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Butterfly Mansion
Every Corps member—Kakushi operatives and swordsmen alike—had gathered for the celebration. Originally scheduled for yesterday to commemorate Muzan's destruction, the banquet had been postponed.
They'd received incredible news: The Dragon Hashira Kaido lived. He'd returned to the Corps.
Hearing this, everyone erupted into celebration. They understood—without Kaido during that final battle, eliminating Muzan would've cost far more lives.
Tonight's banquet was extravagantly arranged. Lights blazed everywhere, the atmosphere saturated with joy.
"Lisa, has Dragon Hashira-sama arrived yet?" Murata asked the girl beside him—Naoko Lisa.
"I heard Dragon Hashira-sama had important business. He should arrive any moment."
"Excellent! Hey, look—the Master's here! All the Hashira too! Tonight's celebration is really something special!"
"Over there—the former Water, Flame, and Sound Hashira as well!"
"Tanjiro's group arrived! Everyone's here."
Kagaya led his family into the banquet, followed by the ten Hashira. Tengen's three wives accompanied them. Every face wore brilliant smiles.
Nearby, Sakonji Urokodaki, Shinjuro Rengoku, and Jigoro Kuwajima approached—radiating satisfaction.
Tanjiro walked hand-in-hand with Kanao and Nezuko, joined by Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Genya—all beaming happily.
After finishing Butterfly Mansion preparations, Aoi led the three youngest girls into the banquet hall.
Next came Ruka Rengoku holding Senjuro's small hand, walking alongside Tamayo with Yushiro trailing behind.
Time passed. Every Corps member had assembled—except Kaido.
"That child hasn't arrived yet?"
"Kaido-kun's crow told me earlier he's bringing several people to the banquet. They're on their way now... Ara, here he comes!" Kanae pointed toward distant figures.
Everyone's gaze followed her gesture. Indeed—Kaido approached, hand-in-hand with his sister, a cat cradled in his arms. Three people walked behind him, though nobody recognized them.
Only Sakonji, Giyu, and Tanjiro reacted when seeing two of those figures—eyes widening with emotion.
"Sabito... Makomo..." Sakonji whispered their names.
Inosuke's gaze fixed on the woman behind Kaido. Inexplicably, a strange sensation bloomed in his chest.
The figure from Kaido's illusory vision surfaced in his mind.
"Sorry everyone—didn't mean to keep you waiting." Kaido apologized to the assembly, then turned toward Sakonji. "Urokodaki-sensei, Senior, Tanjiro—see who I brought?"
"Sabito... Makomo... you... you're..." Sakonji's body trembled, tears streaming from beneath his mask.
"Junior resurrected both of us!" Makomo explained.
"What??" Everyone stared at Kaido. Kanae stepped forward, tapping his forehead gently. "Kaido-kun, why don't you ever value yourself properly?"
"I... well... uh... hehe..." Kaido had no explanation prepared. After all, he'd originally lied about sacrificing lifespan to resurrect people. Now he was trapped by his own story.
'Muzan, I hate you!' Internally, Kaido cursed the dead Demon King once more.
System: [Blame everything on Muzan.]
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Kaido quickly redirected attention—addressing Kotoha, who was searching frantically for her son. "Kotoha-san, that's your child!" He pointed toward the boar-masked Inosuke.
Kotoha approached, removing Inosuke's mask. Seeing that face—identical to her own—she could no longer contain herself. Embracing him, tears poured forth.
"Inosuke! My child! I'm sorry—Mother failed you. I couldn't keep my promise. You suffered so much!"
Inosuke didn't resist, letting her hold him. Raised by wild boars his entire life, he'd never known his biological mother. Now, meeting her—he couldn't articulate his feelings.
"Inosuke, my child... can you call me 'Mother'?" Kotoha's eyes brimmed with hope, desperate to hear that word.
But Inosuke remained motionless, standing dumbfounded—tears filling his eyes.
Seeing her son's reaction, Kotoha's heart ached. She assumed he refused because she'd broken her promise—yet felt no resentment. Simply being with her child again brought profound satisfaction.
Just as she prepared taking his hand—she finally heard those longed-for words.
"Mother!"
Hearing Inosuke call her that, Kotoha could no longer suppress overwhelming emotion. Tears streamed freely.
"Inosuke! My child! You finally called me Mother! Thank goodness!"
Witnessing this reunion, companions couldn't contain their own tears. Mother and son recognized, reunited at last.
Watching everything, Kagaya exchanged glances with Amane—then looked at their five children. They smiled together.
Retsuki's fingers interlaced tightly with Kaido's. Her heart overflowed with happiness.
Shortly after, Kagaya's announcement continued the celebration.
"Everyone, Muzan has been destroyed! No demons remain in this world! Together—cheers!"
"CHEERS!"
Everyone raised their cups high. Only children substituted juice for alcohol—the rest downed their drinks enthusiastically.
Retsuki attempted sneaking a sip of alcohol but Kaido caught her immediately—explaining she was too young for alcohol, only juice allowed. She pouted sullenly.
Suddenly, mischief struck. Stealthily, while he wasn't paying attention, her hand darted forward—twisting sharply!
"Hsss~ Ow ow ow!" Kaido didn't dare cry out loudly, glancing at Retsuki.
