The Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Ubuyashiki Estate.
At this moment, in this quiet courtyard, four figures with completely different auras, yet equally powerful enough to be suffocating, had already gathered.
They are the backbone of the Demon Slayer Corps, supporting the entire force in its struggle against the demons.
The most imposing figure is the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
He is over two meters tall, like a majestic mountain. Just standing there quietly, he gives people a sense of unshakable solidity.
Tears streamed from his tightly closed eyes, and he murmured Buddhist mantras, radiating an aura of solemnity and compassion.
Standing opposite him was the Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku, with his dazzling, fiery-colored hair.
He was robust, with a bold and generous demeanor, and always wore a warm and cheerful smile like the sun.
He crossed his arms, his haori with flame patterns fluttering in the wind, making him look like a blazing fire, full of boundless energy and passion.
Beside the two seasoned veterans stood two slightly green, but equally formidable, new faces.
One of them was tall with perfectly defined muscles and long, silver-white hair tied back.
His face was painted with extremely gorgeous and eye-catching red makeup, his forehead was covered with a headband studded with jewels, and two large Nichirin Blade wrapped in bandages were crossed on his back.
At this moment, he was examining every detail of the courtyard with great interest, a smug and confident smile on his lips, muttering the word "magnificent" over and over again.
The other one is Sabito, who was promoted along with Tengen Uzui.
At this moment, he sat upright, his hands neatly placed on his knees, his expression serious, but his eyes were unconsciously darting around, making him seem somewhat restless.
Compared to his three colleagues, each with a distinct style yet all exuding ease and confidence, Sabito felt like a student who had stumbled into an adult gathering, an unaccustomed student, and his entire being felt extremely uncomfortable.
"Haha! Sabito boy! Uzui boy! Don't be so nervous!"
Seemingly noticing the awkwardness of the two newcomers, the most enthusiastic Shinjuro Rengoku was the first to burst into laughter.
He stepped forward and slammed his large, fan-like hand heavily on their shoulders, the force almost knocking them over, causing Sabito to sway three times.
Welcome to the Zhu family! From today onwards, we are comrades-in-arms!
Shinjuro's voice was loud and clear, full of genuine goodwill.
"If you have any questions in the future, feel free to ask me! Whether it's a question about the mission or a trivial matter in life, I, Shinjuro Rengoku, will answer everything I know!"
"Let me tell you, the benefits of being a pillar are countless!"
He leaned closer mysteriously and lowered his voice, but the volume was still loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear clearly.
"First of all, the salary is more than enough! I can buy whatever I want! I'll never have to worry about money again!"
"Secondly, the Demon Slayer Corps will provide each Pillar with their own private residence! They can decorate it however they want! They can plant flowers if they want, and raise fish if they want! They have complete freedom!"
"Most importantly!"
Shinjuro's eyes shone like two light bulbs.
"We can get priority access to all sorts of information about evil spirits! We no longer have to run around the world aimlessly, searching for traces of those damned ghosts!"
"Wow! This is so gorgeous!"
Tengen Uzui's eyes lit up when he heard this. He suddenly shook his head, and the gem on his forehead shone brightly in the sunlight.
"To own a mansion that I can decorate however I want! And to have endless money to buy the most lavish decorations!"
"This is practically tailor-made for my Lord Uzui Lord Tengen! As expected of a Pillar! Even the perks are so lavish!"
Listening to the enthusiastic introduction from the friendly senior, Sabito's tense heart finally relaxed a bit.
Looking at the passionate senior before him, he felt a warmth rising in his heart, but more than that, he felt a strange, restless anxiety.
Why hasn't Giyu arrived yet?
He really couldn't handle this kind of situation.
Everyone around him is more individualistic and more capable than the last, but he feels like he's just a nobody.
If Giyu were here, at least I would have someone to talk to.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha..."
Just then, the Gyomei Himejima opened his tear-filled eyes and asked in a steady voice:
"Tomioka... haven't we arrived yet?"
"Haha! Looks like that guy's going to be late this time!"
Upon hearing this, Shinjuro Rengoku laughed loudly again.
"I don't know if I encountered some difficult task, or if I simply overslept!"
"Giyu Tomioka?"
