Over the course of more than a year, thanks to the Butterfly sisters' exceptional knowledge of pharmacology, the Demon Slayer Corps developed both antidotes specifically effective against demonic toxins and poisons capable of destroying demon cells from within. The Corps' greatest weakness was no more.
Even Corps support staff who lacked the ability to use Breathing Techniques had their medical skills vastly improved under the sisters' guidance. The once high mortality rate of the Demon Slayer Corps had now been drastically reduced.
The former medical facility, because of its ever-present fragrance of flowers that attracted butterflies, was affectionately called the Butterfly Estate by those Slayers who had been healed there.
To everyone in the Corps, though the Butterfly sisters—Kanae and Shinobu—were not officially Hashira, they received treatment and respect equal to that of the Hashira.
Rumor spread within the Corps: Kanae and Shinobu were the ninth and tenth Hashira in all but name.
Softly treading into the mansion where the meeting was held, Kanae looked at the assembled Hashira and asked with quiet puzzlement:
"So this is a Hashira Meeting? Shinobu and I aren't official members of the Corps. We shouldn't have the right to attend such a meeting, should we?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya answered in his gentle voice:
"It's no issue. To the Demon Slayer Corps, the contributions you and Shinobu have made are beyond measure. You are more than qualified to be present at a Hashira Meeting."
Kanae's gaze fell upon Tanjiro lying on the ground, and she seemed to understand part of the situation.
"Then, there must be a particular reason you summoned us here? There are still many patients at the Butterfly Estate awaiting our treatment."
"It concerns Tanjiro and Nezuko," Kagaya explained. "From what Giyu has said, you both appear to be acquainted with these siblings. For that reason, I felt it necessary to invite you to this meeting."
Both Kanae and Shinobu turned their eyes toward the boy lying unconscious before them.
"These two children… we actually don't know them personally."
Tanjiro's body jolted at those words. But Kanae continued:
"However, they are children whom our teacher recognized. And it seems our teacher has placed a unique expectation upon them."
Everyone present was struck with disbelief. The "teacher" Kanae spoke of was none other than Ubuyashiki Yosuke—a fact well known to all.
That the Demon King Ubuyashiki Yosuke himself held expectations for a boy as weak as Tanjiro and for Nezuko, who had already become a demon—this news stirred waves of speculation.
"So what if they were acknowledged by Ubuyashiki Yosuke?" Sanemi Shinazugawa snarled, glaring at Nezuko's wooden box. "He is an exception. He would never harm anyone. But who can guarantee that Kamado Nezuko won't? Or that she hasn't already?"
Sanemi's eyes glinted viciously as he continued:
"That's why, before anything worse happens, it's best we kill her!"
Kanae's voice remained serene, but her words carried unyielding steel:
"Although we should not intervene in the Corps' internal affairs, Nezuko is not one of your members. If you choose to kill her, then we will choose to stop you."
"What did you say, Kanae?!" Sanemi barked harshly, his voice a violent accusation.
Unable to stand her sister being spoken to in such a manner, the forthright Shinobu snapped back in fury:
"Are you deaf, or just too stupid to understand human speech? Nezuko will be protected by my sister and me! Besides, we are not members of the Corps—you have no authority to command us!"
The air grew taut with tension. With the exception of Giyu, every other Hashira furrowed their brows. To them, slaying Nezuko seemed the correct course of action. Yet compared to Nezuko, the Butterfly sisters were far more vital.
The sisters had only stayed within the Corps out of compassion for its wounded members. If they were to leave, the death rate among the Demon Slayers would once again soar. In that moment, none of the Hashira knew whether to side with Sanemi, or to trust that Nezuko would not harm humans.
"Do not be tense," Kagaya interjected calmly. "Kiriya, bring out the letter."
Ubuyashiki Kiriya, his daughter with short white hair adorned with hair ornaments on her left side and large, clear eyes, presented a letter.
"This letter is from the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki." Hiyori began to read its contents.
It was a request: that the Corps allow Tanjiro and the demon Nezuko to remain together. For two full years, Nezuko had relied on her indomitable will to retain her humanity, never once harming a human being.
At the end of the letter was a vow: should Nezuko ever attack anyone, Tanjiro, Giyu, and Urokodaki himself—her guarantors—would atone by committing seppuku.
"Seppuku? What does that amount to?!" Sanemi sneered. "That's hardly a guarantee!"
Kagaya remained calm and steady:
"That is true. No one can prove that Nezuko will never attack a human. Yet likewise, no one can prove that she will. Already, three people have staked their lives upon her. Moreover, Kanae, Shinobu, and Yosuke himself also trust her. And I too believe Nezuko will not harm others.
"If any here wish to deny this, then the one who denies it must present something of even greater value in exchange. Do any of you have such resolve?"
Without waiting, Sanemi seized Nezuko's box and carried it into the shaded corner of the courtyard.
"Then I'll prove it myself! My blood is rarest among the rare. No demon can resist it!"
Slashing open his own arm, Sanemi let his blood drip freely onto the box.
When Nezuko did not emerge, he drew his Nichirin Blade, preparing to stab straight through the box.
"Nezuko!" Tanjiro tried to rise, struggling to stop him, but Iguro Obanai pinned him down, rendering him immobile.
Kanae and Shinobu simultaneously unsheathed their blades, pointing them at Sanemi. If he so much as harmed Nezuko, they would strike without hesitation.
"Sanemi." Kagaya's voice carried a quiet rebuke.
"Che!" Sanemi clicked his tongue in frustration, abandoning the attempt to stab her. Instead, he pried open the lid of the box.
Nezuko stepped out. The rich scent of Sanemi's blood flooded her senses, and her hunger threatened to overwhelm her. Saliva nearly dripped from her lips.
"Go on, you want it, don't you? Don't fight it!" Sanemi goaded her cruelly.
But Nezuko clenched her eyes shut, turned her head away, and rejected the temptation.
Kanae and Shinobu both exhaled in relief. If Nezuko had chosen instinct over will, not only would protecting her have been impossible—taking her away from here would have become equally so.
Looking at Nezuko, the sisters' eyes gleamed with admiration.
"As expected… the one our teacher chose truly is special."
"This proves Nezuko will not harm humans," Kagaya declared, his empty eyes settling on Tanjiro. "Tanjiro—even so, there will always be those who cannot accept her. You must prove it yourself. From this day forward, you and Nezuko must demonstrate, through your battles, that you belong within the Demon Slayer Corps."
Tanjiro's voice rang with unshakable conviction:
"Nezuko and I will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji! We will sever this endless chain of sorrow!"
Kagaya's voice brimmed with hope:
"I believe in you, Tanjiro. For the first time in a hundred years, the stagnant tide has begun to shift. Upper Rank Five, Lower Rank Five, and Lower Rank Six have already been destroyed. This is
the omen. Fate itself is beginning to change—and these ripples will only spread wider and wider."
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