The Successor Rumble Hashira

Watching the handsome youth, who appeared to be of similar age to himself, step slowly down from the carriage.

Kujo Tachibana and Kuwajima Jigoro bowed in unison and offered their greeting: "Master!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya was momentarily taken aback by the address from the two men before him, but he quickly stepped forward to take their hands, speaking with great warmth:

"Master Kuwajima, this must be Master Kujo, correct?"

"You are truly young, though you really need not be so formal with me."

"I only hope my arrival has not caused you any trouble."

Looking at the youth before him, Kujo Tachibana could not help but drift into a momentary daze: As expected, just as I remembered; his tone of voice is truly so gentle!

Comparing this to the capitalist boss from his past life who treated him like a beast of burden.

Kujo Tachibana: "..."

People really cannot be compared to one another!!

Seeing Kujo Tachibana lose focus even in the presence of the Master, Kuwajima Jigoro gave an unsatisfied cough to remind him before speaking up:

"Master, that is absolutely not the case!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled gently, then proceeded to introduce Himejima Gyomei, who had been standing behind him, to the two men.

Once the group had gathered, they did not linger on the street, but instead walked together toward the Wisteria House.

During the journey, Himejima Gyomei and the others requested that Ubuyashiki Kagaya board the carriage to rest.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya refused, insisting on walking with everyone until they returned to the Wisteria House in Dongchang Town.

"Haa... haa..."

Upon arriving at the Wisteria House, Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at the group, breathless, and said apologetically:

"My apologies, I was being too stubborn."

Kujo Tachibana shook his head. At this moment, he truly felt a sense of admiration for this Master, and he stepped forward to say:

"No, Master, you were not being stubborn."

"My father also suffered from a severe illness, but he never once wallowed in self-pity!"

"As long as his body could still move, he insisted on walking outside every day to soak up the sun."

"Staying indoors for long periods without movement only makes one's spirit wither, and it is not good for the body either."

"I do not believe that breaking a sweat occasionally is a bad thing at all!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya's eyes lit up as he listened, and he nodded in agreement:

"I truly wish I could have met your father. Such an optimistic man—I am certain he would have been able to overcome his illness!"

"No, he died of his illness," Kujo Tachibana said calmly.

Himejima Gyomei: "..."

Kuwajima Jigoro: "..."

Ubuyashiki Kagaya: "..."

Seeing the speechless expressions of the three, Kujo Tachibana smiled and continued:

"Although my father did not succeed in overcoming his illness,"

"His positive and upward-striving spirit is something forever worthy of my emulation!"

"Even if one cannot guarantee that the days ahead will be better, one must still strive to live every day of the present to the fullest!"

In truth, was Kujo Tachibana not also speaking of himself in his past life?

Having experienced a terminal illness once and walked toward a new life, he could fully empathize with Ubuyashiki Kagaya's situation.

Naturally, these words were not mere pleasantries; they were indeed his own genuine realizations.

Himejima Gyomei's eyes filled with hot tears. Holding his prayer beads in one hand and keeping his palm upright before his chest, he looked toward Kujo Tachibana and said with great compassion:

"What a truly great father he was!"

"Although his soul has already returned to the cycle of reincarnation, his spirit will forever remain by your side."

"Namu Amida Butsu!"

At this point, Ubuyashiki Kagaya also nodded and began to discuss serious matters with Kujo Tachibana.

"Master Kujo, would you be willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps and take on the duties of the Rumble Hashira?"

Kujo Tachibana looked at Ubuyashiki Kagaya in surprise. Was he really going to let a fifteen-year-old newcomer become the Rumble Hashira right out of the gate?

As expected of you, Ubuyashiki, you certainly have an eye for talent!

One had to understand that although he had previously slain Lower Moon Two, according to the regulations of the Demon Slayer Corps, one could only be promoted to the rank of Hashira by slaying one of the Twelve Kizuki or by accumulating a total of fifty demon kills.

However, he had not been a member of the Demon Slayer Corps at the time!

To ascend to the top in a single step would inevitably invite criticism, and Kujo Tachibana did not want to sour his relationship with his future colleagues.

Moreover, Kujo Tachibana was not the type of person to care about titles. After a moment of thought, he spoke up:

"Master, I don't think that's necessary. Let's just follow the rules of the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"I believe I can do it—I will slay another Twelve Kizuki and become a Hashira!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya heard this and looked toward Kuwajima Jigoro; the two exchanged a knowing smile.

