One Piece: With Sign-in System

"So... that's how it is, huh."

After hearing what Kiyo said, Aoi Kanzaki finally came to her senses. She quickly released her grip on the hilt of her Nichirin Blade, bowed deeply toward Ron, and apologized with genuine remorse. "It was a misunderstanding on my part. I'm terribly sorry!"

Ron waved his hand lightly, smiling. "No harm done."

Then he turned to Kanao. "Kanao, is there a place to stay around here? I might be hanging around for a while."

"There is… but staying here would require the permission of the Hashira."

Ron chuckled. "That's no issue. I've already spoken with your master about it."

The moment he said that, Aoi and the three tiny girls with round, bean-like eyes gasped in unison.

He's not even part of the Demon Slayer Corps, yet he met with the Master?!

"I see. Then it's not a problem."

Kanao nodded gently. "In that case, I'll take you to your quarters, Mr. Ron."

With that, Kanao led Ron away from the Butterfly Estate.

The three little girls immediately huddled around Aoi, whispering among themselves.

"Who is Mr. Ron anyway? Have you ever seen him before?"

"Nope. This is the first time."

"He said he's met the Master himself!"

"He's Shinobu-san's guest and even Kanao-san treats him with such respect. He must be someone incredible."

Kiyo nodded emphatically. "I'm sure he's someone amazing. He suddenly just appeared behind me out of nowhere. I nearly had a heart attack!"

…

Kanao brought Ron to a small, private courtyard not far from the Butterfly Estate. Once he nodded in satisfaction, she quietly excused herself.

Ron sat beneath a blooming cherry blossom tree in the corner of the courtyard. He closed his eyes, quietly attuning to the current state of his body.

The chakra of his Tenseigan had nearly recovered.

His Float-Float Fruit ability was just a step away from breaking through the bottleneck and reaching the realm of true awakening.

His physical strength hadn't improved significantly—but his mental power had been steadily growing day by day.

A breeze passed through, stirring a shower of cherry blossoms.

Eyes still closed, Ron stood in quiet stillness. Then, lifting his gaze to the sky, his deep blue eyes shimmered with a mix of clarity, solitude, and a touch of nostalgia.

"It's already been nearly twenty days since I arrived in this world… I wonder how things are going back in the One Piece world."

He gave a quiet, half-sighing chuckle. "It's probably a total mess over there by now."

"Robin, Conis… they're probably worried sick about me, huh?"

Staring up at the clear, cloudless sky, Ron murmured, "Man… I really miss Conis' cooking right about now…"

"There's plenty of delicious food and interesting things in this world too, sure… but even so, I just can't seem to feel any sense of belonging here…"

"Only ten more days until the system finishes upgrading. I hope—just maybe—it'll give me a way to go back…"

…

Elsewhere.

After Ron's departure, Kagaya Ubuyashiki—now restored in both health and vision—called for another Hashira Meeting. The Hashira, still deeply shaken by the power Ron had revealed, gathered once more. The m+o#s+t u+p‑t+o&‑d!a@te ve.r-s.i#on is on M$4%VL^E.MP4#YR*.*

During the meeting, Shinobu Kocho shared everything she had learned from Ron: the concept of the Transparent World, the Mark, the Crimson Blade, Sun Breathing, and information regarding Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Tanjiro.

"If what Mr. Ron said is true and we really can awaken the Marks and wield Crimson Blades… then our strength as Hashira will undoubtedly increase dramatically," said Obanai Iguro, his eyes glowing with anticipation.

"If we take down the Twelve Kizuki one by one before the final battle, we'll only have to face Muzan Kibutsuji and a few Upper Moons when the time comes…"

"In terms of combat strength, the advantage would be ours!"

The entire room lit up with fresh energy, their spirits clearly lifted.

"Tanjiro, as the heir to the Sun Breathing technique, and Nezuko, as a unique demon, will be the lynchpins of this strategy," Kagaya said, his voice solemn yet calm as he looked over his elite warriors.

