Tokito's house.
Relying on the clear light leaking in from the outside door, Tanjuro's gaze kept sweeping over the map.
Although the structure inside the Infinite Castle is not fixed at any moment.
But its general layout will not change easily.
For example - the location of Nakime.
- Where Muzan usually appears.
Each Upper Rank also has their own residence within the Infinite Castle, and the layout of these buildings does not change.
Tanjuro's gaze moved to the lower part of the map.
There, in small characters, it was written "Doma - Lotus Shrine".
And the scattered moving buildings, their usual movement trajectories were also marked on the map.
- It's a very detailed internal map.
It almost contains everything inside the Infinite Castle.
This... was left to him by Kokushibo.
"Kokushibo..." Tanjuro came back to his senses slightly, he furrowed his brows, murmuring in a deep voice:
"Really defected from Muzan...?"
Upon learning that the characters in Kokushibo's eyes had disappeared.
Tanjuro almost instantly remembered - the numbers in Gyokko and Hantengu's eyes were one digit more than before.
- Kokushibo was removed from the Upper Rank.
Such a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Although it's unclear what exactly happened behind this, but through various signs to infer - Kokushibo indeed defected from Muzan.
Recalling the other party's actions in the forest.
At this moment, Tanjuro somewhat understood.
Probably, he wanted to make himself look more like a human.
- But he didn't completely imitate it.
Creak...
He put away the map of the Infinite Castle, folded it neatly, and put it into the front of his chest.
- Give it to Ubuyashiki.
Tanjuro thought so.
...
...
The next day.
Early morning.
"Amitabha."
Himejima Gyomei was standing outside the door, his monk's robe was damp with dew, looking somewhat wet.
The chain in his hand, never loosened.
Upper Rank One did not appear.
Last night, nothing happened.
At this time.
Creak -
Behind him, the wooden door of the Tokito house opened.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Monk-san."
Tokito Nori was holding her child's hand, she looked back at the house she had lived in for more than ten years, her light blue eyes beautifully squinted.
She turned her head back:
"Let's go."
...
...
Soon after.
Noon.
Tanjuro separated from Himejima at the intersection leading to the Butterfly Mansion.
Shinjuro did not come back with them, his Nichirin Sword was not yet forged.
Tanjuro's Nichirin Sword, after the village chief promised, vowed to send it to the Butterfly Mansion after it was forged.
And the map of the Infinite Castle, was given to a Kakushi member, passed on layer by layer, and finally given to Ubuyashiki.
Without waiting for the Hashira meeting time, in order to protect the Oyakata-sama, it is not possible to see him casually.
- This is a rule left behind because of Kokushibo from the Warring States period.
At this time,
Creak...
"Uncle, where are we going?"
Yuichiro pulled at Tanjuro's clothes, he looked up and asked.
That's right.
Tanjuro slightly turned his head, he looked at the Tokito family following behind him, carrying big and small bags.
The Tokito family - temporarily placed in the Butterfly Mansion.
So, they were following Tanjuro together.
"Butterfly Mansion."
Tanjuro answered plainly, he pulled over the clothes gripped by Yuichiro, and continued to move forward.
Soon
The high roof of the Butterfly Mansion was already clearly visible.
...
Butterfly Mansion.
The main gate.
"Good afternoon! Thank you for your hard work!"
"Do you need any help?"
Tanjiro, imitating the spirit of Kyojuro from a few days ago, was enthusiastically greeting others, scaring the patients of the Butterfly Mansion into a cold sweat, making them quickly leave.
But Tanjiro wasn't discouraged, he continued to do his best to help around the Butterfly Mansion.
A few days ago, that girl who doesn't talk much came back from a mission.
Seeing our family, she was surprisingly not surprised.
Perhaps mother's worry was unnecessary.
But!
Creak!
Tanjiro raised his head, his hand gripping the rag tightly, full of confidence.
He wanted to help! He couldn't eat and drink here for free every day!
At this moment.
Step, step.
The faint footsteps came from behind.
Sniff, sniff.
Tanjiro's nose twitched slightly, he smelled a familiar scent.
He suddenly turned his head, shouting joyfully:
"Urokodaki-san!"
The footsteps of the newcomer paused slightly, he stayed in place.
The hoarse and old voice seemed somewhat surprised:
"Hmm, Tanjiro."
Urokodaki Sakonji, wearing that red tengu mask, his muffled voice came from under the mask, also slightly surprised.
It's only been a short time.
Kamado Tanjiro, was already able to detect his presence at this distance.
What a... hardworking child.
Urokodaki slightly lowered his eyes, the mask covered his expression.
Tanjiro ran over joyfully, he stopped in front of Urokodaki, when he got close, his expression suddenly became somewhat worried:
"Urokodaki-san, coming to the Butterfly Mansion... where are you injured?"
He said, and then tilted his head, very worriedly added:
"It's not serious, okay!"
After all——only the injured of the Demon Slayer Corps would come to the Butterfly Mansion.
Urokodaki Sakonji was silent for a moment.
He didn't speak.
The last time the Kamado family stayed at his place.
The children were really noisy, and it also made him feel the scene of talking with his disciples once upon a time.
But... because the disciples kept dying in the final selection.
Urokodaki Sakonji, as the former Water Hashira, now a Water Breathing trainer, hasn't trained swordsmen for a long time.
When he encountered a disciple who wanted to learn from him, he also deliberately tried to stop the other party from going to the final selection.
As for how to stop...
——Let the other party split the rock.
So many children died in vain.
——It was his own failure.
Such a thought was almost firmly engraved in Urokodaki Sakonji's heart.
"Urokodaki-san?"
Tanjiro's eyes were pure, he looked straight at Urokodaki Sakonji, and also paid attention to whether there were any injuries on the other's body.
The reason Urokodaki came to the Butterfly Mansion this time was very simple.
He just wanted to see a few children.
But after a long silence.
The straightforward words 'come to see you' just couldn't be said.
After a stalemate for a while.
Step.
The sound of conversation came from not far from the door.
"Brother! Look! Such a big house!"
Muichiro pulled his brother's hand, excitedly pointed, his eyes full of curiousity:
"So cool!"
Yuichiro pulled at his clothes somewhat disgustedly, answered angrily:
"Shut up! Muichiro!"
Urokodaki and Tanjiro both looked in the direction where the sound came from at the same time.
Soon.
Tanjuro, who was walking in front, met Urokodaki Sakonji for the first time.
Even though both of them knew of each other's existence, this was indeed their first meeting.
Upon seeing Urokodaki Sakonji's red tengu mask and pale hair.
Click.
Tanjuro instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of Kusabimaru, almost subconsciously becoming alert.
In the world of the lone wolf.
There was also such a person.
A head of white hair, wearing a tengu mask.
- The elderly swordsman, Ashina Isshin.
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