She maintained her position at his waist, innocently sipping juice—the message clear: 'That's for calling me young!'
'Who's been teaching her these things...' Kaido thought helplessly.
System: [Sister follows brother, younger follows elder. For cunning schemes, learn from Kaido!]
Kaido: [You perverted System, this grudge...]
System: [This grudge you'll remember, right? This system welcomes your grinding anytime!]
Kaido: [(--`′--) emmm...]
Thus the banquet lasted all night. Everyone opened their hearts, drinking freely—occasionally performing entertainment to liven the atmosphere.
━━━━━━━━
After the banquet concluded, everyone rested at headquarters several days—considering their future paths.
Kaido currently occupied himself at his estate with Retsuki.
"Retsuki, I'm coming in!"
"Mm, Kaido-niisan—be gentle. I'm ticklish!"
"I will. Just bear with it..."
"Mm~?"
"Uh... Retsuki, I'm just cleaning your ears. Do you have to make those sounds..."
"But I'm ticklish."
Retsuki lay across Kaido's lap while he used a wooden goose-down ear pick to clean her ears. Unfortunately, being ticklish, she kept making strange sounds.
After over half an hour, ear cleaning finally concluded—but Kaido's face burned crimson.
Those sounds had left his heart restless, nearly causing him to pass out.
Retsuki felt similarly—recalling recent events brought embarrassment.
Both sat on the sofa, unable to speak.
The awkwardness didn't last long. Simultaneously turning toward each other, Retsuki gradually closed her eyes. Kaido leaned closer. Just as their lips were about to touch—Mitsuri's voice rang from outside.
"Kaido-kun! We came to play!"
Both scrambled apart like they'd committed some forbidden act.
"Retsuki, prepare tea and snacks. I'll get the door."
"Okay."
Opening the entrance revealed not just Mitsuri—but Gyomei's group and Tanjiro's companions too.
"You're all here! Come inside—let's chat together."
"Thanks for having us, Kaido-kun!"
"Kaido-san, excuse the intrusion!"
Kaido invited everyone inside, gathering on sofas. He joined Retsuki in the kitchen, bringing numerous snacks and tea for their guests.
"Everyone, you'll be leaving soon. What are your plans?" Kaido asked from his seat.
"Ara, I'm opening a clinic with Tamayo-san to treat patients."
"That suits you perfectly—Kanae-neesan and Tamayo's medical skills are exceptional. Shinobu-neesan, what about you?"
"I'm accompanying Giyu to teach at a school."
"Oh~?" Kaido glanced between Giyu and Shinobu, that knowing grin returning.
Shinobu quickly clarified: "Don't misunderstand! Giyu wants teaching children, but with his personality, he'll say something wrong and everyone will hate him. By the next day, I'll probably find him sleeping on the streets or begging!"
"Pfft~" Kaido nearly choked laughing, mentally picturing Giyu as a beggar.
Hearing Shinobu's assessment, Giyu felt as though his heart had been stabbed.
He'd assumed she loved children like him—wanting to teach together.
"I... I'm not hated!"
"Hahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter.
"What about you, Himejima?" Kaido turned to Gyomei.
"Namu Amida Butsu. I plan finding Sayo to apologize properly. I read her letter—I misunderstood everything that year. Thank you, Kaido. Without that letter you delivered, I might've continued misunderstanding forever."
"No problem. I'm glad the misunderstanding's resolved."
Kaido continued asking about others' plans. Tengen announced retiring with his three wives. Kyojuro would follow his father's arrangements, inheriting the Rengoku family business.
Sabito and Makomo planned returning to Mount Sagiri, caring for Sakonji in seclusion.
Sanemi and Genya intended working security—conveniently near Kanae and Tamayo's future clinic.
"Oh~ I see!" Kaido smirked at Sanemi knowingly.
"Kid, what's that supposed to mean? The location just happens to be there..."
"Really just happens to be there? Hehe~"
Sanemi couldn't answer properly, face reddening—though everyone understood the implication.
"If you like her, pursue her! What are you afraid of? This doesn't sound like the Wind Hashira I know!" Kaido's teasing left Sanemi flustered.
"Tanjiro, what about you?"
"I'm returning home with Nezuko. Kanao, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are coming too."
"Sounds good. If I have time, I'll visit as well."
"Please do, Kaido-san!"
"I will!"
"Ara, what about you, Kaido-kun?" Kanae turned the question around. Everyone looked at him curiously.
Kaido smiled. "Yesterday I discussed things with Obanai and Muichiro. We're opening a confectionery shop—me, Retsuki, Mitsuri-neesan, Obanai, and Muichiro running it together. When it opens, I hope everyone visits."
Mitsuri: "Yes! Kaido-kun's sweets are amazing! Obanai loves them!"
Obanai: "They're genuinely good."
Muichiro: "Sounds nice. But first, I'm going home once."
"Haha, supremely flamboyant! I'll bring my wives for a flamboyant visit!"
"Tengen-aniki, you're always welcome!"
"Tanjiro, bring Nezuko and Kanao too—don't forget Zenitsu and Inosuke."
"I will, Kaido-san. We'll all come together."
Happy moments always pass quickly. Everyone chatted freely at Kaido's estate—each person holding clear goals and plans for their futures.
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