The courtyard fell into silence.
Upon hearing this news, Giyu was momentarily stunned, but quickly accepted the reality.
Although it meant his remaining time was short,
It was enough.
However, after only three seconds, a burst of hearty laughter broke the silence.
"Umu! Twenty-five years? That's quite long enough!" Kyojuro laughed with his arms crossed, clearly genuinely pleased. "That means I have five years to hunt down Muzan? Excellent!"
"As long as I can tear off Muzan's head, I don't care if I die tomorrow." Sanemi sneered, his right fist clenched tightly, a mad killing intent flickering in his eyes.
Gyomei was still shedding tears, but they genuinely seemed like tears of joy now. "Ah.... Let this humble priest use this brief time to end a millennium of atrocities. Amida Butsu..."
The remaining Hashira also nodded in agreement one after another.
Even Mitsuri, who had initially joined the Demon Slayer Corps just to find a strong partner and a place to belong, had long since come to see this as her home. She, too, was willing to fight to the last to protect everyone.
Everyone in this room had a reason they had to fight the demons to the death.
Seeing these young swordsmen so brave, so utterly unafraid of death, tears glistened in Kagaya's sightless eyes. He respectfully led his children in a deep bow to everyone: "The Ubuyashiki Family thanks you all for your sacrifices..."
"We are unworthy of such praise." Everyone bowed in return.
After straightening up, Kagaya burst into a fit of coughing, but he had Kiriya continue the meeting, not intending to withdraw.
"A-Additionally...."
Kiriya was only eight years old this year. In an ordinary family, he would be at a carefree age, but he had already shouldered the mission of the Ubuyashiki Family early on.
Facing his father's grave illness and these imposing swordsmen, he couldn't help but be a little nervous.
His sister, Hinaki gently supported his back, encouraging him to be strong.
Kiriya composed himself and spoke again: "...In the battles against the Upper Moons, Taka-dono and Tanjiro made their blades burn."
"In that state, the Nichirin Blade seemed able to suppress the demon's regeneration, making it easier to cut through an Upper Moon's flesh."
Regarding this point, besides the battle data against the Upper Moons,
after Taka left the Rengoku Residence, Kyojuro had discussed the contents of the Flame Hashira's Book with Oyakata-sama and reached a conclusion.
This power was very likely a swordsmanship technique that complemented the Marks.
"The strongest swordsman of the past, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, once used both the Marks and the burning Crimson Blade. I believe this is the power we should next strive to master."
Taka looked down at Ubau and stated frankly: "If Tanjiro also made his Nichirin Blade burn, then I think this technique can indeed be learned. I speculate..."
He did his best to describe, as concretely as possible, the feeling of making his blade burn.
In truth, what he thought internally was… Yoriichi might have been like him, with a strange blade.
But Tanjiro probably didn't have a weird sword either.
Giyu barely listened to Taka's description.
His gaze was fixed on Tonan at Taka's waist the entire time.
He always felt that sword was staring at him.
'Was that really alright? That sword....' He chose to remain silent.
Amidst the discussions and speculation, the topic of the Crimson Blade also concluded.
Kagaya coughed weakly a few times, his expression growing even more serious: "My children, time is short. Kibutsuji Muzan has already sensed the reemergence of the Marks and the Crimson Blade. He will spare no expense to eliminate this threat in its infancy, just like every annihilation of the Demon Slayer Corps over these centuries..."
"He will mobilize in full force. We cannot sit idly by."
He forced himself to stand, shakily supported by his two daughters.
"I have decided that, starting tomorrow, we will begin Hashira Training with full participation!"
"With Giyu and Taka, who have already awakened the Marks, as instructors, along with all the Hashira, we will conduct special training for all Demon Slayer Corps' members."
"There are only two goals: First, for the Hashira-level swordsmen to awaken the Marks. Second, to seek the opportunity to unleash the Crimson Blade!"
"Yes, Oyakata-sama!"
The Hashira responded in unison. That soaring fighting spirit shook the clouds in the night sky, proclaiming the arrival of the final battle.
The meeting adjourned. The Hashira began to leave one by one, heading off to prepare their respective training areas.
Taka stood on the long veranda outside the room, looking at the distant mountains under the night sky.
He wasn't really used to this kind of large group atmosphere.
But after experiencing so many life-or-death battles, he finally truly understood a lesson his teacher had told him long ago:
In this world, one always needs companions to move forward together… it makes things easier.
He intended to speak with Oyakata-sama again about the absurd matter of the Fist Hashira, but noticed that the burly, hot-tempered man hadn't gone far.
Sanemi stood on a nearby step, seemingly waiting specifically for him.
His silhouette under the moonlight looked somewhat lonely. His open short coat fluttered in the wind.
Seeing the fierce killing intent radiating from him reminded Taka of his days at the Hayama training ground.
Taka slowly walked forward and stopped three paces behind Sanemi.
"You did well in the Upper Moon battle."
Sanemi didn't turn around, but he sensed Taka's approach. "I originally thought that after I died in battle, you would become the Wind Hashira. Sensei wasn't wrong about you."
"Shinazugawa, do you know Kocho Kanae?"
"....Where did you hear that name?"
Taka's calm question made Sanemi frown. He turned around with a dark expression: "Kid, don't think that just because you've made achievements and become a Hashira, you can—"
"I avenged her."
"What?"
"Upper Rank Two, Doma, was the one who killed Kanae."
In the Ubuyashiki courtyard, Taka looked into Sanemi's shocked pupils and explained: "Kocho Shinobu confirmed it. She and I joined forces to send Doma to hell and avenged Kanae."
At that moment, Taka clearly saw Sanemi's hand tremble violently.
Kocho Kanae.
This name was a hidden pain in the heart of this scar-covered man before him.
Perhaps because she was the first Hashira he had a good relationship with after becoming one himself-
Perhaps because her gentleness gave Sanemi, always trapped in a vortex of hatred, a rare moment of relaxation-
When news of her death came, Sanemi, already hating demons to the bone, further closed off his heart, unwilling to deepen ties with anyone else.
He was afraid of experiencing again the heartache of losing someone important, like with Masachika and Kanae.
Later, he would also occasionally try to talk to Shinobu, a mutual concern between two people who shared the same sorrow.
After a long silence, Sanemi suddenly turned his head sharply, avoiding Taka's gaze.
He growled in a hoarse voice:
"...Got it. No need to specially come and tell me this."
He strode away quickly, as if fleeing from something.
But after a few steps, he stopped again and said sideways: "Thanks."
Then, with a flash, he disappeared into the courtyard.
Taka looked puzzledly at his retreating figure, recalling the expression on Shinobu's face when she had asked him to tell Sanemi about this.
'What was wrong with that guy?'