"Why would someone carrying such an overwhelming demonic aura appear here?!And now people are actually siding with him—preparing to let him join the Demon Slayer Corps? We are demon slayers, not heretics!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's glare toward Ren Kuroda burned with naked hostility, his fury so intense that the whites of his eyes were already bloodshot.Hearing that Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho were openly speaking on Ren's behalf only drove him further into rage.
If not for the fact that Sanemi Shinazugawa—despite his arrogance—held deep respect for his lord, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, he would have already struck.
"I don't know why a complete stranger like you harbors such hostility toward me," Ren said calmly, meeting Sanemi's gaze without flinching."But don't lump me together with those so-called demons."
"They're nothing more than worthless trash—creatures that have to gorge themselves on flesh just to preserve their instincts.I am fundamentally different from them."
"And as for slaying demons… I don't believe I've killed fewer than you have.Think carefully before you make a move. With your level of strength, I think you'll be the one who dies."
The moment Ren finished speaking, Sanemi Shinazugawa completely lost control.
With a furious roar, the white-haired man drew his Nichirin Blade and lunged forward, intent on skewering Ren—the "demon"—on the spot.
The other Pillars who were unfamiliar with Ren chose not to intervene.
Setting aside Ren's current status, his words alone were unbearably arrogant.
Sanemi Shinazugawa was a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps.Yet this man dared to claim he had slain more demons than the Wind Pillar—and even declared that if Sanemi attacked, Sanemi would die.
This was Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.Such words were nothing short of open contempt for every Pillar present.
"So it really comes to this?" Ren murmured."Looks like I overestimated the spirit of the Demon Slayer Corps."
As Sanemi charged toward him, Ren shifted into a defensive stance, preparing to activate his half-demon form.
He had already exchanged the remainder of his reputation points for inferior demonic energy crystals, quietly preparing an escape route.
In addition to his transformation, Ren had also taken out the newly acquired Sesshō-seki, fully prepared to use this dangerous artifact if the situation became truly desperate.
The half-demon form.The Sesshō-seki.And the demonic energy crystals that continuously replenished his power.
These were the reasons Ren had dared to step into Demon Slayer Corps headquarters alongside Giyu Tomioka—even without a sword.
The Nine Pillars were undoubtedly powerful.But Ren Kuroda was no pushover either.
In a direct confrontation, he might not be able to defeat them—but with these preparations, escaping unscathed would not be difficult.
Besides, Ren had never been particularly fixated on joining the Demon Slayer Corps.
If he joined, he would gain access to intelligence networks and a personal Nichirin Blade—advantages, certainly.But if he didn't, it wouldn't be a fatal loss.
At worst, future missions would become slightly more troublesome due to his limited understanding of this world.
"Clang—!"
A sharp metallic crash rang through the courtyard.
Ren had already braced for impact—but Sanemi Shinazugawa's blade never reached him.
Instead, it was stopped mid-strike by Giyu Tomioka.
Two Nichirin Blades of different hues collided, sparks bursting into the air before both men leapt backward, separating instantly.
"Giyu Tomioka," Sanemi snarled, veins bulging."Do you even know what you're doing? Haven't you always upheld the principle of demon slaying?And now you're protecting demons?!"
Stopping him only made Sanemi even angrier.
"You're the one who doesn't understand," Giyu replied coldly."The Lord has not yet decided how to deal with him. What right do you have to execute him first?"
"And I wasn't protecting him—I was saving you."
"As he said, you might not be his match."
"You can disagree if you like, but this man recently faced over a hundred demons alone during the Fujikasane Mountain trial—and killed every single one of them."
The normally taciturn Giyu Tomioka rarely spoke so much, but the situation left him no choice.
He did not want the Demon Slayer Corps to become enemies with Ren Kuroda.
Ren's growth rate was terrifying, and he showed no hostility toward humans.Even if the Corps failed to recruit him, they absolutely could not afford to antagonize him.
That was Giyu Tomioka's judgment—and why he had stepped in without hesitation.
When the other Pillars heard Ren's feats from Giyu, their expressions shifted to disbelief as their gazes locked onto him.
They had worked alongside Giyu Tomioka for years.
If he said it, then it was true.
That meant Ren genuinely possessed the power to slaughter a hundred demons alone.
If so… then Sanemi Shinazugawa might truly not be his equal.
Giyu's earlier words were not arrogance.They were an objective assessment.
"Ahem."
A soft cough echoed from behind the curtain.
"Enough. It seems the Pillars are somewhat divided on this matter.In that case… I shall decide."
Just as Sanemi—clearly unwilling—was about to force his way past Giyu to test whether Ren truly lived up to those claims, the cough rang out again.
Instantly, all nine Pillars—including the previously silent Stone Pillar and even the furious Sanemi Shinazugawa—stiffened and turned toward the curtain.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
A man whose gentle authority and boundless compassion commanded the respect of every Pillar—no matter how arrogant.
Having spoken, his will was absolute.
Just as Kagaya was about to render his decision, Giyu Tomioka quietly reminded Ren to present the letter given to him by Sakonji Urokodaki.
Urokodaki had served the Demon Slayer Corps for decades and had even watched Kagaya grow up.
His words carried weight.
After reading the letter, Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled faintly, his resolve solidifying.
The letter itself was brief.
It stated only that Ren Kuroda was the most talented demon slayer Urokodaki had ever seen.
It warned against being misled by Ren's aura.
He was exceptionally kind—kinder than most humans.He ate ordinary food.And he was not afraid of sunlight.
"Ren Kuroda," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently,"welcome to the Demon Slayer Corps."