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After the Swordsmith Village crisis ended, the entire settlement needed to be relocated and rebuilt from scratch.
Despite being hit by Upper Rank Four and thirty demons, the presence of three Hashira and Tanjiro's group had kept casualties to a minimum. The fallen swordsmiths and patrol swordsmen had been buried with honor—though there'd been no time for proper mourning.
Once night fell, demons could attack again. The dead didn't get eulogies during wartime.
Tanjiro sat upright in his hospital bed, inhaling rice balls like a vacuum cleaner while Goto from the Kakushi explained the situation.
"So we're moving the entire base? Makes sense!"
"We've already constructed several decoy villages as potential headquarters. If another attack happens, we can relocate immediately." Goto watched Tanjiro shovel food into his mouth with growing concern. "By the way, you've been unconscious for seven days. Are you sure it's safe to eat that much?"
'You're developing some seriously weird habits, kid.'
"Mitsuri-san said eating more will make me stronger faster! Speaking of which, how are Kaido-san and Muichiro-kun doing?"
"That reminds me—I've got questions about your sister and the Dragon Hashira."
Goto leaned forward, curiosity written across his face. "Your sister can walk in sunlight now, which is incredible. But more importantly, it's not dangerous, right?"
"And the Dragon Hashira... when I carried him on the stretcher, he had serious injuries. His legs were swollen and bleeding. But two days later? Completely healed. Like nothing ever happened. What's up with that?"
(Kaido: 'System-brand healing pills don't mess around.')
"I'm not sure about Nezuko—whether her transformation is good or bad." Tanjiro paused mid-chew. "As for Kaido-san's recovery speed, it's probably connected to his family's secret techniques. Cough—water! WATER!"
"See? I told you! You're eating too fast! Your injuries haven't fully healed yet!" Goto shoved a cup into Tanjiro's hands, preventing him from choking to death.
"Everything's fine for now, but the moment that blonde kid shows up, all hell's going to break loose."
"Wait, what??"
Butterfly Mansion Courtyard
"WAAAAH! NEZUKO'S SO CUTE! I'M DYING! IS THIS FOR ME?? I'M SO HAPPY! WHEN'S THE WEDDING??"
Zenitsu had spotted Nezuko standing in direct sunlight—alive, human, adorable—and his brain immediately short-circuited. He started screaming declarations of love without engaging his brain first.
"Shut UP! If you want to die, be my guest!" Aoi roared.
"Wel...welcome back! Inosuke!" Nezuko called out cheerfully.
CRACK.
Zenitsu felt lightning strike his soul. His expression twisted into pure, concentrated rage.
"(╬▼__▼) Where is that bastard?? I'm going to murder him and then come back!"
"Please don't say terrifying things so casually!"
After three days of recovery at the Butterfly Mansion, Kaido returned to his estate. He was currently reviewing the system's quest rewards in private.
[Congratulations! Host has completed Hidden Quests.]
[Hidden Quest 1: Save the Swordsmith Village] [Rewards: Dragon Spring Sword, 20% Interdimensional Energy]
[Hidden Quest 2: Muichiro's Memories] [Rewards: 20% Interdimensional Energy]
[Current Interdimensional Energy: 100%]
Dragon Spring Sword: Modified by the system. Functions identically to a Nichirin blade with enhanced sharpness and durability. Virtually indestructible.
[Ding~ Interdimensional Energy has reached 100%. Open dimensional gateway and return to original world?]
[YES — NO]
Kaido stared at the notification.
He should've been ecstatic. This was what he'd been working toward—the chance to go home, to see his mother and Reika again.
But his chest felt hollow. Empty.
'Why do I feel like this?'
He'd been in this world for several years now. So much had happened. He'd accomplished things he never thought possible. Made connections he hadn't expected.
The energy was full. He could leave.
But then what happened to everyone here?
The uncomfortable emotion spread through his chest like ice water.
Retsuki emerged from the house and immediately noticed her brother standing alone in the courtyard, his expression distant and pained. Without a word, she walked over and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her ear against his chest to listen to his heartbeat.
"Retsuki, what's wrong?"
"Big brother... are you leaving?"
Kaido's heart seized. "Why would you say that?"
