Chapter 5: Meeting Ubuyashiki Kagaya

“Is that so? Kanae… she really did her best!”

“Shinobu, no matter what, I hope you will live well. I don’t want to see you leave me! I can be replaced, but you cannot.”

Upon hearing this, Shinobu clenched her fists involuntarily, then quickly loosened them, recalling how her sister once said she loved seeing her smile and wished humans and demons could coexist peacefully—she now knew what she must do.

“I understand, my lord! I will carry on my sister’s wish and live well.” She then rose and left the courtyard.

Watching Shinobu’s retreating figure, the Demon Slayer Corps’ master felt a pang of sorrow—he could sense the fury burning within her heart.

He could already imagine how Shinobu might one day become a living echo of Kanae, but such a version of her would surely suffer far more than she does now.

“Amitabha, my lord, I shall take my leave as well!”

“Gyomei, if you can, I hope you’ll try to comfort Shinobu. This path will only bring her more pain.”

“Yes, my lord!”

As Himejima Gyomei departed, the Demon Slayer Corps’ master fell into deep thought.

“Upper Moon demons are this powerful! Kanae, my child… Kibutsuji Muzan, one day, we of this generation will destroy you ourselves—to atone for those who have died!”

…………

At dawn, the Fujiwara household.

“Respected Demon Slayer, how may I serve you?”

“Please prepare some food. I’ve healed Kanae’s wounds—she now needs nourishment.”

“Of course, please wait a moment!”

Kujō Matsui left to prepare a meal. Zero entered the room, opened the recovery pod, and retrieved a shirt and pants from his nanospace. He spoke to Kanae inside: “Your injuries are healed. Put these on—your uniform has been taken to be washed by the servants. It’ll be ready by nightfall.”

“Thank you!” Kanae reached out one hand to take the clothes Zero offered, yet hesitated to fully reveal herself—until she remembered how thoroughly he had already seen her at dawn, and her embarrassment faded.

Zero turned away and sat on the tatami, facing the opposite direction as he waited for her to change.

Soon after, Kanae emerged, dressed, standing before Zero.

“Your clothes are a bit small!” Dressed in Zero’s attire, Kanae looked strikingly different—her slender, toned figure accentuated by curves.

Zero noticed something odd about the shirt she wore.

It was his size, so it was tight—exposing her flat abdomen. The pants clung to her long legs, making them even more alluring.

Suddenly, Zero realized something: Was Kanae currently wearing nothing underneath?

“Damn it, I forgot this!” He thought, quickly averting his gaze.

“These were just clothes I made out of boredom. They’re a bit small, but they’re new—so don’t worry!” Zero dared not look at Kanae; thinking of her state, his face burned inexplicably.

Kanae noticed Zero’s flustered state and felt a strange little thrill—she suddenly wanted to tease him.

“Oh? I quite like your new clothes, Zero. But why won’t you look at me?”

Kanae crept toward Zero like a kitten, closing the distance until their faces were inches apart, their body scents mingling.

“I… I have no reason not to look… I’m just… just…” Zero stepped back, until his back hit the wall with nowhere left to retreat.

Kanae’s playful mood surged—she planted both hands on either side of him, leaving him utterly trapped.

Slowly, she leaned in and whispered into his ear: “How will you make it up to me? You saw everything—you owe me.” She blew softly against his ear.

Xiao Yue, hidden beneath the covers, watched the scene with wide eyes, thinking: “Hehe, looks like our master has spring after all!”

“Y-you want me to make it up to you? Whatever you ask, I’ll do it!”

“Oh? You said that. Then come with me to the Demon Slayer Corps to meet the master!” Kanae still hadn’t abandoned her plan to bring Zero into the Corps.

She also felt reassured about her sister—but this time, her motive for bringing Zero in seemed to hold something else.

“Sigh… fine, I’ll go with you to meet your so-called master… but can you let go of me now?”

Only then did Kanae realize her hands had somehow cradled Zero’s face.

