"If it's Oyakata-sama's suggestion and wishes, how could I have any thoughts of objecting? Ah, no matter the circumstances, we would gladly welcome a comrade who shares the same goals and ideals as us... Namu Amida Butsu..." Gyomei replied with joined hands and tears in his eyes.
Tengen's eyes brightened as he responded. "Same as Himejima said. We need more manpower anyway, so it should be obvious. Hah!"
Beside him, Tokito stared at the ground blankly. "I don't really care..." he muttered.
On the other side, Giyu remained quiet. He knew how strong Tanjiro was and the special circumstances behind his joining, so he saw no reason to join the conversation. All he wanted was for the meeting to end quickly so he could return to his assigned territory and train further without interruptions.
The sole female Hashira, Shinobu, responded with a polite nod. "As Oyakata-sama said, Tanjiro's skills easily place him among the ranks of Hashira. I think others must have sensed or become aware of this already. Either way, he has proven himself by defeating a powerful Lower Rank demon alone. I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to deny his capabilities."
She ended her words with a faint smile, causing Tanjiro to look at her in amusement and adoration.
'Does she want another hug...' he joked inwardly.
The others also glanced at her strangely. Kanae, seated on the manor roof, revealed an approving smile.
However, two among them felt neither fascination nor enjoyment over the new Hashira.
Following Shinobu's words, a sharp voice cut through the pristine garden.
"Oyakata-sama, I'll accept he killed a Lower Rank based on your word, but as Hashira, we need the full story. Otherwise it's hard to accept him as one of us." Sanemi spoke calmly, even though his expression told a different story.
Iguro, next to him, nodded with a serious look. "I agree with Sanemi this time. We must know the whole truth. A sudden new Hashira... I cannot overlook it so easily."
A short silence fell after Sanemi and Iguro's response.
Kiriya and Hinaki looked at their father patiently.
Before Kagaya could reply, a soft and gentle voice reached every ear.
"So be it." Tanjiro nodded at Kagaya, who wore a serene expression as if he had known Tanjiro would intervene, and spoke seriously. "I will say it only once, so listen carefully."
Giyu and Shinobu panicked inwardly.
Was he really going to tell the truth?
The same went for Kanae and Kanao.
Though instead of panicking, they were more worried about the others—the soon-to-be casualties.
Seeing his surroundings had become quiet, Tanjiro began to explain while giving Sanemi and Iguro a very unfriendly glare. "A few days ago, my family was attacked by a demon. I fended it off, but my mother was already affected and soon became a demon before my eyes. She was not like other demons. She retained her human emotions, though she lost most of her memories. However, she did not harm anyone and had no urge to consume flesh like other demons. So I kept her hidden from sunlight. Then, shortly after, the Ubuyashiki family contacted me, and I ended up here along with my family. The reason for me joining the organization is simple. I will kill demons, as many as I can, and the Ubuyashiki family will provide support in order for my mother to return to her human self. I had no interest in becoming a Hashira or gaining rank, but since I am a Demon Slayer now, I will do my best to annihilate man-eating demons with all my strength."
Once Tanjiro finished narrating his story, the mood in the garden immediately changed.
Gyomei and Tengen stared at Tanjiro in stunned silence, unable to speak.
"Tsk, tsk. So you're protecting your demon mother by joining the organization? Unacceptable! This is the Demon Slayer Corps—we slay demons, not harbor them. This is unforgivable. You can't trust demons! How can you guarantee she won't harm anyone, huh?" Iguro remarked, his voice thick with displeasure.
At his words, Giyu muttered with his usual stoic face. "She won't. I have observed her. She is harmless."
Shinobu nodded with a sigh. "Haah, I have observed Tanjiro's mother for the past few days, and so have others in the Butterfly Mansion. Believe me, she's the one and only docile demon I've ever seen. To say this out loud feels pointless, but I can guarantee that Kie-san is different from other demons. She won't hurt a single soul."
Tengen and Giyu nodded after hearing their confident words, placing their trust in them. Even the Ubuyashiki family had believed in Tanjiro and his mother's situation. There was no way they would go against Kagaya's decision.
Seeing the others' reactions, Iguro clicked his tongue in anger and frustration. He then glanced at Sanemi for support. But his eyes narrowed the very instant.
Unexpectedly, Sanemi's gaze was flickering uncontrollably. His face looked lost as he recalled past memories. 'Mother... become a demon, huh...'
Tanjiro noticed the intense emotions coming from Sanemi and sighed inwardly. 'Too much trauma... Poor guy.'
'This is meaningless. Let's get on with the meeting for now...' he thought.
Suddenly, his eyes sharpened. He sent a single glare at Iguro, who had been complaining and flaring up the most.
Almost instantly, the Serpent Hashira's body shivered from head to toe as oxygen left his lungs. His chest tightened, making it hard to breathe. A cold chill ran down his spine. His hand jerked to his neck instinctively, as if feeling it had been cut open by someone else.
He gasped, lost his balance, and fell to both knees.
Even Kaburamaru hissed and hid itself inside Iguro's clothing.
Everyone noticed the abnormality and heard Tanjiro's voice follow.
"Why don't we deal with the unimportant issues after the meeting ends?" He showed a smile. "I'll be happy to answer everyone's questions one by one then and gladly solve whatever doubts you have in your mind."
Seeing that most of them nodded and agreed while Tokito, Iguro and Sanemi stayed silent, he looked at Kagaya a bit apologetically. "Sorry about that. Since it involves me and my mother, I went a bit overboard..."
Kagaya shook his head slowly. He showed a warm and gentle smile before saying. "No need to feel bad, Tanjiro. The only one to blame here is Muzan. Nobody else."
Hearing Kagaya's polite and encouraging words, everyone realized just how much he trusted Tanjiro. It left a complicated feeling in their hearts.
Iguro breathed in air with fearful eyes and cursed mentally for making a fool of himself.
Tanjiro couldn't help but think: 'If only he knew... how damn right he is. Ha.'
Only after a short while did Kagaya start the meeting by inviting everyone inside. They began to converse about Sun Breathing, the Mark, the decline in demon activity, and other important matters related to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Before they knew it, two hours had already passed, and the time for Tanjiro to demonstrate his strength had come.
....
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