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Butterfly Mansion.
Tanjiro lay in his recovery bed when a familiar face appeared at the doorway. His expression brightened immediately.
"Haganezuka-san! Your injuries healed up? That's great—wait, you don't look that great..."
Hotaru Haganezuka wheezed like he'd just run a marathon, clutching a newly forged blade. He staggered over to Tanjiro's bedside and practically shoved the weapon at him.
Goto, who'd been keeping Tanjiro company, quickly dragged over a chair. "Please, sit down before you collapse!"
Tanjiro drew the Nichirin Blade from its sheath. The metal gradually shifted to pitch black—darker than before, richer in color. Below the tsuba, a single kanji had been engraved: (Destroy).
"This blade was forged from excellent ore. The previous wielder must've been an incredibly powerful swordsman!" Haganezuka's voice carried fierce pride despite his exhaustion. "That 'Destroy' kanji—whoever made this blade wanted to see every demon wiped from existence. That's why they never engraved their name. The mission mattered more than recognition."
"I see... that's amazing..."
"Listen up, Tanjiro!" Haganezuka jabbed a finger at him. "From now on, you're sending me mitarashi dango until the day you die! And if I ever see this blade damaged again, I'll kill you myself! Got it??"
"Yes, yes! I promise! Thank you so much!"
After Haganezuka left, Tanjiro and Goto were reflecting on the encounter when—
CRASH!
The window exploded inward as Inosuke came flying through.
"YAHOO! Strengthening! Strengthening training! HAHAHAHA!"
"You idiot!" Goto punched him in the back of the head. "Why would you break through the window?? Shinobu-sama's going to kill us! If you're gonna die, don't drag us down with you!"
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After Kagaya left the previous day's meeting, the Hashira spent hours deliberating. Following Gyomei's proposal, they decided to implement a comprehensive training program—every Corps member below Hashira rank would undergo specialized instruction under each pillar.
During the planning phase, Kaido distributed the [Enhancement Pills] he'd received from the system, explaining their proper usage. The Hashira expressed genuine gratitude. They understood how valuable these pills were, and Kaido's willingness to share them would significantly boost their chances against Muzan.
Normally, Hashira didn't train anyone except their Tsuguko—apprentices. They simply didn't have time. Each pillar covered enormous territories, gathering intelligence on demons, honing their own techniques, and handling countless other responsibilities.
But with Upper Ranks Four, Five, and Six eliminated, and demons going completely silent since Nezuko conquered the sun, an eerie calm had settled over Japan...
The calm before the storm!
That silence gave the Hashira something they rarely had—time to focus on night patrols and daytime training.
Giyu had initially planned to skip the training program entirely. Then Shinobu marched up and grabbed his ear.
"Tomioka-san, if you don't participate, I won't be nice about it!"
"Ow... could you let go first?"
"Only if you agree to join! Otherwise, I'm not letting go!"
"I'm... I'm not like the rest of you..."
"Oh really? I'd love to hear how you're different!" Shinobu twisted slightly. "You're going to explain that today, or I'm not releasing you! Or do you want people to hate you?"
That hit a nerve. Giyu's eyes widened. "I... I'm not hated...!"
Watching this unfold, Kaido couldn't suppress a knowing grin. 'Well, well. Looks like Tomioka-senpai's spring has finally arrived. Hehehe... guess I don't need to play matchmaker after all~'
"Ara, Kaido-kun, you're starting to act like Muichiro!" Kanae observed with amusement, comparing Kaido to Muichiro sitting beside him.
Both of them sat cross-legged, arms folded across their chests, heads tilted at identical angles. One black-haired, one white-haired—they looked like mirror images.
Kaido and Muichiro spoke in perfect unison: "Do we? I don't see it."
"Even your timing's synchronized now!"
Both: intense stare
"Alright, alright! I'm just teasing!"
Kaido and Muichiro: "That wasn't funny at all!"
After that little interlude, Giyu—still being ear-dragged by Shinobu—reluctantly agreed to join the training program.
The structure was straightforward:
Tengen Uzui: Foundation building through brutal physical conditioning.
Mitsuri Kanroji: Hellish flexibility training.
Muichiro Tokito: High-speed movement drills.
Obanai Iguro: Swordsmanship form correction.
Sanemi Shinazugawa: Relentless assault endurance.
Gyomei Himejima: Muscle strengthening regimen.
Kaido Ryujin: Rapid strike training.
