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Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
After greeting the other Hashira, Kaidō made his way to the Ubuyashiki estate, hoping to speak with Kagaya.
Outside the estate entrance, he spotted a Kasugai Crow—likely Kagaya's personal messenger. Kaidō explained his purpose, and the crow flew off to announce his arrival.
A few moments later...
Creak.
"Kaidō-sama, Father has asked me to escort you. Please follow me." Kanata Ubuyashiki opened the door with her usual emotionless courtesy.
Following Kanata into the courtyard, Kaidō found Kagaya seated formally on a tatami mat alongside his wife, Amane Ubuyashiki. He took a seat across from them.
"My beloved child, welcome back." Kagaya's voice carried its characteristic warmth. "I've heard about your work this past month. You not only eliminated a Lower Rank demon but also cleared your entire patrol zone of threats. The people there can finally live without fear. I'm truly proud of you."
That voice really does put you at ease, Kaidō thought.
"It's my duty as a demon slayer. Nothing more than what's expected."
"The crow mentioned you had an urgent matter to discuss. Is something troubling you? You can always confide in me."
"Actually, it's about your curse, Master." Kaidō made a show of reaching into his pocket while actually pulling an Enhanced Longevity Pill from his system inventory. "If you're willing to trust me, please take this."
Kagaya accepted the pill without hesitation and swallowed it immediately.
"You're not going to ask what it is first?"
"I trust my children would never harm me."
Kaidō felt genuine admiration for Kagaya—a man with such a magnanimous heart and complete faith in his subordinates.
Then something incredible happened.
The curse marks on Kagaya's face began to recede. His skin cleared, vitality returning to his features. When the transformation finished, Kagaya looked... honestly pretty handsome.
"What is this?" Kagaya's shock was evident despite his usual composure.
"A family heirloom—an Enhanced Longevity Pill. It can't eliminate your curse entirely, but it significantly weakens and delays its progression. And I imagine you'd like to witness Muzan Kibutsuji's downfall with your own eyes, wouldn't you?"
Kagaya looked at his wife and children, then—to Kaidō's horror—all four of them prostrated themselves in gratitude.
"SUCH A PRECIOUS TREASURE... THE UBUYASHIKI FAMILY WILL NEVER FORGET THIS KINDNESS!"
"Master, please!" Kaidō quickly helped him up. "There's no need for this. You're giving me way too much credit."
"THANK YOU FOR SAVING FATHER!" Kanata and Hinaki bowed deeply.
...
After talking with Kagaya for a while longer, Kaidō returned to his estate to rest and strategize about the timeline ahead.
He lay on his bed, thoughts racing.
'Six or seven months until Tanjiro's family gets attacked and Nezuko turns into a demon. But should I even interfere? If I stop it, Nezuko won't become a demon—but we need her Blood Demon Art later. The Infinity Train arc, for example.'
'What if my interference creates a butterfly effect? Muzan might go into hiding for another century. Or worse—everything could accelerate, the entire Corps could be wiped out, and Sun Breathing might be lost forever.'
'But if I don't interfere, Tanjiro loses his family. Nezuko becomes a demon. Though... demon Nezuko does help everyone tremendously in the later arcs.'
Then there's the Infinity Train. Rengoku fights Akaza, gets his abdomen pierced. That's when his sword grip strength increased and his blade started glowing faintly—the first signs of a Crimson Blade manifesting.
"Ugh, why am I overthinking this? Focus on what I can control: keeping the Hashira alive and helping Yushiro save Tamayo during the final battle in the Infinity Castle."
"I can't make any promises about Tanjiro's situation, but I should at least visit. He'll be my junior brother eventually. Plus, little Nezuko is adorable."
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
"More importantly... I should try my hand at matchmaking. Let's see if I can push Obanai and Mitsuri together. Those two are perfect for each other. Hehehehe!"
The image of them as a couple made Kaidō break into what could only be described as a scheming auntie smile before he passed out from exhaustion.
...
Noon the Next Day
A Kakushi member arrived at Kaidō's estate. "Kaidō-sama, I've brought what you requested!"
The Kakushi handed over a large bag filled with sakura mochi.
That morning, after washing up, Kaidō had asked a Kakushi to buy the sweets on his behalf. His master plan to unite Obanai and Mitsuri was officially underway—starting with Mitsuri's weakness for food.
"Perfect. Thanks for your help!"
"Not at all—it's my duty!"
'Now the real work begins. Obanai better treat me to a fancy dinner after this succeeds. Hehehehe!'
...
Somewhere in the middle of a mission, Obanai Iguro sneezed suddenly. 'Strange. Who's thinking about me?'
...
"Mitsuri-nee! There you are!"
"Oh! Kaidō-kun! Were you looking for me?" Mitsuri's face lit up immediately. 'He came to find me! And he called me 'nee-san' again! I'm so happy! He's so cute—I really want to hug him!'
"Yep! Obanai-san asked me to give you this." Kaidō held out the bag.
"Eh? Obanai asked you to give this to me? What is it? WOW! Sakura mochi! Please thank Obanai for me! Kaidō-kun, let's eat together!"
"Can't—I've got a mission!" Kaidō used the excuse to make a strategic retreat.
"Oh, a mission! Well, good luck! You're working so hard. Next time you're free, let me treat you to a meal as thanks!"
"Deal! I definitely won't say no to free food! Hehe!"
...
Two Months Later
For two solid months, Kaidō had been delivering food to Mitsuri—sakura mochi, dango, various sweets—always claiming they were gifts from Obanai.
Every time Mitsuri saw Obanai afterward, she'd thank him profusely. Obanai had no idea what was happening, but seeing Mitsuri smile made him too happy to question it.
Until one day...
"Mitsuri-nee, I've got a mission. Oh, and Obanai-san wanted you to have these mochi dumplings."
"Huh? Why does Obanai always have you deliver things instead of giving them to me himself?"
"Probably just shy! Anyway, gotta go—bye, Mitsuri-nee!"
"Oh, okay... bye."
Hidden in a nearby tree, Obanai had witnessed the entire exchange.
"So it was you doing all this? And you've been saying the gifts were from me?" He immediately took a shortcut to intercept Kaidō.
...
"Kaidō! Stop right there! I need to talk to you!"
Kaidō turned to see Obanai approaching rapidly. "Oh, Obanai-san! What's up?"
"Why did you do it?"
"Do what? I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb. Why have you been giving Mitsuri presents and claiming they're from me?"
"Before I answer that, let me ask you something: Do you like Mitsuri? Be honest."
"I... I..."
"You like her, don't you? You're just afraid of being rejected."
"How did you—"
"How did I know? It's obvious. You light up every time you see her. When you're together, you wish time would slow down. You even gave her those striped stockings. Am I wrong, Obanai?"
The accuracy of Kaidō's observations left Obanai speechless. He lowered his head, wrestling with thoughts he couldn't voice.
"Obanai." Kaidō's tone shifted, becoming more serious. He dropped the honorific entirely. "One simple question: Do you love Kanroji Mitsuri?"
After a long silence, Obanai seemed to reach a decision. His hands moved to the bandages wrapped around his face. Slowly, he unwound them.
The scars were revealed—his mouth split grotesquely from ear to ear.
He looked up at Kaidō. "Will you listen to my story?"
"Yeah."
They sat down beneath a tree. And Obanai Iguro began to speak about his past.
...
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