Shinobu Kocho pressed her fingers against the side of Yaha's neck and counted to sixty.
His pulse was weak but steady. Forty-two beats per minute, nearly half the normal rate, yet the intervals were as precise as a metronome.
She withdrew her hand, then pressed her ear against him for three seconds. Deep within his chest, a faint current of warmth circulated slowly, leaving his heart, traveling through his meridians, and returning, over and over.
Reverse Cursed Technique.
It had not disappeared. It had merely dropped to its lowest output, directing every bit of energy toward repairing his internal injuries without letting any escape.
Shinobu Kocho straightened and tucked Yaha's left hand back under the blanket.
He was alive.
That was enough.
On the first day, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's Kasugai Crow came three times to confirm the outcome and casualties. Every member of the Demon Slayer Corps had survived. Four were severely injured, eleven lightly injured. Muzan Kibutsuji's death was confirmed. A thousand-year nightmare ended one morning, leaving no corpse, no mist of blood, only a grassy slope soaked in dew.
On the second day, Kyojuro Rengoku entered the ward at the Butterfly Mansion on crutches and loudly told Yaha, "When you wake up, I'll treat you to a boxed lunch." He was so loud that Zenitsu covered his ears at the other end of the corridor. Shinobu Kocho grabbed Rengoku by the back of his collar and dragged him out.
On the third day, Giyu sat in the corridor outside the ward from morning until night. He got up only twice: once to drink water, and once to drag Inosuke away with a blank expression when he tried to climb through the window.
On the fourth day, Muichiro Tokito appeared at the ward's door. His right arm was in