Crack!
It was the sound of his dignity shattering.
Shinazugawa felt as though a gleaming blade hung in the air, slicing open even the scars on his face with embarrassment!
The agony felt worse than being slapped by a weak Lower Rank demon.
Especially Shinobu Kocho's last few words.
The way she had called him "big brother" positively made his skin tingle.
It sounded caring, but her murderous intent was laid bare!
Behind that smile lurked a deadly move, a dagger finally revealed!
At that moment, women's "venom" once again redefined Shinazugawa's understanding.
Just as he was hesitating over whether to flee.
The sound of water dripping onto the ground suddenly came from behind him.
Then came Su Chen's startling tone:
"Oh? Shinazugawa, what brings you here?"
At those words, a vein throbbed on Shinazugawa's forehead.
"I'll be leaving." Shinazugawa walked out without looking back.
Shinobu Kocho hurried after him. "Mr. Shinazugawa, aren't you going to ask Mr. Su Chen your question?"
"Mr. Shinazugawa, didn't you say it had been troubling you for ages?"
"Mr. Shinazugawa, why don't I have Mr. Su Chen see you out?"
Damn it!
Shinazugawa had clenched his hands so hard they were nearly purple.
He had asked for it, coming here to provoke Kocho.
And what made Shinazugawa feel even more suffocated was this.
All the injured Demon Slayer Corps members around them had heard Shinobu Kocho and instinctively turned to look.
Shinazugawa.
Had died of embarrassment.
"Damn it!" Shinazugawa pulled out his sheathed sword and roared, "All of you, shut your eyes!"
That furious, flustered tone.
Combined with a face that could make children cry, it proved extremely effective.
The Demon Slayer Corps members froze at first, then were frightened by the Wind Hashira's imposing presence.
They all turned away, silent as mice.
Just then, Su Chen walked over.
"Big brother Shinazugawa, what did you want to ask me?"
Those words practically danced on Shinazugawa's grave.
His blood vessels nearly burst with rage.
Swish!
A blade flashed.
Shinazugawa drew his Nichirin Blade.
At the same time, he said, "My blade wants to ask whether your blood is as sweet as that honey-coated mouth of yours!"
Then.
Shinazugawa took a step back.
He actually began preparing a sword technique.
He said seriously, "Haven't you improved a great deal lately? Then let me test your strength before the tournament!"
"Wind..."
"Insect Breathing, Butterfly Dance: Caprice!"
Shinobu Kocho unleashed her sword technique first.
As Su Chen retreated, Shinobu Kocho flashed straight between the two of them.
And interrupted Shinazugawa's sword technique before he could unleash it!
She slowly straightened, still smiling.
But a trace of displeasure had entered her voice. "Mr. Shinazugawa, are you trying to destroy my Butterfly Mansion?"
Shinazugawa froze.
Then he hurriedly explained, "No, I only wanted to spar with Su Chen."
"Spar?"
Shinobu Kocho's smiling eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous gleam in them. "Mr. Shinazugawa, don't you know how wide an area a single one of your sword techniques covers?"
"I don't believe my Butterfly Mansion can accommodate you sparring with a Nichirin Blade."
"And Mr. Shinazugawa, let me remind you that this Butterfly Mansion was established by my older sister, Kanae Kocho."
Shinazugawa fell silent.
Especially when he heard Kanae Kocho's name.
His long-dormant heart gave an inexplicable flutter.
"I'm sorry." A trace of complicated feeling showed in Shinazugawa's eyes.
He carefully put away the Nichirin Blade in his hand as well.
Seeing this, Shinobu Kocho cautiously breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that problem was resolved.
She turned around with a smile.
And apologized to the Demon Slayer Corps members Shinazugawa had just threatened:
"I'm sorry, everyone. Our esteemed Wind Hashira thought the weather was too hot, so he wanted to give everyone a cool breeze!"
"I apologize for the trouble we caused you all!"
Shinobu Kocho's tone was exceedingly gentle.
Her smile became deeply etched into every teammate's face.
Suddenly, a breeze blew past.
Her colorful haori billowed in the wind, spreading like a butterfly's wings.
Gentleness, smiles, encouragement-Shinobu Kocho embodied all of them to the fullest.
They made her look like a beautiful angel.
Everyone stared, entranced, and blushed as they said:
"Lady Shinobu, you're being far too kind. We weren't angry in the first place. You don't need to apologize to ordinary members like us."
"Lady Shinobu is so cute! But we're fine now. Thank you for your concern, Lady Shinobu!"
"We're not angry, not at all! You should stay happy too, Lady Shinobu!"
The atmosphere immediately became harmonious.
Aoi Kanzaki, who was making the beds, could not help remarking, "That's Lady Shinobu for you. She's always so gentle."
She had to work hard too, and do her best to protect the Butterfly Mansion!
That was how Aoi Kanzaki encouraged herself.
But the next moment, heavy panting sounded beside her.
A tusked beast's face suddenly appeared beside Aoi Kanzaki.
Before Aoi Kanzaki could react.
The "wild boar" shot off as though flying.
Straight toward Su Chen!
Wild laughter rang out. "Hehahahahahahaha! So this is where you were hiding, you brat! We weren't done fighting earlier!"
Aoi Kanzaki was dumbfounded when she heard him.
Inosuke?!
When had he returned?
Seeing whom Inosuke was charging toward, Aoi Kanzaki could not help crying out, "Inosuke, no! That's Mr. Su Chen!"
But Inosuke paid no heed to Aoi Kanzaki's words.
Instead, he sped up even more.
Hearing the commotion.
Su Chen turned toward the sound.
And saw "a pig" hurtling toward him!
"No fighting with swords, Mr. Su Chen," Shinobu Kocho suddenly said with a smile.
She, too, had noticed Inosuke charging over.
But she was not worried in the slightest.
Inosuke was nowhere near as strong as the Wind Hashira, so she did not need to guard against him as she did against the Wind Hashira.
He could spar with Su Chen in the Butterfly Mansion.
Su Chen's strength was more than sufficient.
Su Chen glanced at Shinobu Kocho.
He could not help grumbling inwardly.
When did I agree to fight?
If you want me to help tame your pet, just say so!
And no swords? You little girl can't even provide me with a sword. Where would I get one?
But Su Chen knew just how devious Shinobu Kocho was.
So he chose to keep his mouth shut.
Su Chen glanced at Inosuke again.
He remembered that Inosuke was quite good at hand-to-hand combat.
Perhaps he might even gain insight into a few strange moves from him.
And so.
Su Chen made a show of setting down the wooden sword he held, which was merely for appearances.
Then.
He lightly stepped back.
A dark figure lunged over in an instant, charging right into the spot Su Chen had just vacated.
Su Chen dodged Inosuke's Headlong Rush.
Bang!
The sound of the ground being plowed rang out.
Inosuke abruptly stamped on the ground to brake.
Seeing that Su Chen carried no sword, he simply set down the swords in his hands as well.
Heavy panting immediately came from the pig snout over his mouth. "I see! So your name is Su Geng! Now I know!"
"Since you're not using a sword, let's fight barehanded!"
Before you continue