Now, Kibutsuji Muzan this time ordered 'only' the Twelve Kizuki to annihilate Shabana.
If asked why not notified all demons, the answer is simple. Because sending demons weaker than one who incapacitated even Lower Rank 6 has no meaning. Rather, would be bringing experimental specimens to aid enemy's research. No different from sending salt to the enemy.
Though Kibutsuji Muzan's heart won't ache over a few underlings disappearing, the situation itself of being hindered is unpleasant.
Therefore, rather than search by pushing through recklessly with numbers, Kibutsuji Muzan chose the method of competing with quality called Twelve Kizuki and surely wiping them out.
Of course, now that the Shabana challenge has just begun, might have been okay with violence of numbers to sweep away fake Shabanas too… came to mind, but he was consistent.
The word 'tactical change' doesn't exist in the dictionary of Kibutsuji Muzan who thinks 'I am an absolutely correct existence who doesn't make wrong judgments.' No, sometimes exists but not now. Kibutsuji Muzan's improvisation switch turns on only when his own or a friend's life is at stake.
Operation command phrase is 'Life is precious'.
It wasn't 'Push recklessly'.
This man lives with self-faith hotter than campfires. That life is the blazing Honnō-ji. The scorched earth left behind isn't worth looking back at. So ultimately often gets irreversible burns but.
Anyway, for such reasons, most demons don't know Shabana's existence. Don't even know the fact that their ruling leader desires Shabana's annihilation.
And that was same for a certain demon whose eyes still hadn't been engraved with numbers.
＊
It took exactly a week for Kagaya-kun's condition to stabilize.
Ah, truly rich 7 days it was.
After the 'isn't this guy's medicine dangerous' incident that occurred at Mt. Fujikasane, when the Wind Hashira picked a fight saying "You're nothing but a madman wearing doctor's disguise," getting angry to the end, with Water Hashira-san's permission, invited the Wind Hashira to thousand-year bamboo grove covered with all sorts of traps and made him sacrificial victim of secret bamboo traps and.
The Sound Hashira for some reason stared at me intently then tilted head and suddenly with sparkling face babbled "I see, resembles a rabbit!" so activated bamboo trap Ver 2.0 burying in bamboo leaves to vent anger and.
Hearing Rengoku-kun has a young younger brother, gifted handmade bamboo dragonfly as toy, then the 'bamboo dragonfly that went up to roof' incident occurred, younger brother burst into crying, so "Does your bamboo dragonfly lack concept of self-restraint?" Rengoku-kun argued with serious face and.
Making apology bamboo dragonflies in spare time, then Kagaya-kun hearing rumor they fly well showed interest "Actually how much do they fly?" so before knowing bamboo dragonfly flying competition that drew in even Hashira was held.
For reference, after great melee, the one who seized victory was our Ume who puffed up face saying "Secret to victory? Enjoying with all sincerity."
The dignity of brushing back long hair with hand and smiling Huhung. Indeed the girl who covered roof with 200 bamboo dragonflies. The number of stepped-over corpses is different.
…No, still didn't only play. Properly did work too. Like meticulously teaching Demon Slayer Corps members preparation method for demon medicine.
But with barely over a week, even if that's me, couldn't reach Kyūtarō's level, everyone had half-dead eyes expressions.
The gaze toward me changing from 'isn't this guy's medicine dangerous' to 'isn't this guy dangerous' is probably just my imagination.
"Then Kagaya-kun, see you again. Will come for examination next month but if condition worsens, please inform by letter immediately."
"Tsukuru too, be careful not to ruin body only clinging to research. ...Then see you next month."
Beside us finishing greetings warmly, children were regretting parting. No, strictly speaking, mainly Ume was crying. The elder sister mode that finally became ingrained instantly became bubbles.
Consoling Ume who burst into tears, young lady with face exactly resembling Kagaya-kun brightly smiling saying "Ume elder sister, please stop crying. I like elder sister's smiling face best." "Kyūtarō-sama too, Tsukuru-sensei too, please stay healthy" even bowing deeply to greet—truly well-raised child. Perhaps life second round?
Thus returning to bamboo grove, we regained ordinary daily life again. If there's something changed, it's that Ume who awakened to elder sister mode became somewhat quieter. First person also changed from 'atashi' to 'watashi', prickly speech also softened one by one.
At this change, even Kyūtarō and I reddened eye rims. Our house Ume's angel power is shining even more.
Other than that, if there's something changed, it's that crows began flying to our house. Not ordinary crows but special crows speaking human language. Messenger crows. In Sengoku era was trial stage but seems now properly put to practical use.
They delivered Ubuyashiki family letters, sometimes took medicine prepared here. In Edo era without convenience store delivery or registered mail, was extremely grateful delivery method.
Because clinic was left empty for a whole week, villagers were tremendously worried about what happened. Fortunately no one died during that time, but how many people waiting for treatment due to injuries or illness. From day after returning home, Kyūtarō and I split into two and busily ran around for examinations and treatment.
Schedule packed from morning to evening. By time delivering medicine to last patient, night's curtain had already completely descended.
