The one who ran faster than me was Ritsuka.
During the meeting she didn't make a sound. After the meeting ended, Tanjiro was also taken away.
Only then did she say to the two Water Breathing successors: "That's your junior disciple."
Sabito's shoulders tensed. Clearly entered combat mode. Said with a straight face: "That's right. Tanjiro is Mr. Urokodaki's prized disciple."
"Muichiro is the Mist Hashira." Ritsuka said out of nowhere. "Genya is taller than him."
She made a gesture for two. Expression very smug. "Muichiro, Genya!"
I saw Sabito's mouth twitch. Face full of disdain. Stared at her speechless for a long while.
Giyuu was still pondering the connection between these words. Sabito had already grabbed his collar preparing to leave. Before leaving, still tossed out: "Fine, fine, fine. Your brother is the best."
Ritsuka won a great victory for the first time in competition with Sabito. Ran to the Butterfly Estate to see Tanjiro in high spirits.
When I reached outside that sickroom, I saw her sitting backwards on a chair. Pointing at her ear saying: "The hanafuda earrings you wear belonged to my ancestor."
Tanjiro said in surprise and confusion: "Really? These earrings were passed to me by my father. Said to be a very important treasure."
"Mm. Miss Chihaya said my ancestor gave them to your ancestor."
"I see. These earrings also have important meaning to you. Does Miss Ritsuka want the earrings back?"
"Given to your family means they're yours." Ritsuka continued asking. "Do you know Sun Breathing?"
"Sorry, I learned Water Breathing. Never heard of this Breathing style."
"Your ancestors didn't pass it down? Even though they received these earrings."
"Mm. If it's Sun Breathing, indeed haven't heard of it. But my father once taught a type of kagura dance. This time fighting demons, I also adapted it into combat techniques. Attack power is quite formidable."
"That's it!" Ritsuka suddenly pointed. Said resoundingly: "Call me big sister!"
Behind her, I said eerily: "You came to poach Sabito and Giyuu's corner. Believe it or not, they'll team up to beat you later?"
Ritsuka immediately jumped up from the chair in fright. Relaxed after discovering it was me. Still didn't forget to peek behind me.
"Miss Chihaya!"
"Big monster!"
Two calls rang out simultaneously. Then Tanjiro and Inosuke looked at each other across the sickbed between them. Said in unison: "Inosuke (Tanjiro), you know her?"
Sigh, can't help it. My social skills were too good. Normal to know many people.
But someone suddenly sprang up from the sickbed between them. Let out a shriek more terrifying than a duck's scream:
"Ha—what kind of joke is this! Fine if this short-haired girl came to find Tanjiro, but why do you two bastards also know a big sister behind my back! Unfriend! Unfriend! We're no longer friends!"
His voice was loud, tone shrill, speech rapid. Like a hundred ducks quacking simultaneously.
Ritsuka immediately couldn't stand it. Covered her ears and fled. Too lazy to even say goodbye.
This child was really so noisy.
I said amiably: "You're called Agatsuma Zenitsu, right? This is a sickroom. Many patients need quiet rest. I'm also not used to noise. Could I trouble you to pay attention to controlling your volume when speaking?"
Something magical happened. Agatsuma Zenitsu quickly sat properly. Expression changed faster than flipping pages. Immediately put on a sweet smile. Used an especially saccharine tone to speak.
"Of course no problem~ Oh my, truly sorry. So you like quiet. No need to be so polite. Just call me Zenitsu."
I felt an inexplicable chill. Even when Ume acted spoiled, she never used this tone to talk to me.
Tanjiro shuddered in sync with me. Beside us, Inosuke said in a hoarse voice: "You talk so disgusting."
Before these two children erupted into civil war, I spoke: "I came here because I have something to tell you. About your teacher Kuwajima and your senior disciple Kaigaku. This matter involves Thunder Breathing's reputation. Do you want to talk with me alone, or speak here?"
Only the three of them were in this sickroom. Looking at Tanjiro and Inosuke's appearance, they should have a very good relationship with him.
Zenitsu restrained his affected smile. A trace of unease and worry flashed across his face.
He hesitated for a long time. So long that Tanjiro considerately asked if he and Inosuke needed to step away.
Zenitsu firmly shook his head. "You two stay as well."
Their friendship was better than I thought. So I told him Kaigaku's past and Kuwajima's oath in full detail.
Zenitsu's face turned deathly pale at once. Clearly after Kuwajima returned, he didn't tell his young disciple about this matter.
Perhaps his original intention was not wanting the junior to worry. I could understand but didn't approve.
This wasn't just a matter of one or two people. It also involved Thunder Breathing's inheritance and reputation... As Kuwajima's disciple, really shouldn't stay out of it.
Zenitsu swallowed. "That means, if—if Kaigaku betrays the Demon Slayer Corps, Gramps will have to commit suicide in atonement?"
Correct. Because he guaranteed a Corps member who already had a stain. Not like ordinary cases.
If Kaigaku truly did something violating Corps regulations, even the special regulations I once established couldn't keep him alive.
Zenitsu showed an uneasy expression.
I carefully observed his emotional changes. He didn't firmly express his position like Kuwajima. Instead appeared restless.
Plus they were senior and junior disciples learning together. I had reason to believe Kaigaku's behavior when interacting with him made him unable to trust this senior disciple.
"Why would Gramps make such a guarantee?" Zenitsu muttered. "Even... betting his own life is too excessive..."
Tanjiro showed him a worried expression. Because of Nezuko's existence, he should understand Zenitsu's current feelings best.
But Inosuke didn't understand why their emotions suddenly dropped. Waved carelessly. "What's the big deal? If it were me, I'd just beat him up. Guarantee he wouldn't dare do anything!"
"That's right." Tanjiro hastily comforted. "Zenitsu, cheer up. As long as that person doesn't do wrong, your gramps will also be safe! Inosuke and I will help you!"
Zenitsu's spirits lifted. Suddenly became full of fighting spirit. "You're right! I absolutely can't let that bastard implicate Gramps!"
Very good. Seemed he'd consciously shoulder this responsibility. Didn't need me to worry much.
Relieved, I asked Tanjiro about details of his battle with Lower Rank Five.
Tanjiro was very honest. Repeated every sentence he and his opponent said.
Among these words, what concerned me most was what that demon said: "If your sister were with me, she'd have the opportunity to gain even more powerful strength. Right now is a good time."
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