Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho

"Where is he? I want to see him," Han Zhiqi repeated.

The Butterfly Mansion trio paid no mind to his words, laughing heartily.

Aoi Kanzaki, standing nearby, couldn't stand it any longer.

While she didn't like this strange fellow either, his entire village had been killed. He hadn't eaten or drunk for three days, just sitting there, so she imagined he must be in immense pain.

For him to suddenly ask to see the Stone Hashira now, it was likely he wanted the strongest person to stand up for him. Such a thought was understandable, and they shouldn't be mocking him. Mocking him like this was no different than rubbing salt in someone's wounds.

"Alright, you three, that's enough. You've all lost loved ones, so you should be more understanding. It's really not right for you three to mock him like this. Stop laughing and hurry up and eat your meal."

Scolded by Aoi Kanzaki, the three of them realized they had gone too far. They quickly straightened up, lowered their heads, and resumed eating.

Aoi Kanzaki put down her chopsticks, turned around, and faced Han Zhiqi, asking, "They're right, Master Himejima isn't someone you can just meet whenever you want. Why do you want to see Master Himejima? Do you want to ask him to help save your sister?"

"No, I want to become his disciple! I'll save my sister myself."

Become his disciple? So he wasn't asking for help saving his sister. This young man's thoughts were truly different from ordinary people.

Aoi Kanzaki met Han Zhiqi's determined gaze and, for a moment, couldn't quite respond.

"I... I see."

"That woman told me my sister was taken by a demon, and I can't save my sister alone. This is the closest place to my sister."

The Demon Slayer Corps was the closest place to demons, so saying that wasn't wrong.

That woman... who was she referring to?

"Who told you this?"

Suzu, who was eating, tugged on Aoi Kanzaki's sleeve. Aoi Kanzaki turned her head.

Suzu leaned forward and whispered, "Aoi-senpai, it was Shinobu-neechan. When this guy first woke up, he kept saying he wanted to go save his sister. It was Shinobu-neechan who said this and persuaded him."

Aoi Kanzaki nodded, suddenly understanding.

"Master Himejima has a noble status and is not easily seen. Moreover, he already has a disciple. How about this, eat first, and after you're done, I'll take you to see the Captain and see what she says."

Han Zhiqi didn't reply. He turned and went back to the steps, continuing to stare blankly.

Aoi Kanzaki had intended to serve him a bowl of rice, but seeing his state, she thought better of it and gave up.

This young man had a peculiar temper, and his mind wasn't on eating at all. Even if she served him, he probably wouldn't appreciate it. Besides, from the tone of his voice just now, whether he ate or not didn't seem to matter.

After dinner, Aoi Kanzaki bid farewell to the Butterfly Mansion trio and took Han Zhiqi to the medical room in the back courtyard.

Shinobu Kocho was sitting at the experimental table, observing plant slices under a microscope. Hearing the knock, she casually said, "Come in."

Only after the two entered did she reluctantly lift her head. Seeing Han Zhiqi, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"Aoi, Han Zhiqi, why are you here? Please, sit."

Han Zhiqi? That's his name?

Aoi Kanzaki turned to look at the young man beside her. This was the first time she had heard the boy's name, and she thought it was quite strange.

"I was supposed to remove your bandages today, but I was too busy during the day and completely forgot. It's perfect that you're here now."

Shinobu Kocho pulled over a chair and sat in front of Han Zhiqi. As she began to remove his bandages, she asked Aoi Kanzaki, "Aoi, did you bring Han Zhiqi here specifically to remove his bandages? I didn't realize you cared about him so much."

Hearing this, Aoi Kanzaki knew the Captain had misunderstood. Her face turned red, and she glanced at Han Zhiqi, saying irritably, "What are you talking about, Captain? Who cares about him? He's strange and has a bad temper. It's him, he insisted on becoming Master Himejima's disciple, so I had to bring him to see you."

"Mr. Himejima?" This piqued Shinobu Kocho's interest. "You know Mr. Himejima?"

"No, I don't. Those three women said he's the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps. I want to become a disciple of the strongest person, become the strongest, and then kill that man to save my sister."

Han Zhiqi's serious demeanor made Shinobu Kocho laugh.

"You truly are a special child. However, you are not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, so Mr. Himejima probably won't take you as a disciple. Also, I don't know if Kasumi and the others have told you, but Mr. Himejima already has a disciple."

Han Zhiqi refused to give up. "It's okay, if I'm not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I can become one. You just need to take me to see him."

"Uh..." Shinobu Kocho didn't know what to say for a moment. It felt as if some divine guidance was at play.

This morning at the Ubuyashiki Estate, Master had suggested that she adopt him, and her suggestion was Mr. Sanemi. Now, he was voluntarily offering to become Mr. Himejima's disciple. It seemed she had to take him to see Mr. Himejima no matter what.

Just as Shinobu Kocho was about to speak, she saw Aoi Kanzaki beside her with a furious expression. Aoi Kanzaki suddenly raised her hand and fiercely slapped the back of Han Zhiqi's head.

Han Zhiqi couldn't dodge and stumbled forward, falling into Shinobu Kocho's arms.

Shinobu Kocho supported Han Zhiqi with her hands and looked at Aoi Kanzaki, puzzled.

"Aoi, why did you hit him?"

Han Zhiqi paused for a moment, then quickly broke free from Shinobu Kocho's embrace. With a mortified expression, he turned and glared at Aoi Kanzaki, angrily shouting, "You crazy woman, are you out of your mind? Why are you hitting someone for no reason?"

"For no reason? Hmph, I hit you precisely because of that."

Aoi Kanzaki placed her hands on her hips, glaring down at Han Zhiqi indignantly. "You impolite fellow, do you know who is sitting in front of you? She is one of the Nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Insect Hashira, Lady Shinobu Kocho! Any Demon Slayer Corps member would have to call her Miss Butterfly or Miss Shinobu. But you, a mere patient who isn't even a member, dare to address her so casually? Who gave you the nerve? Hmph."

Han Zhiqi felt extremely wronged at this moment. Although he didn't know what "Pillar" represented, judging by the respectful tone of these women, figures like the Stone Hashira and Insect Hashira seemed to indicate that "Pillar" was a symbol of noble status, similar to a leader.

"You didn't tell me who she was, so how was I supposed to know she was some kind of Pillar? Besides, I don't even know what a Pillar is. What right do you have to accuse me like this?"

"Not knowing isn't an excuse. It's simply not allowed." Aoi Kanzaki was completely blinded by anger and had lost all reason.

In her heart, Shinobu was both a mentor and a friend. She wouldn't allow anyone to disrespect her, no matter the reason. If anyone showed disrespect to Shinobu, the answer was simply "no."

Seeing that arguing was futile, Han Zhiqi decided to uphold the noble principle of "a good man doesn't fight with a woman." "You are utterly unreasonable."

Shinobu Kocho found the reason for their argument amusing and chuckled softly.

Aoi Kanzaki, however, was relentless. "What did you say? Say that again, and see if I don't beat you?" She glared at him with her round eyes, raising her fist in a fighting stance.

"Since you two can't stand looking at each other, why don't you have a fight?"