The Gap in Strength and the Name of the Eye Hashira

Sanemi Shinazugawa stood rooted to the spot. The crooked bow of cloth tied around his arm by the demon girl herself was like a silent yet resounding slap across his deeply rooted beliefs. The smell of blood still filled his nostrils, but the frenzied attack he had expected never came. In its place was a tenderness he had never imagined, one that bordered on absurdity. Would a demon dress a Demon Slayer's wound? Would one give him such a pure, utterly untainted look of comfort?

His mind was in turmoil, clearly struggling to accept the result. The brutal scenes of his past battles with demons, his comrades' dying screams, and the memory of his mother killing his younger siblings after becoming a demon... all those lives cruelly taken by demons... clashed violently with the image of little Nezuko before him, trying to show kindness in her clumsy way. He opened his mouth, his throat dry, but no sound came out. Refute it? Question it? Faced with ironclad facts, his fierce words seemed utterly feeble.

Though Kagaya Ubuyashiki could not see, the deathly silence around him and Sanemi's ragged breathing told him everything. The compassionate, gentle smile on his face remained unchanged, as if he had foreseen this moment. He spoke slowly, his voice breaking through the stagnant air like a warm current:

"All right, Sanemi, and everyone else." His "gaze" swept over the Hashira at the entrance, whose expressions varied. "Now, surely it has been proven that Nezuko will not harm humans?"

No one objected. Even the most stubborn of them, Sanemi Shinazugawa, merely stared fixedly at the strip of cloth on his arm, his lips pressed tight, silently accepting the result. Gyomei Himejima held his palms together and murmured a Buddhist prayer, seemingly still processing the sight that had overturned his understanding. Tengen Uzui stroked his chin, his eyes flickering as he pondered who knew what. Kaburamaru shifted uneasily around Obanai Iguro's neck, while Obanai himself looked at Nezuko with a complicated expression, then glanced at the silent Sanemi.

"Then," Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued, "Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado may remain in the Demon Slayer Corps and fight to save more lives." He paused, his tone growing more serious. "However, even with today's proof, not everyone will be able to accept Nezuko's identity immediately. Tanjiro, Nezuko, you will need to prove yourselves through your actions in the days ahead to those who still have doubts. Do your utmost to defeat the Twelve Kizuki, and then become Hashira."

"Become Hashira?" Tanjiro's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with astonishing light. It was as if the boulder that had weighed on his heart had been lifted, and immense joy and a sense of purpose surged through him. He answered loudly, overcome with excitement, "Yes, Master! Nezuko and I will do it! We'll defeat Muzan Kibutsuji!"

Seeing Tanjiro so full of energy yet still somewhat innocent, Kagaya Ubuyashiki couldn't help chuckling. His voice held the kindness of an elder as he reminded him, "You aren't capable of defeating Muzan as you are now, Tanjiro. First, try defeating one of the Twelve Kizuki."

"Pfft..." Beside them, Shinobu Kocho and Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help covering their mouths as they giggled. Tanjiro's face instantly turned bright red. He scratched his head and gave an embarrassed chuckle, but the determination in his eyes did not waver.

"The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, his voice growing grander and solemn, "all earned that honor through rigorous training beyond ordinary people's imagination, and by defeating one of the Twelve Kizuki in battles where death was all but certain. That is why all Corps members acknowledge and respect the Hashira. This path is strewn with thorns and demands blood and sweat. Tanjiro, you still have much hard work ahead of you!"

"Yes!!" Tanjiro straightened his chest, his voice ringing out as though he meant to pour all his determination into it.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the still somewhat distraught Sanemi Shinazugawa and the gloomy-eyed Obanai Iguro. "Sanemi, Obanai, don't make things difficult for them anymore."

Sanemi's body trembled slightly. Without raising his head, he forced a muffled answer from his throat. "...Yes."

Obanai Iguro glanced at Tanjiro and Nezuko and said quietly, "...As you wish."

"All right, that settles the matter of Tanjiro and his sister for now." Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned to a more pressing subject. "Next is the matter of Muzan Kibutsuji. Tanjiro, Moyu, tell everyone exactly what happened when you encountered Muzan."

