As Wang Zi and Hua'er emerged from the forest, following Shinobu, the sight before them made them pause.
The Butterfly Mansion stood as a haven amidst the chaos of the world they had entered. Its architecture was a mix of traditional Japanese design and delicate artistry. Sloping tiled roofs capped the clean white walls of the main building, surrounded by a garden filled with vibrant flowers. The fragrance of wisteria and other blossoms filled the air, adding a finishing touch.
"It's peaceful," Hua'er remarked, her small form hovering beside Wang Zi.
"Looks can be deceiving," Wang Zi muttered, his Rinnegan scanning the grounds.
"Still, this place will give me a sense of where I am."
Shinobu, her presence palpable even from afar, entered the mansion through its main gate. Wang Zi and Hua'er watched from their vantage point in the sky as she made her way to the entrance hall.
Inside, several residents of the Butterfly Mansion, attendants and trainees, gathered, their faces lighting up upon seeing her.
"Shinobu-sama, you're back!" one of the trainees exclaimed. "Where's Kanae-sama?"
At the mention of her sister, Shinobu's expression wavered for just a moment. She took a deep breath, her tone calm but heavy with emotion.
"Neesan… Neesan has fallen. She fought against a powerful demon but… she's no longer with us."
The room fell silent. Gasps of disbelief were followed by the muffled sound of sobs. One of the younger attendants stepped forward, her hands trembling.
"Shinobu-sama… is there nothing we can do? Could she have survived somehow?"
Shinobu shook her head gently.
"She's gone. But her sacrifice wasn't in vain. She fought to protect others, and we must honor her. I need your help to prepare for her funeral. I will retrieve her body shortly."
The residents nodded solemnly, their grief evident but their respect for Shinobu unwavering.
"Of course, Shinobu-sama," one of the senior attendants said. "We'll make the arrangements."
As Shinobu turned to leave, Hua'er floated closer to Wang Zi.
"She's... stronger than I thought," Hua'er remarked. "I can't imagine losing someone that close and holding it together like that."
"She's holding it together now," Wang Zi replied. "But grief like that doesn't just vanish. It'll fuel her, and that's why I couldn't intervene."
"So… you're just going to let this happen? You did take her corpse with you after all master."
Wang Zi didn't reply, his eyes fixed on the mansion. He waited until Shinobu left the gates, then muttered, "Let's move."
Flying high above, Wang Zi tracked Shinobu's path as she returned to the forest to retrieve Kanae's body.
"This is a problem," he said to himself. "If they find out the body's been tampered with… well, that's just going to make things complicated."
Wang Zi scratched his head, muttering curses under his breath. He finally sighed and descended to where Kanae's grave was. Using his Deva Path he carefully retrieved her body from the King of Hell and placed it back in the exact position it had been found in. After making sure everything looked undisturbed, he soared back into the sky to observe.
When Shinobu arrived moments later with the residents of the Butterfly Mansion, her steps faltered as she reached her sister's body. Her expression shifted from sorrow to confusion.
"What…?" Shinobu whispered, kneeling beside Kanae. Her sister's body was pristine, as if untouched by the battle. There were no wounds, no signs of struggle, just stillness.
"Shinobu-sama, she looks like she's only sleeping!" one of the attendants exclaimed.
"But her heart isn't beating," Shinobu murmured, her brows furrowed in thought. She checked Kanae's pulse again, her hands trembling.
"She's truly gone, but… how is this possible?"
The others murmured in agreement, some daring to hope, but reality eventually set in. Shinobu's tears fell silently as she held her sister's body close. Wang Zi watched from above, a small smile on his face.
"Phew, that could've been bad. I forgot they held a funeral for her..." Wang Zi wiped the invisible sweat off his forehead.
As the group returned to the Butterfly Mansion, Wang Zi followed them, watching from the shadows as preparations for Kanae's funeral began.
He observed Shinobu's interactions with the young Kanao, noting the little girl's inability to cry. The sight tugged at Wang Zi's emotions, though he quickly shook it off.
"They'll meet again," he said under his breath. "No point in crying over this for too long."
With the funeral over and Kanae buried, Wang Zi decided it was time to focus on his next steps. Calling up the system, he asked,
"Can I speed up time and stay in this world while it happens?"
"Host may remain in the world during time acceleration. Host's safety will be ensured," the system replied.
"Good," Wang Zi muttered. "Let's get her body back then."
Wang Zi descended gently from the sky, this time heading straight for Kanae's grave. The soft moonlight illuminated the site, casting a pale glow over the flowers Shinobu and the others had arranged so carefully.
Wang Zi sighed, standing silently for a moment before kneeling beside the grave.