"It is imperative that they remain safe. Obanai, I'm putting their protection in your hands."

Obanai nodded seriously. "I'll locate them immediately and ensure their safety."

"If possible, Mr. Obanai, I ask that you do not approach them directly—or interfere in their battles," Shinobu interjected.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Why?" Iguro Obanai asked calmly.

Shinobu replied softly, "Mr. Ron seems to think highly of Tanjiro's potential as a swordsman. On our way back, I saw him guiding Tanjiro with his swordsmanship. I believe he hopes Tanjiro can grow stronger through real-life, life-and-death combat with demons. So…"

Obanai nodded. "I understand. As long as they don't face an opponent that's completely out of their league, I won't interfere."

"Thank you. I'm counting on you."

After that, the discussion turned toward a strategy involving Nezuko as bait—to lure out Muzan Kibutsuji. With everyone contributing their ideas, a solid plan started to take shape, and for the first time, real hope began to shine through. You could feel the fire in the air. Every one of them was ready. Ready to end the thousand-year nightmare.

Toward the end of the meeting, Tengen Uzui asked the question everyone was secretly wondering.

"Will… he stand with us during the final battle? Will he help us take down Muzan Kibutsuji?"

His voice was solemn—laced with deep respect.

For someone like Uzui, who often called himself the "God of Festivals," to carry such reverence in his tone was proof of just how shaken he'd been by Ron's power. Divine—that was the only word that fit what he'd witnessed.

The room fell silent.

Everyone was thinking the same thing.

If someone like Ron chose to fight alongside them… their chances of victory would skyrocket.

"…Probably not," Shinobu said, her quiet voice slicing through the silence.

Everyone turned to her in surprise.

"In Mr. Ron's eyes, Muzan Kibutsuji might not even be worth his time," she explained softly. "He didn't come here to fight for us. He came here to help us grow stronger—to show us the way to take our revenge with our own hands. To let us be the ones who bring an end to this curse."

"Exactly!" Rengoku Kyojuro declared, striking his palm with a clenched fist, his eyes ablaze. "If we can end this thousand-year torment ourselves, there would be no greater honor!"

Iguro's voice was cold, but resolute. "If I can't be the one to kill that monster with my own blade, then what has all my training even been for?"

"My sword was forged for that purpose alone," said Muichiro Tokito, his voice devoid of emotion, but his meaning clear.

Gyomei Himejima brought his hands together in prayer, tears flowing freely. "Demons bring sorrow upon the world. My purpose in this life is to rid the world of that sorrow. If I can be the one to end Muzan's evil… I could die with no regrets."

And Shinobu… Shinobu didn't speak further, but the rage and grief that lived inside her—born from loss, injustice, and unhealed wounds—burned in her gaze.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked out at the Hashira, each one radiating raw determination and righteous fury. His gentle voice carried the weight of generations.

"My beloved swordsmen… let us be the ones to end Muzan Kibutsuji. Let us break the chains of this thousand-year tragedy."

"Yes!!"

The Hashira roared in unison, the very air seeming to tremble with their fervor.

They were ready.

The wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, however, was nowhere near the others. He lay flat on his back, unconscious. He'd suffered severe internal damage—seventeen broken bones, concussed brain, ruptured organs—but strangely, there wasn't a single mark on his skin.

…

Later that day, Shinazugawa was brought to the Butterfly Mansion for treatment.

When Aoi Kanzaki and the three little girls saw him, they were absolutely shocked.

"Wind Hashira?!"

"Seventeen broken bones, internal organ damage, and a concussion… but not a single external wound?!" Aoi looked at Shinobu, her voice trembling. "What kind of monster could've done something like this?! Was it… one of the Twelve Kizuki?!"

"Um…"

Shinobu's smile stiffened slightly.

Now… should she lie about it?

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