Demon Slayer: The Tenth Hashira with Dōjutsu

"Recovery"

"Aoki, how are you feeling?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked, approaching with a gentle demeanor.

Even the highly independent Aoki held immense respect for Kagaya Ubuyashiki, not just because of his position as the Demon Slayer Corps leader, but also because of his consistent humility and kindness towards all members, regardless of their rank or experience.

This unwavering respect impressed Aoki deeply.

"Thank you for your concern, Master Ubuyashiki. Given my current condition, I should make a full recovery with a period of rest. There shouldn't be any lasting problems," Aoki replied with a smile.

After a period of pleasantries, Tanjiro, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, excused himself and left with Nezuko.

Others followed suit, one by one, until only Aoki and Shinobu Kocho remained in the room.

"Shinobu, why aren't you leaving?" Aoki asked, smiling as he looked at Shinobu Kocho, who sat on the adjacent bed, her back to him.

Shinobu Kocho puffed out her cheeks slightly. "Humph, if I leave, who will take care of you?

You're awake, but your injuries prevent you from moving freely or eating. Someone needs to keep an eye on you."

"I considered it. Few in the Corps are close enough to you. Tanjiro and the others are busy with demon-slaying missions.

If I asked Mitsuri, I'm afraid she might accidentally kill you with her overzealous care. After much deliberation, I'm the most suitable, so I reluctantly decided to stay. What? Not happy about it?"

Throughout this, Shinobu Kocho remained facing away, her words filled with apparent dissatisfaction and annoyance.

However, her tone suggested she was merely using this as a pretext to save face.

Aoki remained silent for a time, his smile betraying his true feelings.

"Shinobu, thank you," he finally said, taking a deep breath. "When everything is over, when my mission is complete—no, when our mission is complete—let's leave the Demon Slayer Corps. We'll find a quiet place, away from everyone, and spend the rest of our lives together."

Shinobu Kocho's face flushed crimson. "What are you saying? Who wants to spend their life with you? Let's talk about that after you've recovered."

"That's not what you said before. You said no matter where I go, you'll come with me. I want to go to a secluded paradise; shouldn't you be coming with me?"

"That… that was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Don't take it seriously."

Aoki smiled, letting the matter drop.

The rest of their time together was spent in comfortable silence, the air subtly charged with unspoken affection.

A week after Aoki's awakening, he could walk again, though he still required Shinobu Kocho's supervision for his rehabilitation exercises.

In the Butterfly Mansion garden, Shinobu Kocho supported Aoki as he walked slowly. They occasionally exchanged glances, their eyes meeting in shared smiles.

Another two weeks passed, and Aoki had fully regained his mobility. His recovery speed was extraordinary;

Tanjiro and the others had taken months to fully recover from their injuries at Natagumo Mountain.

Yet Aoki, with significantly more severe injuries, recovered completely in less than a month, leaving no lasting aftereffects.

During Aoki's recovery, Rengoku Kyōjurō temporarily took over as leader of the Seventh Squad, leading Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke on various missions.

They encountered no Twelve Kizuki during this period and completed their missions with remarkable success.

Despite this easy run, Tanjiro and the others didn't slack off, using the missions to hone their individual skills and improve their teamwork.

They quickly became the Demon Slayer Corps' most decorated squad, a feat largely attributed to Rengoku Kyōjurō's leadership.

"This is your last dose of medicine. After this, you'll be completely recovered," Shinobu Kocho said, handing Aoki a cup of medicine in the infirmary.

Aoki took the cup containing the dark brown liquid and drank it down in one go.

"Ah, it should be bitter, but after passing through the hands of the incredibly cute and beautiful Insect Hashira, even the taste is improved."

Aoki complimented, earning a soft chuckle from Shinobu Kocho.

"Stop flattering me. Once you're recovered, you'll resume your duties as squad leader and take on demon-slaying missions," Shinobu Kocho said, a smile playing on her lips.

Aoki nodded, smiling. "Yes, I haven't stretched my legs in a while. It'll be good."

Shinobu Kocho lowered her head slightly. "I've already informed Master Ubuyashiki. From your recovery day onward, I'll be by your side on all missions."

Aoki was taken aback. He initially thought Shinobu Kocho's earlier statement was a jest, but it seemed she genuinely intended to be at his side constantly.

He had no objections, instead silently vowing to protect Shinobu Kocho. The best way to do that was by eliminating more demons, preferably Twelve Kizuki.

However, the Mugen Train mission had fundamentally altered Aoki's perception of the Twelve Kizuki, particularly the Upper Moons, as the Lower Moons no longer posed a threat.

Unknown to him, the Lower Moons had been eradicated by Muzan Kibutsuji in the Infinity Castle; Enmu, whom Aoki had slain on the Mugen Train, was the last of the Lower Moons.

The Upper Moons' strength far surpassed his initial expectations. He'd previously assumed that while the Twelve Kizuki outnumbered the Hashira, their centuries-long stalemate suggested their strength wasn't vastly superior.

His fight with Akaza had brutally disabused him of this notion.

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