Nezuko's Transformation

Tamayo visited the Butterfly Mansion late the next night. She and Yushiro appeared silently outside the courtyard without disturbing anyone, except for Moyu.

Almost the instant they stepped into the Butterfly Mansion, Moyu awoke from his meditation. Under the black cloth, his six-eyed perception clearly outlined the silhouettes of the two and the flow of energy. He got up, pushed open the door, and stood quietly on the veranda to wait.

In the courtyard, Wisteria swayed gently in the night breeze. Yushiro remained vigilantly by Tamayo's side, his guard not wavering as he glanced at Moyu. Tamayo, meanwhile, carried an exquisite wooden box, her expression solemn yet tinged with anticipation.

"Mr. Moyu," Tamayo greeted softly, bowing slightly.

Moyu nodded and gestured for them to enter the house. "Rin is already inside."

The pharmacy was brightly lit. Shinobu Kocho had been waiting for a long time. She had changed out of the butterfly-patterned Haori usually wore during the day and was now dressed in plain clothes, her long hair loosely tied up. When she saw Tamayo, her smile was still gentle, but the smile did not reach her eyes, and she maintained a polite and distant distance.

"Ms. Tamayo, please come in." Shinobu's voice was soft as she stepped aside.

The three entered a specially prepared quiet room inside the pharmacy. The room was small, but clean and quiet, with a clean mattress in the center. Nezuko was lying there quietly, curled up, her long pink hair spread out on the pillow, breathing steadily, fast asleep. The colorful ribbon that Mitsuri Kanroji had given her during the day was carefully placed on her pillow.

Tamayo's gaze fell on Nezuko, a hint of tenderness and emotion flickering in her calm eyes. "This Miss Nezuko Kamado... I can sense that, just like when I first met her, the demonic power within her is very stable, and there's not a trace of bloody filth." She turned to Shinobu and Moyu, "Please rest assured, the medicine has been thoroughly tested and its safety is guaranteed. The reversal process may take some time; she might fall asleep during this period, and her body may experience some reactions, but there will be no danger."

Shinobu nodded, her purple eyes falling on Nezuko's peaceful sleeping face, her expression complex. She walked to Nezuko's side and gently stroked her hair, her movements tender.

Tamayo opened the wooden box and took out a palm-sized jade bottle. The bottle was warm and smooth, and inside was a pale golden liquid that shimmered with a soft glow under the light, as if the dawn was sealed within it. She uncorked the bottle, and a cool, slightly floral medicinal scent wafted out.

"This is... the medicine to turn you back into a human." Tamayo's voice was soft, yet carried a heavy weight.

Shinobu took the jade bottle, her fingertips slightly cool. She knelt down beside Nezuko, carefully helping Nezuko up and letting her lean against her. Nezuko unconsciously hummed, her pink eyelashes fluttering a few times, but she didn't wake up.

Shinobu gently brought the bottle to Nezuko's lips and softly whispered, "Nezuko- chan, sweetie, drink this..."

Perhaps it was an instinctive trust in Shinobu's voice, or perhaps it was the scent of familiarity she sensed while asleep, Nezuko slightly opened her mouth. The pale golden liquid slowly flowed into her mouth.

As the medicine entered her mouth, Nezuko's body trembled almost imperceptibly. Shinobu carefully fed her the last sip, placed the empty bottle aside, and continued to hold Nezuko in his arms, gently patting her back.

At first, there were no obvious changes. Nezuko remained asleep, her breathing steady.

But about half an incense stick later, the strange thing began.

Nezuko's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were feeling somewhat unwell. The originally stable demonic energy within her body began to fluctuate, like a pebble being thrown into a calm lake. The pale golden medicinal power, like a gentle yet firm purifying light, slowly spread throughout her body, and wherever it passed, the cellular structure of the demons began to undergo subtle changes.

"Ugh..." Nezuko uttered a muffled murmur, her body twisting slightly.

Shinobu hugged her tightly and gently comforted her, "It's okay, Nezuko, it's okay..."

Moyu stood to the side, all six of his eyes open. In his unique vision, the energy landscape within Nezuko's body was undergoing a dramatic transformation. The dark red energy flow representing demonic power was being gradually permeated, decomposed, and transformed by the pale golden medicinal power. This process was not violent, but rather like a gentle, steady process, slowly and firmly reshaping the essence of her life.

However, the transformation was slower than he had anticipated. The remaining demonic power within Nezuko's body seemed more stubborn than Tamayo had estimated, hindering the spread of the medicine. At this rate, a complete transformation might take several days or even longer, during which time Nezuko would remain in this uncomfortable, half-awake state.

Moyu stepped forward and squatted down next to Ren.

