"Butterfly Mansion..." Rokuya mulled over the name, his brows lifting slightly.
"But establishing an entirely new institution within the Demon Slayer Corps requires enormous funding, as well as special approval from the Master." Shinobu Kocho bit her lip. "My sister thinks she's just an ordinary Mizunoto swordswoman whose words carry little weight. The Master might not listen to her suggestion. So..."
"So you want me, the current 'Kai Hashira,' to step in and put pressure on that scheming bastard Ubuyashiki to make it happen, right?" Rokuya sneered, exposing the girl's intentions outright.
With her thoughts laid bare, Shinobu Kocho flushed and looked away guiltily. "I-it's not really pressure... I just hoped you could help, Rokuya. After all, we don't know who else we can rely on besides you."
Seeing the girl looking so unusually vulnerable, Rokuya's heart softened. He sighed and released Shura's hilt.
"Lead the way."
"Huh?" Shinobu Kocho jerked her head up.
"I said, lead the way." Irritably, Rokuya flicked her smooth forehead, producing a crisp clang. "It's been half a year. I really should visit that idiot who can't even be bothered to eat properly. As for this Butterfly Mansion... we'll discuss it in detail once we see her. If that old fox Ubuyashiki dares refuse approval, I'll take this blade and chop down his front gate."
Shinobu Kocho covered her reddened forehead. Although the pain nearly brought tears to her eyes, she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from lifting into a smile more radiant than the sun.
"Rokuya, I love you the most!"
"Shut up. Keep babbling and I'll chop you down too."
The journey from Mount Fujikasane to the Hideaway where the Flower Breathing Cultivator lived was hardly short. The two spent three full days traveling.
Over those three days, Rokuya fully