After eating and drinking his fill and taking a hot bath, Scribe was about to rest when he discovered someone blocking his path.
It was Chizhong!
Veins bulged on his forehead, twisting across it like coiled dragons.
One hand gripped the Nichirin Blade at his waist, as though he would draw it and kill someone the next second.
One look was enough to tell that he was still holding a grudge over what had happened earlier.
Not only had he been instantly defeated by an eight-year-old child, but he had also been scared out of his wits for a while after waking up.
Whenever Chizhong recalled his earlier humiliation, the anger in his heart became impossible to suppress.
He had utterly embarrassed himself in front of Scribe.
Glancing at Chizhong, Scribe spoke directly.
"I remember the Corps rules seem to forbid fighting here, don't they?"
It was a simple sentence, yet it was like a bucket of cold water thrown over Chizhong, instantly snapping him awake.
The Corps rules!
He had nearly forgotten about them.
A chill ran down his back, and Chizhong felt his heartbeat quicken.
If he violated the Corps rules, he would no longer be able to remain in the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Damn it. I'll let you off this time!"
Watching Scribe's departing figure, Chizhong viciously threw out those words.
As he spun around, he discovered someone standing behind him.
"Senior Kondo, why are you here?!"
The newcomer was Kondo, the one-armed man. By now, his wound had already been treated.
Though his face was still pale, he could walk on his own.
Seeing Chizhong's furious expression, as though he wanted to swallow Scribe whole, Kondo could not help sighing.
"Chizhong, I advise you to give up on that idea."
The moment those words came out, Chizhong immediately rebelled.
"Why, Senior Kondo?!"
As a senior several years older than himself, Chizhong had always respected Kondo.
Even though Kondo had lost an arm during this mission, Chizhong still greatly admired the senior who had looked after him.
"I'm doing this for your own good."
Waving his only remaining hand, Kondo beckoned Chizhong over.
"Aren't you curious why that Scribe appeared alongside us? I'll tell you now."
Pulling Chizhong aside, Kondo slowly recounted what had happened earlier.
As he listened, Chizhong's expression changed as well.
His anger and confusion turned to shock, then deep suspicion, before finally becoming deathly silence.
After hearing Kondo's story, what little self-respect Chizhong had left had been battered beyond recognition.
Now, he had completely given up any thought of opposing Scribe.
How could someone like Chizhong possibly defeat a being who could effortlessly slay demons at the age of eight?
After resting for a night at the Wisteria Family estate, Scribe left together with Chizhong, Kondo, and the others.
The latter two had completed their mission and intended to return to the Demon Slayer Corps to report.
As for Scribe, he simply wanted to go back.
After all, no matter how good it was outside, it could not compare to home.
Once again arriving at the main gate of the Demon Slayer Corps, Scribe strode straight in this time.
The patrolling members were puzzled to see Scribe among the returning group, but they did not step forward to question him.
"Hey, look at that kid. Do we have a Corps member that young?"
"No idea. Maybe he was rescued by the other members."
"Tch, why do I feel like that kid looks familiar?"
After returning to the Demon Slayer Corps, Scribe did not make a show of himself. He went straight back to the small house he shared with Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
To his surprise, Yoriichi had not gone out to hunt demons this time.
"Master."
Opening his eyes, Yoriichi turned his head slightly toward Scribe.
"You left the Demon Slayer Corps grounds?"
"Yes, I went out."
Without much concealment or explanation, Scribe openly admitted that he had gone out.
Yoriichi nodded and said nothing more.
He could be said to have placed a great deal of trust in Scribe.
Besides, everyone had a few little secrets.
"By the way, Master, I had some questions when using the Breathing Technique these past few days. First of all—"
Since Tsugikuni Yoriichi was here, Scribe voiced the various doubts he had accumulated about the Breathing Technique over the past several days.
Yoriichi held nothing back either, using the small booklet he had given Scribe earlier to explain everything to him one by one.
Several hours passed. Just as Yoriichi was explaining Scribe's next question, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Walking over to open it, Scribe discovered that it was Flame Pillar Rengoku Kyojuro.