"I'm sorry, Kanae," he murmured, his voice low. "I know you don't know what's happening, but I still feel bad about this."
With a wave of his hand, the King of Hell materialized behind him. The massive mouth opened, and Wang Zi used his Deva Path to gently lift Kanae's body from the grave. He placed her into the King of Hell's mouth, watching it close as it stored her safely inside.
"Hopefully I don't have to dig her grave again." Wang Zi said, mostly to himself.
Hua'er floated nearby, her usually cheeky demeanor subdued.
"You really care about keeping the timeline intact, don't you? Even if it means all this effort."
Wang Zi stood, brushing dirt off his hands.
"It's not just the timeline. Kanae's death made Shinobu who she is. Messing with that would ruin everything. And besides, I'll bring her back once I have things under control. They'll get their happy ending, just not yet."
With Kanae's body safely stored, Wang Zi turned his gaze skyward, issuing his next command to the system.
"System, speed up time until the night before Shinobu leaves to meet Ubuyashiki."
"Yes Host. Time acceleration commencing."
The world blurred once again, trees and stars fading into streaks of light as the system propelled events forward. When everything settled, Wang Zi found himself under the same starry sky, the air filled with the gentle hum of cicadas. From his vantage point high in the air, he could see the Butterfly Mansion below, bustling with activity as attendants moved about preparing for Shinobu's upcoming trip.
"This is it." Wang Zi said, cracking his knuckles.
For the next several days, Wang Zi waited patiently, using his Rinnegan to keep tabs on Shinobu.
When Shinobu finally set out, Wang Zi trailed her discreetly from above, maintaining a safe distance while keeping her in his sight. The journey was long, winding through dense forests and mountainous terrain, but Wang Zi's patience paid off as the Ubuyashiki estate finally came into view.
Nestled within a secluded valley, the estate was an elegant yet modest compound surrounded by a meticulously tended garden. The building itself was constructed in traditional Japanese style, with sliding paper doors, wooden beams, and tiled roofs.
A tranquil pond with koi fish glimmered under the soft sunlight, and cherry blossoms fluttered gently in the breeze, despite the season.
What stood out most to Wang Zi, however, was the aura of serenity that seemed to envelop the entire place. It was as though the very air carried a sense of calm, reflecting the gentle yet commanding presence of Kagaya Ubuyashiki himself.
"Not bad," Wang Zi muttered to himself as he hovered just out of sight.
"It's exactly as I imagined it… maybe even better."
From his vantage point, Wang Zi watched as Shinobu entered the estate. She was greeted warmly by a few attendants before disappearing into one of the buildings. Wang Zi resisted the urge to follow her inside. This wasn't the time to make his presence known.
He stayed in the air, watching the estate and its surroundings. The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters had always been a place of intrigue for him, and now, seeing it in person, he felt a strangely satisfied. This was the hub of all operations, the place where Ubuyashiki commanded the Hashira and coordinated the fight against demons.
As Wang Zi hovered over the Ubuyashiki estate, he began to piece together the timeline in his mind.
According to his memories, the next major event involving the estate would be Tanjiro and Nezuko's trial. The Hashira, skeptical of Tanjiro's insistence on protecting a demon, especially one as unique as Nezuko, would demand her death, along with his.
Wang Zi smirked to himself.
"That trial," he muttered, "is where everything really starts to get interesting. Nezuko is... different. Even in the anime, she stood out. Seeing her up close, though? That's something I can't pass up. She's too cute!"
Hua'er appeared beside him, floating in her usual relaxed manner.
"What are you thinking now, Master? Another skip?"
Wang Zi nodded. "I don't need to stick around just yet. Shinobu meeting Ubuyashiki doesn't really give me anything useful. But Tanjiro's arrival... now that's worth seeing. I want to observe Nezuko, figure out what makes her so unique."
"Its also the first time I get the see the whole gang in flesh and blood, how cool is that?" Wang Zi laughed.
"So, time skip again?" Hua'er asked.
"Yeah," Wang Zi confirmed, looking down at the estate one last time.
"System, skip time to just before Tanjiro and Nezuko arrive at the Ubuyashiki mansion."
"Yes Host. Time acceleration commencing."
As the world around him blurred once more, Wang Zi reflected on his next steps. The trial was an excellent opportunity to observe both Nezuko and the Hashira in one place.
Following that, he could easily stick with Rengoku and wait for his climactic battle aboard the Mugen Train.
He had no intention of letting the flame Hashira die. Not yet, at least. Saving Rengoku would cement his place in this world as a significant player, and with Rengoku's help, gaining access to Ubuyashiki would be all but guaranteed.
"I wonder if he'll remember me." Wang Zi murmured to himself as the world began to settle into clarity once more.
