Kanae, flipping in the air, looked excitedly at all the people she remembered. "Mmm... So I'm the only Hashira who died these past few years, huh... Wait. Why am I feeling sad? I should be happy that nobody else died. Stupid, stupid Kanae...!"
Looking at young Tokito, a new Hashira she had no memories of, she felt both sadness and admiration at the same time. 'He must have gone through harsh training to accomplish such a feat, hah...'
Only after a careful look did she finally notice that a person was missing from the Hashira line-up.
Her eyes widened as she mumbled to herself. "Eh, I don't see Shinjuro-san...? Don't tell me he..."
Yet the moment her expression soured, she noticed something bizarre happening in the garden, which freaked her out.
Almost immediately, every single person below her except Tanjiro jerked their bodies back like loose springs and unsheathed their swords, looking terrified and panicked.
"E-Ehh!!? Wh-What!? What happened—!" She shrieked loudly, eyes wide open.
Below, Tanjiro showed a restrained smile and ignored her.
'Heh, that's a great reaction... At least their senses are sharp.'
He noticed that Shinobu was paralyzed next to him, her hand stuck on the hilt of her sword, shaking. Since she was so close to him, the effect hit her hardest.
He immediately stretched out his hand and placed it on her head, rubbing gently. "Sorry about that..." He flashed a guilty smile that wasn't quite a smile.
Feeling his warm hand, her senses calmed down rapidly. She heaved a deep sigh. "You... what did you do just now?" she asked with a questioning look, not trying to remove his hand consciously.
Showing a warm smile, he simply shrugged his shoulders, feigning innocence.
Seeing him avoid her question, Shinobu puffed her cheeks in fake anger. 'Let's see you avoid that once we're back... Hmph.'
Tanjiro thought: 'Even if I tried to explain, it would do you no good, girl...' Taking his hand back, he looked around calmly.
The fastest to recover from his intense pressure were Kanao, Tengen, Giyu, and Gyomei.
The first three because they stood farther away, while Gyomei recovered the quickest despite being close, a proof of his enormous battle experience.
Once relaxed, his white, pupil-less eyes stared at Tanjiro in disbelief and admiration.
In the other corner, Giyu cursed himself for falling to the same move again. 'He has become more of a monster now... Hard to believe it's because of his Mark... What a freak this boy is...'
Near the pond, Kanao pressed her lips together as she felt her heart thumping loudly. 'Tanjiro... Unbelievably strong...!'
On the tree, Tengen wore a weird grin on his face. 'That guy is bad news. He looks young yet holds so much strength for his age... That presence of his just now was like being watched by a dangerous predator... Too flashy! I don't dislike it!'
Iguro, Sanemi, and Tokito were still under a stun-like effect, thoroughly overwhelmed.
Seeing such a scene, the corner of Tanjiro's mouth twitched slightly. 'Damn it... They're too weak. I could have killed them all over ten times by now... They're nowhere near enough level to take on Muzan like this, even in his weakened state! It would take just five or six of his flesh tendrils to finish them all... Fuck me. I can't enjoy a fight like this...'
Suddenly, Kanae came next to his face and asked loudly. "You scared them all, didn't you!? What were you thinking..."
'...'
Not listening, he passed through her and approached the others.
With his posture straight and body exuding an overbearing presence, Tanjiro spoke calmly. "I'm Kamado Tanjiro. The newly appointed Sun Hashira. It is nice to meet you all, finally."
Showing a friendly smile, he looked at everyone with confidence.
His voice was followed by a brief silence.
Until it was broken by a towering giant.
Gyomei, despite his earlier shock, gave an acknowledging nod to Tanjiro. "So it's Kamado Tanjiro, hm. What a good name..." With a gentle look on his face and tears falling, he added. "I'm Himejima Gyomei, the Stone Hashira. Kamado, it's really heartwarming to have such a brilliant member like you joining us... Namu Amida Butsu."
Tanjiro nodded, apparently pleased. "Umu."
Then he looked toward the manor. 'Kagaya decided to show up, huh...'
Tengen and Giyu joined others on the garden instantly after sensing the Master approaching.
Tanjiro glanced at Tengen beside him, who was staring with a shining smile, and raised an eyebrow. "Do you have something to say?"
Hearing his soft yet powerful words, Tengen patted his chest and replied boisterously. "Pleasure to meet you, Kamado Tanjiro! I'm Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen, but you can also call me God of Festivity and the most flamboyant man! Haha!"
Tanjiro ignored him immediately.
'Right, he's a weirdo. How did I forget...'
Standing by his side, Shinobu noticed how Iguro and Sanemi were glaring at Tanjiro, though he ignored their gazes entirely.
'What a mess... If he intended to provoke them from the beginning, then I guess he succeeded...' she sighed inwardly.
On the other hand, Tokito and Giyu stood rooted in their places. They had retreated into their own worlds after that brief shock.
One had no interest in talking to others, while the other had lost himself to painful memories.
Feeling bored, Tanjiro exhaled slowly. 'Kyojuro is missing, so he's still a lower-ranking Demon Slayer, hmm. If I remember correctly, his father quit hunting demons after his mother's death... Wait... why do I even care... I must be that bored, hah...'
Shortly after, the door to the open room slid open and Kagaya appeared, followed by Kiriya and Hinaki.
Every Hashira went down on their knees upon seeing his arrival, except for Tanjiro, who waved playfully at Kiriya and Hinaki with a warm smile.
The little ones flashed pleased and funny smiles in return.
The same could not be said for the Hashira kneeling in the garden. They wore expressions of surprise, shock, annoyance, frustration, and defeat.
Even Kanae and Kanao were taken aback.
Kagaya noticed it clearly with his working right eye and showed a gentle smile.
Sitting in seiza first, he spoke in his usual calm and soothing voice. "Good morning, everybody." Gazing at the sky and feeling the warm sunlight, he added with a faint smile. "We have some really nice weather today, don't we..."
In response, the Hashira greeted him back with polite nods.
Though some were still staring threateningly at Tanjiro as if they would swallow him whole.
Were they pissed because he didn't kneel?
Why would he?
He wasn't some slave or servant working for Ubuyashiki.
To tell the truth, he was more of a business partner or friend to Kagaya, so why would he kneel?
There was mutual respect between them as they had done many favors for one another.
There was no need to kneel.
Others did it out of their own free will. Fine, so be it. It was their own choice.
Would they try to force him?
Tanjiro chuckled mentally. 'I really want to see who has the guts left to say something...'
Though, as he had expected, nobody grumbled a single word to undermine his action.
Seated on the engawa, Kagaya didn't care about formality and spoke with calmness. "Before we conduct the Hashira Meeting, I will first make it official. Kamado Tanjiro, this fine swordsman before us, has slain Lower Rank 2 Demon. Because of his remarkable strength and skills, he has been appointed as the eighth pillar, Sun Hashira. Please note that he joined the Corps under special circumstances. I truly hope everyone can get along with him."
Hearing his words, Tanjiro—who was standing with a hand on the hilt of his sword—tilted his head slightly. 'Not telling about my mother... Eh? This guy...'
....
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