Chapter 262: Seniors

The casualty figures from the Infinity Castle battle have yet to be fully tallied. The Kakushi, responsible for logistics, are still on the battlefield rescuing the wounded and collecting the dead. Unlike in games, a detailed report isn't instantly available.

However, whenever the exact numbers are determined, the first person to know will undoubtedly be the leader.

During this operation, the leader coordinated from the center. For instance, after Sanemi Shinazugawa and Tengen Uzui killed Upper Moon Four, Gyokko, they were rerouted slightly to assist Gyomei Himejima, helping to rescue other team members along the way.

Gyomei Himejima, who initially fought Upper Moon One, Kokushibo, alone, was at a disadvantage throughout the battle. He sustained the most severe injuries among the Hashira and only got a chance to rest after the other Hashira finished their battles.

After some initial treatment, he's not in immediate danger of dying. However, the serious injuries on his body will require further attention.

As Li Mo passed through the bustling crowd, he saw Kakushi members carrying the severely wounded on stretchers. More lightly injured patients walked alongside, having received basic first aid.

I guess Kanae must be very busy right now? Maybe I can help? I don't know medical techniques, but I can use healing magic, right? It's all about healing anyway.

The world has indeed changed. Logically, without a magical foundation, I shouldn't be able to use magic. But magical foundations can be temporarily constructed. That disciple of El-Melloi II creates a magical foundation every time he uses magic...

Of course, this thought is just an escape. The real reason...

"Mo-chan~"

"Kanae-san, can we make a deal? Please don't call me that," Li Mo said to Kanae Kocho beside him. He could even feel the strange looks from the swordsmen passing by.

"No."

"Damn it."

The exchange with Kanae Kocho was secondary. The real pressure came from Makomo's death glare beside him. She hadn't said a word, but her silence itself was a form of pressure.

Li Mo would rather they beat him up.

But this situation ended when they entered the courtyard where the leader was. There, Li Mo saw Rengoku Shinjuro and two others acting as guards.

Aside from Rengoku Shinjuro, the "sickly" middle-aged man, the other two were elderly. Sakonji Urokodaki, didn't you injure your leg? How are you still acting as a guard?

But thinking about it, as a former Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki still had his strength.

Then, Li Mo saw the leader's eldest daughter, Hinaki, and his second daughter, Nichika. It was like seeing his savior, and he quickly approached the two children.

"He ran away."

"Yeah, he ran away."

Makomo finally spoke, but only to agree with Kanae Kocho.

Li Mo didn't look back, maintaining his composure as he walked up to the two girls. He gently patted their heads and asked, "Hinaki, Nichika, where's the leader?"

"Father has collapsed and is being treated by Tamayo-sama," Hinaki said calmly.

Li Mo glanced at Rengoku Shinjuro and the others, noticing the worry on their faces.

Is the leader on the brink of death?

How could that be? The leader's health should be fine.

The information from the two girls cast a shadow over the victory. The leader was crucial to the Demon Slayer Corps. If something bad happened, the celebration would turn into a tragedy.

"I'll go take a look."

Kanae Kocho stepped forward, nodding before entering the room. As the only one present with medical knowledge, she was the most suitable to handle the situation.

The once lively atmosphere turned somber.

Even Li Mo couldn't help but feel the gravity of the situation. With Kibutsuji Muzan's death, the curse on the Ubuyashiki family had been lifted. He had just checked Hinaki and Nichika's bodies—they were no longer under the curse.

After a while, Kanae Kocho and Tamayo emerged together. In everyone's eyes, Tamayo exchanged a few words with Kanae Kocho before leaving.

"The leader is fine. The strain of commanding during the battle took a toll on him. He's exhausted and has fallen asleep. The meeting tomorrow will have to be postponed," Kanae Kocho's firsthand information was undoubtedly accurate.

Sanemi Shinazugawa then asked, "Isn't anyone taking care of the leader?"

"Lady Amane will be here shortly," Kanae Kocho replied.

"Lady Amane? Wasn't she at the swordsmith village?" Sanemi pressed.

Kanae Kocho explained, "Actually, I just found out. Lady Amane never went to the swordsmith village. With Tamayo-sama's help, she's been staying here all along. Tamayo-sama has gone to fetch her now."

Once everything was clarified, no one asked further questions. Everyone relaxed, and people began to leave the courtyard in small groups. Tengen Uzui, the winner in life, left decisively with his three wives.

"Let's talk outside?" Rengoku Shinjuro approached, slinging an arm around Li Mo's shoulders.

"Sure."

Li Mo agreed without hesitation. Rather than staying in this awkward atmosphere, he'd rather catch up with an old friend.

Rengoku Shinjuro called out to the others, "Kanae, I'm borrowing Li Mo for a bit."

The girl named Kanae Kocho gave an OK sign.

It seemed she had handed over Li Mo's immediate schedule to Rengoku Shinjuro.

Makomo's eyes flickered, glancing between the three, but she didn't seem to mind. However, Sakonji Urokodaki, who was talking with Sabito and Giyu Tomioka, noticed this.

After some thought, he said something to the two and followed them.

"Is this the first time we've met in three years?"

"Yeah, Rengoku-senpai."

"Back then, when Kanae said you'd returned to the future, I didn't believe it."

"Actually, I went back to another world... but saying it's the future isn't wrong either."

The two walked out of the courtyard, heading toward a quieter area. The noisy side was mostly occupied by members of the Butterfly Mansion providing emergency treatment. Most of the wounded were there.

Rengoku Shinjuro said, "That's good... Actually, Kyojuro has become a swordsman."

"Kyojuro... is he still alive?"

As long as he's a swordsman, he would have participated in this battle. In such a chaotic battlefield, even with Li Mo's intelligence, he couldn't guarantee the safety of all the swordsmen.

When facing Kibutsuji Muzan, I was too cautious...

"That kid's still alive, though he's injured. He's lucky... By the way, come visit our home sometime. Ruka has been worried about you since she heard you were back."

"I know. I'll go see Ruka-nee."

"Lastly... I want to ask, what's going on between you and Kanae?"

Rengoku Shinjuro asked.

As the former Flame Hashira, he shouldn't have had much connection with the current Flower Hashira. But back then, only he and Kanae Kocho had witnessed Li Mo's disappearance. Over time, they got to know each other.

Li Mo opened his mouth, ready to brush it off, but then he heard an elderly voice from behind, "I'd like to know too. What's going on?"

Damn it, it's Urokodaki-sensei.