They'd only been together for less than a year, but Retsuki's heart had become inseparably bound to her brother's. She could feel his emotions as clearly as if they were her own.
Even if Kaido didn't say anything, she could tell.
"Big brother, are you abandoning me? Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry—please don't leave me!" Her voice cracked.
The words felt like a fist closing around Kaido's heart. He didn't want to leave Retsuki. The internal struggle was tearing him apart.
He pulled her into a tight embrace, unwilling to let go. Retsuki clung to him just as desperately.
Then something occurred to him. He immediately contacted the system mentally.
'System!'
[Host, how may I assist?]
'Is there a storage limit for Interdimensional Energy?'
[In response to Host's query: Interdimensional Energy can be stored indefinitely.]
'WHAT?? Why didn't you tell me this earlier?? I've been feeling miserable for nothing!'
[Host did not ask.]
'I swear to god—this is going on the list...'
[You were going to add it to the list anyway, correct?]
'System, you've gotten way too sassy since that upgrade.'
[Thank you for the compliment, Host.]
Kaido wanted to argue further, but realized the system was right—he'd never actually asked. He decided to let it slide.
"Don't worry, Retsuki. You didn't do anything wrong. And I'm not leaving you." His voice was firm, certain. "Even if I have to go somewhere, I'll take you with me."
"Really? You're not lying?"
Retsuki lifted her head and stared directly into his eyes, searching for the truth.
Seeing her vulnerable expression, something in Kaido snapped. Without thinking, he leaned down and kissed her.
Retsuki's mind went completely blank. Her face turned crimson.
Several minutes passed before Retsuki couldn't breathe anymore. Kaido finally pulled back, suddenly realizing he might've gone too far.
"Sorry, Retsuki. I got carried away... I don't know what came over me. I just—"
"It's okay, big brother. As long as you don't leave me, I don't mind." The words were quiet, but they carried unmistakable meaning.
"Retsuki, I won't abandon you. I promise. If I go anywhere, you're coming with me."
"Okay!"
"CAW CAW! Hashira meeting! Hashira meeting! CAW CAW!"
Kaido glared at his crow with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Kuroha, I've been wondering lately—what does roasted crow taste like? Think you could help me find out?"
Kuroha stared blankly for a moment, looked at the embracing pair, then suddenly understood exactly what kind of danger he was in.
A chill shot straight through his tiny bird skull. His feathers puffed up like he'd been electrocuted. He tried to flee—
Kaido's hand closed around him like a vice.
"I was wrong! I was wrong! Master, I'm sorry! CAW! Don't eat me—my meat tastes terrible! If you're hungry, eat Inosuke's crow instead! CAW CAW!"
"Relax, I'm not actually going to eat you. I was joking. Now come on—take me to the Hashira meeting."
"Yes, Master!" Kuroha, realizing his life wasn't in immediate danger, calmed down and led the way toward the Ubuyashiki estate.
"Big brother, come back soon!" Retsuki waved from the doorway.
"I will. I'll make your favorite dish when I get home!"
On the way to headquarters, Kaido mentally activated his daily sign-in.
[Sign-in successful. Obtained: High-Explosive Bombs x20]
High-Explosive Bombs: System-produced. Enhanced explosive power with devastating damage against demons. Effective radius: ten meters. Perfect for turning the Infinity Castle into modern art. Art is an explosion, after all.
'Is the system trying to get me to blow up the Infinity Castle? Because if Muzan finds out I'm planning to demolish his house, he's going to lose his mind.'
An image flashed through Kaido's head—himself running through the Infinity Castle chucking bombs like a madman while Muzan chased him, smoke pouring from his ears, blood streaming from every orifice, completely losing his composure...
The system had mentioned that daily sign-in rewards were randomized—skills, weapons, consumables, whatever. Two months ago, he'd received twenty Clone Talismans and the Teleportation Bell, both of which would be invaluable soon.
Teleportation Bell: Single-use consumable. Hang the bell at a designated location. Within a ten-mile radius, tear the accompanying talisman to instantly teleport up to five people (within two meters of the talisman) to the bell's location.
Looking at the bell and talismans in his system inventory, an idea began to form.
In the original timeline, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had lured Muzan to his estate and detonated explosives, sacrificing himself, his wife, and two of his daughters to deal critical damage and inspire the Corps.
