Chapter 69: Butterfly Shinobu: You

Returning to the house, he went to the basement.

When Jushi and the others saw the two return, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Nezuko rushed forward and hugged Zero, then turned to embrace Tanjiro.

“Nezuko!” Tanjiro tightly hugged his sister; this battle had been harder than any before.

Without Zero, it would have been even worse.

Xiao Yue deactivated her combat mode, and Zero retracted the cross-shaped floating cannons and small drones into his [Nanospace].

“Brother, you’re back.”

“Mm, Xiao Yue, you’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all.”

He reached out and stroked Xiao Yue’s head.

Jushi slowly approached Zero and said, “Zero, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Those two demons were barely worth mentioning—mere trash. Probably sent by Muzan Kibutsuji just to cause trouble. But I never expected Muzan Kibutsuji himself would show up in Asakusa, Tokyo. You’ll need to relocate to another safe place soon.”

“I was thinking the same. It’s almost dawn. After I finish with Yu Sheng, we’ll move tonight.”

“Mm, that’s good. Then I should be going too.”

“Are you leaving already?”

“I still have a mission.”

“I see… then you be careful too.”

Just as he was about to leave, Nezuko went to Jushi and hugged her, then reached out to pat Yu Sheng’s head.

Yu Sheng: (ò?ò?) Don’t touch me!

Jushi, puzzled by Nezuko’s behavior, asked, “Is Nezuko’s state normal?”

“It’s fine. She probably sees you as family…” Tanjiro then explained the suggestion implanted by his mentor.

“I see… but the suggestion was meant to make her see humans as family. We’re demons…”

“I think she sees you as human, that’s why. Honestly… I didn’t want her to be implanted with a suggestion, but it seems she still has her own awareness, so…”

Before he finished speaking, tears slipped from Jushi’s eyes down her cheeks.

She had never imagined anyone would ever see her as human again—her heart swelled with countless emotions.

Tanjiro, mistaking her tears for dislike of Nezuko’s embrace, stepped forward to pull Nezuko away, shouting apologetically: “I’m so sorry! Truly sorry! Nezuko, let go—this is too rude…”

But Jushi’s next action made Tanjiro realize he had misunderstood.

She tightly embraced Nezuko too, weeping: “Thank you, Nezuko sister. Thank you…”

Zero and Xiao Yue exchanged a smile at the sight.

This scene stirred Yu Sheng’s memory of his first encounter with Jushi.

That year, Yu Sheng was dying of a terminal illness—until he met Jushi, the only light in his life.

She asked him: Would he still want to live?

Even if he could no longer be human?

His illness would take his life, but the years as a demon would be unbearable…

After the embrace, Jushi wiped her tears and said, “Tanjiro, I’d like to ask your opinion on something.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Would you be willing to let us take care of Nezuko?”

“Huh?”

Upon hearing this, Yu Sheng immediately grew displeased, his heart resisting fiercely—he hated having others intrude on his time with Jushi.

For a moment, Tanjiro didn’t know how to decide.

Indeed, Jushi’s suggestion made sense—leaving Nezuko with them would be safer…

But his heart still couldn’t let go.

Finally, he looked toward Zero and Xiao Yue.

Zero smiled slightly and said, “Tanjiro, follow your heart. Some choices and decisions belong only to you.”

Xiao Yue nodded in agreement.

“The choice and decision rest in my hands…” Tanjiro repeated the words in his mind.

As if sensing his thoughts, Nezuko gripped Tanjiro’s hand tightly—her meaning was clear.

“Nezuko…”

Looking into her eyes with firm resolve, he made his choice: “Miss Jushi, I appreciate your kindness, but my sister and I will stay together. I won’t separate from her again.”

Though disappointed, they respected Tanjiro’s decision.

“I understand… May fortune favor you on your journey.”

As Tanjiro retrieved the wooden box and prepared to put Nezuko back inside, Yu Sheng called out: “Tanjiro, your sister… is beautiful.”

After speaking, he turned away, proud and aloof.

Hearing Yu Sheng admit his sister was beautiful, Tanjiro smiled again.

After Zero and the others left, Yu Sheng finally exhaled.

He had been terrified moments ago—afraid Zero might remember what had happened before.

“Damn, I forgot to thank Zero for the gift he gave me. I’ll have to thank him next time.”

Hearing Jushi say that, Yu Sheng felt the urge to write his will right now…

The next time he meets Zero, it’ll likely be his death…

Leaving Asakusa, Tokyo, Zero bid farewell to Tanjiro.

“Tanjiro, here we part. The path of demon slaying is perilous—be careful.”

“Yes, I understand, Zero brother.”

Then, he tapped lightly on the wooden box behind Tanjiro and said, “Little Nezuko, protect your brother. I’ll find a way to restore you to humanity and reunite you with your family.”

The wooden box shook slightly—Nezuko’s reply, signaling she understood.