Moyu stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Master, please allow me to explain. Tanjiro's injuries have yet to heal, and Nezuko has also exhausted a great deal of her strength. They need to rest. Besides, I was there as well, and what I saw may give a more complete picture." He glanced at Tanjiro, who nodded gratefully. Tanjiro did indeed feel a wave of near-exhaustion.

Shinobu Kocho spoke up at that moment, smiling gently. "Master, I suggest letting Tanjiro and Nezuko recuperate at my Butterfly Mansion first. I'll personally tend to their injuries. Oh, and if Moyu doesn't mind, you can stay at the Butterfly Mansion for now too. After all, you seem to be companions traveling together." With that, she clapped her hands softly.

Two members of the Kakushi appeared without a sound and respectfully gestured for Tanjiro to follow them. Tanjiro carefully lifted the box containing Nezuko in her child-sized form onto his back, bowed to Moyu, Oyakata-sama and the others, and followed the Kakushi out of the courtyard.

Moyu watched Tanjiro leave, then turned to the assembled Hashira. His azure eyes were calm and still as he began his account:

"The first time I saw Muzan was in Asakusa, Tokyo. He was using the name Tsukihiko and posing as a young man from high society. He was tall, with an unusually pale complexion and plum-red eyes."

He paused and emphasized, "But I must warn you, it isn't reliable to search for Muzan based on his appearance alone. According to the information these eyes of mine 'saw,' Muzan has the ability to change his appearance at will. Not only can he take the form of different men, but he can also disguise himself perfectly as a woman or a child. So there's no way to find him by his appearance."

The Hashira's expressions grew graver at his words. Being able to change his appearance at will meant Muzan could hide anywhere among a crowd, making him difficult to track.

"As for his other abilities," Moyu continued, "unfortunately, we didn't fight, so I can't know for certain. But one thing is certain: he's terrifyingly powerful. And I can give you a clear recommendation: at this stage, do not go looking for Muzan, and absolutely do not try to confront him head-on."

His tone was emphatic, carrying an unquestionable certainty. Although he had seen the story, he was still worried that his arrival might cause major changes to happen early, so he intended to reveal a little information.

"Why?" Sanemi Shinazugawa finally raised his head. His eyes were still bloodshot, but the spark of doubt had flared up again. "No matter how strong he is, if the Nine Hashira join forces..."

"We have no chance of winning." Moyu cut him off, his voice cold. "I'm not trying to make him sound stronger than he is. This is a judgment based on reality. My eyes can see things... perhaps they could be called 'possibilities.' In the countless fragments of the future I've seen, if we confront Muzan with our current strength, we are certain to die. Our entire force being wiped out is the most likely outcome."

His words were like a bucket of ice water over their heads, chilling the hearts of some Hashira who had still harbored hopes.

"As everyone knows, his only weakness is sunlight." Moyu changed tack. "But unless we can drastically weaken him beforehand or trap him somewhere with no escape, his strength and caution would make it almost impossible to hold him until sunrise. What's more, Muzan isn't alone. He has the strongest of the Twelve Kizuki under his command—the Upper Ranks."

At the mention of the Upper Ranks, the Hashira's expressions turned serious. They had fought Lower Rank Demons before, and although they were powerful, they were not unbeatable. But the Upper Ranks... their positions had not changed hands in more than a hundred years, and their strength was unfathomable.

"Against a Lower Rank Demon, you may still have a fighting chance. But the Upper Ranks..." Moyu's gaze slowly swept over each Hashira. "They're completely different. If you encounter one at this stage, even a Hashira's chances of survival are minuscule."

Tengen Uzui frowned deeply. "You say your eyes can see the future? Something that unbelievable..."

"Believe it or not, that's up to you." Moyu did not insist; he knew the ability sounded like something out of a fairy tale. "That's all I have to say. The safest strategy right now isn't to blindly seek out Muzan for a decisive battle. It's to do everything we can to improve our own strength, gather as much intelligence as possible on the Upper Ranks' abilities and weaknesses, and find a way to truly weaken or even counter Muzan. Acting rashly would only get us killed and alert the enemy."

He had no intention of revealing the details of Muzan's and the Upper Ranks' abilities now. For one thing, he could not explain where the information came from, which would only invite suspicion. For another, knowing an opponent's abilities without having sufficient strength could lead to an even faster defeat through fear or mistaken tactics. Third, the Blood Demon Art Lower Rank Five Rui had used at the end had not appeared in the story. He did not know whether that was because Giyu had killed Rui too quickly in the anime, or whether his own arrival had caused the ability to change. The most urgent task was to improve their overall strength.

