The clear voices of the young children echoed throughout the courtyard.
Sensing their Master's presence, Uzui Tengen and the others, who had been chatting casually a moment earlier, immediately stopped their conversation and turned their gazes toward the residence.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a man with a scarred face, clouded eyes, and skin cracked like withered wood slowly stepped out from the residence.
"You have all arrived."
Supported by the two young girls who had stepped out first, Ubuyashiki Kagaya slowly walked into the courtyard.
"Gyomei, Tengen, Giyu, Kanae... my beloved swordsmen, it has been quite some time... cough cough!"
Before he could finish speaking, a wave of discomfort surged from deep within his body. Ubuyashiki Kagaya covered his mouth and coughed lightly, a faint trace of crimson appearing at the corner of his lips.
"Master, your health..."
Kochou Kanae and the others who had been scattered throughout the courtyard instantly appeared before the residence, their faces filled with concern.
"It is nothing serious. The curse has not worsened. I simply did not rest well due to recent matters."
Taking out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his mouth, Ubuyashiki Kagaya revealed a gentle smile. He seemed to be in quite a good mood.
"There is still one month remaining before the next Hashira Meeting. Since I summoned all of you back ahead of schedule, you must have many questions."
"Namu Amida Butsu. Master has always been farsighted and would never act without purpose. Since you summoned us, something important must have occurred."
"Exactly."
Facing Himejima Gyomei's speculation, Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded slightly.
"Two days ago, I received a letter. Someone has obtained information regarding the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki (Demon Moons)."
"Information about the Upper Ranks?"
Uzui Tengen exclaimed in surprise.
"Master, is the source of this information reliable?"
"The one who provided the information is the disciple of the former Thunder Hashira, Jigoro Kuwajima. His name is Cain."
"Cain..."
Uzui Tengen searched his memory carefully but could not recall ever hearing that name.
"Cain is a disciple whom Mr. Jigoro Kuwajima accepted only a few months ago. His talent is astonishing."
"Two days ago, Cain participated in the Final Selection at Fujikasane Mountain and cleared the entire mountain of demons within a single night."
"Cleared Fujikasane Mountain?"
The usually silent Tomioka Giyu suddenly raised his head. Those words had caught his attention.
"Speaking of this matter, there is something I have only informed Mr. Urokodaki Sakonji about and have not yet told you, Giyu."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya took out a letter and handed it to Tomioka Giyu through the young girl standing on his left.
"While clearing Fujikasane Mountain, Cain encountered a Mutated Demon connected to the former Water Hashira..."
The matter concerning the Hand Demon was not particularly complicated.
In only a few minutes, Ubuyashiki Kagaya finished explaining the entire sequence of events.
Afterward, Ubuyashiki Kagaya leaned forward slightly, an apologetic expression appearing on his face.
"I am truly sorry, everyone. The tragedy caused by the Mutated Demon on Fujikasane Mountain is ultimately my responsibility."
"If I had discovered the anomaly sooner, so many lives would not have been lost."
...
Silence once again descended upon the courtyard.
Uzui Tengen and the others, who had previously been focused on the information about the Upper Ranks, stopped speaking and quietly turned their gazes toward the black haired young man standing nearby with an expressionless face.
Although Tomioka Giyu did not socialize much and rarely communicated with others...
As fellow Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Uzui Tengen and the rest were not entirely unaware of his past.
If Ubuyashiki Kagaya's words were true, then Tomioka Giyu's close friend Sabito had most likely died at the hands of that Mutated Demon.
"Master, please do not blame yourself."
Under everyone's gaze, the usually taciturn black haired young man finally spoke.
Every rule has its loopholes.
The matter of the Hand Demon only proved that the rules surrounding the Final Selection still required improvement.
As for Sabito's death, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, as the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, certainly bore some responsibility.
However, rather than blaming Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who was burdened by a curse and a fragile body, Tomioka Giyu blamed his own weakness even more.
If he had been stronger back then, if he had been able to keep up with Sabito and share the burden...
