A day later, Mount Sagiri.
"Caw—caw!"
Two Kasugai Crows circled in the air, squawking out a message from Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Mr. Urokodaki! Nezuko, I'm entrusting her to you for now!"
Tanjiro knelt on the ground in a dogeza pose, banging his head twice loudly against the ground in front of Urokodaki Sakonji.
Nezuko had over-exerted herself and consumed too much energy trying to protect Tanjiro back on Mount Kumotori. She had forcibly grown larger and fallen unconscious halfway there.
"I'll take good care of Nezuko. She'll be safe with me, so you can go attend the Hashira Meeting without worry."
Urokodaki Sakonji, wearing a red tengu mask, said to Tanjiro, Qingshui, and Tomioka Giyuu.
"Let's go, the Kakushi are already waiting outside."
Tomioka Giyuu led them outside.
Ever since the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters was betrayed by a certain traitor over three hundred years ago, its secrecy had reached new heights. Ordinary members wishing to go to the headquarters had to be blindfolded and have their ears plugged, escorted by the Kakushi throughout the journey, with multiple changes of Kakushi along the way.
However, Tomioka Giyuu didn't need to be blindfolded because he was a Hashira, a position second only to Ubuyashiki Kagaya within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Another day later.
Deep within an unknown mountain, the Ubuyashiki Mansion.
Tomioka Giyuu led the way, bringing Qingshui there.
"It's good to see you, Mr. Giyuu!"
A tall young man with red and yellow hair arrived at the entrance at the same time.
"And these two members I haven't met before, I'm a Class-A Swordsman, Rengoku Kyojuro!"
Rengoku Kyojuro's booming voice was full of vigor, coupled with his bright, spirited eyes and owl-like hairstyle, he left a deep impression on anyone who saw him.
"Hello, I'm Kamado Tanjiro!"
Tanjiro seemed to be influenced by Rengoku Kyojuro and replied with an equally loud voice.
"Uesugi Qingshui."
Qingshui nodded slightly to Rengoku Kyojuro.
Tomioka Giyuu said nothing, simply walked forward, and pushed open the gate to the courtyard.
In the open space in front of the steps, several Hashira, each with a distinct aura, sat kneeling in a row.
Qingshui quickly scanned them, noticing that among the Nine Hashira from the original timeline, Rengoku Kyojuro was still only a Class-A Swordsman and hadn't yet been promoted to a Hashira. The only other one not present was the Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri, who was likely still apprenticing under Rengoku Kyojuro.
A refined man with a faint purple scar on his forehead stood in front of the six Hashira, his expression gentle.
"Giyuu, Kyojuro, you've arrived. And Qingshui-kun, this is our first meeting."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's face held a faint smile as he greeted them.
"Master." x2
"Yashiki-senpai."
Tomioka Giyuu and Rengoku Kyojuro knelt together in front of Ubuyashiki Kagaya, while Qingshui simply stood in place, nodding in acknowledgment to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Ubuyashiki was a noble, and he was also a noble. Neither would become the other's retainer.
Unless he were like Tsugikuni Michikatsu four hundred years ago, who abandoned his wife and children for greater power and voluntarily left his family.
"Hey, hey, hey! Isn't this a Hashira meeting? Why are you here? And the red-haired guy, what are you, a Class-A Swordsman, doing here? There's even a kid."
Shinazugawa Sanemi glanced at Qingshui, then looked at Rengoku Kyojuro.
"Where's Shinjuro-senpai? If it were before, he would have made a grand entrance by now."
The Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen, smoothed his long white hair.
Qingshui noticed that after Tomioka Giyuu knelt down, he started to zone out.
"Actually… Father…"
"Are you sure you're qualified to be a Hashira? And you, Uesugi Qingshui, that red-haired guy is fine, at least he's a Class-A Swordsman, but you just passed the Final Selection last week, didn't you?"
Qingshui was utterly bewildered.
What does this have to do with me? Aren't you picking a fight with Rengoku Kyojuro?
Although he knew Shinazugawa Sanemi had a volatile temper, he wasn't like this the last time they met. Could he be on his period?
However, Qingshui wasn't one to be insulted.
"The Final Selection wasn't difficult, and a person's strength isn't determined by how long they've held a sword. Wind Hashira-senpai, if you're in a bad mood, you can go find some fun in the entertainment district; there's no need to vent here."
Qingshui crossed his arms, speaking to Shinazugawa Sanemi.
"You're quite arrogant, kid. Don't think you're so great just because you have a gun! To a true expert, a gun won't do much.
My apologies, Master, but I feel it's my responsibility, as the one who brought him into the Demon Slayer Corps, to teach him a proper lesson."
Shinazugawa Sanemi stood up, and Qingshui frowned.
This is never-ending, isn't it?
"If you want to fight, I'll fight you."
Faced with Shinazugawa Sanemi's incoming punch, Qingshui didn't hold back either. He dodged sideways, and with his right hand formed into a 'hand blade' in place of a Nichirin Blade, he aimed for Sanemi's face.
"No fighting! Brawling among Corps members is forbidden!"
Rengoku Kyojuro quickly stepped forward to intervene.
The commotion from the three of them attracted the attention of all the Hashira, even the usually spaced-out Tomioka Giyuu.
"Master, this..."
Kocho Shinobu looked at Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"It's alright. Sanemi knows his limits, and I believe Kyojuro already possesses the ability to become a Hashira. Qingshui, like Tokito, is a miraculous prodigy. They will both surprise you greatly."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya said gently.
"Speaking of which, Sanemi seems awfully hot-headed today. Did something provoke him?"
The Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, asked curiously.
"Namu Amida Butsu. I suspect it's because Sanemi's younger brother, Genya, has chosen to follow the same path as him and wants to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
Himejima Gyomei said, pressing his palms together.
"Well, they're putting on quite a show! Hey! Shinazugawa, are you even trying?!"
Uzui Tengen cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and yelled at Shinazugawa Sanemi in the courtyard, looking utterly amused.
"Damn it! Shut up! Uzui!"
At this point, Shinazugawa Sanemi was genuinely frustrated.
Because he realized... he really couldn't take down these two.
Rengoku Kyojuro was only trying to break up the fight, but the power and speed he displayed in his moves were already at Hashira level.
Shinazugawa Sanemi was a little surprised by this, but he still considered it within the realm of understanding.
Although he didn't know Shinjuro's current condition, if he could no longer serve as the Flame Hashira, then with the Rengoku family's history of generations serving as the Flame Hashira, his son Rengoku Kyojuro, as a Class-A Swordsman, would certainly be the one to fill the position.
Shinazugawa Sanemi was also intentionally testing whether Rengoku Kyojuro had enough strength to bear the responsibilities of a Hashira.
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