Demon Slayer: My breathing technique went awry after Nezuko pushed me down.

She wasn't sure what the consequences would be.

Just then—another figure emerged from the woods and came to her side.

"Sister Ren, the wounded have been taken care of—"

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.

Everyone turned to look.

She was a sophisticated young woman wearing a dark blue uniform top, paired with a dark skirt and high boots.

A white cloak fluttered gently behind him.

Her side ponytail hairstyle made her delicate face look exceptionally refreshing.

She stood next to Shinobu Kocho, still holding the hilt of her sword.

But at this moment, her movements completely froze.

Those beautiful eyes were staring unblinkingly at someone in the open space.

Then, that little face that was usually expressionless...

It became famous at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Her cheeks turned red all the way down to her ears.

Like a ripe apple.

Kaneko?

Bai Chuanyu was stunned.

Shinobu Kocho was also drawn to Kanao's abrupt interruption.

She turned around.

Then, she saw—

Her usually calm and collected stepson was now looking at Shirakawa Yu with a shy expression.

Naturally, her gaze also fell on Shirakawa Yu's embarrassed face.

Shinobu's eyes widened slightly for a moment.

Clearly, they were somewhat surprised by what was happening before their eyes.

Chapter 72 The Flower Bud Protected by Butterflies~

The two looked at each other.

Soon, Shinobu Kocho realized something.

After observing Shirakawa Yu quietly for a few seconds, Shinobu Kocho turned around and slowly took Kanao's hand.

It's very light and warm.

"Kana~" she called softly.

Kanao snapped out of her daze and looked at her, blushing.

Shinobu's smile remained gentle, but her eyes held a tenderness that only appeared when she was with Kanao.

“That person,” she asked softly, “is that the friend you met during the selection process?”

"Huh?!" Kanao was stunned, her eyes showing a hint of panic.

"It seems so~" Shinobu Kocho smiled and narrowed her eyes. "So, the reason you often have a different kind of smile when you're spacing out these past two months is because of him?"

The girl's thoughts were subtly exposed, and Kanao glanced at Shirakawa Yu, her face turning even redder.

But she wouldn't hide anything from her sister Ren. She pursed her lips and nodded gently.

Shinobu's smile deepened.

"My sister is very happy."

Her tone was soft, but very serious.

"I'm really happy that you can make friends and make a difference."

Kanao was stunned.

She looked up at Shinobu Kocho.

There was a slight glint of tears in those eyes.

Shinobu Kocho patted Kanao's hair, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Don't cry yet. I don't object to you making friends, but I still have to be responsible for vetting them for you."

She turned around and looked at Shirakawa Yu again.

"Kawaba-kun~" she said softly, her tone gentle, "Is it alright if I call you that?"

Shirakawa Yu was stunned for a moment.

This attitude... changed way too fast?

After learning that she was Kanao's friend, her previous hostility instantly lessened by more than half.

Is this what they call "love me, love my dog"?

However, he nodded immediately.

"of course."

"Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Go ahead and ask."

"What's going on with all these ghosts around you?" Shinobu Kocho asked, holding Kanao's hand.

"Although I trust the child's judgment, I know he can tell good people from bad people."

“But when I first arrived, I did hear you telling Tomioka to turn a blind eye and let you leave with the ghost.”

"I hope you can explain this matter."

Bai Chuanyu was taken aback when he heard this, and then suddenly realized!

He then understood why Shinobu Kocho had given him an anesthetic injection right away.

Shinobu Kocho had no idea that she was conducting an experiment; she only thought she wanted to escape with the demon.

When she arrived, the first thing she heard was that Giyuu's attacks couldn't break through her defenses.

She took the opportunity to persuade him to let her and the ghost leave.

She knew very well that if Yiyong couldn't break through the defense, she probably couldn't either.

That's why she acted decisively, trying to numb herself.

Having understood the reason, Shirakawa Yu gave a wry smile.

That's a real blunder!

Even if she had arrived a minute earlier, all she would have needed to hear was the word "experiment."

Given her sensitivity to this, her own buttocks probably won't suffer like that.

Shaking his head, Shirakawa Yu did not answer the question directly, but instead asked a question in return.

Have you ever heard of the name Tamayo?

"Tamayo!?" Shinobu Kocho's mouth gaped slightly. "That deserter demon?"

Bai Chuanyu nodded, "That's what everyone says, but in reality, she used to be a doctor and a medical expert."

"I know that, but what does that have to do with the ghosts around you?"

“Tanjiro’s sister Nezuko is different from other demons. She doesn’t eat people, nor does she rely on eating people to increase her strength or gain energy.” Shirakawa Yu pointed at Nezuko.

"Ms. Tamayo has been observing and studying her recently."

"Researching methods to turn ghosts back into humans."

"Turning demons... into humans?" Shinobu Kocho was stunned. "Is this idea... realistic?"

"How is it unrealistic?" Shirakawa Yu said half-jokingly.

"Isn't what you're researching all about is how to turn ghosts into dead people?"

“This is different.” Shinobu’s tone became unusually serious.

"Killing a demon with medicine and reversing demonization with medicine are two completely different things!"

"Everyone has their own expertise~" Shirakawa Yu shrugged.

Upon hearing this, Shinobu's eyes lit up.

"You mean, Ms. Tamayo's experiment has made progress?"

Shirakawa Yu pointed to the two little girls next to him who were drooling and staring intently at his butt with their big, bright eyes.

"No progress. Should I go out and find test subjects?"

“Experimental subject…” Shinobu Kocho looked at Tsubaki and Koju.

"So, you took them with you because you planned to take them back to do experiments?"

"That's the plan."

Shirakawa Yu shrugged as he pushed away Xiaozhu, who couldn't resist the temptation and wanted to come up and nibble on his butt.

"If the experiment fails, it's just bad luck for them. If it succeeds, it will benefit the community and serve as atonement."

"In fact, they committed their evil deeds under the coercion of this Lower Moon."

At this point, everyone's attention shifted to Lei, who looked more than ten years older and whose eyelids were almost too heavy to keep open.

The two previously surging columns of blood are now nearly exhausted.

The two test tubes for collecting semen were almost full.

The exhaustion I feel right now is because my energy is almost completely depleted.

They won't die; eating someone will make them energetic again.