Demon Slayer: Muzan, will you dance too?

Butterfly couldn't help but cover her forehead.

It really works!

She truly hadn't expected that telling Kiyokawa Izumi the address of Mr. Rengoku's house would cause such a big problem... and couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Why did you get into a fight with Mr. Makijuro?

Shinobu Kocho, remaining calm, asked seriously.

"It was due to a momentary emotional outburst. That person was somewhat dejected, saying that Flame Breathing was all garbage, a clumsy imitation."

Then, I took advantage of their unpreparedness...

Kiyokawa Izumi wasn't trying to explain anything; instead, she vividly described the process of their fight.

Give him a punch first, then give him another punch.

What he said was rather dry.

But what everyone was really interested in was not the process of the fight.

Kanzaki Aoi clearly hoped that Kiyokawa Izumi would take the initiative to apologize—after all, he was the Flame Pillar's father.

"Let's apply the medicine first!"

Shinobu Kocho said with a hint of helplessness, though her tone was still quite gentle.

……

the next morning,

The sun had just risen when a hearty laugh rang out, "Haha, Butterfly, is that boy named Kiyokawa Izumi here with you?"

"He's really amazing. He almost persuaded my father. When I got back, I saw my father hesitating about whether to pick up the Nichirin Blade."

(It might not be persuasion, but rather a desire to attack someone with a knife.)

The newcomer was wearing a Demon Slayer Corps uniform and a white haori with red and orange stripes.

He had striking medium-length blond hair, the ends of which were the color of burning flames.

The same thick eyebrows, the same bright eyes.

No wonder Inosuke calls him Big Eyes—Kyojuro's eyes really are big.

To be fair, the people of the Purgatory family all look pretty much the same.

You can recognize it at a glance!

"Yeah?"

Shinobu Kocho smiled slightly.

"What about that boy? Is he alright? No matter what, Father really went too far!"

A swordsman as passionate as Kyojuro would never come looking for someone to settle scores so early in the morning.

From his perspective, he also felt that his father had gone too far—no matter what, he was the former Flame Pillar, how could he lay a hand on a boy?

There was a misunderstanding.

Given Makijuro's pride, he naturally wouldn't bother explaining to his son.

I won't complain to him about how ruthless that bastard was.

As for Senjuro?

He spoke very fairly about what happened yesterday, including what Kiyokawa Izumi said.

Given Yanzhu's personality, after hearing those words, he naturally felt immense admiration for Kiyokawa Izumi, whom he had never met before.

He came to the Butterfly House today for three reasons.

There is a very talented young man who wants to learn about Flame Breathing; I apologize on behalf of my father; I have no missions for a while and have time to guide my stepson.

Given these three reasons combined, it's quite reasonable for him to come in person.

If Kiyokawa Izumi really suits his taste, it wouldn't be a bad idea to adopt him as his stepson.

"Over there!"

Shinobu Kocho raised her hand and pointed to a spot not far away.

Kiyokawa Izumi, who had just finished running five kilometers, was completely focused on practicing his swordsmanship and was oblivious to what was happening here.

Seeing the boy working so hard, the older brother's eyes were filled with admiration.

……

"call--"

Kiyokawa Izumi, having just finished training and sheathed his Nichirin Blade, heard a loud voice ring out in his ears.

"Young man, I apologize to you on behalf of my father!"

"!!"

Kiyokawa Izumi, who turned to look, was startled by the newcomer.

He's the kind of person who responds better to gentle persuasion than force, and besides, he was the one who started the trouble yesterday.

Faced with such a polite and enthusiastic older brother, he bowed repeatedly in response.

"Yesterday was my fault. I was too out of line and too rude. I'm sure your father wouldn't want to see me again. Please ask Lord Yanzhu to convey my apologies."

I looked up and met a pair of huge eyes.

"Hahaha! Young man, you've really worked hard! Your swordsmanship is also quite good. Would you like to be my stepson?"

Kyojuro's personality is just that straightforward; as soon as they met, he asked very frankly.

