3rd POV.

With the orange hue sky being present on the horizon, it is only just a matter of minutes before the sun goes down.

The Kocho Sisters were assigned on two missions. First, eliminate the demons that are threating the four communities that are nearby to each other.

Second, investigate the disappearance of the crow that could lead to the whereabouts of Uchiha Madara.

However, as the two hashiras investigate more about the events that are happening to the nearby communities.....

Instead of more answers, it only lead them to more questions.

As of now, they met on one of the villages and summarized the information that they have.

Shinobu: So, we can both agree that the villagers saw an old man roaming around the four communities here.

Kanae: And whenever the screams and the growls are heard, it suddenly turns quiet.

Kanae: And they will discover the dead body, and the old man beside the corpse.

Shinobu: I'm starting to also think that old man is a demon.

Kanae: I don't know, Shinobu. I mean, I never saw the old man before.....

Shinobu: Right. You never experienced the horror of fighting that old geezer.

Shinobu: He a an old man with spiky long white hair that covers his left eye.....

Shinobu: Wearing black robes, and he is using a black nichirin sword that is hidden within his cane.

Kanae: Black Nichirin Sword, isn't that the same as Tanjiro-kun's sword?

Shinobu: Now that you said it, didn't they say that the ones who had a black sword never lasted long?

Kanae: Those were the stories that we knew.

Kanae: But then, Oyakata-sama speculated the identity of the old man as Uchiha Madara.

Kanae: A former demon slayer and a member of the Uchiha Clan.

Shinobu: According to Oyakata-sama, they possess special eyes known as the Sharingan.

Shinobu: Red eyes with a three tomoe pattern that forms a wheel......

Shinobu: Are they even human if they possess such demon like eyes?

Kanae: Shinobu!

Shinobu: Just saying my thoughts here.

Shinobu: Anyways, the Sharingan is capable of reading movements of their opponent, giving them an upper hand in battle.

Shinobu: Kinda convenient.

Kanae: I also saw the same red eyes on that night as well......

Shinobu: Well, considering that he did kill our parents.

Kanae: ...........

Kanae: All right. For now, let's settle with the information that we got.

Kanae: Night is coming, and we got to be prepared for any demon attacks.

Shinobu: Protecting four communities without even knowing where the demon would attack.......

Shinobu: What a pain.

Kanae: Haha. Come on, Shinobu.

Shinobu: And not to mention, the old geezer is probably around here.

Kanae: She sure held a grudge towards the old man who beat her up.

Kanae: But to think he is also the one who cornered Muzan in the past......

Kanae: We got to be careful. We may never know how this mission will turn out.

Kanae: All right, Shinobu. Just as we planned.

Kanae: If something happens, send a message via crow.

Shinobu: Got it.

Since Shinobu is much faster than Kanae, she is the one who is protecing the most furthest village and town on the area.

While Kanae stayed on the very first village that they arrived to.

Kanae quietly waited and observed if there is anything out of the ordinary.

She patiently waited and patrolled around the communities she is supposed to protect.

But even only just a few hours around midnight, nothing strange is happening, which she became more and more suspicious.

She sends a crow to Shinobu and ask what is going on at her end.

The crow swiftly flew towards Shinobu and relayed the Flower Hashira's message.

Shinobu: That's really suspicious. Nothing is also happening on my end either.

Shinobu: What's going on? Is the demon capable of concealing their presence, and did it sensed that demon slayers are here?

Shinobu: Looks like this mission is getting more difficult.

Shinobu relayed the message to her sister.

Once Kanae received the message.....

Kanae: What's going on? Did someone leaked the information that we got?

Kanae: No, that's not possible.

Kanae: I see that there is no way.....

Kanae: ........

Kanae stayed on high alert as she continued to roam to the communities near her and there are no sign of attacks.

Even one hour after midnight......

No attacks occurred.

No screams or growls have been heard.

Kanae: I'd better meet up with Shinobu.

Kanae went to meet up with her sister.

K

anae: Shinobu.

Shinobu: Nee-san? What are you doing here? You shouldn't have left your post.

Kanae: There is nothing happening on my end.

Kanae: So I came here to check out what is going on here.

Shinobu: The same as you.

Shinobu: The fact that nothing is happening.....it's making me more suspicious of what is happening here.

Kanae: Hey, Shinobu.

Shinobu: What is it?

Kanae: Can we......investigate the cave where the old man is residing?

Shinobu: Now that you said it, we never even investigated the cave.

Kanae: Let's go check out the area within the cave and see what we can find.

Shinobu: Agreed.

They quietly left the village and went straight to where the cave is located.

Kanae: The fact there is a forest here makes it difficult to even search.

Shinobu: .......

They traversed forest a little bit further until they located the said cave.

Kanae: Over there.

Shinobu: That's the cave.....?

Kanae: I'm sure of it.

Kanae: Exercise extreme caution. I have a bad feeling about this.

They proceeded with extreme caution and hid amongst the trees surrounding the cave.

