The Master Arrives
A serene, gentle voice drifted over the courtyard, immediately silencing the tension. "It seems we have much to discuss today."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, sat at the veranda, flanked by his two children. His presence was soft but absolute.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, though slowly regaining consciousness after Kanami's brutal kick, struggled to prop himself up, his face contorted in pain and fury. All the Hashira immediately dropped into deep, respectful bows.
"We offer our most humble greetings to you, Oyakata-sama," they recited in unison.
A Kakushi soldier immediately grabbed the back of the Tanjiro and forced him to bow, his head hitting the dirt.
Amidst the sea of bowing figures, Kanami Reire stood tall. Exhausted, masked, and clad in his ornate uniform, he simply stood at attention, his posture perfectly rigid. The Hashira, including the ever-observant Giyu and the judgmental Obanai, lifted their heads slightly and saw Kanami's unmoving figure. A collective shudder of exasperation ran through the elite group.
"D*mn it, I force myself way too much that I can't kneel, agh.. fine, let's just continue this misunderstanding of arrogant Slayer." Kanami's complain inside.
The Master, Kagaya, simply chuckled, a light, musical sound. "My children, please forgive this strange sight. I think the young man is simply too worn out from his fight to manage a proper bow."
"Woah!? He knew? Is he really blind? D*amn his voice is like a voice of an Idol, if he debuted on the real world, he could be a star at no time. I understand now what kind of character he is." Kanami's thought
Sanemi, fueled by pain and rage, lurched to his feet, ignoring the Master's gentle dismissal. He pointed a trembling, bloodied finger first at Tanjiro, then at Kanami.
"Oyakata-sama! This is unacceptable! This one protects a demon, and this creature" he pointed at Kanami" has the audacity to attack a Hashira and refuses to show you proper respect!"
The Master raised a hand, a gesture of quiet, absolute authority. "Sanemi. Silence, please. Let us hear from the new face. You, young man. What is your name, and who exactly are you?"
Kanami, activating his high Charm (13) stat, adopted a weary, respectful tone. "My name is Kanami Reire, Oyakata-sama. I am a Demon Slayer, but I have no Master. I am simply a wanderer."
He then recounted the fabricated story: the solitary training, the mountain life, the accidental discovery of the hidden swords, and the development of his unique, Breathing style through desperation.
The Master smiled gently. He turned to his two daughters beside him. "My dears, your sight is excellent. Can you describe this young man's appearance?"
The girls spoke in soft, synchronized voices, detailing his ornate uniform, the golden mask, and his unique hair color. Then, one of them delivered the shocking detail.
"Oyakata-sama, there is a mark, a dark red, dragon-like pattern across his right eye, which is the color of gold."
The Hashira erupted in whispers. Only the master, recognized the description: a Demon Slayer Mark. Tanjiro, hearing the description, realized he had a similar mark. The Master did not reveal the secret of the mark, choosing only to let the observation stand.
Sanemi, seeing the momentary distraction, lunged at Nezuko's box again, cutting his arm and splattering blood onto the demon's container. He threw the box down. "Come out, demon! Bite me! Prove you're a monster!"
Nezuko, however, only recoiled, turning her head away, successfully resisting the bloodlust.
Sanemi then turned his fury on Kanami, seeing his chance. "Oyakata-sama! Look at him! He reeks of demon blood, of death, of something consumed! He's a freak who uses a disgusting, demonic style!"
The Master interjected, his voice still gentle but firm. "Sanemi. I assure you, Kanami Reire is human. His technique may be unusual, but it is his own. And his control is absolute. He has proven his loyalty by protecting a Demon Slayer and his kin. The judgment is now adjourned."
A New Mission: The Insect Hashira
Following the adjournment, Shinobu Kocho oversaw the immediate medical attention for the injured slayers.
Shinobu examined Tanjiro's headbutt wound with professional curiosity. "You're lucky to be alive, boy. If you had an ounce more rage, you'd be dead. Try to control your temper, even if the Hashira are a bit crude."
Tanjiro bowed. "Thank you, Kocho-san. But I can't forgive anyone who hurts my sister."
Kanami was next. As the medic tended to the bruises on Kanami's back, Shinobu approached to address the painful acidic burns on Kanami's abdomen.
> SYSTEM (New Mission): Fate Divergence: The Insect's Heart.
> Goal: Increase Shinobu Kocho's Affection Rate to 30%.
> Reward: Woman's Ring (Flower Gold Pattern) x1; Dragon Gold Ring x1. (Effect: Can track location of Golden Flower Ring bearer).
> Current Affection Rate: 2%
Kanami's heart pounded. This was his chance to save her.
"I need to examine the burns on your torso," Shinobu said, her sweet smile in place.
Kanami nodded and lifted his tattered uniform. Shinobu's breath hitched. Kanami's abdomen and sides were a map of intersecting scars: thick, white lines of healed cuts, burns, and breaks—the cumulative toll of his accelerated, brutal training in his transmigrated life.
(Shinobu's Comedic Delusion)
"Goodness! These scars! The Master said he trained alone in the wilderness since he was a small boy. This isn't training; this is constant self-mutilation! He must have been using his body as a grindstone against the rocks, trying to perfect a single form! He must be so ridiculously, desperately dedicated to this 'Devouring' style that he literally let himself be wounded and heal again and again just to increase his strength! He's not a Hashira, he's a walking medical anomaly!"
Shinobu's eyes, however, held a flicker of unexpected pity. "You have suffered greatly, Kanami-san," she said softly, applying the salve. "The burden of that kind of power must be immense."
Kanami saw his opportunity to start the mission. He looked directly at her, dropping his Charm-enhanced veneer and speaking with genuine empathy.
"It is, Kocho-san. But you carry a great burden too. The mask of a smile... it doesn't hide the pain in your eyes, or the venom in your weapon. That kind of hatred will only consume you."
Shinobu froze, her smile faltering for the first time. "I don't know what you mean, Kanami-san."
"Yes, you do," Kanami countered gently. "I fight for my life and for the family I found. You fight for vengeance, and that road is short and lonely. Let the dead rest, Kocho-san. And let the living help you."
Shinobu looked away, her hand trembling slightly as she finished dressing his wound.
> SYSTEM (Notification): Shinobu Kocho's Affection Rate has increased to 18%.
>
Kanami sighed internally. It wasn't the 30% needed for the reward, but it was a solid start. He now had to find a way to stay close to the elegant, doomed Insect Hashira.