"Snap~" a light sound!
Gyomei Himejima, seated at the end of the wooden corridor, clasped his hands and recited a Buddhist prayer, "Namo Amitabha Buddha,"
"Quiet, the Lord has arrived!"
Then, focusing his gaze on Kyojuro Rengoku, he took the lead by kneeling on one knee, bowing to a man supported by his wife and daughter from the inner room.
"My Lord!"
"Swoosh~" Following Gyomei Himejima, Shinazugawa Sanemi, Tengen Uzui, Kochou Shinobu, Izuki Kobane... along with Tomioka Giyu and all the Hashira, knelt down together.
Suddenly... there was one person who stood out, not identifying as a "Water Hashira", deeming himself unqualified to participate in the Hashira Alliance Meeting, yet... he remained aloof!
Who is it?
That guy Eiichiro Oda?
No... he didn't come... it's... Kyojuro Rengoku!
An unforeseen change occurs,
All, including Gyomei Himejima and the other Hashira, as well as those members of the "In" organization responsible for relaying information, all suddenly turned to look at... the young man draped in a white haori, its tail end imprinted with flame patterns, standing upright, merely bowing slightly as Ubuyashiki Kagaya appeared...
Every pair of pupils was filled with incredible gazes!
"Kyojuro! Do you know what you're doing?" The hot-tempered Shinazugawa Sanemi couldn't tolerate anyone disrespecting the Lord. That guy Eiichiro Oda was excused for not being part of the Demon Slayer Corps, having no reason to bow... but you... "Don't forget, you're a Hashira!"
Kochou Shinobu, Izuki Kobane, and Tomioka Giyu, the Hashira known for being "hard to get along with," generally maintained good relationships with Kyojuro Rengoku due to his character... cheerful, kind, and upright, often taking care of everyone like a big brother, warm and trustworthy!
But... today's "big brother" was a bit too unexpected!
Kochou Shinobu and Izuki Kobane frowned without speaking, Tomioka Giyu stood at the right row's end, silently observing... somehow feeling today's Kyojuro Rengoku was somewhat... familiar, seemingly resembling a certain someone's shadow?
That person last time, even more "arrogantly" than him, just nodded slightly as Ubuyashiki Kagaya appeared—it was his junior... Kamado Eiichiro!
"Amitabha Buddha... Kyojuro, I think you owe everyone, and the Lord, an explanation," Gyomei Himejima fiddled with the Nen beads, speaking without Sanemi's anger, but his words carried heavy weight, suffocatingly oppressive.
"Himejima," Ubuyashiki Kagaya raised a hand, signaling everyone to quiet... as Sanemi let out an angry grunt, the man, supported by his wife Tenin, gently looked at Kyojuro Rengoku, saying: "Kyojuro, I heard... Lord Shinjuro quit drinking?"
"I was about to report to the Lord, my father plans to return and will soon come to meet." Kyojuro Rengoku announced loudly.
Gyomei Himejima's gaze shifted, tears streaming down like streams, silently reciting a Buddhist prayer.
Others like Tengen Uzui, Kochou Shinobu exchanged glances, bewildered... even Shinazugawa Sanemi, who felt "betrayed," raised an eyebrow in surprise, only exclaiming... unbelievable!
If discussing whose legacy lasted the longest with the Ubuyashiki Clan, the Rengoku family dared claim second, none would claim first; the longest-lasting family was only Kyojuro Rengoku's—of deepest ancestral roots!
Exactly due to this, everyone knew of Shinjuro Rengoku's alcoholic downfall, unexpected... he managed to quit drinking, regaining life, even planned to return... not just as a Hashira, but even Ubuyashiki Kagaya was astonished upon receiving this news, holding onto it for a long time, unable to take his eyes off.
"Good news... Lord Shinjuro's prestigious reputation, returning to the Demon Slayer Corps needs only a notice, I'll arrange immediately."
"My Lord," Kyojuro Rengoku bowed in thanks for Shinjuro, then straightened up, looking earnestly at Ubuyashiki Kagaya: "Please forgive my earlier 'disrespect,' a servant doesn't serve two masters, I came to resign from the title of 'Flame Hashira', henceforth, I'll not hold a key position in the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"Wow!"
