Just as Shinobu saw her sister as the most important person in her life, Kochou Kanae cherished her little sister as her most precious, most beloved treasure!
In the original timeline, after her sister's death, Shinobu molded herself in every way to become her sister, showing the depth of her "sister complex."
Kanae's "little sister complex" was just as intense.
If she were an ordinary woman, fine, but her essence was Shiraki!
The thought of her adorable sister being snatched away by some random boar in the future filled Kanae with the urge to use Flower Breathing Forms One through Eleven to carve that boar into pork blossoms!
If Shinobu married, she'd leave her side—how could Kanae bear that?
Even stepping back, she wouldn't trust her sister with any other man!
So, if Shinobu really had feelings for another version of herself, it… might not be so bad?
That way, they could stay together forever!
[Wait! Kanae, I see Shinobu as my *actual* little sister!]
Reverie was briefly stunned by the mental chatter she picked up.
[It's fine~ Don't you know about Emperor Nintoku of Japan? To keep the imperial bloodline pure, he married his own sister.]
Kanae's smile gained a sly edge.
[Plus, "my" body has no blood relation to Shinobu~!]
[This way, I don't have to worry about losing her, and "I" get to enjoy a double serving~!]
Kanae arched her brows mischievously, her tone laced with seductive, tempting allure, murmuring words that could lead one astray.
[…]
Shiraki and Reverie just blinked helplessly, innocently. He knew how much of Kanae's words were in jest and how much were sincere.
If Shiraki and Kanae's thoughts diverged, it'd be like… imagine you spot a new game skin. Your emotions scream "buy it," but your logic says, "too expensive, wallet can't handle it."
Shinobu, having glimpsed the "truth," was emotionally tangled. The Shirakis were caught in a dilemma. In this delicate atmosphere, they arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters' estate.
A Hashira meeting was imminent, so Shinobu, not yet a Hashira, returned to the Butterfly Mansion first.
Shiraki surveyed the familiar yet unfamiliar courtyard, its rustic yet elegant style—orderly, with neatly arranged structures.
At the courtyard's center stood a towering wisteria tree, beneath which lay a pond spanning dozens of square meters.
The blend of water and wood was truly pleasing to the eye.
But more striking was the man seated on the wooden steps.
Black clothes draped with a flame-patterned haori, a gentle smile on his face, his forehead marred by a large, unnatural purple patch, skin wrinkled, veins bulging.
The distorted mark slanted from his right brow to his left ear, his left eye dull and lifeless, clearly blind.
Several figures stood respectfully in the clearing.
A monk-styled, short-haired, white-eyed giant, over two meters tall, clad in a brown kasaya inscribed with "Namu Amida Butsu," clutching prayer beads, tears streaming down.
A man with a headband studded with gemstones, red patterns around his eyes, ornate gold bangles on his wrists and biceps, looking like a street hustler.
A pink-green-haired girl, her chest exposed, revealing ample snowy skin. Her tight collar squeezed her soft chest, forming a tempting deep valley.
Shiraki mentally compared—only Kanae could rival her; his other two selves were just a lot less endowed.
Size wasn't everything; Kiana's proportions were practically perfect!
A numb-faced black-haired youth in a mismatched haori, his gaze hollow.
Beside him, a seaweed-haired man with a white snake around his neck, bandages wrapping his mouth and throat.
A white, spiky-haired man with three long scars, his face menacingly fierce.
As Shiraki eyed them, they studied him and Reverie, their expressions varied.
"Kanae, won't you introduce us?" A friendly tease, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's smile warm.
His voice soothed, easing the discomfort of his facial affliction.
"This is my husband, Shiraki." Kanae's smile was gentle, her hand gesturing openly. "And this is my sister—well, my husband's other wife, Reverie Metherlence."
No need for more; their modern attire, aura, and names led the Corps to a firm conclusion.
Shiraki was a noble heir from that nation across the ocean.
Reverie Metherlence, a Western princess.
Even the hot-tempered Shinazugawa Sanemi quieted.
Never mind their status—their feat of slaying Upper Rank Two demanded respect.
"Lord Shiraki, hello." Ubuyashiki bowed slightly. "Forgive my lack of full courtesy due to my health."
"Lord Ubuyashiki, no need for formality. Thank you for caring for Kanae all these years." Shiraki's tone was kind.
As Kanae, he already held deep respect for Ubuyashiki.
The Corps' leader was truly worthy of it, remembering every member's name, even those who died.
When his health allowed, he visited fallen members' graves almost daily.
Now that's a boss worth following!
Muzan, who killed four of his own Lower Rank guards, gave a thumbs-down~!