"Moyu Jun?" Ren looked up at him.

"The medicine is taking effect too slowly; she might be uncomfortable for a long time," Moyu explained simply, while extending his palm and hovering it about an inch above Nezuko's forehead. A warm white light emanated from his palm, gentler and more subtle than when he treated Ubuyashiki before.

The positive life force of the Reversal Technique, like sweet rain, slowly seeped into Nezuko's body.

This is not about forcibly pushing the medicinal power, but rather about nourishing Nezuko's own vitality in a subtle and gentle way, repairing the minor damage to the cells during the transformation process, and at the same time gently guiding the medicinal power so that it can be distributed more evenly and smoothly throughout the body.

With Moyu's assistance, Nezuko's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and her breathing became long and steady again. The flow of the pale golden light within her body noticeably accelerated, and the tug-of-war with the dark red demonic power began to tilt in her favor. Those stubborn demonic power nodes were softened and disintegrated one by one, transforming into nutrients needed for newly formed human cells.

Tamayo watched quietly from the side, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes. She could feel the accelerated changes within Nezuko's body, as well as the vast and pure life energy originating from Moyu. This control over life energy was beyond her understanding of medical techniques.

Time passed silently. The night deepened outside the window, and the stars moved westward.

About an hour later, Moyu withdrew his hand. The transformation within Nezuko's body had entered a normal cycle, with the medicinal power and her life force forming a virtuous cycle, no longer requiring external guidance. Now, all that was needed was to wait.

"That's enough." Moyu stood up. "She will sleep until the medicine is fully absorbed. It will probably take a day and a night."

Shinobu breathed a sigh of relief, carefully laid Nezuko down, and covered her with a light blanket. Nezuko was sleeping soundly, her cheeks flushed with a healthy blush, and the corners of her mouth even slightly turned up, as if she were having a sweet dream.

"Thank you," Shinobu said to Tamayo, her tone still polite.

"This is my promise." Tamayo gently shook her head. "The Kamado siblings... gave me hope. To see this medicine take effect with my own eyes is already a great comfort to me." She paused, then looked at Moyu. "And thank you, Mr. Moyu, for your help."

Moyu simply nodded slightly.

Tamayo and Yushiro did not linger. After leaving some observations and precautions, they quietly left the Butterfly Mansion, just as quietly as they had arrived.

Shinobu stayed by Nezuko's side, while Moyu returned to her room to continue meditating. The Butterfly Mansion returned to tranquility, with only the chirping of insects.

The third day, before dawn.

Moyu meditated in the back mountain as usual. When the first ray of sunlight pierced the darkness, he seemed to sense something and looked in the direction of the Butterfly Mansion.

Almost simultaneously, in the quiet room.

Shinobu Kocho was resting against the wall. She was a little tired after taking care of Nezuko for two consecutive days. But her years of vigilance made her wake up the moment Nezuko's breathing changed.

On the mattress, Nezuko's long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those were still clear pink eyes, but somewhat different from before. They held less of the childlike innocence and more of the bewilderment and exploration of a newborn. She blinked, seemingly unaccustomed to the light, then slowly closed them again, and opened them once more.

"Nezuko- chan?" Shinobu called softly, her heart skipping a beat.

Nezuko turned her head at the sound, her gaze falling on Shinobu's face. She stared for a few seconds, her pink eyes gradually focusing, and then, the corners of her mouth slowly curved into a somewhat awkward yet incredibly pure smile.

"Ren... Sister?" The voice was a little hoarse, and the words were spoken slowly, like a child who had just learned to speak, each word coming out one by one, but the pronunciation was clear.

Shinobu Kocho's purple eyes widened instantly. She blinked hard, forcing back the moisture, and a radiant, genuinely gentle smile bloomed on her face.

"Yes! It's me, Nezuko." Shinobu reached out and gently took Nezuko's slightly cold hand. "How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

Nezuko shook her head, seemingly still adjusting to the sensations in her body, and slowly propped herself up to sit up. Her movements were a little clumsy, but steady. She looked down at her hands, then up at Shinobu, her large pink eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of unease.

"I... slept... for a long time?" she struggled to find the words.

"Mmm, she slept for a long time," Shinobu replied softly, tidying her slightly messy long hair. "But she's all better now; Nezuko is healthier."

Nezuko nodded, seemingly understanding. She threw back the covers and tentatively stood up. Her steps were a little unsteady, and Shinobu quickly supported her.

"I want to... go out." Nezuko looked out the window at the pale sky, her eyes filled with longing. The fear of sunlight she had as a demon seemed to have disappeared, replaced by an instinctive yearning.