Watching Tanjiro depart, Zero pulled out his dark-alloy motorcycle and placed Xiao Yue in front of him.

As he started the motorcycle, he felt he had forgotten something.

“Strange… did I forget something? Hmm… it feels important, yet not quite… what was it?”

After racking his brain, he still couldn’t recall what he’d forgotten. He started the motorcycle and rode back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters with Xiao Yue.

…………

In the afternoon, at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

On his way back to the mansion with Xiao Yue, Zero passed by Butterfly House and met Hanako Shinobu.

Seeing Zero, Hanako Shinobu glared at him with clenched teeth.

As if he had done something unspeakable to her…

“Shinobu, what’s wrong?”

“You’re asking me what’s wrong?! Give my sister back to me! Or I’ll bite you to death!!”

Hanako Shinobu put on a ferocious, snarling expression.

She wanted nothing more than to poison Zero and knock him out!

The reason?

Naturally, it was about Kanao Hashibira.

Ever since Kanao Hashibira started being with Zero, she hardly ever returned to Butterfly House!

Even when she did come back, she stayed only a moment before rushing off to Zero’s mansion.

Whether resting, training, or after a mission—it was always the same.

Classic case of forgetting your sister once you have a husband!

Now, most of Butterfly House’s duties fall to Hanako Shinobu, Kanao Aoi, the nurses, and Kanae Kocho.

Otherwise, one person couldn’t possibly handle it all!

“Uh…” Zero stared blankly at Hanako Shinobu, helplessly shaking his head. “Xiao Yue, go back first.”

“Oh~ I get it~”

After Xiao Yue left, Zero looked down at Hanako Shinobu, who stood a head shorter than him. He found her current demeanor oddly cute.

“Tell me, why do you demand I return Kanao to you? She’s now my lover, just like Mitsuji—effectively my fiancée. You want me to give her back? You need a reason.”

“How dare you ask?! Since she started being with you, how many times has she returned to Butterfly House this month? She’s always glued to you and Mitsuji!”

“Pfft… Hahaha! Shinobu, you want me to give Kanao back just because of this? Let me tell you—no way.”

“You… jerk brother-in-law, I’ll bite you to death!!”

Hanako Shinobu didn’t care if she could beat Zero—she lunged at him, determined to bite him to death!

Besides, he was her brother-in-law—would he dare hit his little sister?

If he did, she’d just go cry to her sister!

Zero stood still, raising his mechanical left hand horizontally across his chest.

Hanako Shinobu didn’t hesitate—she bit down hard!

*Crack!*

The sound of a tooth breaking echoed. One tooth flew out.

“Aaaah!! Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! Ow! You dirty brother-in-law! How dare you do this to me!!”

Butterfly Shin pressed her hand over her mouth, crouched on the ground, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.

She looked utterly pitiful, as if she had suffered some great injustice.

She regretted her earlier impulsiveness—she had forgotten that Zero’s hand wasn’t real, but a mechanical one.

“Little Shin, you can’t blame me. You rushed at me without paying attention and bit me. Get up—I’ll stop the bleeding.”

“You…!” Butterfly Shin, furious, stood up, wiped her tears, and pointed at Zero: “You wait! I’m telling my sister you’re bullying me! You’ve got my sister, and now you’re picking on your little sister-in-law! Hmph～”

“Ara～ who’s bullying my little Shin?”

Kanae had appeared behind Butterfly Shin without warning, smiling warmly at the two.

Seeing her sister arrive, Butterfly Shin clung to Kanae’s arm, crying and pouting: “Sister, you’ve got to do something about your husband! He’s got you, and yet he’s bullying me, his little sister-in-law! He just did that to me—if you’d come a moment later, he’d have doubled down on bullying me! Look, I’ve lost a tooth!”

Butterfly Shin’s mouth was slightly open, missing a small canine tooth, still bleeding, her speech slightly hissing with air.

(?ー`?′⌒) Uhh…

Zero’s eyes twitched slightly—how devious was Butterfly Shin!?

She was turning the tables on him!

What do you mean I’d double down on bullying you?

If I wanted to bully you, you wouldn’t even have time to scream!

This little sister-in-law really needs a lesson.

Kanae smiled faintly, pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, and wiped Butterfly Shin’s mouth. “I saw everything that just happened.”

“Erm… hehe～ Sister, I was just joking! You… you’re not mad, right?”

“Pfft…” Zero couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

“What are you laughing at, you dirty husband! You just wait—”

“Cough, cough…” Kanae cleared her throat, reminding them she was still there.

“Sister, I’m sorry—I’ve got things to do—I’m heading back to the Butterfly House!”

Without giving either of them a chance to respond, she dashed off to the Butterfly House.

Zero and Kanae exchanged a glance and smiled, unconcerned, then walked hand in hand back to the mansion.

On the second floor of the Butterfly House, Butterfly Shin witnessed this scene through the window, plotting darkly: “You dirty husband, you wait! Hmph～”

…

Night fell.

