But even in a Two-Star World...
Tsugikuni Yoriichi standing before me has already surpassed Two-Star strength, hasn't he?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's instincts as a Ninja were exceptionally sharp. The pressure Yoriichi exuded nearly surpassed that of the enemy village's Kage.
"Sir..."
"My name is Tsugikuni Yoriichi."
"I'm currently a wandering swordsman."
"I wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps and rid the world of Demons."
Yoriichi introduced himself, showing great respect toward his elder.
"Since we're headed to the same place, why don't we go together?"
Hiruzen took the opportunity to invite him. He hadn't expected such a coincidence.
On the very day he arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, he had encountered the Demon Slayer World's heaven-sent powerhouse, Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Hiruzen had even prepared himself for the possibility that Yoriichi didn't exist in this era, and that he would have to find a way to deal with Muzan on his own.
And Yoriichi was indeed just as the original story had described: a gentle, composed, kind, and handsome man.
Yet no one who met him could bring themselves to feel jealous of him.
He was a perfect man.
"So you're Mr. Sarutobi..."
Yoriichi seemed a little surprised.
"You share a surname with that famous Ninja..."
"You seem to be a Ninja yourself, sir."
Hiruzen nodded.
"That's right..."
"But if we're being precise, I'm no ordinary Ninja..."
"Just as you're no ordinary swordsman..."
Yoriichi shook his head, his expression earnest.
"Not at all..."
"I'm just a swordsman who's a little skilled with a sword."
"I can't compare with you, sir."
Hiruzen fell silent at that and said no more.
Though his words were wildly at odds with reality, Yoriichi had been completely sincere. He hadn't been boasting in the slightest.
That only left Hiruzen even more speechless.
If Yoriichi counted as an ordinary swordsman in this world, then the rest of them could hardly be said to know how to hold a sword.
Seeing that Hiruzen had stopped replying, Yoriichi thought he might have said something wrong, so he fell silent as well.
Halfway to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, someone came out to meet them.
"Honored sirs..."
A young man dressed like a samurai walked up to the two of them.
"Please follow me."
"The God Lord has been waiting for you."
Yoriichi looked surprised.
"Did the God Lord know I was coming?"
Hiruzen wasn't surprised. He knew that the Ubuyashiki Clan generally possessed abilities beyond those of ordinary people.
They had an extraordinary gift for inspiring affection in others and could glimpse parts of the future. That was how they had managed to contend with Kibutsuji Muzan over the long years and keep their clan from falling into decline.
"Please, this way..."
The young samurai didn't seem inclined to answer Yoriichi's question. Instead, he smiled and gestured in the direction they should go.
Yoriichi didn't press him. Hiruzen set off ahead, and Yoriichi followed close behind.
They left the town's marketplace and headed for a remote hillside beyond the town.
After passing through layers of guards and a Wisteria Grove, Yoriichi and Hiruzen finally reached the Demon Slayer Corps' grounds.
It was also the Ubuyashiki Clan's secluded residence.
"This is the place."
"Huff, huff..."
"Please, come inside."
The mountain path was steep and long, leaving the young samurai a little breathless.
But for Hiruzen and Yoriichi, it wasn't even a warm-up. Their calm expressions left the young samurai astonished.
So these are the formidable men the God Lord told me to respect. They're truly extraordinary.
The grounds opened onto a broad, flat expanse, with various training facilities arranged across it. Samurai were putting a group of young children through grueling training.
"They're certainly full of energy..."
"The Demon Slayer Corps..."
"It's just as I imagined..."
Yoriichi was pleased. Everyone here shared his purpose.
Hiruzen nodded.
"Indeed. Doing something like this in this era takes tremendous resolve."
Given the limited harvests and resources of ancient times, supporting a large force of samurai who didn't produce anything themselves required considerable wealth and determination.
What's more, they weren't doing it to conquer territory, but to risk their lives fighting monsters.
The two didn't linger in the front courtyard. Instead, they headed to the great hall at the very back,
where the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps was waiting for them.
A maid appeared and led them to meet the Ubuyashiki Clan Head, who was said to be descended from a God Lord.
The doors opened. A frail-looking man with shoulder-length hair sat on the floor, waiting for them.
At a glance, the man's appearance was far from ordinary. Above his lips, his face was covered with ugly, burn-like birthmarks, and his eyes were so cloudy that he seemed almost blind.
Despite this, the man before them was remarkably composed. He wore a warm, gentle smile and seemed entirely unconcerned by his appearance.
Though the man's looks were so unusual, neither Hiruzen nor Yoriichi was ordinary. Both met his gaze without so much as a change in expression.
"At last, you've arrived."
"It truly makes me happy."
The Ubuyashiki Clan Head spoke in a clear, gentle voice, as pleasant as a spring.
As he said this, the Ubuyashiki Clan Head was clearly facing Yoriichi. Evidently, he had seen Yoriichi's arrival in the future.
The Demon Slayer Corps' struggle against the Demons was about to shift in its favor—and it would all begin with this heaven-sent powerhouse, Yoriichi.
"Of course... I'm happy you've come as well."
The Ubuyashiki Clan Head then turned to Hiruzen, though his expression changed ever so slightly.
"Not at all."
Yoriichi felt great fondness for this God Lord, who persevered despite his frail body.
"I'm just an ordinary swordsman."
"It's nothing worth celebrating..."
"If I can make a contribution to the fight against Demons, then I'll have lived up to your expectations."
Yoriichi remained as humble and composed as ever, entirely unaware of how powerful he was.
"You mustn't say that."
"Your arrival will completely change the balance between us and the Demons."
"For what you'll do for this world..."
"No amount of respect or gratitude"
"would be too much."
The Ubuyashiki Clan Head bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude to Yoriichi.
"You can see my future?"
Hiruzen felt no particular reverence toward the Ubuyashiki Clan Head. Hiruzen was old enough to be his father—and then some.
He had no samurai code in him that would compel him to be loyal to the Ubuyashiki Clan just because he had joined the Demon Slayer Corps.
And the Ubuyashiki Clan Head's natural charm was nothing compared to the sunlike presence Yoriichi radiated. It could hardly sway Hiruzen's feelings.
Yoriichi, meanwhile, looked at Hiruzen and the Ubuyashiki Clan Head in puzzlement.
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