As they are getting nearer, they both saw a bunch of black feathers scattered around the area.

This lead Kanae to this conclusion.

Kanae: The crows that were sent here......

Shinobu: Over there, there is a dead crow.....or more like it is crushed to death.

Kanae: ..........

Shinobu: What should we do, nee-san?

Kanae: We got to inform Oyakata-sama of this location.

Shinobu: I agree. He told us to never engage in combat with the old man.

Kanae: Wait, Shinobu, quiet.

Shinobu: Huh? What is it?

Kanae stared upon the direction of the cave as a figure is emerging inside of it.

Shinobu followed her elder sister's gaze and once she got a view of the figure.....

She whispered to her sister.

Shinobu: That's him......the old guy who took that swordsman away.....

Kanae: Spiky white hair that covers his right eye......

Shinobu: He's also using the cane......that could be the sheath of his nichirin sword.

Kanae: .......

Kanae: Let's watch for now and see what this old man is—

She cut off her sentence when the old man suddenly disappeared in a flash.

Shinobu: What!?

Kanae: Shinobu, are you sure he is an old man?

Shinobu: I'm sure of it! But he's not like your ordinary geezer!

Shinobu: Did you see that just now? That speed? It's insane!

Kanae: All right, let's use this chance to send a crow to headquarters and tell them of this location.

Kanae: While we're at it, investigate the cave.

Shinobu: Got it.

When the surroundings are clear, both sisters went inside the cave to investigate. The fact that they saw a lit campfire is proof that there is someone living in this cave.

With that lighting, they investigated the cave.......

And they saw the water puddle on the corner of the cave, some mats......

Shinobu: Is he a hermit or something?

Kanae: Perhaps.....

They totally found absolutely nothing......

But with Kanae's observant eyes, she noticed a scroll lying around.

She picks it up and read the contents inside.

Kanae: ........

As she continued reading the contents, she found a familiar phrase within the contents of the scroll.

Kanae: Hinokami Kagura or known as Breath of the Sun.

Kanae: What? Wait, is that the breathing style that Tanjiro-kun was talking about?

Shinobu: What do you mean, nee-san?

Kanae: This scroll probably contains information on the said breathing style.

Shinobu: Then let's take it back.

Kanae: Yeah, this is vital information.

Kanae puts the scroll on her pocket. 

They immediately left the cave and went back to the communities that they are currently watching.

And as they arrived, screams and growls are heard, they both rushed to the source of the noises.

What they found is the same old man that they saw earlier.......a black nichirin blade on his hands, and the handle is a part of the cane he is using.

Spiky white long hair that covers the right eye and wearing black long robes.

Beside the old man, is a demon disintegrating into ashes, and a deceased civilian.

Shinobu: That's him, nee-san.....!

Kanae: And he just killed a demon.

The old man noticed the sister and faced them.....and activated his Sharingan.

???: Demon Slayers......

???: To think that you were able to pinpoint this location when I eliminated all the crows here.

The sisters drew their blades.

???: Oh? Are you willing to fight an ally?

Shinobu: Ally? Where you just went ahead and beat up young girl!

???: Oh, so it's you. The one who tried to interfere with my plan......

Shinobu: What did you do to that swordsman? Where is he?

???: Oh, you mean that useless brat?

???: I don't know. He escaped from me 2 years ago.

???: Quite persistent.......

Kanae: What are you initially planning on that swordsman, Uchiha Madara?

Kanae revealed the identity of the old man to which he was surprised.

Madara: Oh......to think that you managed to reveal my identity.....it seems like the current Master is a competent one.

Shinobu: Don't you ever dare speak of Oyakata-sama!

Madara: Ha!

Madara: In the end, you demon slayers are just an incompetent bunch.

Madara: Hashira or not, you never even cornered Muzan in the current generation.

Madara: Only those of the First generation of breath style users of the Sengoku Period....

Madara: And us, the swordsmen of the Meiji Era......

Madara: We're the only ones who managed to inflict fear towards Muzan.

Shinobu: You......!

Madara: I don't have time to waste on weaklings like you two.

Madara: Just like him, you two are weak.......!

Madara suddenly disappeared in the shadows.

Shinobu: What the!? He disappeared?

Kanae: I guess that completes our second mission.

Shinobu: Nee-san!

Kanae: For now, let's prioritize the safety of the towns.

The sisters checked upon the latest victim before they head off towards the other communities.

They barely made it in time as they eliminated the demons threatening the said town.

Shinobu: That's three down.......

They continued forward and they arrived as their are victims who are severely wounded and Shinobu treated the victim.

Victim 1: Thank you.

Kanae: How are you still alive?

Victim 1: The old man.......he just cut off the demon with one blow!

Kanae: One blow!?

Victim 1: And then he collected the the blood of the demon and he just disappeared!

Shinobu: Nee-san.....

Kanae: Right!

Kanae went straight to the nearby community and she made it in time as she beheaded the demon before it could even attack a victim.