A word dropped, seemingly sucking all the air from the room, stifling breaths!
"Clang~" A sound, sword light glittering...
Shinazugawa Sanemi suddenly drew his sword, angrily saying: "Kyojuro Rengoku, you've gone too far!"
"Whoosh~" Instantly a whirlwind lunges at Kyojuro Rengoku, pressing everyone's skin tight!
"Wind Breathing·First Form·Dust Whirlwind Slash!" Failing to kill Douma and Gyutaro, Shinazugawa Sanemi bottled up anger and frustration, finding release!
Wind blades hid within the whirlwind, howling towards Kyojuro Rengoku's face... amidst Hashira's flashing bodies, a sudden dazzling flame appeared, again seeing Kyojuro Rengoku sheathing his sword, as if he never unsheathed it, casually slicing through the dust whirlwind, instantly reducing it to ashes!
"This..."
"Ding~" A crisp sound, the clash ended instantly!
Shinazugawa Sanemi holding his sword, stunned!
Others, Izuki Kobane or Kochou Shinobu alike, narrowed their eyes, shocked at Kyojuro Rengoku.
That swift fiery blade just now, fast, swift, and hot, almost couldn't be seen clearly... seemed, entirely beyond Shinazugawa Sanemi's level!
Truly... was it really the Kyojuro Rengoku, the one who gently cared for everyone while always smiling, who could wield it?
"It's here again.... "Tokitou Muichirou recalls the Swordsmith Village battle, Kyojuro Rengoku leading the charge, single-handedly chasing and killing the Jade Pot and Half-Demon Dog, finding it incredible then, now seeing again... within just one day after returning, he seemingly improved further!
Then, a hand quietly rested on Tokitou Muichirou's shoulder... the young man turned his head to see Tengen Uzui looking at Kyojuro Rengoku, deeply saying: "You're right, these splendid sword techniques aren't just one person's."
"Sanemi, stand down!"
"The Lord is close, no room for your pandemonium!"
A large sleeve swung, Gyomei Himejima stood up, his towering stature directly engulfing everyone.
He gazed intently at Kyojuro Rengoku, subtly guarding Ubuyashiki Kagaya at his side, Ubuyashiki Kagaya patted the monk's shoulder, "I don't believe Kyojuro would harm me."
He took steps, rejecting Tenin's support, relying on his weak body, staggering before Kyojuro Rengoku, smiling at the young man: "Kyojuro, I heard reports claiming you sought Eiichiro Oda for sword techniques, so... is it him?"
"A servant doesn't serve two masters, if it's him... you should follow him...."
"My Lord!" Shinazugawa Sanemi just stood when suddenly seeing... Kyojuro Rengoku lay down his sword, in the form of a dogeza, his head touching the ground, solemnly bowing to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, stooping close, neither standing nor squatting, just staying half-standing, frozen!
Then, the young man draped in a white haori, its flame-patterned tail, sincerely said: "Kyojuro Rengoku is a member of the Demon Slayer Corps for life,"
His yellow hair fluttering in the wind, Kyojuro Rengoku raised his head again, took a deep breath, saying: "Please Lord, understand clearly, Kyojuro is definitely not someone who breaks faith, only... something more important needs doing!"
"May I ask what exactly?" Gyomei Himejima suddenly asked.
The Rock Hashira fiddled with the Nen beads, reciting a Buddhist prayer: "On that day in the wisteria forest, what did Kamado Eiichiro say to you, what can he offer, could you resolve our confusion?"
Kamado Eiichiro... the young boy's demeanor immediately recalled in everyone's minds... as senior Tomioka Giyu was silently observed by sneaky glances, awaiting Kyojuro Rengoku's answer quietly...
This time, Ubuyashiki Kagaya didn't stop Gyomei Himejima, truthfully, he was curious too, what exactly did Eiichiro Oda offer to Kyojuro, inducing such transformation in a short time!
Kyojuro Rengoku didn't answer, only stood up, silently opening his Acupoints....