Echoes of the Uchiha

Butterfly Ninja

After Uchiha Lihuo severed the Kappa demon's neck with his blade, the creature disintegrated into ash and vanished into the night air. Its shell, previously as tough as steel, left no trace.

"Strange… Even though it was so durable, it still faded away like dust the moment it died," Lihuo muttered, furrowing his brow.

What exactly were these ghost-like beings?

Though questions swirled in his mind, Uchiha Lihuo didn't dwell on them. Instead, he focused on the glowing notification in front of him—[Progress: Kill 10 Evil Demons – 20%].

"That Kappa counted as two? So blood demon art users or even members of the Twelve Kizuki must contribute more progress..."

He clenched his fist.

"If I fill the bar... can I really go back?"

After deactivating his Mangekyō Sharingan—its draining blue glow fading—Lihuo glanced at the Nichirin Blade in his hand. It was still jet black, unmarred despite the recent battle.

"They say these swords change color based on the wielder's essence. Why isn't mine turning sky-blue for water nature? Is it because I lack compatibility… or is this blade inferior to real Nichirin swords?"

Sliding the blade back into its sheath, Lihuo turned toward the waiting convoy. It was already deep into the night. He needed rest.

---

The Next Morning

Early the next morning, the caravan boss approached the carriage where Lihuo had stayed.

Lihuo had just woken up but immediately knew what this visit was about.

"Don't speak of what happened last night," he said calmly. "That Kappa was a demon—part of something organized. Understand?"

"Yes, yes, of course, sir," the boss nodded repeatedly, handing over a bento box. He glanced nervously at the sword beside Lihuo before backing away.

Lihuo gave a small nod.

"This guy's smart enough not to ask questions. We should reach the next station today. Hopefully, the trains are still running."

Lihuo, a foreigner to this world with no local identity, couldn't afford to draw attention. While carriages were fine, getting on a train might be tricky. He'd need a plan.

The rest of the journey was uneventful. The caravan leader, eager to appease him, arranged a separate carriage with snacks and tea. As they neared the city, he bowed respectfully.

"If you ever need help again, my lord, please seek me out at the station."

That evening, they arrived at their destination—a city with a functioning train line.

After parting ways with the father and daughter he'd traveled with, Uchiha Lihuo stepped onto the cobbled streets, disappearing into the bustle of the modernized town.

---

City of Iron and Shadows

The city was a blend of traditional Japanese architecture and Meiji-era Western influence. Gas lamps lit the wide roads, and shops bustled with life.

Lihuo bought a set of new clothes from a boutique and entered a crowded diner.

"Welcome! What can I get for you?" asked a cheerful waitress.

"One pork cutlet meal, please," Lihuo replied.

After a short wait, his food arrived. The flavors were unexpectedly satisfying.

As he ate, he tuned into the murmurs of nearby diners.

"Have you heard about the girl in the kimono on Gohara Street?"

"Yeah. They say she appears at night, acts lost, and lures people into alleys… then kills them."

"Looks like a child, but she's slaughtered dozens of people already. Creepy, huh?"

Lihuo's eyes narrowed.

The Kappa demon had mentioned a blood donor—an evil spirit in a kimono. Was this the same one?

He finished his meal, paid, and stepped into the rain-soaked street. Most passersby were workers under umbrellas, hurrying home.

Opening his own black umbrella, Lihuo made his way toward Gohara Street.

---

The Haunt of Gohara Street

Gohara was a rundown stretch at the edge of town, bordering rural fields. Streetlamps flickered with unstable current, casting ghostly shadows.

Lihuo wasn't sure he'd find anything tonight, but if demons were lurking, this was likely the place.

He unsheathed his Nichirin Blade, concealing it beneath his coat, and scaled the wall silently, landing on the rooftops.

As a trained shinobi from Konoha, Lihuo's stealth was second nature. The rain muffled even his lightest steps.

From the shadows, he observed a blond man walk into the alley below.

"A tempting target," Lihuo thought, waiting for a demon to emerge.

An hour passed. No demons appeared.

But then… a girl.

---

Butterfly Wing

She had black hair with purple tips, styled in a butterfly-shaped bun, and wore a mint butterfly hairpin edged with violet. Over her Demon Slayer uniform, she donned a haori patterned like butterfly wings. At her waist, a thin katana with a floral hilt—a stinger in disguise.

She stepped lightly across the rooftop, her steps graceful but intentional.

"You've been here a while," she said, smiling slightly. "Are you waiting for demons?"

Uchiha Lihuo had noticed her long before she approached. Still, she had detected him—a testament to her skill.

He gave a faint smile. "I'm looking for a girl in a kimono. Word is, she lures fools into the dark and kills them."

He eyed her rapier—delicate and green, unlike typical blades. And that uniform… it matched Tomioka Giyu's. That meant—

"Shinobu Kocho," he realized. "The Insect Hashira."

Unlike other pillars, she lacked the physical strength to behead demons. Instead, she forged a custom blade—a thin, piercing weapon capable of injecting wisteria-based poison that killed demons from within.

Lihuo wondered how far along she was in her journey. Was she already a Hashira? Or just a skilled Slayer on the rise?

Either way, she had noticed him.

His mission was clear—but now, he might not be the only one hunting tonight.