In the tidy room, the four Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps and their leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, had gathered.
Unlike the leader and the other three Hashira, who were kneeling properly in the formal seiza position, the newly promoted Forest Hashira—Shinichi Moriki—sat in a much rougher manner.
In fact, Shinichi had never gotten used to kneeling like this over the years.
To Shinichi, this awkward kneeling posture felt like torture, so he preferred sitting cross-legged even if it looked less refined.
Fortunately, neither Kagaya nor the other Hashira paid much attention to his sitting posture.
Shinichi promotion to Hashira happened to coincide with the Demon Slayer Corps' biannual Hashira Meeting.
Given the timing, Kagaya decided to hold both events on the same day, allowing Shinichi to participate in the highest decision-making assembly of the Demon Slayer Corps—the Hashira Meeting—immediately after his promotion.
The meeting covered many topics, including areas with frequent Demon activity, the overall discipline and strength of the Demon Slayer Corps, intelligence on the Twelve Kizuki, the training of junior members and Tsuguko and—most crucially—any information regarding the progenitor of Demons, Muzan Kibutsuji.
As a newly promoted Hashira, Shinichi was unfamiliar with many matters, so he spoke very little during the meeting, mostly listening quietly to what the other three Hashira had to say.
Amane had prepared hot tea and sweets for Kagaya and the Hashira.
Seemingly aware of Shinichi fondness for dorayaki, she had even prepared a particularly sweet serving for him.
This made Shinichi a little embarrassed.
"Thank you, Lady Amane."
"You're too kind, Forest Hashira-sama. It's my duty" Amane replied.
Shinichi had little to contribute for most of the meeting, but when the topic turned to Muzan Kibutsuji, he added many details—after all, among those present, he was the only one who had directly faced Muzan.
"Namu Amida Butsu. Multiple brains and hearts… So even decapitation may not be enough to destroy Muzan Kibutsuji?" Himejima Gyomei clasped his hands together, his sightless eyes conveying deep solemnity.
"Tch. Just hearing about it is utterly unflashy. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting" Uzui Tengen remarked with clear distaste.
Rengoku Shinjuro remained optimistic, declaring loudly.
"There's no Demon in this world that can't be defeated! I believe that as long as we all strive hard enough, Muzan Kibutsuji will one day be destroyed by our Demon Slayer Corps!"
Kagaya, seated at the head of the room, shared none of the pessimism either. Smiling, he continued Rengoku sentiment.
"That's right. Rengoku-san speaks the truth. We must do everything in our power to eliminate Muzan in our generation, ensuring our descendants never have to worry about Demons again. For this, I must ask all of you Hashira to give your all!"
With that, Kagaya stood and bowed deeply to the four Hashira.
The Hashira quickly returned the gesture.
"It is our duty!"
Beyond this, the meeting also covered other details.
"Shinichi, every Hashira is responsible for a designated region. Since the former Wind Hashira has retired, how about you take over his former territory?" Shinjuro asked for Shinichi opinion.
Shinichi nodded.
"No problem!"
Each Hashira has their own jurisdiction.
Whenever an emergency involving Demons arises within their area, the responsible Hashira must rush to handle it immediately.
Of course, correspondingly, Hashira also have the authority to command lower-ranked Demonslayer.
To accomplish their missions, Hashira can issue orders to Demonslayers ranging from the lowest Mizunoto rank up to the highest Kinoe rank, except under special circumstances.
After roughly understanding the duties and authority of the Hashira, the Hashira Meeting came to an end.
The Stone Hashira—Gyomei Himejima, the Sound Hashira—Tengen Uzui, and the Flame Hashira—Shinjuro Rengoku, the three Hashira-ranked Demonslayer, immediately took their leave from the Ubuyashiki estate.
In these times when Hashira are scarce, each of them carries a heavy burden and is truly busy.
Shinichi, having just been promoted, wasn't in as much of a hurry for the time being.
So, remaining alone at the Ubuyashiki estate, Shinichi sought out Kagaya.
"Shinichi, it's no use. Our Ubuyashiki clan has tried countless methods over the centuries. This curse is unavoidable" Kagaya said with a trace of helplessness on his face.
But Shinichi, standing before him, didn't think so.
Stubbornly, he insisted "At least let me try!"
Seeing Shinichi resolute attitude, Kagaya couldn't bring himself to refuse his goodwill.
He nodded, though not without adding "Shinichi, don't push yourself too hard."
Swish!
In an instant, Shinichi drew his Nichirin Blade, its edge pointed straight at Kagaya.
If Amane or any of the other Hashira had suddenly appeared at that moment, they would have been terrified—what was Shinichi doing?!
Was he threatening Oyakata-sama with his blade?!
However, Shinichi didn't keep his blade aimed at Kagaya for long.
Gripping the hilt tightly with both hands, he drove the Nichirin Blade deep into the ground.
Hummm!!
An immense surge of vitality instantly converged toward Shinichi.
His left eye shone with a brilliant emerald-green light.
"Forest Breathing: Ninth Form—Eternal Cycle!!"
The Ninth Form: Eternal Cycle—a swordsmanship technique that no one in the Moriki family had mastered for centuries.
Shinichi didn't know whether the overwhelming vitality of this technique could help Kagaya break or alleviate the curse, but who could say without trying?
In any case, Shinichi wanted to do everything he could to help this kind-hearted Oyakata-sama.
Invisible to the eye, an endless torrent of vitality surged into Kagaya Ubuyashiki body like a raging dragon.
Kagaya, who had initially worn an expression of resignation, soon noticed the strange sensation in his body—a warm, soothing feeling, as if soaking in a hot spring.
It was comfortable, relaxing.
But Shinichi expression grew grave.
He could sense it—Kagaya body was like a tree with rotten roots.
No matter how much vitality poured in, it could only temporarily revive the parts above the roots, unable to change the tree fate of withering away.
"I refuse to believe it! Again!" Shinichi growled and instantly, the invisible surge of vitality doubled in intensity.
***
After some time, Shinichi slammed his fist into the ground in frustration.
"I'm sorry, Kagaya. In the end, I couldn't help you."
Compared to the disheartened Shinichi, Kagaya remained composed.
Gently, he said "No, Shinichi. You helped me a great deal. It's been so, so long since I last felt this light in my body. Tonight, I'll surely sleep well."
"Thank you so much, but Shinichi, please don't do this again in the future. Your strength shouldn't be wasted on me alone. You're a Hashira and the Demon Slayer Corps need your power more. Please do your best!"
***
After leaving the Ubuyashiki mansion, Shinichi expression remained somewhat grave.
The Ubuyashiki family curse was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
Just as Shinichi was deep in thought, a familiar howling suddenly came from behind him.
'Arf!! Arf!! Arf!!'
'Bad master!!'
The sudden voice in his mind made Shinichi freeze.
"Oh no! Maru-ni!"
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