Shinobu's heart tightened. Although Tamayo had said that the demons' weaknesses would disappear after the drug was successfully administered, she was still somewhat worried before witnessing it firsthand. "Nezuko, outside... it's dawn, the sun is out."

"The sun..." Nezuko murmured, her eyes shining even brighter, "Warmth..."

Seeing the longing in her eyes, Shinobu took a deep breath and nodded. She helped Nezuko to the door of the meditation room and opened the shoji door.

In the courtyard, the sky was tinged with the pale light of dawn, and a faint golden-red hue was Shoichi spreading across the horizon. The morning breeze carried the fresh scent of grass, trees, and dew.

Nezuko stood on the porch, tilting her small face up to look at the gradually brightening eastern sky. When the first true ray of morning light pierced through the eaves and fell on her face, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

There was no burning, no pain. Only warmth, like the gentle caress of a mother's hand.

She slowly opened her eyes, her pink pupils reflecting the rising sun, sparkling as if filled with starlight.

"Warm..." she whispered, her smile widening. Suddenly, she broke free from Ren's hand, ran barefoot down the corridor, and into the center of the courtyard. She twirled in the morning light, her long pink hair and clothes fluttering, then opened her arms as if to embrace the entire warm dawn.

"Sun! Warm!" she exclaimed happily, her voice no longer hoarse, but filled with childlike joy.

Shinobu Kocho stood under the eaves, watching the small figure running and laughing freely in the sunlight, her purple eyes revealing joy and relief.

Moyu had returned to the courtyard sometime earlier, standing quietly in the shadows of a corner. His "gaze" from under the black cloth fell on Nezuko. In his eyes, the energy flow within Nezuko's body had completely transformed; her vibrant human life force, like a newly sprouted seedling, radiated vitality. Although the transformation was not yet 100% complete, with some traces of demonic energy still slowly purifying, her most important weakness—fear of light—had vanished. She was now in a half-human, half-demon state, yet she possessed the right to walk in the sunlight.

Moreover, as he expected, Nezuko had temporarily lost her memories of being human. Her mind was like a polished stone slab, bearing only the deep imprint of the time she spent as a demon.

Nezuko ran a lap, then suddenly stopped, tilting her head to look in Moyu's direction. She blinked, then started running over, stopping in front of Moyu and looking up at him with her little face.

"Mo... Yu?" She tried hard to recall the name, her pronunciation somewhat uncertain.

Moyu looked down at her. Sunlight shone on her face, and her clear pink pupils reflected his image.

"Hmm," he responded.

Nezuko seemed delighted that he responded. She reached out her little hand and carefully tugged at his sleeve, then pointed to the increasingly bright sun in the sky and said proudly, "The sun!"

Her expression was simple and direct, like that of a child who has just learned to speak, yet it was full of the purest joy.

Moyu reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Mmm, sunshine."

Nezuko squinted her eyes, rubbed her palm against his palm with enjoyment, and then her attention was drawn to the butterflies fluttering in the courtyard, which she happily chased after.

Shinobu Kocho walked to Moyu's side, watching Nezuko's lively figure, and said softly, "She doesn't remember anything from before."

"Hmm." Moyu wasn't surprised. "The effects of the drug are still lasting. After I fully turn back into a human, my memories may slowly return, or they may not. It's fine as it is now."

Forget those bloody nights, forget the horrific tragedy of your family's murder, keep only the memories of being protected by your brother and companions, and being treated with kindness in the Butterfly Mansion...

Ren nodded gently, her gaze tender. "Yes... that's fine too."

The news quickly spread among the pillars.

The first to arrive was naturally Tanjiro Kamado, who had received the urgent report from Kasugai Crow Tanjiro Kamado. When he rushed into the Butterfly Mansion garden with Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira almost at lightning speed, he saw Nezuko squatting by the flower bushes, curiously touching a Wisteria covered with dew with her fingertips.

Sunlight shone on her, making her pink hair glow softly.

Tanjiro abruptly stopped, his eyes wide, his mouth agape, but no sound came out. His nose twitched violently, and tears streamed down his face without warning.

"Ne... Nezuko..." he stammered, his voice broken and fragmented.

Nezuko heard the voice and turned around. She was stunned for a moment when she saw Tanjiro, then her pink eyes lit up, a big smile bloomed on her face, and she stood up and ran towards him.

"Brother... Brother!" She wasn't running very steadily, but she threw herself into Tanjiro's arms without hesitation.

Tanjiro hugged his sister tightly, as if she were a lost treasure that had been found again, and cried uncontrollably. He could smell that the faint demonic aura on Nezuko had become extremely weak, replaced by a vibrant human scent and the warm smell of sunshine.

"That's great... that's great... Nezuko... you can talk now..." He stammered incoherently, repeating only these few words, his face covered in tears and snot.

