So, in this timeline, they had already saved Tsuyuri Kanao from the hands of the human traffickers.
Yohan's gaze softened.
Tsuyuri Kanao—
A girl who had been beaten, abused by her parents, and ultimately sold like an object.
He had always felt a deep sympathy for her.
And now, seeing her standing there, silent and timid, her violet eyes filled with wariness—
Yohan couldn't resist the urge to tease her a little.
But before he could act on that thought—
"Hmmph!"
A small pout appeared on Kanroji Mitsuri's lips.
She tugged on Yohan's sleeve and huffed, "Yohan! It's rude for a boy to just stare at a girl like that!"
Was she just reminding him to be polite?
Or… was there another meaning behind those words?
That, no one could say.
Yohan realized his mistake and gave an awkward chuckle.
Thankfully, the ever-kind Kocho Kanae stepped in with a warm smile.
"These are my younger sisters," she introduced. "The one with black curls is Shinobu Kocho, and the one with the ponytail is Tsuyuri Kanao."
With that, the introductions were complete.
But then—
Kanae wasted no time getting to the point.
"Yohan, Mitsuri," she said earnestly. "I would like to formally invite you both to join the Demon Slayer Corps once again."
Her sincere gaze landed on them, full of hope.
Yohan thought for a moment before answering seriously,
"I'm sorry, Kanae."
His voice was calm but firm.
"I have nothing against the Demon Slayer Corps. In fact, I have great respect for you all."
"But… I value my freedom too much."
"So, please understand—I must decline."
There was no hostility in his words.
He simply wanted to make it clear—
His reason for refusal had nothing to do with arrogance or disdain.
Even if he wasn't part of the Demon Slayer Corps, that didn't mean he wouldn't cooperate with them when needed.
Kanae listened carefully.
Though his words were diplomatic, she understood the true meaning behind them.
Yohan's decision was final.
And she wouldn't try to force him.
A gentle soul like Kanae knew—
Forcing someone into something they didn't want would only push them away.
Besides, wasn't this arrangement just as good?
He wasn't an enemy.
He would fight for humanity, whether or not he wore the Corps uniform.
That was enough.
However—
One person was not as accepting.
Shinobu's patience snapped.
"Why?!" she blurted out, her voice sharp with frustration.
"Why are you refusing my sister's invitation?!"
Her violet eyes blazed with emotion.
"Don't think just because you were able to fight an Upper Moon, you're above the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"I saw what you were teaching that girl just now!"
"That was nothing but cheap martial arts—how do you expect her to kill demons with that?"
Shinobu's irritation was genuine.
At this point in time, she was still direct, impatient, and quick to anger.
Her elder sister was still alive—
She had yet to experience the grief that would harden her into the smiling, venomous woman she would become.
Right now—
She was just a young Demon Slayer, passionate and eager to prove herself.
To her, Yohan's approach was bizarre.
Teaching Mitsuri some strange, warrior-style techniques instead of the Breathing Styles they all relied on?
What kind of nonsense was that?
And now he was acting like he was too good for the Corps?
Did he think he alone was stronger than the entire Demon Slayer Corps combined?!
"Enough."
Kanae's voice cut through the tension like a knife.
She had rarely scolded Shinobu before, but this time—
She was disappointed.
Did Shinobu truly believe the Demon Slayer Corps was the strongest force in existence?
If that were true, then why did demons still roam the land?
And why, despite their best efforts, was Muzan Kibutsuji still alive?
Besides—
Had she not seen the lingering battle scars in the courtyard?
Did she truly think someone like Yohan was just an ordinary warrior?
Strong people were not to be judged so lightly.
Yohan, for his part, was unbothered.
Why should he be offended?
He had a system backing him.
Compared to that, could the Demon Slayer Corps even compete?
Of course, they didn't know that.
But one person did take offense—
Mitsuri Kanroji.
She turned to Shinobu, her emerald eyes burning with fierce determination.
"If that's how you feel—"
"Then let's test it."
Her challenge hung in the air.
Shinobu blinked.
"…What?"
Mitsuri stood tall, voice unwavering.
"You don't believe in what Yohan taught me? Fine."
"Then let's fight—and see who's right."
Her hands clenched into tight fists.
Yohan's teachings had helped her understand her own strength in a way no one else ever had.
And she would prove it.
Shinobu narrowed her eyes.
She was never one to back down.
"Fine."
"Let's do this."
Without another word, the two girls strode toward the open space in the courtyard.
Kanae instinctively stepped forward to stop them—
She hadn't come here to start a fight!
But before she could—
Yohan placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.
"Let them."
Kanae hesitated, then sighed.
She supposed… there was no stopping them now.
As the others gathered around, Shinobu picked up a wooden practice sword—one of Kanae's.
"I'll go easy on you," she said, her tone sharp but not unkind. "I don't want to accidentally hurt you."
Mitsuri smiled sweetly.
"That's okay," she replied. "I'll go easy on you, too."
Shinobu scowled.
How arrogant could this girl be?!
Did she really think she could beat a trained Demon Slayer… barehanded?
Kanae sighed again and raised her voice.
"Alright. Begin!"
Shinobu wasted no time.
She lunged—
Her wooden blade pierced the air in a lightning-fast strike, aiming for Mitsuri's shoulder.
Fast. Precise. Deadly. But—
Mitsuri didn't dodge.
Instead, she punched the ground.
BOOM!
The entire courtyard shook.
The earth cracked beneath her fist, causing shockwaves to ripple through the ground.
Shinobu, in mid-stride, stumbled.
Her balance was thrown off.
"What?!"
Kanae's eyes widened in shock.
That raw power…
Shinobu was in trouble.
And before she could react—
Mitsuri moved.
In an instant, she closed the distance.
Tekko—
Grappling Art: Wrist Lock.
Her hands snapped forward.
Shinobu's wooden sword was instantly disarmed—
Her wrist trapped in Mitsuri's iron grip.
A jolt of pain shot through her arm.
Shinobu gasped.
She couldn't move.
A heavy silence filled the air.
Then—
"…I lost."
Shinobu's voice was quiet. She lowered her head in defeat.
Mitsuri beamed.Yohan smirked.
And Kanae…
Simply smiled, understanding at last.
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