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

Seeing this, Mitsuri burst into laughter through her tears, her heart melting.

This time, however, she didn't touch it, but instead looked up ahead.

There, Shirakawa Yu was enveloped in a hazy pink mist, holding two little rabbits snuggling together, watching her~

Do you like it?

"I...I like..."

I like you too~

"Huh!?"

"Long pink hair~"

Mitsuri (＊／ω＼＊): "Ugh~~~~"

Xiaobanei(▼DRAN▼#)

Chapter 82 Ubuya Shiki Yaoya.

Inside the main hall.

The light was somewhat dim.

Shirakawa Yu placed the two boxes inside the hall.

He walked alone into the living room at the back.

A man was kneeling on the tatami mat.

His upper face was mostly ulcerated, and his eyes were no longer visible, but those completely blind eyes seemed to be gently "looking" in the direction of Shirakawa Yu.

Ubuyashiki Yoshiya.

The lord of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Shirakawa Yu?" His voice was gentle, carrying a reassuring power.

"it's me."

"Welcome to the Ubuyashiki family. Please have a seat."

He didn't refer to it as the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, but rather as his home, seemingly to avoid putting too much pressure on Shirakawa Yu.

The two sat facing each other at a small table, on which sat two cups of tea, steaming hot.

Shirakawa Yu wasn't used to kneeling, so he casually crossed his legs.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki gestured for him to call her, and said softly, "Would you mind if I called you Kawaba-kun, just like Shinobu?"

"Of course I don't mind." Shirakawa Yu picked up his teacup and took a sip. "And you, do you mind if I call you Yaozai?"

"..."

"Do you mind?"

"I don't mind," Ubuyashiki said with a hint of a smile. "It just feels a little strange."

"strangeness?"

"Yes, it's a bit strange, since no one calls me that except my wife and elders."

"Anyway, I'm definitely not your wife~"

"......Hahaha."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki laughed. Even his laughter was soft, but the joy was genuine.

"Kawaba-kun, Shinobu is right, you are really interesting."

“Generally speaking, my humor is only for girls.” Shirakawa Yu put down his teacup. “But Yaozai, you’re very gentle, so I think you won’t mind if I make a joke.”

"Of course, I'd love for someone to joke around with me."

The two exchanged a smile, and it seemed as if they had hit it off immediately.

However, after laughing, Kagaya Ubuyashiki fell silent.

"So, Kawaba-kun, are you planning to leave the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Shirakawa Yu raised an eyebrow: "What makes you say that? Because I don't call myself Chief, or Lord?"

“I don’t mind the form of address itself,” Ubuyashiki’s voice remained gentle, “but the form of address often reflects a person’s attitude.”

“You’re very perceptive,” Shirakawa Yu nodded. “And very wise.”

"Indeed, I don't feel much of a sense of belonging to the Demon Slayer Corps. My way of doing things is probably out of place in the eyes of most members. However—"

"but?"

"However, I have no intention of leaving the Demon Slayer Corps."

Ubuyashiki remained silent for a moment.

"Neither withdrawing nor truly integrating. So, Kawayu-kun, your idea is... cooperation?"

Shirakawa Yu smiled.

"It is indeed very pleasant to chat with intelligent people."

"That's right, I do intend to cooperate."

"I've come to see you today to discuss the specifics of our collaboration."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki lowered his head, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"A very smart choice."

He raised his head, and his blind eyes were still "looking" at Shirakawa Yu.

“Indeed, your way of doing things is hard for others to accept. But if it’s just a cooperative relationship, my kids’ resistance should be less.”

"A win-win situation, isn't it?"

“Yes.” Ubuyashiki nodded gently. “A win-win situation.”

He paused.

"Then, let's talk about the specifics of how we can cooperate."

"it is good......"

In the courtyard.

The front courtyard had been mostly destroyed in the battle; several bluestone slabs were broken, and knife marks remained on the walls.

The group moved to the backyard, where they sat or stood, each occupying a corner.

Butterfly covered her forehead. She was still smiling, but anyone could see the helplessness in that smile.

"Sanemi, Obanai, you two are seriously injured and really need treatment as soon as possible. This simple treatment won't last long, so don't try to tough it out here."

"No!" both voices cried out in unison.

One is a mummy, the other is a pregnant woman with bandages.

Obanai Iguro stood with his belly bulging from the bandages. His face was pale, but his eyes were as stubborn as a rock.

"Without a final resolution to this matter, I can't rest, I can't even die in peace!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa, lying on the ground, was in an even worse state.

He was completely wrapped in bandages and could only lie flat, but his mouth was anything but gentle.

"That bastard is suspicious! Very suspicious! I'm staying here to protect our lord!"

Everyone shook their heads as they looked at the mummy, who couldn't even sit up and could only lie on the ground spouting threats.

Kanroji Mitsuri couldn't help but burst out laughing.

When she realized everyone was looking at her, she quickly covered her mouth with her little hands, her face turning red.

"Smimasai~"

Despite having a bandage wrapped around his right hand, Gyomei Himejima still kept his hands clasped together.

"Forget it, let them wait here. Given their loyalty to their lord, even if you forcibly take them away, they'll crawl back."

"How pathetic." Yuzui Tengen leaned against a pillar, fiddling with the diamond pendant on his forehead, his tone clearly disdainful.

"Two veteran pillars, ruined by a newcomer. Not glamorous at all."

"Damn it!" Shinazugawa scrambled his legs on the ground twice. "That kid has a problem! A really big problem! If you're so capable, you go and do it yourself!"

"Who said I'm not planning to play?" Yu Zui Tianyuan raised his chin arrogantly. "I'm finishing the chart. You guys are too bad, you can't even afford to buy yourself this much time."

"Easy for you to say," Obanai said sinisterly. "You go first, we'll observe, and we can win too!"

"What do you mean by observation? That's called chart analysis, okay? That's my ultimate move!"

"Come on," Iguro glanced at him sideways. "When I was a ninja, I had this bad habit of not being able to fight without gathering intelligence, and I haven't gotten rid of it all these years."

"Iguro, that's incredibly rude of you." Uzui Tengen straightened up. "Do you want to have a spectacular fight with me?"

"Let's fight then, who's afraid of who?"

"Come here—don't say I'm bullying a patient. I don't even need to observe you when dealing with you!"

"They're all so energetic! Hahaha!"

Kyojuro Rengoku stood beside him, smiling brightly.

Shinobu Kocho sighed, "Mr. Rengoku, please don't make things worse."

"Hahaha—sorry!" Purgatory stopped laughing and bowed earnestly.

Kanroji Mitsuri's eyes sparkled. "Ah~ Mr. Rengoku, who's apologizing so earnestly, is so handsome too~"

Giyu Tomioka stood in the corner, expressionless, his eyes vacant.

Tokito Muichiro looked up at the sky and said, "Ah... where did that cloud go?"

Tanjiro: "???"

He looked at this and that, completely bewildered.