"I seem to have suddenly become very rich..."
Shinichi mind was still reeling as he stepped out of the Moriki residence.
Ryukawa Chinatsu had prepared an unimaginable amount of money for him—so much that it was uncountable, even including over a dozen gold coins cast from pure gold.
As Ryukawa Chinatsu put it, he would undoubtedly face many difficulties while carrying out demon-slaying missions, so it was absolutely necessary to have "just a bit" more money on hand.
Though the Demon Slayer Corps was not short on funds either, Shinichi couldn't bring himself to refuse her kindness and accepted it.
From now on, he could casually say to others "I don't care about money—to me, it's just a number..."
As someone on the verge of becoming a Hashira and at a time when the Demon Slayer Corps was severely lacking in Hashira-level swordsmen, Shinichi couldn't afford to stay at the Moriki residence for long.
Of course, Elder Moriki understood, smiling warmly and reassuring Shinichi to focus on fulfilling his duties as a Hashira.
After bidding farewell once more to the old man and Ryukawa Chinatsu, Shinichi set off on the journey back to the Demon Slayer Corps under the guidance of Eizo.
****
Two days passed quickly.
In the mountains, within the Ubuyashiki estate—the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Amane Ubuyashiki, dressed in a purple kimono, gently poured a cup of hot tea for her husband, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Amane beautiful face was slightly pale and Kagaya, noticing this, patted her hand tenderly, his voice soft with concern.
"Amane, you need to rest now. The children wouldn't want their mother to exhaust herself."
Touched by her husband care, Amane smiled warmly.
"It's nothing serious. The burden you carry is countless times heavier than mine. Please don't stop me from doing what little I can for you."
Such a loving couple would move anyone who saw them.
Before long, a Kasugai crow with a purple scarf landed gracefully before Kagaya and spoke in a low, calm voice.
"Oyakata-sama, Shinichi Moriki has returned."
Hearing this, Kagaya smiled brightly. "Wonderful. Our ranks of Hashira have grown stronger."
Upon returning to the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinichi immediately noticed the shift in the way others looked at him.
The members passing by regarded him with a newfound respect—not the kind reserved for superiors, but the reverence owed to the title of "Hashira" that Shinichi was about to bear.
Word of Shinichi impending promotion to Hashira must have spread throughout the headquarters.
No one wanted to waste his time, so instead of approaching him directly, they simply nodded or bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
This actually saved Shinichi some trouble, allowing him to quickly reach the Ubuyashiki estate.
Outside the estate, his "old acquaintance," the Flame Hashira Rengoku Shinjuro, was already waiting for him.
Watching Shinichi approach, Shinjuro face softened with emotion. Without a word, he reached out and gave Shinichi shoulder a firm pat, saying only.
"Well done."
Shinjuro took Shinichi Nichirin Blade without explaining why.
Shinichi didn't ask—he trusted that Shinjuro couldn't possibly be after his sword, could he?
Following Shinjuro into the Ubuyashiki estate, as expected, the other two Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were already waiting there.
Two towering figures stood as straight as pillars.
The Stone Hashira—Himejima Gyomei, the Sound Hashira—Uzui Tengen and standing before them was a frail, black-haired youth supported by a woman as beautiful as a fairy.
Kagaya maintained his gentle smile, his gaze fixed on Shinichi.
Shinichi recognized the woman beside Kagaya—it was Lady Amane, his wife and descendant of a shrine priest family.
However, Shinichi had only met her a year ago.
Later, he heard that Lady Amane had retired from public life due to pregnancy.
Now, it seemed Kagaya had a heir.
Thinking of this, Shinichi felt no envy for his peer.
Instead, he faintly sensed the Ubuyashiki family struggle against their tragic fate—it was truly not easy.
Shinichi and Shinjuro walked over to Gyomei and Tengen.
Then, under Shinjuro lead, they all knelt on one knee and bowed.
"Oyakata-sama."
"Please rise. Today is truly a wonderful day. Rengoku-san, Gyomei, Tengen—I believe you've already received the news. Starting today, our Demon Slayer Corps has welcomed a new Hashira." Kagaya spoke softly, his eyes turning to Shinichi.
After the Hashira stood up, Kagaya, accompanied by Amane walked over to Shinichi.
Shinichi looked at the Master, who was about his age and felt a slight daze.
In just a year, the purple, ulcerated skin on Kagaya forehead had expanded from the size of a fingertip to that of a cherry.
The curse of the Ubuyashiki family was truly terrifying.
Kagaya took a brand-new Demon Slayer uniform from his wife Amane and presented it to Shinichi with both hands, his voice filled with encouragement.
"Shinichi, from today onward, you are the 'Forest Hashira' of the Demon Slayer Corps. Please bravely lead the other swordsmen and slay more Demons. I entrust this to you."
Shinichi accepted the uniform.
Though the garment was light, it felt heavy in his hands.
Nodding solemnly, he replied. "Oyakata-sama, rest assured. I will never disgrace the title of 'Forest Hashira.' I vow to wield my Nichirin Blade and eradicate every last Demon!"
Removing his old uniform, Shinichi donned the new one signifying his rank as a Hashira.
The buttons on the front, once plain silver, now gleamed gold.
At the same time, the Nichirin Blade that Shinjuro had taken from Shinichi somehow appeared in Oyakata-sama hands.
Though the weight of the blade seemed to strain him slightly, Kagaya persisted and drew it.
The blade, intertwined with emerald green and crimson, shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
"To be honest, this was a small selfish wish of mine. In the Demon Slayer Corps, there is a tradition—only Hashira-level swordsmen may have words engraved on their Nichirin Blades.
But Shinichi, shortly after you joined the Corps, I privately contacted the swordsmiths of the village and took the liberty of engraving these two characters onto your blade. Please forgive my presumption—I simply longed too much for you to quickly grow into a worthy Hashira."
A hint of apology colored Kagaya expression.
Shinichi was taken aback.
He hadn't been aware of this matter, but he wasn't angry at all.
Just as Kagaya had said, he eagerly anticipated the Demon Slayer Corps gaining another Hashira—or rather, in Kagaya heart, Shinichi had long been ready to become one.
With one hand, Shinichi accepted the dual-colored Nichirin Blade engraved with the characters "Forest" and "Destroy."
Overcome with excitement, he blurted out.
"Kagaya, thank you. I won't let you down."
Upon hearing Shinichi words, Shinjuro immediately coughed lightly, reminding him in a hushed tone.
"Shinichi, you mustn't address Oyakata-sama by his given name. It's disrespectful."
Kagaya himself however didn't mind at all.
In fact, Shinichi casual, friendly tone made him feel at ease.
Taking the Nichirin Blade, sheathing it and securing it at his waist, Shinichi then draped the blue-green battle robe over his shoulders.
Raising his head, his heterochromatic eyes—one peach-pink, the other blue-green—burned with determination as he stood alongside the three Hashira.
Demon Slayer Corps—Forest Hashira—Shinichi Moriki!
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