"Ah! Kanae, I'm your dog! Will you marry me someday?!"
Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from the crowd.
One of the team members, slightly tipsy, couldn't help but loudly express his admiration for Kanae after Kanae poured him a cup of tea.
"Puff..."
Teiichi was drinking the toast when he heard this, and he couldn't hold it in and spat out the wine in his mouth.
Hey kid, you're from another time, aren't you?
"Ha ha ha ha..."
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.
" Yamamoto, what are you thinking about? It's not time to sleep yet!"
Before Kanae could even voice her opinion, another team member standing next to her called out, then turned to Kanae and continued:
" Kanae, no matter who you marry in the future, please don't marry that Yamamoto brat!"
"Huh? Watanabe, what are you saying? Why can't you marry me, even though you'll marry anyone else?"
Watanabe was about to reply when he was interrupted by Shinobu Kocho's angry voice, which was cold and stern, sending a chill down the spines of everyone present.
"What are you daydreaming about? If you've had too much to drink, go back to sleep and stop causing trouble!"
Unlike Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho hasn't experienced her sister's death and isn't the always smiling, seemingly gentle person from the original story. Instead, she's a serious, unsmiling woman with a straightforward, competitive, and easily angered personality.
Therefore, upon hearing Shinobu Kocho's words, the two tensed up and immediately sat up straight.
"Hehehe... Ren, don't scare them." Kanae said softly, turning to the two of them.
"If you want to marry me, you'd better train hard! Becoming a Pillar and defeating demons is your primary mission!"
Upon hearing Kanae's words, the two blushed instantly. Ignoring Shinobu Kocho, they patted their chests and spoke loudly.
"Don't worry, Kanae, I will train hard from now on and strive to become a Pillar, to destroy all evil spirits!!"
"That's right! Kanae, you'll be waiting for me right where the Pillar is!!"
Seeing the two's reactions, Shinobu Kocho gritted her teeth in anger and shouted at Kanae in dissatisfaction.
"Elder sister!!"
Looking at her younger sister's puffed-up cheeks, Kanae couldn't help but smile and comforted her:
"Alright, it's the Lunar New Year, everyone should just be happy!"
"Snort!"
Shinobu Kocho snorted upon hearing this, venting her resentment on the food in front of her. She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and chewed it viciously.
Soon after, Kanae returned to her seat after pouring everyone a cup of tea. She sat down gently, a warm smile on her face, her gaze sweeping over everyone as if appreciating the warm and cheerful atmosphere.
Shinobu Kocho looked at Kanae, who had returned to her side, and asked about the plans for the new year.
"Sister, what are your plans for next year?"
Upon hearing this, Kanae gently raised her head, falling into a brief moment of contemplation. After a while, she smiled and replied:
"Next year, I mainly plan to continue studying medicine and continue carrying out our Demon Slayer Corps ' missions. Of course, the specific arrangements will depend on the Hashira Meeting after the New Year, at which time I will formulate my plan based on the Oyakata-sama's decision."
As soon as Kanae finished speaking, she added, "Oh, by the way, Teiichi will also be attending the Hashira Meeting with me this time."
Hearing Kanae mention his name, Teiichi was somewhat surprised. Kasugai Crow hadn't come since reporting on the mission last time, and he wondered where she'd been gallivanting off to. He looked at Kanae with a puzzled expression, about to ask her a question, but Shinobu Kocho beat him to it.
"He's going too? What's he going for?"
Shinobu Kocho was taken aback by what she heard and instinctively asked a question. Then, as if she had thought of something, she began to explain it to herself.
"Right, he killed Lower Rank Three after all, he should have been promoted to Pillar long ago. He's been recuperating here because of his injuries. This trip was probably to discuss his promotion to Pillar."
Kanae nodded. "Yes, the main reason for this trip is to Teiichi becoming the Wind Hashira."
Upon hearing this news, everyone showed expressions of surprise. They all turned their gazes to Teiichi, their eyes filled with admiration and envy.
Teiichi himself was somewhat surprised, but he quickly regained his composure.
To be honest, when I first transmigrated, I thought it would be cool to become a Pillar, but after experiencing several events, I didn't have as much of an obsession with Teiichi a Pillar anymore.
Ultimately, it's just a title; as long as you have enough strength, whether you're a Pillar or not doesn't really matter.
However, the treatment offered by the Pillars is very tempting. In the original work, which Pillar doesn't have a big house? Then I can finally say goodbye to my mountain cabin.
Thinking of this Teiichi swallowed hard and continued to ponder.
but...
Wind Hashira?
Sanemi Shinazugawa hasn't become a Pillar yet, or maybe there will be two Wind Hashira in the future...
If there's only one Wind Hashira, and you become the Wind Hashira, what will happen to Sanemi Shinazugawa...?
The excited shouts beside him interrupted Teiichi's thoughts.
"Brother Teiichi, that's wonderful! You're about to become Wind Hashira!!"
Teiichi turned his head, smiled, and nodded to Kanon.
"Yes! You should keep up your training!"
"Um!!"
Kanon nodded repeatedly after hearing Teiichi's words.
The banquet continued, with bursts of laughter and cheerful conversation frequently filling the room.
The snowflakes outside the window continued to fall, but they did not affect the people inside the house at all.
Two weeks later.
Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, casting its glow on the winding path and adding warmth to the tranquil trail.
Teiichi and Kanae Kocho walked side by side along the path, heading to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters to attend the upcoming Hashira Meeting.
Both the Butterfly Mansion and the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters are important institutions within the Demon Slayer Corps, and although they are located in the same area, they don't put all their eggs in one basket; there is still a considerable distance between them.
It had been almost two or three hours since the two left the Butterfly Mansion. If they had run, the time would have been much shorter. About half an hour ago, they began to encounter some members of the Kakushi Division wearing Demon Slayer Corps uniforms who were questioning them.
These Kakushi Division members are the Demon Slayer Corps ' intelligence gathering and support department. They are responsible for patrolling and surveillance around headquarters to ensure that no suspicious persons approach.
Led by Kanae, the two made their way smoothly. As a veteran member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kanae knew the headquarters' routes and layout like the back of her hand.
As the two continued on their journey, the surrounding scenery gradually changed.
Dense forests came into view, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground. Occasionally, the sounds of birdsong and insects could be heard from afar, adding a touch of life to the tranquil forest.
After passing through the woods, a huge building finally came into view.