Chapter Twenty-Eight: This Is the Proof

“What would you like for dinner, Lord Phantom Feather?” After returning from the Butterfly House, Chrysanthemum asked Chu Fan what he wanted to eat.

“Fish,” Chu Fan replied offhandedly, as usual.

“Alright.” Hearing that Phantom Feather had no unusual reaction, Chrysanthemum assumed he hadn’t overheard what Lady Butterfly had said earlier and felt a wave of relief. With her mind at ease and knowing his preference, she hurried off to make preparations.

Chu Fan noticed her barely perceptible sigh of relief but said nothing more.

Because Chrysanthemum took care of his daily needs, he was able to devote himself entirely to his pursuits. Even if she occasionally caused him a bit of trouble, Chu Fan didn’t mind. In fact, she had always been diligent and attentive, never once being a real burden. Though he wasn’t concerned about whether Shinobu Kocho harbored any negative impressions of him, he understood that Chrysanthemum’s actions stemmed from good intentions, so he certainly had no reason to reproach her.

Besides, as long as Shinobu Kocho did what he asked of her, a little grumbling meant nothing to him. It was of no consequence.

※※※※※※

Time slipped by quietly, and in the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

That morning, Chu Fan sat atop the roof, gazing at the distant, peaceful village.

By now, he had mastered the ability to transform any part of his body at will into elemental form. His control over flames had become ever more refined; he could shape fire into any form he desired.

It could be said that Chu Fan had fully integrated his power. He was confident in claiming himself the strongest among the Demon Slayer Corps. Not to mention, whenever he used the power of Fusion Genesis, his abilities would soar to an even greater height.

Yet, over the past ten days, he’d only received five missions. The number of demons had clearly dwindled, not to mention the reduction in Chosen Coins he could earn.

Since entering the world of Demon Slayer, over the course of a month and more, Chu Fan had already hunted down nearly forty demons. Of those, only six were incarnations of the Fated Ones; the rest had not appeared again. Chu Fan wondered whether those Fated Ones had already reported to Muzan Kibutsuji, or if they were still nurturing themselves by preying on humans.

The possibility of the former stirred some unease within him.

“It seems my state of mind still needs more tempering,” he mused with a touch of self-mockery, feeling the ripple of anxiety in his heart.

Yet, because of the Legacy Key, the Nature-type Devil Fruit bestowed by the Destiny System, and his Devourer talent, all of which he had forged into his own combat power, Chu Fan knew he was already at his peak—fully prepared, with nothing to fear.

Meanwhile, Shinobu Kocho stood at her window, watching Chu Fan perched on a beam, for once not engaged in his relentless training.

What is he thinking about? she wondered, seeing his usual cold, detached expression.

Chu Fan was simply too enigmatic. He had joined the Demon Slayer Corps out of nowhere just over a month ago. All she knew was that he hailed from the Celestial Capital of a distant land, possessing power that defied her comprehension.

Beyond that, she knew little else.

Chu Fan never sparred with other members of the Corps, nor did he enjoy wandering about. The Master had, in fact, intended to assign someone to accompany Chu Fan on missions. That person was her. However, on the one occasion she received such a mission, she was delayed by barely ten minutes. By the time she arrived at the appointed place, all she saw was a white figure emerging from a sea of flames. The roaring fire seemed to obey Phantom Feather’s command, parting before him and unable to harm him in the slightest.

If it’s him, perhaps he truly could slay that demon.

The overwhelming strength she sensed from Chu Fan that day left her with only that thought.

Shinobu Kocho genuinely wanted to talk to Chu Fan. Aside from his initial visit to the Butterfly House on account of Tanjiro Kamado, Chu Fan never visited again, not even during breaks from his training. Rather than check on Tanjiro’s condition, he preferred to sit on the rooftop, lost in his own thoughts.

Didn’t you say Tanjiro Kamado is the heir to Sun Breathing? Isn’t his growth important to you? Why don’t you come to check on him more often? Shinobu’s gaze lingered on Chu Fan, a sense of melancholy in her heart.

In truth, Chu Fan had long noticed her gaze.

From the start, he’d held a favorable impression of Shinobu Kocho. He found her beautiful, intelligent, and, owing to her competitiveness, perhaps overly strong-willed.

Yet, precisely because of this, Chu Fan did not intend to become entangled with her. The more connected and emotionally involved he became, the slower his hand would be when the time came to act.

“Good morning, Lord Phantom Feather! Do you have a moment?”

At that instant, a bright, cheerful voice rang out.

Chu Fan looked over and saw Tanjiro Kamado waving to him, greeting him with infectious energy.

Chu Fan’s eyes flickered as he saw Tanjiro’s spirited demeanor.

“Lord Phantom Feather, do you have a moment?” Tanjiro noticed Chu Fan glance his way and smiled as he spoke.

“What is it?” Chu Fan moved in a flash, appearing before Tanjiro and speaking directly.

“Lord Phantom Feather, my body has now fully recovered. May I ask if you can begin teaching me how to use Sun Breathing?” Tanjiro’s eyes widened at how quickly Phantom Feather appeared, but he quickly regained his composure, smiling all the while.

“Shinobu Kocho, have you already taught him Total Concentration Breathing: Constant?” Chu Fan could see some attributes but not all of another’s mastered skills, so he asked directly.

“How could I be so fast? Their injuries weren’t that severe. With rehabilitation training, their bodies have mostly recovered, but I haven’t started teaching Total Concentration: Constant yet,” Shinobu Kocho replied as she stepped outside, her voice light and calm.

“Hashira are terrifying. You don’t even make a sound when you walk.” Zenitsu Agatsuma trembled. Not only had he not heard Phantom Feather’s approach, but even Shinobu’s footsteps were utterly silent.

“In that case, teach them as quickly as possible and make every effort to train their bodies,” Chu Fan said. “Once you accomplish this, you won’t need to take poison every day. Start developing a medicine to neutralize the toxins in your body. I’ll personally hunt down the demon with the sharp paired fans for you. I know you’ve been observing me these past days, but my strength far surpasses what you’ve seen.”

Chu Fan gazed deeply at Shinobu Kocho, who seemed faintly pleased, and spoke slowly.

As he finished, for the first time before Shinobu, Chu Fan activated Fusion Genesis. With a burst of speed, he vanished from sight.

Once he was gone, Shinobu realized with shock that she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of his departure.

Suddenly, her butterfly hairpin slipped free, her hair tumbling down. The hairpin, as if guided by an unseen hand, flew from afar and landed precisely before her.

“This is my promise to you. Do well in the tasks I’ve entrusted to you.” Chu Fan’s voice carried from the direction of Chrysanthemum’s House. “Shinobu Kocho, you needn’t concern yourself about that demon any longer. I am humanity’s hope for victory in the war against demons. So, don’t think of sacrificing yourself. As long as you live, your sisters will be all the happier.”

For the first time, Shinobu Kocho heard such gentle yet supremely confident words from Lord Phantom Feather. She picked up the butterfly hairpin, momentarily lost in thought.