"You flatter me." Ubuyashiki's expression was sincere. "Compared to Kanae's contributions to the Corps, my efforts are trivial."
Shiraki chuckled, shaking his head, sitting casually across from Ubuyashiki. "Enough pleasantries. Let's discuss what everyone cares about—like—"
"Killing Muzan Kibutsuji!"
The moment the words landed, the courtyard's air grew heavy.
"Hmph, kill Muzan? With your pampered, fragile body?"
Shinazugawa Sanemi bared his teeth, glaring venomously at Shiraki. "You spoiled noble brats should just hide!"
Hashira had sharp eyes. Shiraki's soft, tender skin surpassed most Corps women.
His long, pale hands, free of calluses or roughness, couldn't belong to a swordsman!
This guy, kill Muzan?
How could he believe that?
Plus…
Unfazed by the jab, Shiraki kept his serene smile.
To reiterate, he was Kanae.
So, facing Corps colleagues he saw often, he had a baseline fondness and knew Shinazugawa's personality.
The guy was a tsundere husky.
His words carried a "don't mess with Muzan, weakling" undertone.
His harsh attitude stemmed partly from his nature and partly…
When he joined the Corps, Kanae cared for him, sparking feelings. Now, Shiraki appeared as Kanae's husband, with Kanae as a concubine.
If Ubuyashiki weren't here, Shinazugawa might've lost it.
Liking Kanae was liking himself, so Shiraki didn't resent Shinazugawa.
Sorry, buddy, your feelings are doomed.
Kanae would never like him—or any man!
Except "himself."
Without responding, Shiraki's mild, smiling demeanor left Shinazugawa's verbal punch landing on cotton, his frustration bulging veins, face darkening.
"Sanemi, Lord Shiraki is a guest. Don't be rude." Ubuyashiki's tone was like an elder brother scolding a younger, coughing twice before eyeing Shiraki.
"But, Lord Shiraki, can you tell us how you slew Upper Rank Two?"
As the Corps' leader, Ubuyashiki knew the terror of Upper Ranks, how many Hashira fell to them.
He knew Kanae's strength—remarkable for her age, but slaying an Upper Rank unscathed? Impossible!
"Simple. Heavy firepower suppression!" Shiraki grinned, snapping his fingers.
The unfamiliar term made the Hashira frown, exchanging puzzled glances.
"I'll show you, and you'll get it."
Shiraki pulled a high-explosive grenade from his pocket, kept for this moment.
"Lord Rengoku, Lord Uzui, please step away from there." Shiraki pointed to an empty spot.
"Oh~! Got it!" Rengoku Kyojuro, the quintessential sunny, cheerful boy.
"Namu Amida Butsu." The Stone Hashira, tears endless, chanted and moved aside.
All eyes locked on the oval object in Shiraki's palm.
Shiraki pulled the pin, casually tossing the Anti-Entropy grenade, then…
BOOM!
A deafening blast erupted, brilliant firelight flared, the ground shattered, dust and stone shards spread with the shockwave.
"!!!"
"This…!"
"What's that!?"
Uniform reactions—the Hashira gaped at the crater.
Clearly, the swordsmen felt the subtle shock of modern weaponry.
"Not as strong as a Honkai energy bomb, but a high-explosive grenade with a 30-meter kill radius is decent enough."
Shockwaves, shrapnel, and a touch of thermobaric effect combined for damage straight out of an over-the-top war drama!
"See, I used a few dozen of these, plus Kanae, to kill the Upper Rank."
Sipping tea poured by an Ubuyashiki girl, Shiraki casually dropped an even more shocking line.
"D-Dozens!?"
Disbelieving stares, faces mixed with awe and shock.
Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei, the Corps' strongest besides Kanae, couldn't match this with even Stone Breathing's strongest form!
Uzui Tengen's lips twitched. "That's one flashy show!"
Grasping a key point, Ubuyashiki stood abruptly, suppressing coughs. "Lord Shiraki, how many of these 'high-explosive grenades' do you have?"
"Sadly, we used nearly all of them against Upper Rank Two."
Disappointment flickered in everyone's eyes.
"But…" Shiraki rubbed his chin, musing, "Give me about ten days to prepare, and I could have some sent over—a little bit."
Shiraki pinched a tiny gap between thumb and forefinger.
"A little bit…"
Ubuyashiki's gaze dulled, sighing with mixed emotions, but quickly recovered.
Such powerful treasures must be rare and precious—a little bit was normal.
If given to Hashira for critical moments, they might achieve surprise effects.
"Yep, a little bit. Maybe a thousand."
"Cough… cough! Pfft—!!"