A brief silence fell over the courtyard. Moyu's words were unpleasant to hear, but like a cold dagger, they cut through their optimistic illusions and laid bare the cruel reality. Even the most volatile of them, Sanemi Shinazugawa, fell into thought.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki "listened" quietly, showing no surprise, as though he had long since seen through it all. He slowly broke the silence. "Moyu, your judgment is cautious and sensible. The Demon Slayer Corps has endured for a thousand years. The war against Muzan requires wisdom and patience, not merely passion and courage."

He changed the subject, a trace of appreciation entering his voice. "There is also something I must announce. According to the intelligence brought back by the Kasugai Crow, and confirmed by Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka, Moyu defeated Lower Rank Five, Rui, on Mount Natagumo by himself."

The news was like another stone dropped into a still lake, stirring different ripples. Though some had already suspected it, hearing Oyakata-sama confirm it himself was another matter entirely.

"According to the rules of the Demon Slayer Corps, anyone who defeats one of the Twelve Kizuki is qualified to become a Hashira." Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice rang clearly in everyone's ears. "Moyu, you have earned this honor through your own strength. Since your eyes are so extraordinary, seeing what ordinary people cannot, from this day forth, you shall be the tenth Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps—"

He paused briefly, seemingly considering a suitable title, then decided gently, "—the Eye Hashira."

Eye Hashira!

This brand-new title represented his recognition as one of the Demon Slayer Corps' greatest fighters, and symbolized a weighty responsibility.

Moyu's expression remained calm. He had no objection to the title and merely bowed slightly. "Yes, Master."

"But, Moyu," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said earnestly, "becoming a Hashira is not the end, but a new beginning. Remember never to grow arrogant or complacent. The road ahead will be even more perilous. You must continue to hone your Breathing Style, draw out your potential, guide the younger members, and shoulder the responsibilities of a Hashira."

"I understand." Moyu's answer was brief and firm.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded with relief. "All right, that concludes today's Hashira Meeting. Everyone, go back and rest, and take time to digest what happened today. We will discuss specific plans of action later. Remember, only by standing united can we sever this thousand-year curse."

"Yes, Master!" the Hashira answered in unison, bowing respectfully.

The meeting ended, and the Hashira gradually dispersed. Sanemi Shinazugawa left without a word, striding away with a dark expression, the cloth bow on his arm especially conspicuous. Obanai Iguro gave Moyu a long look before slipping silently into the shadows. Kyojuro Rengoku came over and clapped Moyu hard on the shoulder, his voice booming. "Hmm! Eye Hashira! An impressive name! Let's work hard at our training together from now on!" Mitsuri Kanroji also blushed and said to Moyu, "Congratulations, your eyes are so beautiful." Gyomei Himejima walked past Moyu, murmuring a Buddhist prayer. Muichiro Tokito still looked lost in his own world. As Tengen Uzui passed by, he gave a flamboyant smile. "Little Eye Hashira, looks like there'll be plenty of flamboyant things happening from now on."

Giyu Tomioka nodded to Moyu by way of greeting. The last to remain was Shinobu Kocho.

"Well then, Lord Eye Hashira~" Shinobu Kocho smiled sweetly, but a probing light flickered in her purple eyes. "Would you come with me to the Butterfly Mansion? Tanjiro and the others should be settled in by now. Besides, I'm very, very interested in your eyes and the 'future you saw' that you mentioned~"

Moyu looked at Shinobu Kocho's flawless smile and understood that this Insect Hashira probably would not "let him go" so easily. But he didn't mind. The Butterfly Mansion was a good starting point. His companions needed treatment there, and it also had "colleagues" he needed to understand and unite with.

He looked up at the steadily rising sun. The sky was reflected in his azure eyes, and it seemed the bloody storms he knew awaited in the future were reflected there as well.

Eye Hashira... perhaps this identity would let him make better plans and build up his strength more quickly, so he could change the tragedies destined to occur.

"Sorry to trouble you to lead the way, Miss Kocho," Moyu said calmly, following Shinobu Kocho's light steps.