He could sense them before he saw them, several powerful auras, distinct in their intensity and flavor. The Hashira were approaching.
Wang Zi grinned, excitement bubbling in his chest.
"In the flesh!" he muttered, his Rinnegan active and scanning the area below. As they came into view, he couldn't help the silly smile that spread across his face.
One by one, the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps revealed themselves, their presence commanding respect and awe.
Shinobu Kocho, her butterfly-like presence was as serene as her flower-breathing sister's, but there was a sharpness to her, like a blade concealed behind a gentle smile. Her lilac eyes sparkled, but Wang Zi knew better than to be fooled.
Giyu Tomioka, silent and stoic, with an air of detached confidence. Giyu stood a little apart from the others, his expression unreadable as always.
Kyojuro Rengoku, with his fiery hair and burning spirit, Rengoku radiated enthusiasm. His booming laugh and larger-than-life presence lit up the gathering, his optimism infectious as usual
Mitsuri Kanroji, ever the airhead, bounced with a girlish excitement. Her pastel-pink and green hair framed her cheerful face, and her wide, curious eyes sparkled with her signature antics, blushing and calling everything cute.
Gyomei Himejima, stood apart, his hands in prayer as tears streamed down his cheeks. His deep, rumbling voice was filled with emotion, lamenting the unfortunate fate of Nezuko, who was caught in this cruel world of demons.
Sanemi looked more like a beast than a man, his scarred body and bloodthirsty grin radiating danger. His eyes burned with a feral intensity, and Wang Zi couldn't help but frown at the man he considered a rabid dog.
"They're exactly like I imagined," Wang Zi thought, his smile growing wider. "Perfectly in character."
His attention snapped back as a bound figure rolled onto the ground, Tanjiro, tied up like a dumpling and thrown to the mercy of the Hashira. The Hashira surrounded him, their personalities shining through as they argued over what to do with him.
"Trial?" Rengoku said, crossing his arms. "What trial? There's no trial needed. All demons must be eradicated! That is our duty."
"Still the passionate boy, aren't you, Rengoku?" Wang Zi chuckled to himself.
Uzui chimed in next, his flamboyant tone carrying over the group. "Why waste time? Let's chop off her head and move on. It's the flashiest solution."
Mitsuri's voice, soft and hesitant, contrasted sharply.
"But... but... she's so cute! How could anyone hurt her?" Her hands clutched her heart as she gazed at the box containing Nezuko.
"Such misfortune. Such cruelty for a child to suffer this fate..." Meanwhile, Gyomei cried softly, his voice a rumbling lament.
Wang Zi couldn't hold back his laugh any longer, shaking his head at the chaotic ensemble below. It was everything he hoped for.
The scene shifted as Sanemi entered, carrying the box containing Nezuko. Wang Zi's grin vanished, replaced by a scowl.
"The rabid dog," he muttered under his breath. "I've never liked him."
He activated his Rinnegan, peering inside the box. To his surprise, Nezuko turned her head and looked directly at him, through the box, through the sky.
"Oh?" His eyebrows shot up.
The tension peaked as Tanjiro launched himself at Sanemi, who had just stabbed inside the box, delivering a headbutt that sent the Wind Hashira stumbling back.
"Good boy," Wang Zi murmured with a smirk, nodding approvingly.
The commotion ceased as a gentle voice cut through the air. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, stepped forward.
Despite his frail figure , he had a commanding presence. The Hashira immediately dropped to their knees in respect.
"So this is him," Wang Zi thought, leaning closer. "The man who holds them all together. Impressive."
Despite the protests of some of the Hashira, Ubuyashiki granted his approval for both Tanjiro and Nezuko to remain in the estate. His gentle voice silenced any further objections, as one of his daughters read the letter from a retired Hashira, vouching for Nezuko's restraint and promising dire consequences should she harm anyone.
Sanemi wasn't satisfied, though. He made a show of cutting his arm and waving his bleeding hand in front of Nezuko's face, goading her to attack. Nezuko struggled momentarily before turning her head away, her willpower winning out.
Once again, she glanced at the sky, directly at Wang Zi.
Wang Zi's eyes narrowed.
"She can definitely feel me." He grinned. "Interesting..."
After Nezuko proving she wouldn't hurt humans, the trial came to a close, as came Wang Zi's fun. The next part would require him to intervene, which actually made him happy since his hands were already getting itchy.
"After this they're just gonna be healing up before boarding the train, and finally Rengoku's story should end. Now the question is... Do I save him, or let him die then ressurect him...?"
"Letting Ubuyashiki know I can bring people back to life, with proof, is not a bad idea... But can I control myself watching one of my future teammates die?" Wang Zi frowned.