Kanae: I guess that completes our mission.

Madara: I see. Both of you are Hashiras.

Kanae heard Madara's voice as he looks down on Kanae from the roof of a house.

Kanae: What do you want?

Madara: You wouldn't understand.

Madara: The swordsman that shorter girl tried to save.....

Madara: He is the one who would fulfill my dream!

Kanae: Dream?

Madara: The purification of this world......

Madara: The Kotoamatsukami!

Madara: It will only be a matter of time before he finally break apart!

Madara: So, if you're trying to look for that swordsman, it's impossible! He is nowhere to be found!

Madara: But soon, he will return to me......

Madara: And once he returns.....!

Madara: Muzan and his demons, you and the rest of the Demon Slayers......

Madara: You shall fall.......

Madara: Under my feet!

Madara disappeared once more......

Kanae: What does he mean.......?

Kanae: The Kotoamatsukami?

Kanae: What does he plan to do?

Kanae: Whatever that is.....

Kanae: We must find the swordsman that escaped from his grasp......

Kanae: I'd better meet up with Shinobu and relay this information.

Kanae did just that, and when they meet up, Kanae relayed the information that she got from Madara.

Shinobu: You know, nee-san, I guess you shouldn't listen to the ramblings of an old man.....

Shinobu: But if he is still obsessed with that swordsman.....

Shinobu: Then we'd better find that swordsman quick.

Shinobu: Even if he plans to use that swordsman against Muzan.......

Shinobu: The fact that he also threatened the Demon Slayer Corps is one thing........

Shinobu: We got to report this back to Oyakata-sama.

Kanae: You're right.

Kanae: I thought this might be a long term mission.....

Shinobu: You're right......

Shinobu: But just in case, nee-san. When the sun is up, we got to investigate this Madara once more before we levae this place.

Kanae: I agree.

Kanae: For now, let's take a break and rest up in a nearby inn.

A few hours passed and when the sun is up, the sisters quickly wasted no time to investigate on Madara's location and when they entered the cave, the cave is completely isolated.

The campfire has been snuffed out.....

The mats that they saw are all gone.

Shinobu: Dammit.....! Don't tell me he.....

Kanae: He escaped......?

Shinobu: Likely.

Kanae: I guess we'd report back to Oyakata-sama now.

Shinobu: *sigh*

Shinobu: I agree.

Shinobu: There is no even use to staying here any longer.

The sisters left the cave and immediately went back to the headquarters.

Kanae and Shinobu relayed all the information that transpired.....and gave the scroll that they found on the cave.

Kagaya: Good work, Kanae, Shinobu.

Kagaya: You two may take your time to rest now.

They bowed and immediately went back to the Butterfly Estate.

Aoi is currently doing the laundry when the sisters arrived.

Aoi: Ah! Shinobu-sama! Kanae-sama! Welcome back.

Kanae: We're back.

Kanae: Wait, aren't the trio undergoing the Rehabilitation training right now?

Aoi: Ah, yes. But somehow, they are also training with another person.

Shinobu: Another person?

Aoi: Yes. See for yourself.

However, the sisters somehow just let it slide as they are extremely tired......

Shinobu went to her room immediately and slept.......

As for Kanae......

She went to backyard and saw the Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke training.......with another person.

The said person possessed a braided medium length black hair, blue eyes, and a blue haori with floral patterns on the hem.

Kanae: ........!

However, the said person is leaving now as he had other business to do.

Tanjiro: Okay, nii-san. Have a safe trip.

Inosuke: OI! FIGHT ME!

???: Next time, Inosuke.

Zenitsu: Do you really have to jump over the fence, Sora-san? I mean, Aoi-chan let you in.

The figure who is revealed to be Sora, smiled at the trio.

Sora: Sorry. But, even if the masters of the house aren't present, I still feel uncomfortable with them......I mean, they almost caught me the last time I visited here.

Tanjiro: I see. Then, be careful, nii-san.

Sora: Yeah. Also, Tanjiro, give Kyojuro a heads up that I'll be visiting him in the next three days. To see how is he coping up with his injuries.

Tanjiro: You got it.

Sora: Now then! I'm off!

Kanae felt a sense of familiarity with the figure......

Kanae: Sora? Is that his name?

Kanae: I mean......

Kanae: He has the same blue eyes as........

That is where Kanae finally connected the dots.......

The swordsman that saved her from Upper Two.......

The swordsman wearing a blue haori with floral patterns......

Kanae: Is that......? Him........?

Kanae quickly drew his sword and lunged towards the figure wearing a blue haori, as the trio even get to react.....

Sora.......noticed the incoming attack, he stepped back for a bit.

Sora: What the......!?

Kanae: .........

Tanjiro: Kanae-san!?

Sora: Huh? Tanjiro.....? Is this.....? The master of the house—

Kanae: Long time, no see.....

Kanae: Uchiha Sora.

Sora: .......!?

Sora: What.......?

Sora: How......do you know my name?