49 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

After Lunch

The butterfly estate disciples, including Kanao, stared blankly at the mountain of dishes piled high on the table after lunch.

Kanae patted their small heads with a warm smile. "Go play now. We'll take care of the cleanup."

Genya shoveled the last bite of rice into his mouth, stacked his bowl onto the growing tower, and puffed his cheeks as he carried them over to the washbasin.

"I should help..."

Kanao's eyes, always distant, looked even emptier, as though the author had forgotten to add highlights.

"Go on now," Kanae gently urged. "If you don't feel like playing, take a nap. At your age, you need plenty of sleep to grow."

Haruto ruffled Genya's hair. "Off to find your brother?"

Genya's eyes lit up, but he hesitated, glancing back at the mountain of dishes.

"Maybe I should finish these first..."

"Ah, just go already."

Shooing him off, Haruto rolled up his sleeves and sat down on a low stool to scrub dishes, his long legs sprawled awkwardly to the side.

"That kid's story... what's up with him?"

Kanae glanced up from sorting leftover food. "Kanao?"

"Yeah. She always talks so... slow."

Shinobu crouched beside him, rolling up her sleeves to help.

"Kanao... didn't have a happy childhood. It's left her a bit distant. But she's a good girl, truly."

"Like Genya? People tend to misunderstand him because of his looks, but he's got a good heart."

Kanae shifted the topic, avoiding the sensitive subject.

"Lady Tamayo has been working on a new medicine to enhance the physical abilities of swordsmen."

Haruto raised an eyebrow.

Tamayo had indeed mentioned the project in recent letters. It wasn't just about enhancing strength, though. She was experimenting with Genya's demon-imbued blood to develop a drug that could grant rapid regeneration while preserving humanity.

If successful, the medicine could revolutionize the Demon Slayer Corps, reducing injuries and combat losses against demons.

But the risks were enormous. Testing such a substance required volunteers, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki would never allow experiments on his slayers.

"Too dangerous," Tamayo had admitted in her last letter, her words heavy with resignation. "For now, the project must be shelved. I'll focus on developing a drug to defeat Muzan."

Haruto had no intention of letting her test it on the Corps, anyway.

"Did Lady Tamayo talk to you about it?" he asked casually.

"No," Kanae replied, shaking her head. "We were only discussing the poison ratios in Shinobu's Nichirin blade when it came up. Even she admits the risks are too great."

Hearing the word "poison," Shinobu paused, her head lowering slightly.

Haruto immediately understood. She was likely thinking about how she had to rely on poison to kill demons, while others could simply cut through them.

He pretended not to notice and turned to Kanae. "How's Flower Breathing coming along?"

Kanae, who had been refining a new breathing technique derived from Water Breathing, smiled brightly. "I've developed six forms so far."

"And you've mastered all of them?" he asked, turning to Shinobu.

"More than that," Kanae said with pride. "Shinobu hasn't just mastered the forms. She's even created techniques better suited to her own style."

"Well, look at you," Haruto teased, feigning shock. "Turns out you're a genius too!"

Shinobu brushed stray hair from her face, her expression a mix of embarrassment and pride.

"It's just a small adjustment..."

"Grab your sword. Let's see this genius in action," he said, finishing the last dish and dumping out the dirty water.

...

In the Garden

Shinobu emerged, her Nichirin blade in hand, her steps hesitant. Her sword, a slim, needle-like blade crafted by the expert smith Tecchin Tecchikawahara, was designed for precision strikes. It even had a hidden reservoir for injecting wisteria poison directly into demons.

Standing amidst the flowers, Shinobu gripped her blade tightly. The reassuring smile from Kanae and Haruto's expectant gaze helped her heart steady.

Her aura changed the moment her hand wrapped around the hilt.

"What's the target?" Shinobu's lips curved into a slight smile. "A butterfly's dance isn't at its best without a goal."

Haruto smirked, drawing his own sword. "How about me?"

Shinobu's violet eyes sharpened, glinting like a darting butterfly in flight.

"Haruto, you'd better be careful," she said softly, her voice lilting. "Butterflies are fast."

Before her words fully landed, Shinobu sprang into motion, her petite figure twisting mid-air, her haori fluttering like the wings of a magnificent butterfly.

Her speed was breathtaking.

Whoosh.

Haruto heard the faintest sound and turned sharply, but she was already gone from his line of sight.

"Insect Breathing: Dance of the Butterfly: Caprice."

A light, airy voice reached his ears just as a flurry of shimmering butterflies filled his vision. From within the swarm, Shinobu descended, her blade gleaming like a shard of moonlight.

"Tease!"

Haruto twisted his body, raising his blade just in time. The clash sent a jolt up his arm, numbing his grip. So fast!

If not for his honed reflexes, he might have been humiliated right there.

Missing her mark, Shinobu flipped mid-air, landing behind him in a fluid motion.

"Dance of the Dragonfly: Compound Eye Hexagon!"

Shinobu unleashed a rapid series of strikes, her blade darting like a needle through silk.

"Tch!" Haruto clicked his tongue, spinning his sword to form a makeshift shield of flashing blue and purple light.

Her blade collided with the shield, sparking violently before she retreated into the garden, her small frame weaving effortlessly among the flowers.

Her speed was pushing his limits.

Haruto frowned. She's faster than me, even with Star Breathing.

Suddenly, a sharp realization struck him. A thrust!

The thought barely registered before her needle-like blade shot toward him with pinpoint accuracy.

"Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter!"

For a split second, he considered dodging, but the determination in her eyes froze him. There was something raw in her gaze—equal parts doubt and resolve, as though she was fighting more than just him.

He made his decision.

Twisting slightly, he narrowly avoided the strike. The blade tore through his haori, leaving a long, clean cut across the fabric.

"Oh no!" Kanae exclaimed, though her expression betrayed her relief.

Haruto clutched his chest dramatically. "Do you have any idea how expensive this is? This haori's been in my family for generations—you owe me!"

Shinobu landed lightly, her confidence fading into uncertainty. "Was I... really that fast?"