“Oh? Oops, sorry, hehe!” She playfully tapped her own head.

Knock knock! A knock came at the door.

“Demon Slayer, your meal is ready. I’ve placed it by the door. Please call if you need anything!” The Fujiwara household’s master said, setting the food outside and preparing to wait in the adjacent room.

“Thank you, I appreciate your effort.”

Zero opened the door, brought the food inside, and placed it before Kanae. “Eat first. By night, your uniform should be dry. Then I’ll go with you to the Demon Slayer Corps.”

“Won’t you eat too?”

“I’m not hungry. Besides, I can go days without food without issue.”

He then stored the recovery pod in his nanospace, opened another door, stepped into the courtyard, and sat by the entrance, lost in thought.

Kanae watched Zero’s back and felt an unexpected sense of weariness—as if he had endured countless deaths, loneliness, and despair.

Xiao Yue flew out from under the covers and hovered before Kanae, her eyes flickering between her and Zero, as if pondering something.

“Oh? Xiao Yue, would you like some food too?”

Kanae quite liked this talking doll.

Xiao Yue was about to refuse when Zero’s voice came: “Eat if you want. Your body can convert food into energy—no need to worry.”

Kanae immediately picked up a fried shrimp and slipped it into Xiao Yue’s mouth.

It was Xiao Yue’s first time tasting such food—the fried shrimp tasted good. She held it in her hands and ate it bite by bite, while Kanae savored her own meal slowly…

Night fell. Kanae changed back into her own uniform, ready to depart with Zero for the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters to meet the master.

“How long will it take to get to the Demon Slayer Corps from here?”

“About one night’s journey.”

“Too slow. Tell me the way—I’ll fly us there.”

“Fly?” Kanae recalled how Zero had carried her in his arms to the Fujiwara household while she was injured, and her cheeks flushed again.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing. I’ll guide you.”

“Hmm.”

Zero retrieved a light-energy flyer from his nanospace, strapped it to his back, unfolded its black-and-white wings, and once again lifted Kanae into his arms, feeling the soft warmth of her body.

He then flew toward the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, following Kanae’s directions.

After flying for over an hour, they reached the edge of a forest—dense with trees and towering mountains, utterly concealed.

“Flower Pillar! You’re… alive?! Thank heavens! Flower Pillar, who is this?”

A figure wrapped entirely in cloth, face masked except for the eyes, stepped forward. On his back was embroidered the character “Invisible.”

“Oh? Sorry for worrying you all! This is Zero—he saved me. Without him, I might truly be dead! Zero, this is an Insect Division member, responsible for handling and post-mission care of Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen.”

“You’re Zero-sama?!” The Insect Division member said, visibly excited.

“You know me?”

“Zero-sama, I’m Gotō. I’ve heard of you—your single-handed defeat of two Lower Moon demons is already known throughout the Corps!”

“Oh? Zero, you’ve become quite famous in the Demon Slayer Corps!” Kanae teased.

“Mr. Gotō, I need to meet the master. Please lead us. Zero, the Corps headquarters is hidden—after this point, the Insect Division will guide us to prevent exposure.”

“Yes, Flower Pillar! Follow me, please.”

Gotō led Kanae and Zero to a carriage and had them enter.

Hours passed. The carriage changed routes multiple times, winding through paths, and after four or five hours, they finally arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

The headquarters was spacious and imposing.

“Zero, this is the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Now, I’ll take you to meet the master.”

“Gaaah!” A kagura crow flew down from the sky, speaking in human voice.

The crow landed on Kanae’s shoulder, nuzzling her affectionately with its head.

“Oh? Long time no see! Zero, this is my kagura crow, Hikari! Hikari, please inform the master I’m here—and I’ve brought Zero with me!”

“Yes, gaaah!” It flew off toward the master’s residence.

“Come on, Zero!” She grabbed his hand and ran.

…………

Hearing Hikari’s report, the Demon Slayer Corps master was deeply moved.

