Immediately, all the Hashira turned to look at him.
Shinobu Kocho even showed a puzzled expression. "Ara? Su Chen-jun, are you not confident in your own strength? I'm sure Shinazugawa-san will acknowledge your strength when the time comes."
Hearing this, Shinazugawa showed a look of disgust. Just as I guessed, he thought. He's a coward who is timid before a fight. He believed Su Chen was just all talk. On a real battlefield, facing a demon, this kid probably wouldn't even dare to draw his sword!
While everyone watched him, Su Chen spoke slowly. "I don't need two months. I can defeat Shinazugawa in half a month."
The air instantly fell silent.
Then, all the Hashira gasped in shock.
This was too arrogant, wasn't it?
Shinazugawa was a Hashira! Did he think the Demon Slayer Corps' highest combat power was just for show? Even a huge talent like Muichiro Tokito took two months of holding a sword to become a Hashira.
No matter how strong Su Chen was, it was impossible for him to beat a Hashira like Shinazugawa in only half a month, right?
Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, spoke with some concern. "Lord Su Chen, won't it be too rushed to get Lord Shinazugawa's approval in half a month? Even Lord Tokito took two months to become a Hashira."
"A correction," Su Chen said seriously. His gaze was as sharp as a ruler. "I don't need his approval. I said I would defeat him."
All the Hashira fell silent again.
Among them, Shinazugawa was the most furious. He, the respected Wind Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, was actually being underestimated by a kid?
"You mean you can defeat me in just half a month?!" Shinazugawa said angrily. "What do you take a Hashira for?!"
Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, also asked, "Flashy young man, were you a master swordsman before? Or did you have experience slaying demons?"
Su Chen shook his head. "No. I had never seen a demon before yesterday, and I haven't even touched a sword."
Shinobu, who was beside him, couldn't help but show a look of worry. "Su Chen-jun, this is too unfair to you."
Su Chen looked at Shinobu. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke calmly. "Then it is settled. In half a month from now, Sanemi and Su Chen will fight. If Su Chen defeats Sanemi, he will become the tenth Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Even though Shinazugawa was filled with immense anger, he suppressed it in front of the Master. He glared fiercely at Su Chen, gritting his teeth as he said, "Yes, sir!"
Su Chen calmly nodded. "Alright."
After making the decision, Kagaya and Amane Ubuyashiki left. Before leaving, they also warned Shinazugawa not to be impulsive.
So Shinazugawa immediately turned to leave. He gave Su Chen one last glare as he went. "In half a month, I'll use my Wind Breathing to break every bone in your body."
Su Chen waved goodbye. "Then I'll look forward to it."
"Hmph." Shinazugawa stomped away.
The remaining Hashira exchanged glances. Because next was the question of Su Chen's whereabouts. Where he would live was a difficult problem. However, the difficulty wasn't whether Su Chen could live there. The difficulty was whether Su Chen was willing to live with them.
Su Chen glanced at the remaining Hashira. The Sound Hashira , the Flame Hashira , the Mist Hashira , the Love Hashira , the Serpent Hashira, and Shinobu Kocho.
They all extended an invitation to Su Chen.
Muichiro Tokito: "Su Chen, come with me. I can teach you how to defeat Shinazugawa."
Mitsuri Kanroji: "Lord Su Chen, why don't you come to my house? My cakes are really delicious!"
Obanai Iguro: "Su Chen, I advise you to think carefully."
Tengen Uzui: "Su Chen, come to my house! Let's embark on a flashy adventure together!"
Kyojuro Rengoku: "Su Chen! Together, we can definitely protect everyone!"
Everyone offered their olive branch, except Shinobu Kocho. She humbly stepped back, using a different tactic. "Ara ara~, I'll support Su Chen-jun no matter where he wants to live~"
Saying this, she smiled slightly. The warm sun shone on Shinobu's face, making her as beautiful as an elf in the sunlight.
Mitsuri Kanroji was greatly shaken by this sight. Oh no, oh no! Why didn't I think of that?Shinobu showed such a gentle expression. Su Chen will definitely run off with her!
Sure enough, in the next moment, Su Chen had already made his decision. He chose Shinobu Kocho.
Are you kidding? he thought. Does he even need to choose? She saved his life on Mount Natagumo. He was a good young man who knew how to repay a kindness!
So Shinobu Kocho happily led the way for Su Chen. The two walked off, chatting and laughing.
After Su Chen had gone far, the other Hashira couldn't help but sigh.
"Shinobu snatched him again. If I remember correctly, wasn't that young man named Kamado also taken away by Shinobu?"
"What a pity! If Su Chen had come to my house, I could definitely turn Su Chen into a flashy handsome man!"
"Does Lord Su Chen not like my little cakes?"
The few of them were deeply disappointed.
Mitsuri Kanroji's face showed a regretful expression. In her heart, she made a firm decision that after she returned home, she would definitely study Shinobu carefully. Why didn't Su Chen choose me? How will I ever get married in the future! Mitsuri Kanroji let out a soft sigh.
Little did she know, this scene had already been seen by Obanai Iguro. Kaburamaru's eyes, peeking from his neck, emitted a dangerous glint. Obanai, beside Mitsuri, was already glaring fiercely at Su Chen's back. A small spark of jealousy pulsed. "Shinazugawa," he muttered, "you really need to try your best."
As for Su Chen now... He had already arrived at the Butterfly Mansion under Shinobu Kocho's guidance.
"The Butterfly Mansion is the Demon Slayer Corps' healing department. The accommodations there are very suitable for you right now, Su Chen-jun." Shinobu Kocho meticulously introduced the details within the Butterfly Mansion to Su Chen. Her smile never faded.
Su Chen politely thanked her. "Then thank you, Miss Shinobu."
The two walked side-by-side, and Shinobu said with a smile, "I wonder why you want to join the Demon Slayer Corps, Su Chen-jun?"
Shinobu could tell that Su Chen was serious when he spoke in front of the Master. He genuinely wanted to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made a wager with Shinazugawa. However, Shinobu wasn't sure what Su Chen's ultimate goal was, so it was necessary for her to ask.
Su Chen said in a low voice: "To become stronger."
That's right, to become stronger! In this world, if one is weak, they either get eaten by humans or killed by demons. One could say there are all sorts of ways to die. Only by becoming strong himself could Su Chen's own life be guaranteed.
And according to the original plot that he knew, in the Demon Slayer Corps , at least he had to be Hashira level to be somewhat safe. But even then, he still had to be wary of the Upper Rank demons. So Su Chen's goal was to become an existence like Yoriichi Tsugikuni —not only incredibly powerful but also long-lived!
But this goal sounded different to Shinobu Kocho. "Simply to become stronger?" A hint of surprise clearly flashed across Shinobu Kocho's face. Because there were many ways to become stronger. And among them, of course, was... becoming a demon!