Chapitre 4: Chapter 4: Insect Hashira
"Where is he? I want to see him," Hatsune repeated.
The Butterfly Mansion trio completely ignored his words, laughing uncontrollably.
Aoi Kanzaki, standing nearby, couldn't bear to watch any longer.
Though she also didn't like this strange guy, after all, everyone in his village had died, and he had been sitting there without food or drink for three days straight. It must have been an immense emotional pain he was going through.
At this moment, suddenly saying he wanted to see the Stone Hashira was likely a plea for the strongest person to stand up for him. This kind of thought was understandable, and it was truly inappropriate to mock him. Such ridicule was no different from rubbing salt in someone's wound.
"Alright, you three, that's enough. You should be understanding, considering you've also lost loved ones. Laughing at him like this is really inappropriate. Stop it and eat your meal," Aoi scolded them.
The trio, realizing they had gone too far, quickly straightened up and resumed eating in silence.
Aoi put down her chopsticks, turned around, and faced Hatsune, "What they said is true. You can't just see Master Gyomei whenever you want. Why do you want to see Master Gyomei? Do you want to ask him to help you save your sister?"
"No, I want to become his disciple! I will save my sister myself."
A disciple? So, he wasn't asking for help to save his sister. This boy's thoughts were really different from ordinary people.
Aoi met Hatsune's determined gaze and felt a bit overwhelmed.
"I see…"
"That woman told me that my sister was taken by demons. I can't rescue her on my own. This is the closest place to her."
It wasn't wrong to say that the Demon Slayer Corps was the place closest to demons.
That woman, who was she?
"Who told you this?"
Kiyo tugged on Aoi's sleeve, and Aoi turned around.
Kiyo whispered, "Aoi, it was Sister Shinobu. When this guy first woke up, he kept shouting about saving his sister. It was Sister Shinobu who said those words to calm him down."
Aoi nodded in realization.
"Master Gyomei has a prestigious status and isn't easy to meet. Moreover, he already has a disciple. How about this, eat your meal first, and after that, I'll take you to see the Hashira and see what she says."
Hatsune didn't reply and turned back to the steps to continue his daze.
Aoi initially wanted to get him a bowl of rice, but seeing his state, she gave up on the idea.
This young man had an eccentric temperament, not interested in eating at all. Even if she gave him food, he probably wouldn't appreciate it. Besides, from his tone earlier, it seemed like he didn't care much about a meal.
After dinner, Aoi bid farewell to the Butterfly Mansion trio and took Hatsune to the medical room in the backyard.
Shinobu Kocho was sitting at the experiment table, observing plant slices under a microscope. Hearing the knock, she casually said, "Come in."
When they entered, she reluctantly looked up and, seeing it was Hatsune, smiled gently.
"Aoi, Hatsune, what brings you here? Please, sit."
Hatsune? Is that his name?
Aoi turned to look at the boy beside her. It was the first time she had heard his name, finding it rather peculiar.
"I was supposed to remove your bandages today, but I was too busy and forgot. Since you're here now, it's perfect."
Shinobu pulled over a chair and sat in front of Hatsune, starting to remove his bandages. She asked Aoi, "Aoi, did you bring Hatsune here just to remove his bandages? I didn't expect you to be so considerate towards him."
Hearing this, Aoi knew the Hashira had misunderstood. Her face flushed, and she glanced at Hatsune, saying angrily, "Who would care about him? He's weird and has a bad temper. He insists on becoming Master Gyomei's disciple, so I had to bring him to see you."
"Master Gyomei?" This piqued Shinobu's interest. "Do you know Master Gyomei?"
"No, I don't. Those three girls said he is the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps. I want to become the disciple of the strongest person, become the strongest, and then kill that man to rescue my sister."
Hatsune's serious demeanor made Shinobu laugh.
"You are quite a unique child. However, you are not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. I'm afraid Master Gyomei won't accept you as a disciple. Besides, I don't know if Kiyo and the others told you, but Master Gyomei already has a disciple."
Hatsune was persistent, "That's okay. If I'm not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I can become one. You just need to take me to see him."
"Uh…" Shinobu was at a loss for words. It seemed as if some divine intervention was guiding the situation.
In the morning, at the Ubuyashiki residence, the master suggested she adopt him, and she recommended Master Sanemi instead. But now, he was proposing to become Master Gyomei's disciple. It seemed necessary to let him meet Master Gyomei.
Just as Shinobu was about to speak, Aoi suddenly raised her hand and slapped Hatsune on the back of his head.
Caught off guard, Hatsune fell into Shinobu's arms.
Shinobu held him up, looking confusedly at Aoi.
"Aoi, why did you hit him?"
Hatsune, after a moment, quickly pulled away from Shinobu's embrace, looking embarrassed and glaring at Aoi, "You crazy woman, are you out of your mind? Why did you hit me for no reason?"
"For no reason? Hmph, I did hit you."
Aoi, hands on her hips, glared at Hatsune, "You impolite guy, do you know who you're sitting in front of? She is Shinobu Kocho, one of the nine Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Every Corps member has to address her respectfully. And you, a mere patient, dare to address her casually? Who gave you the courage?"
At this point, Hatsune felt wronged. He didn't know what this "Hashira" meant, but judging from the respectful tone these women used, it seemed like a prestigious title, similar to a leader.
"No one told me who she was, how was I supposed to know? Besides, I don't even know what a Hashira is. How can you blame me?"
"Even if you didn't know, it's still unacceptable." Aoi was losing her temper, completely irrational.
Shinobu, who she viewed as both a teacher and a friend, couldn't be disrespected. No matter the reason, any disrespect towards Shinobu was unacceptable.
Seeing no way to argue back, Hatsune maintained a policy of not fighting with women, "You are simply unreasonable."
Understanding the root of their argument, Shinobu found it amusing and chuckled softly.
Aoi, however, was unrelenting, "What did you say? Say it again, I dare you. Do you believe I won't hit you?" She raised her fist, ready to strike.
"If you two can't get along, why not have a fight?"
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone