Tanjiro stared at Ron with wide, gleaming eyes, his expression full of excitement and relief.
The moment he moved, a sharp pain surged through his entire body, forcing him to collapse back down with a grimace.
Ron chuckled softly. "No need to push yourself."
Tanjiro looked up at him, unable to hide the eagerness in his voice. "Mr. Ron, during the fight with that demon, I suddenly remembered the Hinokami Kagura. Just like you said, it really was a sword style. About the Sun Breathing—"
Ron raised his hand to gently interrupt him. "I know what you want to ask. But before we get into all that, focus on resting and healing. While you’re recovering, reflect on that battle carefully. A life-and-death encounter like that is a precious experience for any swordsman. Don’t let it go to waste."
Tanjiro nodded earnestly. "I understand."
Ron turned toward the two Kakushi standing nearby. "Take him inside to rest."
The two masked members exchanged glances.
They clearly wanted to ask, Who even are you?
But before they could say anything, Kanao, who had been quietly smiling this entire time, finally spoke in her gentle, whisper-soft voice. "Do as he says. Bring him inside."
The Kakushi blinked in surprise.
Inside the Butterfly Mansion’s infirmary.
As the Kakushi carried Tanjiro into the room, Zenitsu’s teary eyes lit up at the sight of his friend alive and breathing.
"Zenitsu... you’re awake," Tanjiro gave him a warm smile. "I’m so glad you’re okay."
Tears exploded from Zenitsu’s eyes as he lunged at Tanjiro, sobbing like a child. "Tanjirooo! Listen to me! I—I got bitten by that nasty spider demon! The poison was killing me! And I had to drink the most disgusting, bitter medicine every single day! And just now, this girl yelled at me with her eyes! This place is the worst!"
He clung to Tanjiro, bawling his heart out.
The Kakushi carrying Tanjiro looked absolutely fed up. "Hey, you idiot, keep your snot and tears away from me! I’m not your tissue!"
"Why are you so heartless?! Can’t you see I’m suffering here?!"
A sharp, fearsome voice sliced through the chaos like a blade.
"ALL OF YOU, SHUT UP!"
Standing with her hands on her hips, eyes blazing, and a dark aura oozing from her body was Kanzaki Aoi.
The three of them froze.
Eventually, Tanjiro was placed on a bed between Zenitsu and Inosuke.
After the fierce battle on Mount Natagumo:
Tanjiro had suffered numerous scrapes and bruises on his face, arms, and legs. His muscles were sore all over, and many areas had light strains.
Zenitsu’s condition was even worse—his right arm and leg had shrunk from the spider’s venom, and his left arm had developed spasms.
Inosuke had sustained damage to his vocal cords... and his confidence had taken a serious hit.
She was simply exhausted from a severe lack of sleep.
The three were officially placed on bed rest in the infirmary.
Tanjiro endured the persistent pain wracking his body.
Zenitsu was still whining and throwing a fuss over every little ache.
Inosuke remained slumped in depression—but every so often, Tanjiro and Zenitsu would toss words of encouragement his way, trying to cheer him up.
Meanwhile, Nezuko was curled up quietly inside her box, fast asleep as she worked to recover her strength.
In a small courtyard not far from the Butterfly Mansion—
Ron was seated comfortably under a cherry blossom tree, leaning back in a wooden chair, as Shinobu Kocho stood before him, recounting the events that had unfolded on Mount Natagumo—and the blood test she had conducted on Nezuko using the rare blood.
Kanao stood silently off to the side, still and composed as ever.
"...That’s the general situation," Shinobu finished, meeting Ron’s gaze evenly.
"You went to see the kids at the Butterfly Mansion just now, didn’t you?" Ron asked, straightening up slightly to look at her.
"What’s your impression of the three of them?"
She thought for a moment. "Aside from Tanjiro, the other two boys also show a lot of potential. With enough rigorous training and real battle experience, I believe they could grow very quickly."
Ron took a sip of sparkling liquor from the Pirate World and smiled at her. "Well said. All three of them have the potential to become Hashira. But they’re still too raw. If we want them to one day stand against Muzan Kibutsuji, we’ll need to put them through something far harsher than what they’ve faced so far."
"...You mean," Shinobu’s eyes flickered, "Special training?"
"But who would handle it? All the current Hashira are overloaded already. Aside from demon-hunting duties, we’re also busy with nichirin sword maintenance and mark training..."
She trailed off, noticing the soft smile on Ron’s face—and her eyes widened slightly in realization. "Don’t tell me..."
"Is there anyone else in the Demon Slayer Corps with as much free time as I have?"
Ron rose from his seat. "Might as well keep myself busy. But let’s wait until they’ve fully healed first."
Shinobu began putting the three boys through strict rehabilitation training to rebuild their physical capabilities, alongside Total Concentration Breathing exercises.
Kanao would accompany them for their morning sessions, then head to Ron’s courtyard in the afternoons for swordsmanship lessons.
As for Shinobu, once her daily work was done, she would visit Ron’s courtyard in the evenings and immerse herself in his sword techniques, gradually unlocking a deeper understanding of the Transparent World.
With each passing day, she edged ever closer to that elusive domain.
Ron was making his way toward the Butterfly Mansion’s training grounds, intending to check on the progress of the trio.
But along the way, he encountered someone he hadn’t expected to see.
The Water Hashira—Giyu Tomioka.
He stood directly in Ron’s path, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his expression as stoic as ever.
"Ron... sir, isn’t it?" he asked flatly.
Ron clasped his hands behind his back, offering a calm smile. "Can I help you?"
"I heard about what happened with Tanjiro and Nezuko."
Giyu hesitated for a long moment before speaking again. "Does Tanjiro know... about using Nezuko as bait?"
"I think... someone should tell them."
"Then why don’t you?"
Once again, Giyu fell silent.
Ron stepped closer until he was beside him, casting a sidelong glance his way with a faint smirk. "I’d heard rumors that you were cold and expressionless. But now I see—you’re just a soft-hearted senior who cares deeply for his junior."
"Wanna go grab some salmon with daikon radish?"
Giyu’s eyes lit up slightly.
And just like that, the two of them turned and walked off in a different direction.
"You like salmon with daikon too?" Giyu asked curiously.
"I like it well enough. How about you?"
"That so? Do you drink?"
Giyu shook his head. "Never tried it."
"Then allow me to introduce you. Alcohol is a wonderful thing—especially for swordsmen. A swordsman who can’t drink isn’t a real swordsman."
"...Then I’ll give it a shot."
The two of them gradually disappeared down the road—heading in the complete opposite direction of the Butterfly Mansion.
"Eh, I’ll check in on the training tomorrow instead."