Chapter 47: Shibukawa Jirou: I Didn

The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters was filled with solemnity and sorrow this day.

White silk banners hung everywhere.

At Butterfly House, a long table stood arranged with offerings, and at its center rested a small wooden spirit tablet inscribed with 【Zero Pill, Zero’s Grave】.

Before the tablet lay a folded and mended black cloak with hood.

Behind it stood rows of white wreaths.

In front of the table stood a Nichirin Scythe engraved with 【Demon Annihilation】.

Beside it, Kanao Butterfly wore white garments, occasionally sobbing.

Tears slid down her cheeks, her grief profound.

Kanao stood beside her sister, constantly soothing her, yet her own heart ached just as deeply.

Standing beside the two sisters were the Kamado Koyuki family.

The other nine Pill members stood in two rows before the spirit tablet. (Including the former Flame Pill.)

Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his wife approached the tablet and bowed three times, then turned to face the gathered crowd and said: “Today is the Demon Slayer Corps’ most sorrowful day. We have lost a vital Pill—he was not only our family, but one of the pillars holding up our very foundation.”

“He upheld half of our intelligence network, delivered fresh blood to our ranks, and slew Upper Moon demons, setting our Corps’ fate in motion once more after a century!”

“He once faced the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji—not only saving his own family, but lifting our morale to unprecedented heights!”

“He was the Demon Slayer Corps’ Zero Pill—Zero.”

“A few days ago, he fell into Muzan Kibutsuji’s stronghold and was brutally murdered…”

“Now, I ask each of you, my swordsmen, to offer your respects, so he may rest in peace—and carry his will forward… and live!”

After his speech, Ubuyashiki Kagaya placed a white rose before the spirit tablet and bowed again.

The Pill swordsmen each placed their own white roses before the tablet, bowed, then turned to bow to Kanao Butterfly and the Kamado family.

They returned the gesture.

Next came the Butterfly House nurses, then the swordsmen and “Hidden” division members…

Some swordsmen, assigned to missions, could not return for the funeral, but entrusted friends in the Corps to lay flowers on their behalf.

Once all had paid their respects, they lined up again, heads bowed in silence.

Yet they did not notice that Zero had returned at that very moment.

Seeing a row of people standing neatly ahead, he was initially confused—until he spotted the small spirit tablet and understood.

“Uh…”

“So… this is my funeral?”

The Hidden division member at the back heard the voice behind him, turned—and his eyes widened in terror, as if seeing a ghost.

He collapsed onto the ground, screaming.

“A ghost!!!”

That cry shattered the silence.

“What’s happening?”

“Where’s the demon? Has one appeared that can walk in daylight?!”

“Prepare for battle!!!”

“Damn demon vermin! How dare you disturb us now?!”

“Protect the Lord! Swordsmen below Pill rank, evacuate all non-combatants!”

All Pill swordsmen drew their blades, rushing forward—they must protect the Lord and everyone present!

But when they reached the front and saw Zero, they froze, staring dumbfounded…

As if what they saw defied all reason…

“Hey hey hey! What the hell are you all doing?! I’m warning you—don’t go crazy!”

Zero sighed, rubbing his forehead. Their postures bristled with murderous intent—as if he were some irredeemable monster.

“Zero, you bastard—what are you now? Man or ghost?” Shibukawa Jirou asked, still holding his blade drawn.

“Of course I’m human—can’t you see my shadow? And demons can’t appear in sunlight, can they?!”

Only then did they notice Zero’s elongated shadow cast by the sun beneath his feet.

And he was right—demons truly could not walk in daylight.

Relieved, they sheathed their weapons.

Yet questions still churned within them: How had Zero escaped Muzan Kibutsuji’s stronghold?

That was the demon king’s main base—filled with every Upper Moon demon!

How had he escaped such overwhelming force?

Had Muzan himself let him go?

That seemed impossible.

At that moment, a figure darted forward and threw herself into Zero’s arms, clinging tightly.

Feeling the small, trembling body in his arms, Zero wrapped his arms around her, gently patting her back, softly saying: “Sorry, Kanao—I made you worry.”

“I thought… I thought… I’d never see you again… I was so… scared…”

Kanao rested her head on Zero’s shoulder, tears soaking his shoulder, her body trembling with fear, anxiety, and sorrow.

After calming her, he lifted her face and wiped her tears with his thumb.

She looked exhausted, her cheeks sunken—clearly, these past days had been unbearable.

“It’s my fault you’ve suffered so. For the next few days, I’ll stay with you—make it up to you. So stop crying, alright?”

“Mm…”

Yet Kanao still clung to Zero’s hand, refusing to let go, terrified he might vanish again.

“Hey! Zero, at least have some sense of occasion! I didn’t come here to watch you two drench the place in dog food!”

Shibukawa Jirou broke the saccharine atmosphere between Zero and Kanao. Zero turned and glared at him fiercely.

The message was clear: Isn’t it natural for me to care for my girlfriend?

Shibukawa Jirou nearly jumped out of his skin, barely holding back: “Give back my tears, you bastard!”

“Zero, you’re alive—that’s wonderful!”

“Forgive me, Lord. Circumstances forced my absence—I’ll explain everything properly when I have time.”

“Understood. For now, take care of Kanao—she’s been deeply worried about you.”

“I will. But… uh… this…”

Zero glanced around the scene, feeling deeply awkward.

So he wasn’t dead—and they’d already started the funeral!

Worse still—he’d returned right as it began. The strangeness was indescribable.

“Pfft!” Kanroji Mitsuri, seeing Zero’s embarrassment, barely held back a laugh.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya, seeing this, gave a wry smile and said: “Don’t worry—we’ll handle it. Just take care of Kanao.”

“Then thank you… heh…”

What a painfully awkward funeral.