“Is this true?! Cough… cough…”

“My lord, please take care of your health!”

“I’m fine, Tōne… cough… hurry! Take me to see Kanae! She’s alive—and she’s brought Zero with her!”

“Yes!”

In the back courtyard, they saw Kanae standing beside a pale-haired man in strange attire, with a female doll perched on his shoulder—he was clearly Zero, the man who had slain two Lower Moon demons, and his sister Xiao Yue.

“My lord!” Kanae knelt on one knee upon seeing him.

Zero felt strange—some inner voice echoed: Do not kneel. It is ancestral law.

He looked at the man before him—his face scarred and disfigured—and activated his analysis glasses.

【Name: Ubuyashiki Kagaya】

【Title: 97th Head of the Demon Slayer Corps.】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 20】

【Served by all Pillars. Possesses natural leadership, deeply values his subordinates, treats every swordsman as his own child. Speaks calmly and gently; his voice soothes listeners. Deeply respected by all members, who call him “My Lord.” Once handsome, but cursed by the Ubuyashiki bloodline, he suffers chronic illness and disfigurement.】

【Treatment Recommendation: Place in recovery pod with 100 energy crystals. Activate virus-clear mode. This will significantly eliminate disease and greatly suppress and delay the curse. Repeat monthly for three sessions to fully cure and remove the curse.】

Kanae quickly signaled Zero with her eyes, but Ubuyashiki Kagaya waved it off.

“You must be Mr. Zero. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya, 97th Head of the Demon Slayer Corps. Thank you for saving Kanae. If I may guess, your appearance suggests you’re from the Eastern Dragon Nation?”

Zero heard Ubuyashiki Kagaya’s voice, and his mind felt light and floaty, soothing and pleasant.

“Eastern Dragon Nation? Sorry, I don’t know much about myself—I can’t remember anything!”

“Amnesia? That’s fine, Mr. Zero…”

“Just call me Zero.”

“Very well, Zero—have you considered joining the Demon Slayer Corps? Of course, I won’t force you; if you don’t wish to join, that’s perfectly fine. I’d still like to become friends with you.”

“I’ll think about it. Also, I’d like to ask you—about the curse on your body, I can help you resolve it. But I hope that when I need help, you’ll assist me in return.”

“Zero, are you serious?!” Ubuyashiki Kagaya, upon hearing Zero mention his curse, assumed Kanao had told him—but Kanao shook her head subtly, indicating she hadn’t.

That made Ubuyashiki Kagaya feel utterly astonished.

Zero nodded, confirming it was true. Ubuyashiki Kagaya, supported by his wife, stepped forward to Zero and bowed deeply. “If this is true, the Ubuyashiki family will spare no effort to help you!”

Ubuyashiki Kagaya was not afraid of death—he believed he could be replaced—but the Demon Slayer Corps’ children could not.

If his curse could be lifted, he could do far more for the Demon Slayer Corps’ children.

It was clear Ubuyashiki Kagaya truly regarded the swordsmen as his own children, cherishing them deeply.

“Very well, let’s begin now. But I’ll need your wife’s help shortly.”

“Of course! Zero, I’m counting on you! Also, you can just call me by my name!”

“No need. I’ll call you my lord, just as Kanao does. After all, you truly command my respect.”

“Thank you, Zero!”

Kanao had wanted to assist as well, but she thought of her sister—upon hearing of her death, the girl would be heartbroken.

She asked Ubuyashiki Kagaya: “My lord, if I may, I’d like to take my leave. I wish to visit my sister—I’m sure she’s suffering terribly.”

“Of course. Shinobu is indeed in great pain. Kanao, after this is done, inform me about the Upper Moon demons.”

“Yes, my lord.”

She glanced at Zero, smiled faintly, and left the Ubuyashiki mansion.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya noticed Kanao’s gaze toward Zero held something unusual—filled with emotions beyond words.

Seeing his child encounter someone she loved, he felt genuine joy for Kanao.

…………