Chapter 132: Demon Slayer Corps Disbande
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The touch was real, the scent was real—this was no dream.
Takina lay in Aoki's arms, reluctant to move, vaguely sensing that there was something she had forgotten. After a while, the thought suddenly struck her, and she quickly lifted her head.
"Aoki, we need to tell my mother you're back right away."
"Yes, let's go inside," Aoki agreed.
The two of them walked into the yard together, with Kanae and Shinobu following quietly behind.
At that moment, Aomura Rie stepped out of the house carrying a basin of water.
"Takina, is Shinobu here? Why don't you let her…"
Bang.
Her face froze, and the basin slipped from her hands, hitting the ground and splashing water everywhere, soaking her shoes.
"Lady Rie, I'm back" Aoki called out.
Tears streamed down Rie's face. "It's so good that you're back. So good."
It took her a while to calm down.
In the living room, the five of them sat around the table. Takina poured tea for Kanae and Shinobu.
Rie asked, "Aoki, what happened after Takina and I escaped that night? Where have you been this past year?"
Kanae and Shinobu both leaned forward, clearly eager to hear his answer.
Aoki fell silent, lost in thought for a moment, before slowly beginning. "After you and Takina left that night, I fought the demon that Master had become. I managed to subdue him, but then Muzan Kibutsuji appeared."
Takina's hands clenched immediately, and Rie gasped, "Muzan Kibutsuji!"
She had heard this name from Shinobu and knew he was the progenitor of all demons—a monster that had lived for thousands of years, one no one had been able to defeat. She also knew he was the one who had turned Kazuhiko into a demon, the cause of all their family's suffering.
Kanae and Shinobu exchanged glances, realizing they had narrowly missed encountering Muzan Kibutsuji that night, avoiding a near-certain death.
Aoki continued, "Kibutsuji Muzan killed the demon that my master had turned into and then forcibly transformed me into a demon as well.
Fortunately, my body had undergone certain changes, so I didn't lose my mind. I didn't need to consume humans and could grow stronger by defeating other demons.
I wanted to seek revenge against Muzan Kibutsuji, but I feared I would bring danger to Lady Rie and Takina, so I chose to leave... until last night, when I finally defeated Muzan Kibutsuji."
Kanae and Shinobu were stunned by his story. As demon slayers, they fully grasped how unbelievable Aoki's experiences over the past year had been, and how extraordinary his achievements were.
Calling it a legend would not be an exaggeration.
However, Rie and Takina, who did not understand the true strength of demons, were more concerned about Aoki's safety after hearing his tale.
As evening came, Kanae and Shinobu prepared to say their goodbyes.
"There were three of us when we arrived, and only two of us are leaving," Shinobu sighed.
Aoki reminded her, "I'll walk you back and then return here, so there will still be three of us on the way back."
Shinobu replied, "That only makes you our means of transportation."
Aoki sighed. "I didn't expect you to be so sharp-tongued."
Kanae then asked, "Mr. Aomura, is 'Aoki' your real name?"
Aoki nodded. "I'm sorry I kept it a secret until now."
Kanae gave a faint smile and gently shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Mr. Aomura is still Mr. Aomura, regardless of his name."
Shinobu chimed in, "When I mentioned that Takina's last name was 'Aomura,' you said something about 'fate.' You changed your name to 'Aomura' just because of Takina, so it would have been strange if it were different! And today..."
Aoki quickly interrupted, "There's no time left. Let's set off"
That had indeed been a bit of his mischievous side. Shinobu shot Aoki a glare as she and her sister each took hold of one of his arms.
In a flash, the three of them returned to the Butterfly Estate.
"Alright, I'm heading back now," Aoki said, waving to the two of them before leaving again.
Takina stood silently at the door.
Suddenly, her vision blurred, and when she focused again, Aoki was already standing in the yard.
"Aoki, you're back."
"Yes," he replied with a smile, walking towards her.
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In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
During this time, Aoki did nothing but stay with Takina and his Rie. It was the most leisurely period he had experienced since coming to this world.
The cold wind howled outside, rattling the windows.
Takina sat at the table, sewing clothes with intense concentration.
Across from her, Aoki was curled up under the kotatsu, holding a biographical novel and reading it with mild disinterest.
The room was quiet.
Ding ding ding.
There was a knock at the door, and Takina looked up.
"I'll get it."
Aoki put down the book, slipped on his shoes, and went outside. As he opened the door, he was momentarily surprised.
In the cold wind stood a tall, beautiful girl in a kimono, her demeanor gentle.
"Ms. Kanae?" he said.
Kanae smiled. "Aomura—no, Mr. Aoki, long time no see."
Aoki stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. "It hasn't been that long. Did you come here alone?"
Kanae waved her hand. "I won't come in. I'm here today to inform you of something."
"Oh? What is it?" Aoki asked.
"Three days from now, the master will hold a meeting of the Pillars, and he requests your attendance," she replied.
"A meeting of the Pillars?" Aoki considered this. "Alright, I'll be there."
Kanae nodded. "Then I'll take my leave"
Aoki was taken aback. "Already? Why Are you in such a hurry?"
"I was just passing by today. I have other matters to attend to," she explained.
It was clear that she wasn't being polite. After a brief greeting, she departed.
Takina emerged and watched Kanae's retreating figure. "Is that Miss Kanae? Why did she leave so quickly?"
"It seems she had other things to do. She just came by to inform me about the meeting," Aoki replied.
"Just passing by? What a coincidence, especially on such a cold day..." Takina murmured, looking from Kanae's slender silhouette back to Aoki.
"The clothes are almost ready. Come and try them on," she said.
"Alright."
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**Three Days Later**
At the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, the normally closed gates stood open.
"I always feel a little uneasy," Tengen muttered, scratching his head as he entered. There were already several people gathered in the courtyard.
"Am I the last to arrive?" he asked.
Sanemi shook his head. "No! There's still one more yet to come."
"One more?" Tengen counted quickly. Indeed, there were eight people present. Who was missing?
Then, he realized. "Ah, I know who it is. The big shot always makes a grand entrance"
"As soon as I arrived, I heard someone talking behind my back" Aoki's voice rang out as he appeared.
"Mr. Aomura!" everyone greeted in unison, their faces showing respect.
Aoki was momentarily taken aback before joking, "Let me be clear: if you want to borrow money, I can only lend you two hundred at most"
Laughter filled the air, lightening the atmosphere.
At that moment, Kagaya emerged, supported by his two children.
"It's wonderful to see everyone gathered here again," he said.
"My Lord!" The Pillars knelt on one knee.
With a smile, Kagaya addressed them: "Today marks the last meeting of the Hashira Co-ordination Committee. I have called you here for one reason: from today onward, the Demon Slayer Corps is officially disbanded"
"Yes!" the Pillars responded in unison, emotions written across their faces.
They had expected this, but it wasn't a sad moment.
The disbanding of the Demon Slayer Corps wasn't due to defeat but because they had achieved their ultimate goal.
"An era has ended," Aoki thought to himself.
Kagaya then turned to Aoki, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Mr. Aomura, for helping us realize a dream we've pursued for thousands of years."
Aoki replied, "Master Ubuyashiki, you honor me."
The Pillars also turned to him, showing their gratitude. Aoki waved his hand, feigning annoyance. "If you keep this up, I might have to leave."
He had come only to bear witness, to be part of this historic moment.
Everyone laughed, understanding his sentiment.
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