Chapter 82

Just as Obanai and Kyojuro were about to follow Shinobu Kocho away, Shinichi called out to them.

"You must be hungry after rushing back so urgently? Perfect timing—have some dorayaki! I've modified the recipe this time, adding matcha to the red bean paste filling. It's absolutely delicious!"

Shinichi enthusiastically shoved a piece of dorayaki into each of their hands, watching the trio with eager eyes.

As one of the few who could "appreciate" Shinichi culinary experiments, they often found themselves on the receiving end of his dorayaki offerings, with Shinichi eagerly awaiting their reactions as they ate.

However, both Kyojuro and Obanai felt their teeth ache just from the overwhelming sweetness wafting from the treats in their hands.

Obanai could at least use his bandages as an excuse to save his for later, but Kyojuro had no such luck.

Under Shinichi intense gaze, he steeled himself, took a big bite, chewed vigorously, then swallowed with his eyes shut before tremblingly praising.

"Umai! (Delicious!)"

Shinichi face lit up with unconcealed pride at the compliment.

"That's why you're the best, Kyojuro! A man of taste—I knew I could count on you!"

Within the Demon Slayer Corps, there were two surefire ways to win favor with the Hashira: praising the Sound Hashira flamboyance or the Forest Hashira dorayaki.

Compliment either and you'd earn their goodwill instantly.

Obanai silently gave Kyojuro a mental salute.

A true warrior, managing to stomach that lethally sweet "poison." Even his snake, Kaburamaru, seemed dizzy from the sugar fumes.

But what truly shocked Obanai was Shinobu Kocho—the petite, delicate-looking girl—who eat off an entire dorayaki without batting an eye, then frowned and told Shinichi it wasn't flavorful enough.

Good heavens, what kind of fearless deity was she?

Shinichi, thrilled, nodded enthusiastically and promised to make it even stronger next time.

After cheerfully sending Shinichi on his way, Obanai couldn't stop staring at Shinobu like she was some kind of monster.

"By the way, where's Maru-ni?" Kyojuro asked Shinobu after finally settling his churning stomach, realizing the familiar little Shiba Inu hadn't been with Shinichi earlier.

The mention of that mischievous pup instantly soured Shinobu mood.

"Why do you ask? Probably sneaking off to the mess hall again."

Kyojuro scratched his head. "Just curious. Obanai doesn't like being near Maru-ni much—he says Maru-ni always drools over Kaburamaru."

Shinobu was surprised to hear Obanai also avoided Maru-ni.

Along the way, she even asked if he liked goldfish.

Obanai nodded seriously. "Kaburamaru enjoys goldfish, but they're not very filling. He gets hungry again after three days."

Shinobu "..."

***

Meanwhile, in the Demon Slayer Corps' logistics kitchen, a chubby black-and-white Shiba Inu wagged its tail as it devoured a heaping bowl of food.

The logistics members adored playing with Maru-ni and never held back when feeding him, piling his bowl high with fish and meat.

Shinichi had been determined to put Maru-ni on a diet, but given the circumstances, that dream seemed increasingly unlikely to come true.

***

In high spirits, Shinichi strolled through the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, greeted respectfully by numerous members along the way.

Shinichi nodded in response to each greeting when suddenly, a hurried figure accidentally bumped right into him.

"Ouch!" came a startled cry.

Shinichi stood firm as a rock, but the somewhat reckless squad member lost his balance and landed on his backside.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—Eh! Shinichi-sama?" The young Demon Slayer boy looked up and froze upon seeing Shinichi face, never expecting to randomly bump into one of the Hashira.

Shinichi extended a hand and helped the boy up.

"Masachika, how has your master been lately?"

Shinichi recognized the youth.

During his visit to the retired Wind Hashira who had stepped down due to injuries, Shinichi had met this boy.

After retirement, The former wind hashira had voluntarily become a trainer and this boy, Kumeno Masachika, was his first disciple.

Come to think of it, Masachika had joined the Demon Slayer Corps around the same time as Kyojuro and Obanai.

Why did Shinichi remember so clearly?

Because Shinichi had also been the proctor for that year Final Selection.

He had kept track of all the outstanding swordsmen during the trials and Masachika was certainly one of them.

He recalled The former Wind Hashira saying with pride during their conversation that the Wind Hashira position would soon be filled—Masachika absolutely had the potential to inherit his mantle and become the new Wind Hashira.

Shinichi likewise recognized Masachika talent.

"Master been doing well! He's really happy about your frequent visits, haha. Though he did write saying he hopes Shinichi-sama won't bring dorayaki next time. The doctor says he shouldn't eat too many sweets at his age..." Masachika scratched his head sheepishly.

Two black lines appeared on Shinichi forehead.

Doesn't like sweets? Nonsense!

The Kakushi had mentioned how the former Wind Hashira used to eat sweet bean cakes daily before retirement—weren't those sweet enough?

If he had no taste, he should just say so!

Changing the subject, Shinichi suddenly remembered something else.

"By the way, Masachika I heard from Rengoku that you recently brought back a boy with rare blood?"

Masachika immediately knew who he meant and nodded.

"Yes, his name is Shinazugawa Sanemi. He'd been fighting demons using just his rare blood and brute strength. But I recently introduced him to my master, who agreed to take him as a disciple."

"I see. That's good then..."

Shinichi had only recalled this because of the rare blood.

After all, the rare blood Elder Moriki had obtained back then had been quite shocking—it nearly drove him mad.

Still, one had to admit that suddenly utilizing the advantage of rare blood to disrupt a demon's mind during battle wasn't a bad strategy.

After exchanging a few more words, Masachika took his leave to attend to missions.

Watching Masachika hurried departure, Shinichi finally understood what Oyakata-sama had once told him.

"The Demon Slayer Corps isn't just an organization—it's the embodiment of a belief. As long as the will to destroy demons persists, the Corps will always exist and continue to grow stronger!"

In Kyojuro, Shinobu, and Obanai, Shinichi saw their outstanding potential. In just a few years, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps might no longer be shouldered by just a few individuals.

"Keep it up. You are the future of the Demon Slayer Corps too" Shinichi softly repeated the words Master Kagaya had once said to him.

Though it felt a bit odd coming from Shinichi mouth—after all, he wasn't that old himself.

However, the true meaning behind those words was something only Shinichi understood.

Because beneath his identity as the Forest Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, hidden behind his peach-colored right eye, lay an even more secretive identity—one unknown to the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps.

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