"Hey, Shabana. Thought about last time's proposal?"
"No, old man. No matter how many times I say, won't sell Ume."
Coldly refused today's last patient, brothel owner's expectation-mixed question. This owner with ties since predecessor era always brings out same words whenever I come.
To have Ume work at his brothel.
Though Kyūtarō and Ume living near Rashōmon was already years ago, even then Ume's beauty seems was rumored even to Yoshiwara.
Sometime brought Kyūtarō and Ume along, the owner the moment seeing her instantly recognized she was the flower bush who suddenly disappeared from Rashōmon riverside. The fact hooded disciple is Ume's brother Kyūtarō also came out in detail.
At words seeing through identity "You, aren't you Rashōmon riverside's Kyūtarō?" Kyūtarō stiffened body, but owner's reaction was unexpectedly composed. Rather just cheerfully laughed "That libertine settling as Shabana's disciple!"
"Never said a word about selling. Said to have her work at our shop."
"Same thing, bald shiny-head."
"Quite arrogant talk, youngster. Are your eyes knot holes? My hair still has hope swaying like spring field grass."
"Noisy. Will make you wastefully use more medicine. If want, can add herbicide that withers spring field grass roots and all."
"Sorry Shabana, I was wrong!!!"
How many times is this conversation. This owner says such things every time we meet.
Though brothel owner is called forgetful guy who forgot eight virtues, surely hasn't forgotten even this conversation. Planning to push until I nod? Please give up already.
"If not prostitute, how about geisha?"
"Only see future becoming main attraction surpassing oiran."
"If not making use of that beauty here, then where exactly?"
"Huh? Don't underestimate Ume's potential. Let alone brothel or such, toppling countries is also leisurely. What's oiran procession big deal, existence itself is daimyo procession. ...Ah, if later the two will worry. Then, slowly excuse myself."
Since usually always visited only bright daytime, coming at night like this was first time. Deep night brothel was gorgeous and noisy, dazzlingly sparkling enough to cause dizziness. For me unaccustomed to such atmosphere, extremely uncomfortable. Should leave quickly.
But while leaving room heading to entrance, spine tingled at scream tearing through empty air and echoing. Sharp sound like tearing silk, woman's voice.
Commotion burst out following. Listening closely, seems customer suddenly collapsed. Oh, doctor's turn?
I pushed through gathered spectators and approached commotion center. There was collapsed man and prostitute flustered not knowing what to do. Over prostitute's pale face who recognized me, relief spread.
The appearance of brothel owner's exclusive physician, hooded Shabana, was known to everyone here.
Without delay, I knelt beside man and began examination.
"Simple anemia and malnutrition. Should give nutritional supplements. Sorry, but can someone bring mortar from kitchen! And hot water too!"
Since today planned to just deliver medicine, left heavy medicine case at home. Only have pills now. In such case, making into powder to feed would recover faster. Requested items were immediately prepared by brothel's young men.
Placing mortar on crossed legs, grinding pills gritting gritting. …Doing this reminds me of time under the Leader. Memory of borrowing mortar to prepare medicine, getting caught by grandmother in charge of kitchen, being chased around—still trauma even now. Ugh, grandmother scary.
Though reminiscing such memories, hands didn't stop. Dissolving medicine in hot water, flowing little by little into man's mouth. After feeding all, unfocused gaze soon returned, blinking and raising body man, surroundings sent wah─ applause.
Shabana's nutritional supplements, amazing right? Better effect than Shabana tea.
Making subtly boastful expression inside hood like that, but the actually saved man sharply glared at me.
"Who asked for help, quack doctor bastard! Not a single mon of money for you!"
Spitting phlegm like that, leaving spot with rough footsteps.
No, didn't particularly expect money. Just pitied prostitute young lady not knowing what to do, acted from pure goodwill.
Feeling like hit back of head, anger surged, but thanks to surrounding people getting more indignant than me, heart反而 calmed. Probably was deeply infatuated with prostitute, not even properly eating meals. Scary, scary.
"Dr. Shabana, my customer committed rudeness. Hope you aren't hurt."
"No. If regained energy, that's enough."
"Um, medicine cost…."
"Don't worry. Not great medicine, and I acted on my own."
"However, would become making Dr. Shabana work for free…."
"That feeling alone is enough."
Really don't need things like medicine cost, but prostitute young lady with truly sorry face said "But…" ultimately not backing down. Though probably has almost no money she can use freely.
Hmm, how to make her accept.
…Ah, right. Even if not a million dollar, isn't receiving a million ryō smile okay? Quite elegant thought came to mind. Feeling became man with cool interior. Raised eyebrows stylishly inside hood.
"Then──"
"Then I'll pay."
But my full-hearted famous line was blocked by voice coming from behind. Voice heard somewhere before. Where was it── tracing memory, the moment turning head, immediately regretted.
From among sparse remaining spectators, handsome man with head popping up. Skin white like porcelain whiter than snow. Unique white oak-colored hair. And crown of head dyed bright red as if splattered with blood. Two rainbow-colored eyes gently curved under drooping eyebrows.
The cause of death from previous life was there.