Chapter 81

In the corner of the Butterfly Mansion, headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Forest Hashira! Please let me become your Tsuguko! I swear I'll follow you faithfully in slaying demons!" A Demon Slayer Corps member spoke excitedly with starry-eyed admiration before Shinichi.

Shinichi, who had sneaked into the corner of the Butterfly Mansion to slack off, was just about to pop a dorayaki into his mouth when he froze.

Setting the treat down, he turned around and began rummaging for something.

Moments later, under the hopeful gaze of the Demon Slayer, Shinichi returned holding a small cup filled with soil, in which grew a vibrant green sprout.

"This is the Spirit Awakening Grass , unique to the Forest Breathing style. Take it and meditate. To become my Tsuguko, you must learn to communicate with this grass. Give it your best shot!"

[A/N : it was a random grass that can be found anywhere in case you guys forgot]

The Demon Slayer: ???????

Communicate? With grass?

Utterly bewildered, the Demon Slayer left cradling a cup of grass.

Shinichi, meanwhile, leaned comfortably against the wall again and picked up his dorayaki, ready to finally enjoy it.

But then, an unexpected voice interrupted him once more.

"Stupid Shinichi, you're lying to people again!"

Recognizing the familiar voice, Shinichi sighed and set down the dorayaki without turning around.

"I'm not lying. Mastering Forest Breathing does require communication with nature and the Spirit Awakening Grass is the easiest element to connect with. If they want to be my Tsuguko, they must learn through the grass. What else could I possibly teach them besides Forest Breathing?"

Over a year had passed since Shinichi became the Forest Hashira. During this time, his formidable strength had earned him the respect of everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Many members, inspired by his power, had approached him like the previous person, wishing to become his Tsuguko—not in the familial sense, but as his disciple or chosen successor.

Among the current four Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinichi was the only one without a Tsuguko.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to teach, he simply believed he had nothing to offer beyond Forest Breathing. Thus, his requirement was straightforward: to become his Tsuguko, one must learn to communicate with nature and sense the power of life.

Yet, so far, no one had succeeded.

Over time, rumors spread within the Corps that the Forest Hashira was aloof and overly selective.

To most, powerful figures were naturally distant.

Even those who had worked alongside Shinichi and knew his easygoing nature still regarded him as the untouchable Forest Hashira when they encountered him in daily life.

Shinichi found this frustrating but harmless.

"Hmph! Nice words, but I think you just don't want a Tsuguko. And here you are, slacking off again, you lazy log!"

Within the Demon Slayer Corps, only one person dared to speak to Shinichi in such tone—Shinobu Kocho.

Sure enough, there stood Shinobu, her white haori draped over her uniform, hands on her hips, frowning at Shinichi as he lounged in the corner of her Butterfly Mansion.

Over the past year or so, Shinichi had relied on Forest Breathing countless times to pull Demon Slayer Corps members back from the brink of death.

As a result, aside from missions, the place Shinichi frequented most was the Butterfly Mansion established by the Kocho sisters.

Thus, it was no surprise to see Shinichi at the Butterfly Mansion.

He had contributed significantly to its founding, even securing rare foreign medical supplies and medicines with the help of Ryukawa Chinatsu, greatly enhancing the Corps' logistical support.

For this, Master Kagaya had personally expressed his gratitude to Shinichi.

Though the Ubuyashiki family was immensely wealthy, their centuries-old legacy meant most assets remained domestic.

"Ahem, how can you say that? Shinobu, you must understand that Hashira are human too—we need rest just like anyone else. We're not machines. This isn't laziness, it's recovery!" Shinichi declared with utmost seriousness, clutching a dorayaki.

But Shinobu Kocho merely fixed her large violet eyes on him, her expression screaming 'I don't buy a word of it'.

Left with no choice, Shinichi pivoted to another topic to divert her attention.

Suddenly he said "Also, Shinobu, let me remind you—I am a Hashira. Calling me 'wooden-head' daily is one thing, but 'dumb wooden-head' and 'lazy log'? That's crossing a line. By Corps regulations, you should address me respectfully. From now on, you must call me 'Forest Hashira-sama,' or 'Shinichi-sama.'"

Pleased with himself, he moved to pop the dorayaki into his mouth—only for a petite fist to thump his back, sending the treat flying from his grasp.

"Hey! My dorayaki!" Shinichi mismatched eyes flashed with regret.

Shinobu scoffed "As if I'd call you that! Only my sister would fall for such nonsense. The regulations only state we must obey Hashira during missions—and I'm not on one right now."

Just then, two figures happened to pass by.

One was a spirited boy with golden hair, crimson tips, large orange eyes, and bold eyebrows—instantly recognizable he is Rengoku Kyojuro.

The eldest son of Flame Hashira Rengoku Shinjuro, Kyojuro had recently passed Final Selection and joined the Corps alongside his companion, a boy with mismatched eyes, his face wrapped in bandages and a white serpent coiled around his neck—Iguro Obanai.

"Kyojuro, Obanai—back from a mission?" Shinichi greeted them.

Hearing his voice, the pair turned.

Kyojuro bowed cheerfully. "Shinichi-nii! Yes, we just finished, but Obanai injured his left hand, so I brought him to the Butterfly Mansion."

Obanai, in contrast, was far more reserved.

His serpent-like demeanor made interactions icy—yet Shinichi was an exception.

After all, it was Shinichi and Shinjuro who had rescued Obanai from Hachijo Island. Moreover, Shinichi past guidance had deeply encouraged him, so Obanai always spoke to Shinichi with warmth and respect.

"Injured? Is it serious? Do you need a slash of the Willow of Life?" Shinichi immediately asked upon hearing about Obanai injury.

Before Kyojuro could answer, Obanai quickly interjected.

"No, it's just a minor wound. A simple treatment will suffice. No need for the Willow of Life. Thank you for your concern, Shinichi-san."

Shinichi didn't press further.

Though the Willow of Life could greatly aid recovery, the slash it left behind would still leave a scar.

"Shinobu, could you help bandage Obanai wound?" Shinichi turned to Kocho Shinobu behind him.

Shinobu glanced at Shinichi, then at Kyojuro and Obanai.

Though she wanted to chat with Shinichi a bit more, treating injuries was the top priority.

With her sister away on a mission, as the temporary head of the Butterfly Mansion, she had to take responsibility.

"Come with me."

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