Tengen Uzui stroked his chin, his eyes full of interest.
"I've heard so many rumors about him that I'm practically sick of them. A thirteen-year-old Pillar, the youngest Pillar in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps..."
"Tsk tsk tsk, what an impressive resume that makes people jealous! I'd like to see just what kind of extraordinary person this guy is!"
Listening to everyone discussing Giyu, Sabito felt a surge of pride and honor.
But at the same time, that sense of unease grew stronger.
Giyu, hurry up! If you don't come soon, I... I'm going to be assimilated by these strange seniors!
Just as Sabito was the Scream wildly in his heart, a light footstep came from the depths of the corridor.
The group perked up, quickly composed themselves, and all turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.
With his wife Amane's support, Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly walked into the yard.
"Greetings, My Master! Lady Amane!"
Shinjuro Rengoku, Gyomei Himejima, Tengen Uzui, Sabito.
The four towering pillars, upon seeing that figure, did not hesitate at all. In unison, they knelt on one knee and lowered their proud heads.
"Rise, my children."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was as gentle as ever, yet it possessed a unique magic that could soothe the soul.
He smiled, his gaze sweeping over each swordsman present, before finally settling on the cherry blossom tree in full bloom in the corner of the courtyard.
"The weather is so nice today."
"Right, Giyu- san?"
Huh?
Everyone was stunned.
They instinctively followed their Oyakata-sama's gaze.
Beneath the cherry blossom tree, amidst its profusion of blossoms, a quiet figure had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
The boy wore a haori with a half-red and half-white butterfly pattern, and his long black hair was casually tied back.
He simply stood there quietly, without making a sound or breathing, as if from the very beginning, he had become one with the cherry blossom tree and the courtyard.
If the Oyakata-sama hadn't pointed it out, probably no one would have noticed his presence until the end of the meeting!
"Wh... what?!"
Tengen Uzui's pupils suddenly shrank to the size of pinpoints!
For the first time, his face showed an expression that was a mixture of shock and disbelief!
'I... I didn't even realize it?!'
A chill ran down his spine and straight to the top of his head!
He is Tengen Uzui! A top-tier ninja who once made a name for himself in the Ninja World!
The ability to pinpoint sounds and sense presence is an instinct ingrained in his very being! Not to mention a living person, even a mosquito flying by would not escape his perception!
But now!
This brat named Giyu Tomioka stood brazenly less than ten meters away from him, and he didn't even notice him from beginning to end?!
How is that possible?!
How did this guy... manage to do that?!
'His aura... has completely vanished?!'
Shinjuro Rengoku's eyes, which always burned with flames, were also filled with shock!
In his perception, the boy standing under the tree was like an ordinary stone, a fallen leaf, a completely lifeless "dead object"!
Back to basics!
He suppressed all his aura, all his killing intent, and all his presence to the extreme, until he reached the state of "emptiness" and "nothingness"!
This monstrous control...
Shinjuro asked himself, even he himself absolutely could not do it!
'It seems... Tomioka's strength has once again reached a level that we can no longer match...'
Gyomei Himejima his hands together. Though he couldn't see his tearful eyes, his heart was clearer than anyone else's.
'Could this be... the legendary... Transparent World?'
'Amitabha... What a... terrifyingly pitiful child...'
Just as the three Pillars were experiencing a huge uproar, Giyu Tomioka emerged from the shadow of the cherry blossom tree.
"I apologize, my Master, for being late."
"It's alright, Giyu."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki still wore that gentle smile.
"Thank you all for attending this Hashira Meeting."
His gaze swept over the five majestic pillars one by one, his eyes filled with satisfaction and joy.
"The first item on the agenda today is to congratulate Tengen Uzui and Sabito on successfully slaying a hundred demons. From today onwards, they are officially promoted to Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Upon hearing their names called, Tengen Uzui and Sabito immediately straightened up.
"Master!" the two said in unison, their voices filled with excitement and pride.
"Very good..."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked with satisfaction at the five figures representing the Demon Slayer Corps' highest fighting strength in the courtyard, and sincerely sighed:
"The Demon Slayer Corps has become stronger again."
The Demon Slayer Corps is about to usher in its most glorious golden age in nearly a century!!