"Haha, Scribe, you really are here!"
With a loud laugh, Kyojuro's expression was full of excitement.
"Perfect. Come with me now. Master wants to see you."
"Master wants to see me?"
While Scribe was still confused, Tsugikuni Yoriichi walked out of the room and asked,
"Master wants to see Scribe? Did something happen?"
He had only revealed his relationship with Scribe not long ago, so why did Master suddenly want to see Scribe?
"Hehe, it's a good thing!"
Kyojuro crossed his arms and shouted loudly.
"Since Mr. Yoriichi is here too, why not come along?"
"Very well."
Yoriichi nodded slightly, intending to see what exactly this was about.
In this world, the only person who could make him care this much was probably Scribe.
Led by Kyojuro, Scribe and Yoriichi smoothly arrived at Ubuyashiki Kagaya's residence.
The moment he entered the room, Scribe immediately sensed that something was off.
Besides Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who sat in the seat of honor, there were two people seated on each side of him.
On the left sat a blue-haired woman with a smile on her face, as well as a man with his arms folded, staring directly at Scribe.
On the right sat a burly man who looked to be over two meters tall, along with a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and eyes that seemed to contain lightning.
Although it was his first time meeting them, Scribe still recognized their identities.
Water Hashira, Wind Hashira, Stone Hashira, and Rumble Hashira.
Together with Flame Pillar Rengoku Kyojuro, who had brought him here, all five current Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps had gathered in one place!
It was easy to imagine just how important the matter to come would be.
Gesturing for Scribe and the others to sit, Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled faintly.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to come here. This meeting has only one purpose."
After pausing, Ubuyashiki Kagaya turned his gaze toward Scribe.
"Scribe, are you willing to officially join the Demon Slayer Corps and become the youngest official member in its history?"
The room instantly fell silent.
And Scribe had only one thought in his mind upon hearing those words.
What the fuck?
Yoriichi and the Five Hashira's Shock, the Youngest Member in History
Seeing that Scribe did not answer, Kagaya gave him a kindly smile.
"It's all right. You may think it over carefully."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's words pulled the Hashira back to reality, and they instantly could no longer sit still.
Leaving aside the other four Hashira, even Flame Pillar Rengoku Kyojuro had never expected the meeting to develop this way.
He had thought Kagaya had summoned Scribe to praise and encourage his talent and diligence. Who could have imagined that he intended to have Scribe join the Demon Slayer Corps as its youngest official member?
Scribe was only eight years old!
While other children were still trembling at rumors of demons, Scribe was going to learn the Breathing Technique and participate in demon-hunting operations?
"Master, I have a question!"
The Wind Hashira at the side suddenly spoke, making his stance clear.
"I am not targeting the child present here. I simply wish to know what reason led Master to make such a decision."
As he spoke, the Wind Hashira's gaze shifted as he observed the expressions of the others.
"Especially since you summoned all five of us Hashira."
The other Hashira nodded one after another after hearing this.
As Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, they were extremely busy on ordinary days.
Not only did they have to temper their swordsmanship and bodies, they also had to patrol their assigned regions to prevent demons from eating people.
Yet even under such pressure, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had still gathered them all together.
"The reason, you say?"
A faint smile appeared on Kagaya's lips, and his expression became somewhat excited.
"Yoriichi, may I?"
Looking at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Kagaya seemed to be seeking his approval.
Yoriichi nodded slightly, showing no objection.
He had prepared himself for their relationship to be exposed ever since he brought Scribe back. Besides, he also wanted to know why Kagaya wanted Scribe to become an official member.
Having received Yoriichi's approval, Kagaya continued.
"There are three reasons why I made this announcement."
"First, Scribe is Yoriichi's direct disciple—his only disciple—and has received his wholehearted instruction!"
The moment those words were spoken, the eyes of the other four Hashira, apart from Rengoku Kyojuro, who had already known, widened instantly.
They all stared at Scribe as though they were examining some priceless treasure.
As Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, every one of them was a Master Swordsman.
Yet even after Yoriichi taught them the Breathing Technique, he had never allowed them to address him as teacher or master.
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