Ume said what I brought back wasn't a person, but a pig.
The reason wasn't just because Inosuke wore a hood. Also called her a sash monster.
He held grudges. After being caught by Ume and given a small beating, he'd always hide in corners secretly observing.
Whenever he discovered a flaw Ume inadvertently revealed, he'd quickly dart out from the corner. Charge straight at her recklessly.
That posture—I had to admit—really did resemble a wild boar charging down the mountain.
Ume had lived smoothly for over a hundred years. Even Yuichiro, whose mouth was sometimes rather sharp, didn't provoke her.
This time she was harassed quite severely by Inosuke.
Days passed in the cycle of "secretly observing—sneak attack—small beating—secretly observing."
Before Ume's fury accumulated to the critical point, the Final Selection finally drew near.
I quickly sent Inosuke off. Spared him another beating before attending the selection.
Two swords I gave him hung at his waist. Clutching a bundle of rice balls as rations. Full of swagger, he bid me farewell: "I'll definitely be the first to pass the selection!"
I believed he could do it. After all, he didn't receive my instruction. Just watched me demonstrate Breathing once—learned to imitate it without a teacher.
Now Mount Fujikasane had people checking regularly. No longer possible for demons to secretly survive and grow stronger in the dark.
So I felt at ease letting him attend the Final Selection. Didn't require him to return to me after passing.
"If you need any help, you can come back to find me." I instructed him. "Did you memorize the address?"
Inosuke shouldered the pack with rice balls. Waved impatiently. "Got it, big monster. I'm leaving!"
He had no hesitation about parting. After speaking, ran far away. His back quickly merged into the night, invisible.
After the Final Selection ended, Inosuke indeed never returned... But Daifuku often flew into the crow flocks to chat and exchange news.
After a few days, came back to tell me this selection's results: five passed. Among them, surprisingly four were people I knew.
I hadn't expected Genya and Kanao to both participate in this selection... Though their teachers had contact, these two still acted like they didn't know each other.
Additionally, Tanjiro also passed this exam. Daifuku said he suffered minor injuries. But no big problem.
I wrote to inquire. Asked if he wanted to bring his sister to the Butterfly Estate for a checkup. Or I could directly introduce a demon doctor.
Tanjiro quickly replied. Happily said Nezuko had already awakened. Her body remained very normal. Condition also good.
He thanked me for my help. Said he'd already departed to execute his first mission.
If there was free time between missions, he'd bring Nezuko to visit me.
As for accidentally encountering Tamayo during his mission—that was another matter.
Tamayo had heard me mention Nezuko's existence before. But after seeing her with her own eyes, she understood how incredible Nezuko's state was.
Her letter mentioned Nezuko's blood showed completely different changes from mine or Koyuki's blood.
Finally, Tamayo wrote: With Nezuko's blood assistance, research on medicine to turn demons back into humans should make more progress.
Additionally, she was also trying to use her connections to track Muzan's whereabouts. But still no more leads.
I guessed Muzan should have temporarily given up activities in the human world. That's why no clues could be obtained.
Since the enemy side lay low, the Demon Slayer Corps naturally still seized the opportunity to raise combat power.
I found some free time. Made up the special training Tengen and Muichiro were lacking.
Turning back, Kanae sent a letter. Said there was a matter requiring my judgment.
Because Kagaya's physical condition grew worse and worse, the nine Hashira usually didn't go to the Ubuyashiki estate to disturb him.
If they needed a small meeting or had matters, they'd run to my place.
This time the letter came from Kanae. I was still wondering if she encountered some trouble during the purge review process?
Who knew the one who came to find me was Gyomei. Plus an unexpected guest.
That was Kuwajima Jigoro, the Thunder Hashira who'd retired long ago. I remembered he lost a leg. Retired even earlier than Urokodaki.
Many years unseen—he'd already become a white-haired old man. The stump was fitted with wood. Steadily walked over leaning on a cane.
Gyomei heard his voice. Also pressed palms together to greet him. But his stern expression still didn't relax one bit.
This was my first time seeing Gyomei show such an expression. Looked at Kuwajima again.
Didn't understand what conflict could arise between a retired Thunder Hashira and the current Stone Hashira.
"Pardon the intrusion. Truly sorry."
Gyomei spoke first: "I inadvertently heard the Butterfly mention this matter. She recently judged an internal brawling incident. I heard a youth's name and found it familiar. Therefore conducted an investigation."
"My judgment was correct. That youth is indeed someone I know. I believe his character is poor. Should not remain in the Demon Slayer Corps. I hereby submit my request to you—expel that youth from the Demon Slayer Corps."
I was somewhat surprised for a moment. Gyomei wasn't someone who'd easily make such a decision. Don't know what wrong that youth committed to make him so resolute.
After brief consideration, I looked at Kuwajima again. "What's that youth's name? What's his relationship to you?"
Kuwajima bent slightly at the waist. "His name is Kaigaku. An orphan with no father or mother. I saw his exceptional aptitude. So brought him back to train as a disciple."
Thunder Breathing still hadn't produced a reliable successor. His concern for his disciple was natural.
"Gyomei, you know that youth called Kaigaku, right?" I asked. "What wrong did he commit to make you expel him?"
Gyomei was silent for a moment. Seemed to be adjusting his emotions. After a long while finally said: "You still remember I once raised some orphans. They tragically suffered demon slaughter."
I immediately recalled his past. Still remembered Gyomei said the temple children drove out a companion. Led to that child encountering a demon outside.
To let himself survive, he sold Gyomei and the remaining children in the temple to the demon. Even personally extinguished the incense they used to guard against demons.
"Is it him?"
If truly this person, then indeed couldn't let him continue staying in the Demon Slayer Corps. Since he betrayed others to save his own life, hard to guarantee he wouldn't betray comrades a second time.
"Precisely this person." Gyomei said firmly. "He absolutely cannot remain in the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kuwajima had been listening to us talk. Only now did he tremble and bow. Performed a deep bow. "Lady Chihaya, Himejima, please hear me out."
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────
📖 80+ chapters ahead — full story available
🔍 Search "patreon.com/DarkGolds
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────