But what if Kaido placed the bell at his own estate and gave the talismans to Amane Ubuyashiki? The family could escape before the explosion. His estate was only eight or nine miles from the Ubuyashiki residence—well within range.
The only problem: the two-meter teleportation radius. If Muzan happened to be standing within that range when they activated the talisman...
'I'd teleport the Demon King directly into my house. That's the opposite of helpful.'
He'd need to plan this carefully. But if executed correctly, he could save Kagaya's family without compromising the battle plan.
❁❁❁❁
Ubuyashiki Estate—Hashira Meeting
"Kaido, you made it!"
"Yeah, sorry I'm late. Got held up with something. How are things with you and Mitsuri-san, Obanai?"
"Everything's great. Thank you for protecting her."
"Don't mention it! I promised I'd keep her safe, didn't I? Besides, I'm still waiting for wedding invitations. You two better not elope without telling anyone."
"Namu Amida Butsu. Now that Kaido has arrived, we await only the Master's presence to begin the meeting," Gyomei intoned, tears streaming down his face as usual.
Several minutes later, Kagaya appeared with Amane, Kiriya, and Hinaki following close behind.
"My beloved children, seeing you gathered here for today's meeting fills me with joy."
His soft voice carried across the courtyard with surprising weight.
"You're all aware that a demon who has conquered the sun now exists. Muzan Kibutsuji will stop at nothing to capture her and gain that power for himself."
"A large-scale, all-out war is approaching. For the first time since the Sengoku period, Demon Slayer Marks have begun appearing among our ranks."
"The first was Kaido, as you all know. Since then, according to crow reports, Mitsuri, Muichiro, and Tanjiro Kamado have also awakened their marks."
Kagaya turned his attention to Mitsuri and Muichiro. "Mitsuri, Muichiro—could you describe the experience of awakening your marks?"
"O-okay! Um, I saw Kaido-kun get hurt by the demon and got really angry. Then my body felt super light, and then... whoosh! It just kinda... popped up! My heart was beating really, really fast! And then it appeared!"
The other Hashira: (●_●)
Amane, Kiriya, Hinaki: (⊙_⊙)
Obanai covered his face with one hand, torn between concern and secondhand embarrassment. If the mark's side effects were as severe as Kaido had warned, that meant Mitsuri wouldn't live past twenty-five.
'What happens to me after she's gone?'
"I'M SO SORRY! If there's a hole nearby, I'd like to crawl into it!" Mitsuri's face turned bright red.
"I don't have much to add about the sensation," Muichiro said calmly. "But I can describe the circumstances."
"I was fighting three demons when my sword broke. I tried to shield a villager with my body—then a boy jumped in front of me and took the hit instead."
His voice remained steady, clinical. "I became angry. My memories returned. Just as Kaido described, my heart rate exceeded two hundred beats per minute, and my body temperature rose above 39 degrees Celsius."
"After the mark appeared, my combat ability increased several times over. That's my experience."
"I've already neutralized the side effects for both Mitsuri-san and Muichiro," Kaido announced. "Obanai, you don't need to worry about Mitsuri suffering from the mark's consequences."
Shocked expressions rippled through the assembled Hashira. Obanai looked like someone had lifted a boulder off his chest.
"My child, could you explain how you accomplished this?" Kagaya's tone was gentle but curious.
"It's a medicinal pill! Kaido-kun gave us pills!" Mitsuri answered before he could.
"That's correct. These were left to me by family members during my travels—emergency supplies for life-threatening situations. Tengen, you've already taken one, so you won't suffer side effects if you awaken a mark."
Kaido's expression grew serious. "However, I only have a few pills remaining. If anyone awakens a mark, inform me immediately."
"My child, thank you for your invaluable contribution to the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kagaya lowered himself into a formal bow.
Kaido immediately stepped forward and helped him upright. "Master, please don't do this! You don't need to bow to me. This is my duty as a Hashira—nothing more."
Kagaya understood the pills' value. For Kaido to share them freely with the Corps rather than hoarding them for himself spoke to his character.
The meeting continued until late afternoon. After Kagaya and his family departed, the Hashira began discussing their individual strategies moving forward.
The pieces were moving into position. The final battle was approaching.
And Kaido had preparations of his own to complete.
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