"It is an honor to receive your recognition."

"Mr. Purgatory, are you trying to take my stepson away from me?"

Suddenly, Shinobu Kocho spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Kyojuro was somewhat surprised. "Butterfly, is this boy your stepson?"

"?"

Kiyokawa Izumi, the person directly involved, couldn't help but be filled with a huge question mark—Huh? When did I become your stepson?

Last time I asked you if you wanted to accept it, you didn't agree, did you?

Are women really that fickle?

Although Shinobu Kocho didn't answer, Mr. Rengoku seemed to understand and laughed loudly, saying, "It seems Shinobu thinks highly of you too. Tell me, what would you like to ask me?"

"I want to challenge the current Flame Pillar!"

Kiyokawa Izumi said seriously.

Such a rare opportunity would naturally not be missed.

He has never truly fought the Flame Pillar—his strength is undoubtedly extremely high, but he also has a fatal flaw.

He didn't learn everything!

All the Flame Pillars throughout history have come from the Rengoku family, meaning that elders are also teachers.

But what if you encounter an irresponsible elder?

Rengoku Makijuro was both Kyojuro's father and mentor. After his wife's death, and for some other reason, he began to wallow in self-pity and abandoned his guidance of Kyojuro.

Under these circumstances, the eldest brother, relying on the three volumes of the ancestral Flame Breathing Guidebook and through his own hard work and rigorous training, finally became a Pillar.

It was precisely because Izumi Kiyokawa knew this that she lost control of her emotions yesterday—you only realized this after your son died, but your son was the Flame Pillar! Before he died, didn't you consider that he might encounter a powerful demon?

Rather than letting him realize this after his death, why not teach him everything that needed to be taught earlier?

If I could learn all of them, could I change my destiny?

Unfortunately, assumptions are just assumptions; reality doesn't offer "what ifs."

"Want to challenge me? Okay, I accept your challenge!"

Kyojuro accepted without hesitation or refusal.

"..."

Shinobu Kocho silently shook her head; she knew it would turn out this way.

……

My body trembled slightly, not from fear or apprehension, but from excitement.

Kiyokawa Izumi is not afraid of losing, as long as she doesn't lose to an evil spirit, she won't die.

I just wanted to experience near-peak battle qi and unparalleled swordsmanship.

Among the nine pillars, the Flame Pillar, who was the first to be eliminated, was definitely stronger than Shinobu.

Breath of Darkness - Full Concentration!

Looking across at the other side, Kyojuro was holding the hilt of his sword with one hand, seemingly waiting for him to make a move.

"The First Type: Night Raven's Shadow!"

Without any probing, Kiyokawa Izumi unleashed her most powerful technique.

With a sudden burst of power from his leg muscles, he approached Rengoku Kyojuro at an incredible speed.

The dark silver blade gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the strike was delivered silently.

A metallic clanging sound followed.

"A very quick cut!"

Kyojuro Rengoku said earnestly.

"So it really didn't work..."

Even though she had already guessed the outcome, Kiyokawa Izumi still couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

Despite having his swift strike blocked and feeling the force transmitted through the blade, Kiyokawa Izumi did not give up.

"Multi-hit combo!"

Within a small space, figures clashed, and Kiyokawa Izumi swung his sword repeatedly, but all of them were blocked without exception.

The terrifying power was difficult to break through, and the eldest brother's speed was not slow either, although it was not as amazing as the ninja sister's thrust.

"You call that a lack of talent?"

"Maki Juro, are you serious?"

Kiyokawa Izumi only regretted that he hadn't beaten her hard enough back then.

Is this what you call lacking talent?

It's unimaginable how strong this person would become if they hadn't died and had mastered the Transparent or Marked techniques!

They were immediately suppressed upon engaging in combat, falling to a completely inferior position.

Inferior in strength

Not as fast,

Inferior combat experience

Even their mastery of breathing techniques is far inferior!

What should Izumi Kiyokawa do?