion welling up.
As Kaito watched the excited Kakushi member leave, he turned to find Kanae looking at him with equally sparkling eyes.
"Though the Kakushi aren't swordsmen fighting demons on the front lines, everyone contributes to the cause in their own way. It's wonderful that you recognize their efforts, Mr. Uchiha. You're such a kind person," she praised.
"You're too kind, Miss Kocho," Kaito said with a modest smile.
He was just being polite, not thinking too deeply about it.
Well, perhaps he was a bit touched seeing those powerless Kakushi members bravely shielding the Tokito family.
From everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps, he saw something he hadn't noticed in his original world.
Not duty or protection—those existed in his world too.
But kindness—a gentleness absent in a world dominated by ninjas.
…
Over the next few days, the other Pillars gradually arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.
The first to show up was the passionate Flame Pillar, Kyōjurō Rengoku.
"Hahaha! Greetings, Mr. Uchiha! I've heard all about it—you've slain several Upper Rank demons in just a few days!" Kyōjurō laughed heartily, striding up to Kaito and bowing deeply without hesitation.
"My deepest thanks!"
"You're too kind, Mr. Rengoku," Kaito said with a polite smile.
"Excellent!" Kyōjurō straightened up, looking directly into Kaito's eyes with unwavering sincerity. "I've heard you can see the souls of the departed. Tell me, is there someone who's passed on watching me from behind?"
His booming voice immediately drew the attention of the Butterfly Mansion's medical staff and recovering Demon Slayer swordsmen.
Kaito said helplessly, "Mr. Rengoku, do you realize that if a departed soul is watching you and I let you see them, you'd have to bid them farewell?"
"There really is someone?" Kyōjurō blinked. "What do you mean by farewell?"
Kaito explained, "The souls of the departed linger in this world due to their obsessions but cannot directly interact with the living. If they do, the Gate of the Underworld opens to guide them away."
Kyōjurō declared loudly, "The Underworld? I believe my mother should be in heaven!"
"Where the departed ultimately go—heaven or hell—is decided by Lord Enma after they pass through the Underworld, based on their deeds in life," Kaito said.
"I see! So, is my mother watching me now?" Kyojuro's voice remained bold.
At that moment, Sanemi, who had been approaching, paused at the corridor's corner, quietly observing.
On the other side, the Water Pillar, Giyu Tomioka, stood silently outside the Butterfly Mansion's entrance.
Kaito shook his head. "I did see Lady Rengoku before, but she isn't by your side this time."
*****
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