Besides trusting Chiba Yo, another reason Tamayo made up her mind was that Kagaya had Chiba Yo tell Tamayo the location of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, a level of trust that was enough to earn Tamayo's trust in return.
"Good… very good. Now, the possibility of defeating Muzan has increased even further."
After hearing the contents of the letter, Kagaya's mood improved even more.
"Since Tamayo is willing to trust us, we must ensure her safety. Amane, please have Yo come over." Kagaya said to Amane, intending to have Chiba Yo escort Tamayo.
"Understood." Amane responded, then went out and dispatched a Hidden member to summon Chiba Yo.
Butterfly Mansion
Chiba Yo learned the general gist of the situation from Inosuke.
Chiba Yo felt somewhat helpless about Zenitsu fighting in an unconscious state during this mission, feeling as if his previous efforts had been in vain.
However, he thought about it again. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing that Zenitsu could display extraordinary strength while asleep or unconscious. In any case, he could fight even when not unconscious now, so there wouldn't be any major mishaps.
"If Tanjirou and the others wake up, remember to inform me." Chiba Yo said to Inosuke, then planned to go back to the training ground for a bit more practice.
"Chiba-sama!"
A Hidden member ran towards Chiba Yo.
"The Master has asked for you to come over." The Hidden member said to him after reaching Chiba Yo.
"Alright, I'll be right there. Thank you for your trouble." Chiba Yo replied to the Hidden member, then hurried towards the Ubuyashiki Estate.
Obanai looked at Chiba Yo's departing back with some envy. Being summoned by the Master likely meant an important mission, perhaps even finding the Upper Moon's whereabouts. Chiba Yo had just slain an Upper Moon Five, and now he was being summoned again, which made Obanai incredibly envious.
However, he had clearly guessed wrong.
Ubuyashiki Estate
Chiba Yo entered the house and knelt on one knee before Kagaya. Amane handed him a letter.
Chiba Yo looked at the contents of the letter, recognizing it as Tamayo's reply.
"Yo, currently, only you and Tanjirou among the Demon Slayer Corps members know about Miss Tamayo. Now, Miss Tamayo wishes to come and discuss the plan to defeat Muzan. I hope you can escort her when the time comes.
After all, Miss Tamayo's identity is too sensitive for the children of the Demon Slayer Corps, making it too difficult for them to accept. Moreover, if they discover Miss Tamayo, they might even take some drastic actions."
Kagaya spoke to Chiba Yo. After treatment, his body was slightly better this time than last, but overall, it was still deteriorating.
"Yes, Master." Chiba Yo nodded in response. He also understood what the Master meant by "drastic actions." If the Wind Pillar were to discover Tamayo, he would probably just swing his sword at her.
The end of this month, which is the day after tomorrow…
…
Two days passed quickly. At night, Chiba Yo waited for Tamayo at a small path leading to the Ubuyashiki Estate. This was the route Kagaya had instructed Chiba Yo to show Tamayo in the previous letter. Kagaya feared something unexpected might happen if she entered through the main gate of the Headquarters.
Around midnight, two figures appeared before Chiba Yo.
"Miss Tamayo, the Master has sent me to escort you." Chiba Yo greeted Tamayo.
Chiba Yo was not surprised to see Yushiro also follow. From previous encounters, it would be strange if that guy didn't follow Tamayo every day.
"Thank you for your trouble." Tamayo smiled in response.
Yushiro, on the other hand, snorted in displeasure. He had tried to dissuade Tamayo many times when she decided to come, not wanting her to put herself in danger, but Tamayo hadn't listened.
Knowing that the letter was written by Chiba Yo, Yushiro, who already had an issue with Chiba Yo, now completely didn't want to see his face.
Chiba Yo didn't mind Yushiro's little tantrum and walked ahead, leading the way for Tamayo.
Nothing unexpected happened along the way, and they smoothly arrived at the Ubuyashiki Estate. The lights in the house were still on; Kagaya had stayed awake for this discussion.
"Master, Miss Tamayo has arrived."
Chiba Yo said to Kagaya.
It was Tamayo's first time seeing the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, and she was somewhat shocked by Kagaya's physical condition.
"Thank you, Miss Tamayo, for trusting me and coming to cooperate. Due to my physical condition, please forgive me for not being able to stand."
Kagaya also heard the sounds and spoke to Tamayo in a gentle voice.
"It's no wonder the Demon Slayer Corps has been able to contend with Kibutsuji for so many years despite the vast disparity in strength, with a Master like you."
Tamayo couldn't help but exclaim. Anyone could see that Kagaya's physical condition indicated he didn't have much time left, yet in such a state, he still persisted in dedicating his remaining strength to the Demon Slayer Corps and to defeating Muzan, and he could even tolerate her, a demon. Such willpower and magnanimity truly filled her with admiration.
"Miss Tamayo, you jest. I, as an individual, am not important to the organization. The Demon Slayer Corps has been able to contend with evil demons for so many years thanks to humanity's eternal will and the life-sacrificing efforts of countless children. It has nothing to do with me.
Unlike the ethereal eternity that man pursues, humanity's constantly inherited will is what truly deserves to be called eternal.
Having endured a thousand years, the Demon Slayer Corps has grown stronger with time. Many pitiful children have died, but they have never vanished; their will has been passed down from generation to generation.
This is something that will not be interrupted by death, nor obstructed by time.
This is the true reason why the Demon Slayer Corps can exist for so long."
Kagaya softly said to Tamayo, completely disassociating himself from the Demon Slayer Corps' achievements.
After hearing Kagaya's words, Tamayo admired him even more, and Yushiro, beside her, was also awed by Kagaya's magnanimity.
Although Kagaya appeared frail lying on the tatami mat at that moment, the strength of his spirit made Yushiro feel that he could never hope to reach it.
Standing aside, Chiba Yo was deeply moved by Kagaya's words. As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, he could better appreciate the Master's importance to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Some of the current Pillar-ranked members joined the Demon Slayer Corps precisely because of the Master, such as Gyoumei and Muichiro. Moreover, almost all Pillars are obedient and highly respectful of Kagaya's words.
Similarly, Kagaya has never made any wrong decisions.
The immense role Nezuko played in the Entertainment District battle proved how correct his decision to acknowledge Nezuko's existence was at the time.
But at the same time, Chiba Yo felt that what Kagaya said was not wrong; he, as an individual, indeed seemed unimportant to the organization.
Each Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps has their own patrol area, and missions are dispatched by Kasugai Crow. Even without the Master, demon-slaying missions can proceed smoothly.
Furthermore, Pillar-ranked members wield great power, able to freely mobilize lower-ranked swordsmen. The Pillar Meeting, which is crucial for the Demon Slayer Corps' development, is led by the Master, but the Pillar-ranked members of the Demon Slayer Corps are more involved.
In other words, even if Kagaya were to suddenly pass away one day, the Demon Slayer Corps would still be able to maintain normal order.
Combining this with what he had heard about Demon Slayer Corps Masters generally having short lifespans, Chiba Yo couldn't help but feel that these rules were set for this very reason, designed to dilute the Master's influence on the entire Demon Slayer Corps.