After dinner, Zero organized weapons and gear in the side hall.

Kuzen Kamado cleared dishes in the kitchen; Hana and the other children tidied bedding on the second floor.

Kanae and Mitsuji were chatting with Xiao Yue in Zero’s room.

But then, an unexpected familiar visitor arrived at the mansion—Butterfly Shin.

“Good evening, husband～”

“Good evening, little Shin. What brings you to my mansion?”

“Oh～ I just came to apologize. I’m sorry—I went too far this afternoon. And I wanted to see my sister.”

Zero smiled gently at Butterfly Shin, as if seeing straight through her soul.

Butterfly Shin apologize? Something felt off.

Flustered under his gaze, Butterfly Shin put on a look of sincere remorse, sat down in the chair opposite Zero, and said: “Husband, I truly came to apologize.”

Because she was missing a tooth, her speech leaked air.

Whoosh～

The glass door of the side hall opened; Kuzen Kamado entered carrying a small wooden tray with two cups of hot tea, placing it on the table.

“Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Kuzen.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Kamado.”

“Don’t mention it—call me if you need anything.”

With that, Kuzen Kamado left.

“Alright, I believe you came to apologize.”

Still, Zero took the opportunity to activate [Transparent World]—not for any other reason, but because he had a bad feeling!

And he was right.

He’d spotted something wrong.

Butterfly Shin’s condition was laid bare before Zero—he noticed a tiny custom-made container hidden at the cuff of her right sleeve.

About half a centimeter wide, one centimeter long.

It likely contained some liquid medicine, holding only a few milliliters.

But given Butterfly Shin’s nature, it was definitely poison—at least not lethal, but enough to make someone suffer unbearably.

Like the time when Tomioka Giyu was poisoned during the battle armor inspection…

Still, Zero pretended ignorance and continued inspecting his gear.

Seeing Zero show no suspicion, Butterfly Shin relaxed inwardly.

She picked up the two tea cups, placed one before herself, the other before Zero.

As she handed him his cup, she subtly concealed the motion with her butterfly-patterned haori, quickly dripping a few drops of liquid into his tea.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she sipped her own tea and asked: “Husband, where’s my sister?”

“In my room, chatting with Mitsuji and Xiao Yue. Go upstairs if you want to see them.” Zero answered while still inspecting his gear.

He pretended not to notice her little trick.

“Oh～”

But Butterfly Shin didn’t leave—she needed to see Zero drink the tea before she felt safe; it was a specially prepared concoction.

Zero had already guessed her intent.

So he deliberately knocked a tool from his hand, pretending to drop it, kicking it under Butterfly Shin’s feet: “Huh? Where’d it go?”

“Here it is.” Butterfly Shin bent down to pick up the tool beneath her feet.

In that instant, while in [Transparent World], Zero swiftly swapped his tea cup with hers.

So fast it was invisible, undetectable.

She handed the tool to Zero.

Zero took it, set it aside, then picked up the cup before him and drained it in one gulp.

Seeing Zero drink the tea, Butterfly Shin beamed with relief.

“Husband, I’ll go see my sister—I won’t disturb you anymore.” She then drank the entire cup Zero had swapped to her.

“Mm, go ahead.”

Butterfly Shin left the side hall, heading upstairs.

Perhaps the medicine’s effect had kicked in—she suddenly felt something was wrong.

Gurglee～

Her stomach growled.

It wasn’t hunger!

Then came a sharp pain.

She rushed to the bathroom, hung her butterfly haori on the hook by the door, locked it shut.

Butterfly Shin… had diarrhea.

“Damn it! What’s going on?! Why?!”

She couldn’t figure it out—she simply couldn’t!

She’d watched him drink the tea—how had it become hers?

Did he know she was poisoning him, so he poisoned her back the same way?

Or… had she accidentally dripped the liquid into the wrong cup?

That was impossible!

Suddenly, a memory flashed—when she’d bent down to pick up the tool, Zero had swapped their cups?

Impossible! It couldn’t be!

How could he have swapped the cups in the blink of an eye?

If that were true, how strong was her husband’s speed?!

Gurglee～

Her stomach churned violently again!

“It hurts so much!!!”

Zero, of course, knew all of this.

【Analyzing… Analysis complete】

【Detected residual substance in teacup: potent laxative, custom-made by Butterfly Shin. On ingestion, effects activate within 10 seconds. Duration: 3 hours.】

So it really was like this…

This time, Butterfly Shin had only herself to blame.

“Little Shin, you really…” Sigh…

Three hours…

I wonder if little Shin can even survive this?

Even if he survived, he’d probably be too weak to stand upright~

Half an hour later, Hu Die Ren stepped out of the bathroom.

She gripped the doorframe with both hands, her legs trembling slightly.

Then…

Gulu gulu~

“Damn! Here it comes again!”

She rushed back into the bathroom and locked the door…

………