The Exposed Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters!
While Crocodile was causing chaos, Laskey and the Mumei one were completely unaware of the changes happening outside because they had been following Sakonji Urokodaki deep in the mountains.
It's unclear whether the road to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters was just that difficult, or if the former Water Hashira leading the way was simply being cautious and taking several detours, but in any case, it made the little girl in the group unhappy.
"Hey, Uncle Instructor, how much longer do we have to walk? We've already climbed four mountains!"
The Mumei quickly ran to Sakonji Urokodaki's side, puffing out her cheeks and complaining, but because of the Tengu Mask, she couldn't see the latter's expression at all.
"We're Sakonji Urokodaki said in a deep voice, glancing up at the sky.
Behind him, Laskey followed expressionlessly, occasionally turning to glance at his surroundings, as if he were always on guard.
In reality, he was trying to make the Den Den Mushi on his shoulder see more clearly so that the mapmakers in command center could draw a more accurate map.
Although Vivre Card can provide direction, it's still necessary to draw a map in advance, just in case.
It has to be said that Den Den Mushi) are incredibly deceptive. They look just like strange-looking snails, and the microphone on their backs is just a decoration.
After all, people in this world wouldn't think it could make calls, take pictures, or even live stream; that's a blind spot in their thinking.
Sakonji Urokodaki's estimation of time and distance was very precise. About two hours later, a stone-paved road appeared in front of the three of them, its gray-black color quite different from the mountain path.
In addition, rows of Wisteria Tree are planted on both sides of the stone road, which is very beautiful.
"Have we finally arrived?!"
Seeing this, Mumei breathed a sigh of relief, his face filled with a joyful smile.
"Yes, I've already sent Karasu to inform them. Just wait a bit, someone will come to pick you up."
If Sakonji Urokodaki had returned alone, these procedures wouldn't have been necessary, since Laskey and Mumei aren't exactly members of the Demon Slayer Corps yet.
Soon.
A young man in a black uniform approached him and said respectfully, "My Head of the Corps has instructed me to lead you and your two guests to the Ubuyashiki Estate for a meeting."
"Do I want one too?"
Sakonji Urokodaki felt that he was no longer a Pillar and, according to the Demon Slayer Corps' rules, it was not appropriate for him to set foot in the manor.
"Yes, Head of the Corps says that you need to explain the matter of Mr. Mitsui and the Kamado siblings to the Pillars."
"Oh?"
"You mean the Pillars and Tanjiro are all at the manor now? What happened?" Sakonji Urokodaki asked in surprise.
"Tanjiro Kamado eliminated the Lower Rank Five on that day, but the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, discovered that he carried a demon with him, and Hashira Meeting is currently being held to try him."
The young man from the Demon Slayer Corps' logistics department, 'Kakuna,' gave a brief explanation of the situation.
"I see."
Sakonji Urokodaki was shocked that Tanjiro, who had only left him a few days ago, could defeat one of the 'Twelve Kizuki', and he was also worried about the outcome of the Pillars' trial of him.
"Fortunately, the letter I wrote earlier should have reached the Head of the Corps by now."
"Please."
Seeing that he didn't speak, the young man turned to Laskey and the Mumei man and then led the three of them along the pebbled path toward the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters hidden in the mountains.
Meanwhile, at Ubuyashiki Estate.
The Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka, the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho, the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito, the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji Pillar Iguro Obanai, the Serpent Hashira Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, and the Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa, who is holding Tanjiro captive on the ground, are listening to the Head of the Corps Hinaki Ubuyashiki, reading a letter written by the Former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki.
"Please forgive Tanjiro for bringing his demon sister, Nezuko possesses a strong Divine Power and has retained her human sanity. Even when starving, she has never devoured a human and has maintained this state for two years. You may find this hard to believe, but it is an undeniable fact. If Nezuko ever attacks a human, Tanjiro Kamado, along with Sakonji Urokodaki and Giyu Tomioka, will commit seppuku to atone for their sins."
This was only part of the letter, but it still shocked the Pillars below. Only the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, looked displeased and spoke up immediately a few breaths after she finished reading the letter.
"So what if he commits seppuku?"
"If you want to die, then go ahead and rot away! There's no guarantee of anything!"
Immediately afterward, the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, loudly echoed, "Just as Shinazugawa said, if she eats someone, the situation will be irreversible. How can our Demon Slayer Corps apologize to the victim? After all, the murdered cannot be resurrected!"
That's true.
As the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Head of the Corps of the Ubuyashiki Family, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, although his face is severely disfigured by a 'curse' and his eyes have turned into 'Byakugan' and he is completely blind, still wears a gentle smile and speaks in a pleasant voice.
"We cannot guarantee that she will not attack humans, nor can we prove it. However, we also cannot prove that she will attack humans, because Nezuko has not eaten humans for more than two years, and three people have risked their lives for her. If we want to deny these things, the party that denies them must also pay a price. Do you all have such will?"
"And there's something else I want to tell my children: Tanjiro previously encountered Muzan Kibutsuji."
"What!!!"
Although his tone was calm and natural, it was like a thunderbolt to the nine pillars.
"How is this possible? Even the Pillar-level has never had any contact with him!" Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, with his snow-white silver hair, looked up in disbelief.
You mean this guy?
In an instant, all the Pillars' eyes were fixed on Tanjiro Kamado beneath the Wind Hashira, and everyone's expression was filled with shock.
"What does he look like? What are his abilities? Where did you meet him?" Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui hurriedly asked.
"Have you fought him?"
Even though he was clearly Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, who didn't want to admit he was a pillar, asked softly.
"What did Muzan do? Did he take control of his base? Hey! Answer me now!"
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, grabbed Tanjiro's hair and berated him fiercely, which also displeased the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui.
"Shut up!"
"Tell me first what Muzan Kibutsuji's abilities are!"
Just as the Pillars of the Demon Tanjiro Demon Slayer Corps were getting excited about Muzan information Tanjiro might know about Laskey, Mumei, Sakonji Urokodaki were also approaching with the 'Hidden'.
However, when they entered the manor, they saw a strange scene: the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, confronting a little girl in a black kimono in the hall.
"Hey, that girl, she looks like a ghost!"
At this moment, Mumei sensed Nezuko's presence through his Observation Haki. He looked up at Sakonji Urokodaki with some surprise and asked, "Uncle, didn't you say the Demon Slayer Corps is an organization that specializes in killing demons?"
The latter became embarrassed by the question, scratched the back of his head, and said, "Uh, she's different."
However, Laskey was more concerned about the auras of the pillars, especially the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
Not only was his aura the strongest, but he was also over two meters tall, about half a head taller than the men and women around him, and even a little taller than himself.
He never expected such an anomaly to emerge from a world full of dwarfs.
"No wonder Sakonji Urokodaki didn't seem to have any particular opinion about my height. So that's why."