Kuwajima Jigoro then spoke up:

"Alright, kid, just listen to the Master's arrangements and follow orders!"

"Besides, I was the one who personally proposed your succession as the Rumble Hashira to the Master!"

"Because I know you have the strength for it!"

As he said this, a flash of lightning erupted in Kuwajima Jigoro's eyes!

No one knew the strength and talent of the boy before him better than he did.

Although his own strength was no longer at its peak, his eye for talent had not faded in the slightest.

He knew exactly what state Kujo Tachibana was in every time they sparred, and whether the boy was holding back.

Thinking of this, Kuwajima Jigoro couldn't help but think to himself:

I fear that even if I were to return to the physical state of my prime, I might not be able to defeat Kujo Tachibana as he is now!

And a Kujo Tachibana with such strength was only fifteen years old!

Moreover, his body had not yet fully adapted to the Thunder Breathing-Constant.

In a little while, once his body had fully transitioned to that breathing style, his strength would see another massive leap!

Kuwajima Jigoro believed that, given Kujo Tachibana's talent, Total Concentration Breathing-Constant could be achieved at any moment.

With such strength and such talent, why not make an exception and let him fulfill the duties of the Rumble Hashira ahead of schedule?

Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded, stood up, bowed to Kujo Tachibana, and said sincerely:

"I am counting on you, Mr. Kujo."

Seeing such a sincere request from his new boss, Kujo Tachibana agreed to the appointment as Rumble Hashira after a bit of half-hearted hesitation and back-and-forth.

However, Kujo Tachibana rejected the proposal for Ubuyashiki Kagaya to immediately convene a Hashira Meeting to introduce him to the other members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Kujo Tachibana intended to slay another Twelve Kizuki in the near future; it would be much more logical to hold the Hashira Meeting then.

In truth, Kujo Tachibana had completely misunderstood the situation!

The current Demon Slayer Corps was in an awkward transitional period where the old guard was fading and the new had yet to rise!

The former strongest swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps, Rumble Hashira Kuwajima Jigoro, had retired due to injury!

For nearly ten years, the position of Rumble Hashira had remained vacant!

Furthermore, the Water Hashira, Urokodaki Sakonji, had also retreated behind the scenes three years ago due to injuries, likewise becoming a trainer!

The position of Water Hashira had also remained vacant!

Within the Demon Slayer Corps at this time, aside from the elderly Stone Hashira and the Wind Hashira who were still persisting in the mission of exterminating demons, only the Flame Hashira, Rain Hashira, and Snow Hashira remained.

(Yes, the Rain Hashira and Snow Hashira are my own inventions, as I haven't seen any data for this period.)

It could be said that this was the weakest period for the Demon Slayer Corps in the last hundred years!

Promoting Kujo Tachibana to the position of Rumble Hashira was done for two reasons: first, because Kujo Tachibana had the strength; and second, to boost the morale within the Demon Slayer Corps!

Unfortunately, Kujo Tachibana was completely unaware of the inside story.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya didn't want to dampen Kujo Tachibana's resolve to slay demons, so he simply acquiesced.

Looking at the vibrant and energetic Kujo Tachibana and Himejima, Ubuyashiki Kagaya felt a sense of conviction!

Although the current period was difficult, it was merely the darkness before the dawn!

As long as the Demon Slayer Corps could weather this dark time, they would surely break the pattern that had remained unchanged for a thousand years!

Sooner or later, the roles between humans and demons would be reversed!

Just then, the tactless Kujo Tachibana poked Ubuyashiki Kagaya with his finger, interrupting the new boss's reverie.

Fortunately, the new boss was magnanimous and did not stand on ceremony, simply looking toward Kujo Tachibana to ask:

"Tachibana, is there something you need?"

Kujo Tachibana scratched his head in embarrassment. Looking at the people present, he lowered his head and whispered:

"Master, could you please give me an advance on my salary?"

Before anyone could ask, Kujo Tachibana quickly explained:

"I want to redeem my family's house first..."

An hour later.

Having resolved a major life event, Kujo Tachibana walked out of the room alongside Himejima Gyomei.

"Gyomei, keep it up! I believe in you. I trust that in the near future, you too will be able to hold up a new sky for the Demon Slayer Corps."

The newly appointed Rumble Hashira chuckled as he boasted to Himejima Gyomei.

Himejima Gyomei: "Amitabha!"