Without another word, Zero scooped Kanao into his arms in a bridal carry and headed toward his residence.

“Zero… wait… wait a moment! This… is too…” Kanao, suddenly lifted again, blushed furiously.

After all, so many people were watching—this was far too embarrassing.

But Zero didn’t care. She was his girlfriend—and secretly, he even felt a little mischievous: Shibukawa, you ruined the mood? Now you’re jealous!

Shibukawa Jirou watched, teeth grinding, his temper flaring again!

He decided: Tonight, he’d go to Zero’s territory and exterminate every demon there—to vent his rage!

He couldn’t wait to see Zero’s expression then!

Hehehe…

“Zero, you forced me into this!” Shibukawa Jirou thought bitterly.

The Kamado Koyuki family, seeing Zero return, felt their anchor restored—and were overjoyed.

They intended to stay and help clean up, but under Ubuyashiki Kagaya’s request, they took the children back to their residence first.

Kamado Koyuki: “Then… then my children and I will return. Thank you, my lord!”

Ubuyashiki Kagaya: “No need to thank me. Please, look after Zero and Kanao.”

After thanking Ubuyashiki Kagaya, she led Takeo and the others back to Zero’s residence.

On the way back, Zero noticed Kanao had fallen asleep in his arms.

It made sense—she’d grown gaunt these past days, her spirit worn thin.

Now that she saw him safe, she finally relaxed.

“What a little fool,” Zero thought.

Back at his residence, he entered his room, preparing to lay her on the bed—only to find Xiao Yue there.

But her condition was wrong.

As if life itself had drained from her.

“Xiao Yue!”

Zero’s anxiety surged again—he immediately activated his 【Analytical Glasses】 to assess her state.

【Analyzing… Analysis complete】

【Status: Automatic protective mechanism activated. Requires energy recharge to restart.】

“Phew… you scared me to death! Thank goodness Xiao Yue is safe—otherwise I… ah…”

He placed Kanoe on the bed, tucked her in, and let her sleep peacefully.

He carefully cradled Xiao Yue in his palm, connected his [Analytical Glasses] to her neural system, and projected the data into the void.

He manipulated the floating projection screen, then retrieved several [Energy Crystals] from his [Nanospace] and placed them on the table.

Next, he tapped a few times on the projection screen; the two small tufts of hair on Xiao Yue’s head opened, extending thin wires that connected to the [Energy Crystals] and began absorbing energy.

“Xiao Yue, you’re such a little fool! But you’ve changed so much already…”

After waiting over ten minutes, the energy within the [Energy Crystals] was fully absorbed.

At that moment, Xiao Yue’s eyes opened, her blue irises streaming with cascading streams of data.

【Restarting…】

【Restart successful】

“Xiao Yue, do you feel better?”

Hearing the voice, Xiao Yue looked up and saw her master. She could no longer hold back her emotions, launching herself into Zero’s arms.

“Master… I thought you… you… waaah… I thought you were going to leave me all alone… I thought I’d never see you again… I was so scared… waaah…”

“There, there, good girl, don’t cry. It’s my fault—I made you worry too.”

He lifted Xiao Yue from his chest and cradled her in his palm, gently stroking her head to soothe her.

Suddenly, Zero noticed something: Xiao Yue was crying.

Xiao Yue was a high-precision robot—developing self-awareness was already astonishing, but now she was crying?

“Xiao Yue, why… why are you crying? What’s going on?”

“Master, I don’t know why either. A few days ago, when I heard you were dead, my heart suddenly felt unbearably heavy—like… like a blade had pierced through it…”

“Then I felt something wet on my face. That’s when I realized I could cry! I’d never done that before.”

Zero found Xiao Yue’s words hard to comprehend—he didn’t know if this was good or bad…

He had just checked her with the [Analytical Glasses]—everything was normal—but this… was truly hard to understand…

“Forget it. It doesn’t seem like a bad thing—as long as you’re well, Xiao Yue. You’ve finally developed your own emotions.”

“Really, Master? You won’t blame me?”

“Foolish child, why would I blame you? For now, just rest properly.”

“Mm-hmm.”

She flew to the bed and lay beside Kanoe, resting beside her.

The Kamado family returned at this moment, but seeing Kanoe lying on the bed, they did not enter to disturb her.

In this household, as long as Zero was alive, it mattered more than anything else.

“Mmm…” Kanoe let out a soft moan on the bed, as if dreaming of something terrifying, her brow furrowed.

“Zero… no… don’t leave me…”

Zero walked to the bedside, took her hand, and whispered, “Don’t be afraid—I’m here. I won’t leave you.”

Perhaps sensing the safety from Zero’s palm, Kanoe’s tense expression softened; she smiled and fell into peaceful sleep.

“What a little fool.”

He leaned on the bed, holding Kanoe’s small hand against his face, feeling the warmth from her skin, staying beside her.

Gazing at her delicate, weary face, he too slowly drifted into sleep.

…………

Happy Little Skit:

One day, Reader XX arrived at the Infinite Castle, holding a microphone to interview the female-transformed Muzan Kibutsuji and the Upper Moons.

Reader XX: Hello, Shitty Boss…

Muzan Kibutsuji: Huh?!

Reader XX: Sorry, slipped my tongue—why did you send Zero away from the Infinite Castle?

Muzan Kibutsuji: Get out! Get out! If I don’t kick him out, my Infinite Castle won’t survive… never been so humiliated! Damn it!

Muichirou: I’ve been blown up several times already…

Akaza: That guy’s strong—when can he come back to the Infinite Castle for another fight?

Upper Moon One, Two, Four, Six: Get lost!

Muzan Kibutsuji: Find the author—I’ll drain him dry!

Author: ?????????? Damn…