Sanemi Shinazugawa released his grip on Giyu's neck, performed a backflip, landed steadily, ruffled his already messy white hair, and instantly transformed into a respectful and obedient demeanor.
Obanai hurriedly pulled the white snake Kaburamaru wrapped around Giyu's head back, quickly straightened her crooked bandage, and behaved as obediently as a model student.
Meanwhile, Giyu Tomioka, who was at the center of the storm, moved naturally.
It's as if that chaotic real-life PK from just now never happened at all...
However, Kanae couldn't hold back any longer. She covered her mouth with her sleeve, her shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress her laughter (￣y▽￣)~*
The paper door was pulled open completely.
With Lady Amane's support, Kagaya Ubuyashiki walked to the wooden corridor in the courtyard.
Although his face looked a little pale due to the torment of illness, his gentle smile instantly calmed the hearts of everyone in the courtyard.
"My children."
Kagaya's gentle voice echoed in the courtyard.
He tilted his head slightly, landing in the direction of Sanemi, Obanai, and Giyu.
"It seems the weather is great today, and everyone is in a very high mood."
Upon hearing this, Sanemi and Obanai broke out in a cold sweat.
Sanemi gritted his teeth, wishing he could bury his head in the dirt, his mind screaming wildly:
"It's all Tomioka's fault for being so expressionless!! He's made a huge fool of himself in front of our Master!!"
Even the White Kaburamaru nervously hid his head inside Obanai's striped haori.
Giyu remained expressionless.
'They both certainly have a lot of energy, but their method of exerting force is too rough, which could easily injure their wrists.'
"Alright, get up, everyone."
Kagaya didn't continue teasing them, but gently got to the point.
Everyone stood up, but maintained a respectful posture.
"I've gathered everyone here today to hear reports on the recent situation in each district."
Kagaya's tone became slightly more formal.
"The most recent evil spirits are really nothing to worry about!!"
Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui was the first to speak, crossing his arms and pursing his lips:
"The western area I patrolled was full of weaklings who only knew how to hide in the gutter and couldn't even use Blood Demon Art. They didn't even inspire me to draw my sword."
"That Muzan, is he hiding in some hole somewhere, growing mushrooms?!"
"Namo Amitabha Buddha..."
With his Gyomei Himejima sighed:
"The retreat of evil spirits may be brewing even greater sins; we must not let our guard down."
Sanemi snorted coldly, staring at the ground with an unfriendly expression.
"I don't care where he's hiding!! If he dares to show his face, I'll rip his guts out with my wind blades!!"
"Those low-level monsters I've been killing these past few days have been so boring they've made me want to doze off!!"
Listening to the complaints of the pillars, Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and nodded.
"Muzan's complete retreat has indeed given us a brief respite. Everyone has worked hard during this time."
The meeting proceeded quickly, and by the time all the pillars had finished their reports, the sun had already risen high in the sky.
"That concludes today's routine meeting. Everyone, please go back and get some rest."
Kagaya smiled and announced the disbandment.
Everyone bowed in unison and then left the courtyard in an orderly fashion.
Sanemi passed Giyu, he deliberately paused and mouthed, "I'll settle the score with you next time!!"
Obanai also gave a cold snort, the white snake flicking its tongue, as if expressing its final condemnation of this fallen idol.
Giyu accepted these caring gazes without batting an eye.
"Giyu, Kanae."
Just as Giyu was about to turn around and follow Sabito to the Butterfly Mansion for a free meal.
Inside the Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice came again.
"You two, please wait here. Come to the inner room."
At the entrance to the courtyard, Sabito, who had only taken a few steps, stumbled.
He turned around abruptly, glanced at the two people left alone, and his eyes instantly ignited with the raging fire of single dog jealousy (╬◣д◢).
Why did you keep them here alone, my Master?
"What's with this whole 'asking for two-person tasks' thing?"
"Could it be that our Master is going to personally play matchmaker for them?!"
He roared inwardly.
"These damn 'normies' are outrageous!! It's absolutely outrageous!!"
Sabito rubbed his pink, spiky hair and grumbled as he walked away...
--
In the quiet inner room.
A faint aroma of tea filled the air.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat down at the low table.
Madam Amane poured tea for the three of them, then quietly withdrew and closed the paper door behind her.
Giyu and Kanae knelt side by side opposite Kagaya.
However, Kanae was kneeling much closer to Giyu than usual.
She was so close that her sleeves, which exuded the fragrance of Wisteria, were already brazenly folded over Giyu's unusual-colored haori.
"Giyu- san, Kanae, it seems you two have been getting along very well lately."
Kagaya picked up his teacup and made a joke.
?!
A rare blush appeared on Giyu's already tense face.
"My Master!"
Giyu was about to say something to explain, trying to salvage his image as a cool and aloof swordsman.
Kanae, standing nearby, preemptively took over the conversation with a smile.
"My Master is right."
Kanae leaned slightly to the side, resting naturally on Giyu's shoulder, her pink eyes full of cunning.
"Although Mr. Giyu is usually as clueless as a block of wood, he's incredibly considerate and caring when it really matters!"
"With him by my side, I feel so safe and secure every day!!"
Faced with this blatant display of affection, Giyu's lips twitched violently, but in the end he didn't push her away, only sighing silently in his heart.
