Aside from the attack by Hantengu and Gyokko, Nightingale and her group encountered two more demons on their way to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
But those two clearly hadn't been sent by Kibutsuji Muzan. They must have just happened to cross paths. Both were so weak—one had only just awakened a Blood Demon Art, the other hadn't even managed that.
Even Muzan couldn't be stupid enough to send such small fry, not when Upper Five and Upper Two had already fallen to me…
Nightingale found Muzan's thinking impossible to predict. Just look at the original story—he might be the progenitor of all demons, but half the time his plans made no sense at all.
Still, with my current track record—two Upper Moons dead, one crippled—Muzan's sure to be on high alert. Just hope he doesn't pull another vanishing act and disappear for another few centuries…
But what Nightingale couldn't possibly imagine was that, after learning she had no connection to Sun Breathing, Muzan lost all interest in her. He didn't even consider avenging Gyokko or Dōma, simply chalking their deaths up to their own uselessness. He simply ordered his demons to keep searching for the Blue Spider Lily, carrying on as always.
…
"Flower Hashira-sama, Kochou Shinobu-san, Nightingale-san—please come this way."
Waiting for them outside the Corps grounds was a squad of Kakushi, the noncombatant support unit. Their jobs ranged from first aid and cleanup to logistical support.
Their uniforms covered almost everything except their eyes and hands; with a bunch of Kakushi standing together, you'd be hard pressed to tell any of them apart.
One Kakushi stood ramrod straight, eyes betraying his nerves.
"We're members of the Kakushi. Leave anything outside of combat to us, so…"
His voice quavered as he faced Nightingale's intimidating gaze. "Is there… anything you need, Nightingale-san?"
All he got in reply was a pressure that seemed to grow heavier with every second.
"Hey, Nightingale, you're scaring him…"
Finally, Kochou Kanae stepped in to gently pull Nightingale away, liberating the poor Kakushi from his silent torment.
"Sorry, sorry. Nightingale didn't mean any harm. She just… well… wanted to check if you were feeling unwell."
Kanae flashed an apologetic smile at the Kakushi, then turned to Nightingale with a frown. "Why were you staring at him like that? Is there something you noticed?"
After all, Nightingale only got that intense look when she was in 'medical mode.'
But Nightingale shook her head. "No. Their uniforms cover them so thoroughly I can't judge their health by appearance. I was considering whether I should remove those obstructive clothes for a more thorough exam…"
"No! Nightingale, you can't just strip people's clothes off whenever you feel like it! Even if you keep saying 'I see no men or women, only patients'!"
After that small episode, the group soon met a familiar face.
"Namu Amida Butsu…"
Standing tall and solid, Himejima Gyomei looked like a mountain looming over the plain.
"Gyomei-san!"
Kanae's face lit up with joy at the sight. "Did you wait here just for us? Thank you so much."
"It's good to see you back, Kanae." The corners of Gyomei's mouth lifted in a rare smile. His steady voice was full of warmth. "Even if you can't fight anymore, don't be discouraged. Surviving is the greatest fortune anyone can have."
"Yes, I believe that too," Kanae answered, nodding with a gentle smile.
"Namu Amida Butsu… It seems I was worrying for nothing."
He said this because he sensed not a hint of reluctance in her tone—something he was relieved to find.
"You might not be a Hashira anymore, but you'll still need to attend today's Hashira meeting."
"Hashira meeting? Isn't that only held every six months?"
Kanae blinked in confusion, but quickly figured it out. "Is it because of Nightingale?"
"Yes. Lord Oyakata-sama insisted on meeting Nightingale-san, and none of the other Hashira could change his mind."
"Opposition… Must be Iguro-san and Sanemi-san, right? I can't exactly blame them, but Nightingale really isn't that sort of person."
"I trust Nightingale-san as well. Don't worry. At the meeting, I'll stand with you and speak on her behalf."
Just those few words from Gyomei put Kanae at ease. That's the security you feel with the Corps' strongest on your side.
Thank goodness Gyomei-san is here. Otherwise, I'd have no idea what to do…
Gyomei shook his head gently, as if to say there was no need for such gratitude.
"There are still a few on their way. Once all the Hashira have arrived, Oyakata-sama will summon you to the meeting."
Then Gyomei brought up another matter. "I heard you encountered Upper Moons on your journey?"
"We did. Upper Five and Upper Four."
Kanae's spirit brightened as she spoke. "Upper Five was taken care of by Nightingale, and Upper Four, even though he escaped, won't recover for a long time."
Gyomei had already heard the report, but hearing it from Kanae herself, he shed two heartfelt tears.
"Ah… Well done. It's been centuries since anyone has managed to kill an Upper Moon, and now nearly half have fallen in such a short time… How I wish we could wipe out all the Upper Moons, and Muzan too, in our generation…"
Seeing their conversation wrap up, Nightingale approached.
"Gyomei-san, have you been taking your medicine regularly? How does your body feel? Any side effects?"