Then perhaps no one would have been sacrificed during that Final Selection.
Suppressing the faint frustration rising within his heart, Tomioka Giyu raised his head and looked directly at Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"The dead cannot return to life. All we can do is inherit their will and use our blades to slay Kibutsuji Muzan in their stead."
"Well said, Water Hashira!"
Uzui Tengen suddenly shouted loudly.
"Although that response still lacks flashiness, I, Uzui Tengen, acknowledge you!"
"..."
What exactly does "flashy" even mean?
Tomioka Giyu glanced at Uzui Tengen with confusion before turning his gaze back to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Master, may I ask where Cain is?"
"As for Cain, right now..."
"Master! Mr. Cain has arrived!"
Just as Ubuyashiki Kagaya was about to answer, a Demon Slayer Corps member rushed into the courtyard to report.
"It seems they returned a little faster than I expected."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya paused his explanation, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Please invite our distinguished guests inside."
"Yes!"
The Demon Slayer Corps member quickly stood up and ran out of the courtyard.
A moment later, under everyone's gaze, three figures walked in from outside. Two men and one woman.
"Hmm?"
After seeing one of the figures clearly, Kochou Kanae froze for a moment. A look of astonishment appeared on her face.
"Shinobu, why are you here?"
"I was commissioned by the Master to guide Cain and Rengoku Kyojuro."
"Then your outfit..."
"Sister, let's skip such irrelevant topics," Kochō Shinobu interrupted.
Compared to two days ago, the Demon Slayer Corps uniform she had originally been wearing had completely disappeared.
In its place was a black and white maid outfit decorated with lace trim.
"Oh! That is certainly a novel outfit!"
Uzui Tengen nodded thoughtfully and even gave Kochō Shinobu a thumbs up.
This style was actually quite interesting. Perhaps he could let his three wives try it when he returned home. It might produce a surprisingly good effect.
"Master! I have something important to report!"
Realizing that she would remain the center of attention if this continued, Kochō Shinobu decisively stepped forward and changed the topic.
"One day ago, the Demon Slayer Corps swordsman Cain discovered traces of the Twelve Kizuki (Demon Moons) at Mount Natagumo!"
"Within two hours, Cain single handedly cleared all the demons on Mount Natagumo and decapitated Lower Rank Five!"
Killed one of the Twelve Kizuki (Demon Moons)?
Hearing Kochō Shinobu's report, everyone's gaze immediately shifted toward Cain.
Although Cain had not introduced himself yet, no one present was an ordinary individual.
Even from observing his aura alone, they could already tell that Cain stood on a completely different level compared to the other two who had entered with him.
"Another member of the Twelve Kizuki (Demon Moons) has fallen. That is certainly good news."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's lips curved slightly into a smile.
Although the vacancy within the Twelve Kizuki (Demon Moons) would soon be filled again due to Kibutsuji Muzan's existence...
The fact that Cain could single handedly slay one of the Twelve Kizuki (Demon Moons) carried a deeper meaning.
"Cain, thank you for your contribution to the Demon Slayer Corps."
"As a gesture of gratitude, I would like to invite you to assume the position of Thunder Hashira. What do you think?"
"Will it affect our partnership?"
Cain did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked a question.
"I do not want our partnership to be influenced by differences in status."
"Rest assured. I give my word as the head of the Ubuyashiki family that such a thing will never occur."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya understood Cain's concern and responded firmly.
"As long as you can assist us in slaying Kibutsuji Muzan, I will provide any support that you require."
"I understand. Since you have said that much, I will explain the battle plan."
Cain nodded slightly and shifted his gaze toward Uzui Tengen and the others nearby.
"Before we take action against Kibutsuji Muzan, there are three things we must accomplish."
"Find Tamayo, obtain the Blue Spider Lily, and eliminate the demons of the Upper Ranks."
T/N - will try to stay consistent with atleast 3 chapters a day. TT
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Read advance 60 chapters on p@treon
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GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.