Before sunset.
The two little girls from Tokyo, along with some newcomers who had only recently arrived at the Dojo,
all noticed something strange.
For some reason, many people had fallen into a strange state of excitement, as though they were holding themselves back while waiting for something.
Once Xia Xi finished his business and plunged into the kitchen,
that air of eager, longing anticipation became even more obvious.
Some Swordsmen even rubbed their hands together, their faces wreathed in smiles. "Wonderful, this is the captain we know!"
Sayo and Yan Zi also noticed
that even the Great Monk Gyomei beside them wore a devout expression.
"Mr. Gyomei, what's gotten into everyone?"
"Namu Amida Butsu... this humble monk should not crave the pleasures of the palate... oh, very well, just this once."
"?"
The two little girls held hands, looking utterly bewildered.
Just then, an airy voice, as light as misty rain, drifted over from beside them.
"Because everyone is looking forward to the Deity's arrival."
"A Deity? Huh?! When did you get here?"
Both children jumped.
Only when they turned around did they discover that someone had appeared behind them at some point.
Yan Zi, who had only briefly tried the Demon Slayer Corps' training that day, felt a chill down her back.
The instincts she had honed while struggling to survive in the Slums, which sounded the alarm at the slightest disturbance, had completely failed to detect the other girl's approach.
Even that Demon who could teleport back then
had not moved as silently as the girl behind them.
The person standing behind them was, of course, Makomo, who had already finished tidying herself up.
She tilted her head,
studying the two unfamiliar faces.
Beside her, Sayo patted her chest. "Oh, you're that fox lady from earlier!"
The