The courtyard fell silent.
When Giyu heard the news, he was stunned for a moment, but quickly accepted the reality.
Even if it meant that his remaining time in this world would be short.
It was still enough.
Only three seconds passed before a hearty burst of laughter shattered the silence.
"Mm! Twenty-five years old? That is quite a long time!" Kyojuro Rengoku crossed his arms and laughed loudly, clearly in a good mood. "Doesn't that mean I still have five years to hunt Muzan? Excellent!"
"As long as I can twist Muzan's head off, I would not care even if I died tomorrow," Sanemi Shinazugawa sneered. His right fist tightened as madness and killing intent flashed in his eyes.
Gyomei Himejima continued to weep, but the tears now carried joy. "Ah... then allow this humble monk to use this brief span of time to end a thousand years of tyranny. Amitābha..."
The other Hashira also nodded in agreement.
Even Mitsuri Kanroji, who had originally joined the Demon Slayer Corps simply to find a strong partner and a place to belong, had long since come to regard this place as her home. She too was willing to fight until her final breath to protect everyone here.
Every person in this room had a reason to fight demons to the death.
Seeing how brave these young swordsmen were, so unafraid of death, tears shimmered in the blind eyes of Ubuyashiki Kagaya. With deep respect, he bowed together with his children.
"The Ubuyashiki family thanks all of you for your dedication..."
"We are not worthy of such praise," everyone replied as they bowed in return.
After straightening up, Kagaya coughed violently. Still, he allowed Kiriya to continue presiding over the meeting and did not intend to leave.
"A-Another matter..."
Kiriya was only eight years old. In an ordinary family, he would still be living a carefree childhood, yet he had already taken on the mission of the Ubuyashiki family.
Faced with his father's serious illness and the intimidating presence of the Hashira, it was inevitable that he felt nervous.
His sister Nichika gently supported his back, encouraging him to remain strong.
After calming himself, Kiriya spoke again.
"...During the battle with the Upper Rank demons, Lord Asuka and Mr. Tanjiro caused their blades to ignite."
"In that state, the Nichirin Blade seems capable of suppressing a demon's regeneration and makes the flesh of Upper Rank demons easier to cut."
Aside from the records of those battles, another clue existed.
After Asuka left the Rengoku residence, Kyojuro had discussed the contents of the Flame Hashira's book with the Master and reached a conclusion.
This power might be a sword technique that complements the Demon Slayer Mark.
"The strongest swordsman of the past, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, once used both the Demon Slayer Mark and a burning crimson blade. I believe this is a power we must attempt to master next."
Asuka lowered his head and glanced at Nugata.
"If Tanjiro was also able to ignite his Nichirin Blade, then I believe it is indeed possible for others to learn this technique."
He began describing the sensation of making his blade ignite, trying his best to explain it without being overly abstract.
In truth, what he had initially suspected was that Yoriichi might have had a strange sword like his own.
But Tanjiro could not possibly also possess a bizarre blade.
Giyu barely listened to Asuka's explanation.
His gaze remained fixed on the sword at Asuka's waist.
For some reason, he felt as if the blade was staring at him.
Is that sword really safe?
He chose to remain silent.
After a round of discussion and speculation, the topic of the crimson blade finally came to an end.
Kagaya coughed weakly again, his expression growing even more serious.
"My children, time is running out. Kibutsuji Muzan has already noticed the reappearance of the Demon Slayer Mark and the crimson blade. He will undoubtedly spare no effort to eliminate this threat before it can grow, just as he has done every time the Demon Slayer Corps was destroyed over the past centuries."
"He will mobilize everything he has. We cannot simply wait for him."
Struggling to support himself, Kagaya stood up with the help of his daughters.
"I have decided that starting tomorrow, we will begin Hashira Training for the entire Corps."
"Giyu, who has already awakened the Demon Slayer Mark, and Asuka will serve as instructors. Together with the other Hashira, they will conduct special training for all members of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"There are only two objectives. First: Hashira-level swordsmen must awaken the Demon Slayer Mark. Second: find the opportunity to awaken the crimson blade."
"Yes, Master!"
The Hashira responded in unison. Their surging battle spirit seemed to shake the clouds above the night sky, heralding the arrival of the final battle.
After the meeting ended, the Hashira began departing one after another to prepare their respective training areas.
Asuka stood in the corridor outside the tatami room, gazing at the mountains beneath the night sky.
He was not particularly comfortable with the atmosphere of such a large collective.
But after experiencing so many life-and-death battles, he had finally come to understand a lesson his teacher once told him long ago.
In this world, having companions walking forward together makes the path much easier.
He had intended to find the Master and mention something about the absurd situation regarding the Fist Hashira, but then he noticed that the muscular, hot-tempered man had not gone far.
Sanemi Shinazugawa stood on a nearby set of steps, seemingly waiting for him.
His silhouette looked somewhat lonely beneath the moonlight. His open shirt fluttered in the wind.
The killing intent radiating from him reminded Asuka of his days at the Hayama Training Grounds.
Asuka slowly walked forward and stopped three steps behind Sanemi.
"You fought well against the Upper Rank," Sanemi said without turning around, though he had clearly sensed Asuka's approach. "I thought that after I died in battle, you would become the Wind Hashira. Our teacher did not misjudge you."
"Shinazugawa, do you know Kanae Kocho?"
"...Where did you hear that name?"
Asuka's calm question made Sanemi's brow furrow. He turned around with a dark expression.
"Kid, just because you accomplished something and became a Hashira doesn't mean you can—"
"I avenged her."
"What?"
"Upper Rank Two, Doma. He was the one who killed Kanae."
Standing in the Ubuyashiki courtyard, Asuka looked at the shock in Sanemi's eyes and continued.
"Shinobu Kocho confirmed it. She and I sent Doma to hell together. Kanae's revenge has been fulfilled."
At that moment, Asuka clearly saw Sanemi's hand tremble violently.
Kanae Kocho.
That name was a lingering pain in the heart of the scar-covered man before him.
Perhaps it was because she had been the first Hashira to grow close to him after he became one.
Perhaps it was because her kindness had allowed Sanemi, who had long been trapped in a vortex of hatred, to experience a rare sense of peace.
When news of her death arrived, Sanemi, who already despised demons with all his heart, sealed off his emotions even further and avoided forming close bonds with others.
He was afraid of experiencing that same pain again—the pain of losing someone important, just like when Masachika Kumeno and Kanae had been taken from him.
Later on, he would occasionally speak with Shinobu Kocho as well, perhaps as a way for two grieving people to quietly look out for one another.
After a long silence, Sanemi suddenly turned his head away, avoiding Asuka's gaze.
With a hoarse voice, he growled,
"...Got it. There's no need to come all the way here just to tell me something like that."
He strode away quickly, as if fleeing from something.
But after taking a few steps, he stopped and spoke over his shoulder.
"Thanks."
With that, he vanished from the courtyard in a flash.
Asuka watched his departing figure with some confusion. In his mind, he recalled the expression Shinobu had when she asked him to deliver this message to Sanemi.
What exactly is wrong with that guy?