Zenitsu Agatsuma was also crying his eyes out, wiping away tears and yelling, "Tanjiro! Nezuko! Thank goodness! Waaaaah... It's been so tough! Nezuko is so cute now! Nezuko is the cutest in the world in the sunlight! Ahhh, I'm going to die!"

With his hands on his hips and the Boar's Head askew, Inosuke Hashibira grunted, "Hmm! Looks like the bean-woman has finally turned back into a normal woman! Not bad!"

Nezuko peeked out from Tanjiro's arms, looked at Zenitsu was crying uncontrollably, blinked, and hesitantly called out, "Zen... itsu?" She then looked at Inosuke, "In... Inosuke?"

"It's me, Nezuko!" Zenitsu cried even harder.

"That's right! It's me!" Inosuke thumped his chest loudly.

Nezuko seemed to remember something, and her smile became even brighter.

Shinobu Kocho and Moyu stood under the eaves, watching this reunion. Shinobu's eyes held a relieved smile, while Moyu remained as calm as ever.

Tanjiro finally calmed down. He let go of Nezuko, took her hand, walked to Shinobu and Moyu, and bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the ground.

"Shinobu Kocho- sama! Moyu Sueha! Thank you! Thank you so much! And Tamayo- san... Thank you for saving Nezuko! I... I don't know how to repay you..." His voice choked with emotion, filled with boundless gratitude.

"Get up, Tanjiro," Shinobu said with a smile. "This is the result of Nezuko's own hard work, and also everyone's expectation. Seeing her smile in the sunlight is the best reward."

Moyu simply nodded slightly.

Tanjiro straightened up, wiped away his tears, and looked at Nezuko beside him, who was curiously looking around, occasionally tugging at his Nezuko, and pointing to the new and interesting things in the garden. His heart was filled with immense happiness. Although his sister didn't remember the past, she still recognized him and could stand so healthy and lively in the sunlight. What could be more wonderful than this?

The Butterfly Mansion was filled with a cheerful atmosphere all day. Tanjiro and his two companions played with Nezuko in the courtyard, patiently teaching her to speak and telling her the names of various things. Nezuko learned quickly; although her sentences were still not very long, her vocabulary was constantly increasing, and she smiled more and more often.

After nightfall, Tanjiro and his two companions were supposed to return to Gyomei Himejima to continue their training, but they couldn't bear to leave Nezuko, who had just recovered, so they asked to stay overnight at the Butterfly Mansion. Shinobu readily agreed.

After dinner, Nezuko was tired from playing and went to bed early. Tanjiro and the other two gathered in the guest room, talking quietly.

"Nezuko seems... to have forgotten about her family." Zenitsu said softly, with a hint of regret.

"Oh, so what!" Inosuke sat cross-legged, tossing beans into his mouth. "Now that she recognizes us, that's enough! And we don't have to hide from the sun anymore, we can train together every day! I'll train her to be the strongest underling!"

Tanjiro stroked Nezuko's hair as she slept, his eyes gentle yet firm. "It's alright. As long as Nezuko is healthy and happy, it doesn't matter whether she remembers the past or not. Besides, Tamayo said the medicine's effects are still lasting, and her memories might slowly return once she fully becomes human. Even if they don't... she'll always be my sister."

He looked out at the bright moonlight, his heart filled with hope for the future. Nezuko could walk in the sunlight, taking another big step closer to becoming completely human again. And they, too, must become stronger, strong enough to end Muzan's curse, strong enough to protect this ordinary happiness they had regained.

The next morning, Tanjiro and his two companions reluctantly bid farewell to Nezuko.

"Nezuko, your brother is going to train. He needs to become stronger." Tanjiro crouched down to Nezuko level. "You stay here and listen to Shinobu-san and Mr. Moyu, understand?"

Nezuko nodded. Although she didn't quite understand what "training" meant, she knew her brother was leaving temporarily. She reached out her little hand and hugged Tanjiro, then said earnestly, "Good luck, brother."

Tanjiro's nose tingled, and he ruffled her hair gently. "Yes! I'll do my best, brother!"

Zenitsu wailed and cried, "Nezuko! I'll miss you! You have to eat well and sleep well! I'll come back and protect you when I become super strong!"

Inosuke then waved his fist at Nezuko: "Nezuko, you little devil! When I get back, I'll teach you some powerful moves! Then we'll fight demons together!"

Nezuko's smile widened, and she nodded vigorously. "Yes! Wait!"

After seeing off Tanjiro and his Tanjiro, who kept turning back every few steps, the Butterfly Mansion returned to its usual tranquility. Only now, a girl with a bright, cheerful laugh and a love for running in the sunlight graced the courtyard.