"I'm used to it... resistance is futile, let her be."
Seeing the two of them so affectionate, Kagaya felt a genuine sense of satisfaction.
These children dedicated the best years of their youth to their destiny of slaying demons, constantly facing life and death.
Seeing them enjoy the happiness that ordinary people have is his greatest wish as their Oyakata-sama.
But the pleasant chat only lasted a short while.
Kagaya put down his teacup, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
The atmosphere in the room instantly became serious.
Even Kanae stopped her flirtatious gestures and straightened her posture.
"The reason you've been kept behind alone tonight is because the Kakushi Division delivered top-level classified intelligence last night."
Kagaya's voice deepened.
"In a town in the east, there is a temple called the Eternal Paradise Cult."
"Based on the fragmented information risked their lives to bring back by our informants in the area, this temple, ostensibly preaching salvation and bliss, attracts a large number of homeless young female devotees."
"But in reality, none of the young women who entered the temple ever came out again."
Kagaya raised his head, his eyes seeming to see a terrifying truth.
"After repeated investigations, we confirmed the cult leader's identity."
"He is one of the strongest fighters among the Twelve Kizuki — Upper Rank Two, Doma!"
The moment the name was uttered, the temperature inside the room seemed to drop several degrees.
Kagaya turned his gaze to Giyu.
"Giyu, you are now the strongest member of the Demon Slayer Corps!! I need you to completely destroy it!!"
"Yes, sir."
Giyu answered without the slightest hesitation, a cold, sharp glint in his eyes.
For him, slaying demons is his mission, regardless of whether they are Upper Rank Moons or Lower Moons.
"However, my Master."
Kanae suddenly spoke, her beautiful face filled with worry.
"Upper Rank Two's Blood Demon Art is extremely bizarre. His ice crystals can not only freeze everything, but even a tiny bit inhaled will instantly freeze and destroy the alveoli, rendering the swordsman unable to use Breathing Style!!"
"... This is practically the nemesis of all Breathing Style swordsmen!!"
"That's right, Kanae is exactly what I'm most worried about."
Kagaya smiled and nodded, then changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of cunning matchmaking.
"The poison of the ice crystals is deadly!! Originally, I planned to send Sanemi or Gyomei to assist Giyu!!"
Kagaya picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and his smile became very amiable.
"But, upon closer reflection, how could those hot-tempered boys possibly do such delicate work?"
"So, Kanae."
Kagaya immediately set his sights on this newly promoted Flower Hashira.
"I've decided to send you and Giyu as a two-person team to carry out this top-secret mission to the Eternal Paradise Cult!!"
Upon hearing this, Giyu was completely stunned.
Let Kanae go and face off against Upper Rank Two?!?!
Doma specifically targets young women; it's extremely dangerous!!
"My Master!!"
Giyu immediately spoke up, trying to stop this decision that sounded dangerous.
"I can use the high temperature of Sun Breathing to directly evaporate those ice crystals; I can overcome the problem of frozen lungs on my own!!"
"... It's too dangerous to bring her along; she should stay behind!"
"Oh dear, Mr. Giyu, are you looking down on me, this newly appointed Flower Hashira?"
Before Giyu could finish speaking, Kanae grabbed Giyu arm.
She turned her head and bowed deeply to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, her voice filled with undisguised joy.
"Your Master wise!!"
"You're absolutely right!!"
"Faced with that bizarre methamphetamine, without me, a pharmacology expert, by your side, someone like Mr. Giyu who only knows how to charge forward would definitely suffer a great loss!!"
Kanae pressed her body tightly against Giyu's arm, turned her head to look at Giyu, and gave him a blatantly seductive wink.
"Please rest assured, my Master! I will absolutely keep a close watch on Mr. Giyu around the clock!"
"Even when he's eating, showering, or sleeping, I will never let him out of my sight for a second! Mission accomplished!!"
This remark, which clearly strayed from the main point, made Kagaya Ubuyashiki chuckle involuntarily.
He could clearly see that this girl was treating this high-risk demon-slaying mission as a legitimate opportunity for a two-person trip.
"You..."
Giyu's cheeks flushed at Kanae's bold statement.
He was about to steel himself and retort when a sharp pain suddenly shot through the soft flesh of his waist.
Kanae's small hand, hidden within her wide sleeve, was pinching his waist tightly, and she was glaring at him with a highly threatening look, as if she were making a frantic suggestion:
You dare refuse?!
Faced with his Oyakata-sama's gentle smile that seemed to see through everything but said nothing, and beside him, a tigress exuding the fragrance of Wisteria.
Even the mighty Water Hashira ultimately yielded.
He silently lowered his head, looking at their sleeves pressed tightly together.
'Actually, keeping her by my side and protecting her myself is much better than leaving her far behind and having to live in constant fear.'
"... Kanae can definitely come in handy. I have no objection."
"Very good."
Kagaya nodded in satisfaction, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
"In that case, go back and pack your things quickly. Let's set off immediately under the cover of night."
"Remember, the true extent of the Eternal Paradise Cult is still unknown!!"
"If faced with unavoidable danger, saving your life should be the top priority."
"May your military campaign prosper. And may this long journey be successful."
Kagaya smiled and paused.
"It can further enhance your understanding and chemistry."