Kyojuro Rengoku, Giyu Tomioka, and the Kocho sisters: Sparring partners for the Hashira, helping them fully absorb the Enhancement Pills' effects through combat.
Though Sanemi usually teamed up with Obanai to gang up on Giyu during sparring, this time Obanai—out of respect for Kaido—refrained from joining the "Giyu-bullying squad."
After finishing a sparring match with Giyu, Sanemi tracked down Kaido.
"Hand it over." He extended his palm.
"Here." Kaido pulled out a large bag and passed it over.
Sanemi looked inside, then frowned. "Kid, did you mess up the count? Why's there so much?"
"I still owed you five portions from before. The extra ten are compensation for making you wait."
"Tch. Fine. Since you're being decent about it, I'll go easier on Tomioka next time."
"Uh... thanks, I guess." 'Sorry, senpai. That's all I can do for you.'
After Sanemi left, Kaido headed toward the Ubuyashiki estate. He still had three critical tasks to complete.
At the mansion, he met with Amane and explained his plan. From his system space, he produced the Teleportation Bell—a life-saving talisman—and demonstrated its use. The Wind Chime had already been installed at his own estate.
Amane listened carefully, expressing heartfelt gratitude. She promised to follow his instructions precisely when the time came.
Leaving the mansion, Kaido sent Kuroha to summon both Muichiro and Genya to his residence. When Muichiro arrived first, Kaido got straight to business.
"Muichiro, I need you to wear this against your chest."
He produced a palm-sized wooden puppet—the Substitute Puppet—and handed it over.
Muichiro placed it against his chest as instructed. The puppet immediately melted into his body, vanishing beneath his skin. He felt... different somehow, though he couldn't articulate exactly how. His movements weren't affected, but something had changed internally.
"Muichiro, trust me—it'll protect you when you need it most."
"...Thank you." Muichiro didn't fully understand Kaido's reasoning, but he trusted him implicitly. All the Hashira did.
After Muichiro left, Genya arrived shortly after.
"Dragon Hashira-sama, you wanted to see me?"
"Genya, I'm going to teach you the Water Breathing forms. Whether you master them or not depends entirely on your effort."
"Really?? Thank you, Dragon Hashira-sama! I'll work harder than anyone!"
"Before we start, put this against your chest."
Kaido handed him the second Substitute Puppet. Genya didn't hesitate—he placed it against his sternum, and like before, the puppet fused with his body instantly.
"Genya, it'll keep you alive. If you want to stand beside your brother, you need to survive long enough to earn that right."
"Yes! Thank you, Dragon Hashira-sama. I won't let you down."
"Good. Now let's begin. If anything's unclear, come find me."
Kaido began demonstrating the Water Breathing forms.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash..."
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Once Tanjiro recovered fully, he joined the Hashira training rotation.
After the Swordsmith Village incident, he'd reached quasi-Hashira level strength. The training regimen, while challenging, wasn't overwhelming for him anymore.
"Yo, Tanjiro! Heard you and that flashy Kaido kid took down Upper Rank Four together—nice work! Let's wake up that sluggish body of yours with some flashy training!"
"Yes, sir! I'll give it everything I've got! I won't let anyone down!"
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"Genya, those are all the Water Breathing forms. You've got time now—practice hard. I've still got business to handle, but when I get back, come find me if you're struggling with anything."
"Yes, Dragon Hashira-sama! I'll train until I master them!"
After Genya departed, Kaido pulled out a sealed letter—his third task, assigned by Kagaya himself.
In the original timeline, Kagaya's deteriorating condition prevented him from traveling, so he'd sent his crow as a messenger to Asakusa, inviting Tamayo to join forces against Muzan.
But Kaido's arrival had created ripples—butterfly effects that not only slowed Kagaya's curse significantly but also brought unprecedented stability to the Demon Slayer Corps.
So Kagaya entrusted this mission to Kaido instead. His presence would help earn Tamayo's trust and demonstrate the Corps' genuine commitment to destroying Muzan.
Besides, Kagaya knew Kaido occasionally corresponded with Tamayo. She'd be more receptive to him.
"Guess it's time to head to Asakusa. And while I'm there, I should finally make good on my promise to Yushiro."
"Wonder if that mom-obsessed idiot actually confessed yet... probably not."
Drawing his greatsword, Kaido had Kuroha provide directions, then took off—sword-flying toward Asakusa.
What Kaido didn't know was that when he returned from this trip, something would happen that would absolutely infuriate him.
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