"Master, I could actually have held my own back then! My poison was ready. Even if Gyutaro really had launched a sneak attack, I could have made him pay. Rokuya could have checked on Tanjiro first."
Rokuya turned around and looked quietly at Shinobu. There was not a trace of humor in his eyes.
"No matter what," Rokuya said, his voice low and firm, "I'll never let you fall into danger again."
Shinobu froze. She gazed into Rokuya's deep eyes.
"I promised that a long time ago," Rokuya continued, his tone commanding and leaving no room for doubt.
The air seemed to fall still at that moment. A breeze drifted gently through the courtyard, carrying the scent of wisteria.
At some point, Shinobu's face had grown even redder. Her heart was beating so fast that she could barely control it, and even her ears felt hot.
"I'm going to the Butterfly Mansion to check on the injured!"
Shinobu spun around, even her bow looking somewhat hurried. With those words, she strode out of the courtyard without looking back, as though fleeing something.
Watching Shinobu beat a flustered retreat, Kagaya Ubuyashiki could not help chuckling.
Rokuya withdrew his gaze and turned back to Oyakata-sama. His expression grew serious again.
"Master, I think the Upper Ranks will make a move soon."
The smile slowly faded from Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face. He gestured for Rokuya to continue.
"When I fought Gyutaro, I carefully gauged his presence and the strength of his power." Rokuya recalled every detail of the battle. "I felt that this Upper Rank Six was terrifyingly powerful. You could even say that the pressure he exerted was comparable to Doma, whom we encountered before."
Oyakata-sama's expression grew graver. Doma was Upper Rank Two, and his strength was unfathomable. If even Upper Rank