"Namu Amida Butsu… Thank you for your concern, Nightingale-san. The medicine you gave me works wonders. My body feels lighter than I ever imagined…"
With just a few words, Nightingale quickly assessed Gyomei's health—fortunately, there were no signs of rejection or complications.
Upon returning to the Corps, Kanae rushed straight to the Butterfly Estate to see the children she'd left behind.
At the estate, Nightingale met Shinobu's future sister-in-law, Kanzaki Aoi, as well as the "Three Little Butterflies" of the manor: Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho.
And then…
"Is this the one you mentioned before?"
"Yes."
Kanae guided Tsuyuri Kanao forward, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Nightingale, your medical skill is unrivaled. I wanted you to take a look… Is there anything you can do for Kanao's condition?"
Pushed forward, Kanao offered no resistance, nor did she speak. Her gentle smile didn't change—a blank, doll-like expression, with not a trace of will or spirit in her eyes.
"A scarred mind… That, too, is an illness. But… you expect too much of me, Kanae."
Nightingale shook her head, indicating there was little she could do.
Kanao's state was the result of deep trauma; she had sealed her own heart away. That kind of wound wasn't something medicine or surgery could cure.
"I see… Sorry." Kanae's smile turned a bit bitter. Nightingale's presence had become such a comfort that she'd started to hope her friend could cure even this… But she'd been too optimistic.
Maybe it was her spiritual foundation as a Servant, but Nightingale saw saving lives as her duty. Knowing Kanao was suffering from an illness yet unable to treat it ate at her.
How did Tanjiro wake Kanao up, little by little, back then…?
Just then, some commotion from outside the estate drew their attention.
Exchanging a quick glance, the two women decided to go check it out.
"Hey, Flower Hashira! You're back, aren't you? What's the meaning of this?!"
They hadn't even left the yard when a booming voice echoed through the air.
"Wind Hashira, please—this puts us in a tough spot…"
A Kakushi, sweating bullets, tried to reason with a white-haired, scarred man who looked as fierce as a wild beast. The man's glare was enough to make the Kakushi stumble and nearly fall.
"You idiot… Are you looking to die?"
"Ee-yaaa!"
Kanae stepped outside just in time to see the Kakushi sitting on the ground in fright, with Sanemi Shinazugawa looming over him. Her expression immediately darkened.
"You, woman—finally decided to come out?"
Sanemi's bloodshot eyes were fixed on Kanae, his face twisted in a scowl.
"What are you doing here, Sanemi?"
"That's my line! What the hell's wrong with your head? Did fighting demons shake it loose?"
His voice was laced with open hostility. "Bringing someone who isn't in the Corps all the way to headquarters, even planning to bring her before Oyakata-sama—you've lost your mind!"
He stood there radiating the savage aura of a lone wolf. Even if she was a comrade in the fight against demons, even if she was now just a convalescent, Sanemi showed no mercy. His hand was already on his Nichirin Blade.
And yet, despite her body's limits, despite facing down a storm of killing intent, Kanae's gaze didn't waver as she met Sanemi's eyes head-on.
"Nightingale saved my life. She isn't that kind of person!"
The storm of killing intent seemed to still at those words, but it wasn't over. If anything, it was only the warning before the real storm.
Veins bulged on Sanemi's temples and neck, writhing like snakes.
"That's it? Just because she saved you, you're willing to risk Oyakata-sama's life? That's your logic?"
Sanemi covered his face with a shaking hand, a suppressed laugh escaping between his fingers.
The next moment, he dropped his hand and bellowed, eyes wide with fury.
"Don't give me that crap! You idiot! You won Oyakata-sama's trust, but you're this naive—you're not fit to be a Hashira!"
His blade was fully drawn now, the killing intent swirling around him so fierce the sun's reflection off the blade seemed colder than ice.
The wind itself seemed to rally around Sanemi, swirling in green cyclones, howling like an enraged dragon, threatening to cut everything to shreds—friend or foe.
The gale felt like a thousand knives brushing past Kanae's cheek, the pressure like a tidal wave.
As Sanemi prepared to strike, ready to unleash violence at the slightest provocation, someone finally arrived who could calm the storm.
"Namu Amida Butsu."
With a soft chant, Gyomei brought his hands together and clapped—hard.
CLAP!
Instantly, Sanemi's furious winds were scattered, replaced by a mountain-like aura: vast, steady, immovable—like the peak that holds back storm and sea for a thousand years.
Sanemi, just stepping forward, suddenly felt that weight press down on his shoulders, forcing him to brace himself and steady his breathing, his legs straining to resist the invisible pressure.
"Damn it…!!"
Gritting his teeth, Sanemi glared at Gyomei with eyes fierce enough to kill a lesser man on the spot.
"Namu Amida Butsu, calm yourself, Sanemi," Gyomei said quietly. "It was Oyakata-sama's decision to meet with Nightingale-san. Are you saying you want to go against the Master's will?"
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This is a fan translation of 我才不要当英灵 by 死神的挽歌. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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