"Huh? What's going on? Why is there such a loud commotion inside the Butterfly Mansion?" Tanjiro stood puzzled at the entrance of the mansion, carrying a wooden box on his back and holding a large paper bag in his hand.
Unlike the usual quiet atmosphere, today the Butterfly Mansion seemed unusually noisy, which confused Tanjiro.
Given Kanzaki Aoi's strict personality, she would never allow such loud disturbances inside the mansion.
Because of this, Aoi often chased Inosuke around with a broom.
So what was happening today?
Despite his confusion, Tanjiro still carried the paper bag into the mansion.
Inside were some delicious rice dumplings, perfect for Zenitsu and Insuke, who were still recovering from their injuries.
He had also brought some for the girls at the mansion, both as thanks for their care and as a gesture of gratitude toward a girl named Kanao.
Not long ago, during a conversation with his senior Tomioka Giyuu, the topic of Breathing Techniques came up.
The straightforward Giyuu asked Tanjiro if he could maintain Total Concentration Breathing all day.
In response, Tanjiro tilted his head and asked honestly.
"Huh? You can keep Total Concentration Breathing going for an entire day?"
Tomioka Giyu: "..."
For once, the usually silent Giyu sought out the Flower Hashira, Kanae, the head of the Butterfly Mansion, hoping she could help teach Tanjiro how to master Total Concentration Breathing—Constant.
Naturally, Kanae didn't refuse, but she was too busy to do it herself.
So Kanao, who was helping out at the mansion, became the best candidate.
Though quiet and reserved, the girl had astonishing talent and was highly skilled in maintaining Total Concentration Breathing—Constant.
Since Tanjiro was being taught, it wouldn't be fair to neglect the others.
So Kanao decided to train all the Demon Slayers currently recuperating at the mansion.
This turned into quite the ordeal for the Demon Slayers.
While some could barely manage Total Concentration Breathing—Constant, most didn't usually maintain such intense breathing for long, as it placed a heavy burden on the body. But now...
In any case, under the resentful gazes of the other Demon Slayers, the love-hate training began at the Butterfly Mansion.
It had to be said, the training was quite effective—some Demon Slayers recovered from their injuries much faster than usual.
...
"You! You big meanie! Let go of Aoi-nee!"
"Meanie! Meanie!"
"Stop him!"
"Hey hey! What are you brats doing? Do you know who I am? I'm a Hashira! The most dazzling Hashira! Don't get in the way of my important business—Hey! Little girl, let go of my earring! (╬ Ò﹏Ó)"
Not long after entering the mansion, Tanjiro found the source of the noise—and the voices sounded very familiar!
Wasn't that the voices of Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho (the three little girls of the Butterfly Mansion)?
Hearing their urgent cries, Tanjiro immediately tensed up.
Tightening the straps of his wooden box, he rushed toward the commotion.
Just what was happening?
"Kiyo! Sumi! What's going on? Hey! You're—!?" Tanjiro had just rushed into the courtyard when he saw the three little girls clinging to a tall man like a human pyramid.
The man had an unconscious girl tucked under his arm—wait, wasn't that Aoi-san?
"Aoi-san! You—let go of Aoi-san!" Tanjiro's first reaction was the same as the three little girls—he immediately assumed the towering man was a kidnapper preying on young women.
Dropping his wooden box and paper bags, Tanjiro charged forward recklessly, much like Ionsuke in his wild boar-like fashion.
At that moment, Uzui Tengen, who was already grimacing from having his ears yanked by the three little girls, didn't notice another reckless boy approaching from behind.
He had just managed to pry one of the girls off his ear when a tremendous force suddenly struck his lower back.
"Who dares?!" Uzui Tengen was shocked—who in the Demon Slayer Corps would dare ambush him?
Whoosh!
His reaction was lightning-fast.
In an instant, his legs bent—BAM!
He leapt high into the air, using the force from the impact on his back to propel himself like a nimble eagle onto the courtyard wall.
The three little girls clinging to him were flung into the sky by his sudden burst of strength, shrieking in terror.
However, Uzui Tengen swiftly leapt again, his free hand grabbing two of them while his elbow clamped around the third, catching all three midair before landing steadily back on the wall.
Only then did he have time to see who had "ambushed" him.
But the moment he spotted Tanjiro's Demon Slayer uniform, his temper flared.
"Oi, brat! What the hell are you doing? You just rammed into me—a Hashira! Do you realize you're assaulting your superior? Not that you could ever harm my magnificent self, but I'm seriously pissed right now!"
Tanjiro glared fiercely at Uzui Tengen, equally furious.
"What kind of Hashira are you? Kidnapping Aoi-san from the Butterfly Mansion—how is that any different from a human trafficker?"
"You little bastard! You dare call me a trafficker?! This Hashira is on official business!"
"Let go of Aoi-san first! She's an essential assistant at the Butterfly Mansion—they need her there! If there's a mission, I'll go in her place!"
Uzui Tengen scoffed.
"I need a female Demon Slayer. What use are you?"
"What about Kiyo and the others? They're not even Demon Slayers!"
At that, Uzui Tengen glanced at the three little girls still squirming in his grip.
"I never wanted these brats anyway. Scram!"
With that, he tossed them one by one towards Tanjiro.
Tanjiro fumbled to catch all three, but before he could say anything else, another figure arrived behind him.
A white cape, a sleek black ponytail, and elegant white boots—it was Kanao Tsuyuri who's drawn by the commotion.
Uzui Tengen's eyes lit up when he spotted the Nichirin Blade at her waist.
"A Nichirin Blade—perfect. You're a much better fit. I don't need this one anymore."
In a flash, his figure blurred as he lunged towards Kanao, his large hand outstretched.
Kanzaki Aoi, who had been tucked under his arm moments ago, was somehow already shoved into Tanjiro's arms.
"Kanao-san! Watch out! The trafficker Hashira is coming for you!"
Kanao: ??
The innocent girl barely had time to process what was happening before a massive hand reached for her.
Kanao's adaptability was truly remarkable.
At this moment, her first instinct was to reach for her Nichirin Blade, but unfortunately, Uzui Tengen was faster.
In the blink of an eye, the scene before Kanao turned upside down as she lost her balance.
Under such circumstances, she couldn't help but let out a startled cry.
"Damn it! Let her go!"
"Tch. Annoying brat, you're wasting my time." Uzui Tengen had no intention of lingering any longer.
Turning around, he grabbed Kanao and prepared to leave.
But just then, a fierce gust of wind swept past him, tousling his neatly combed white hair.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP! What the hell are you doing?" Shinazugawa Sanemi strode forward with bloodshot eyes, accompanied by Kanae.
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