After traveling for a long time, they finally arrived at a Wisteria Crest House and settled in temporarily.
"We checked along the way. There were no signs of anyone following us, but we still shouldn't stay here long. Once we've rested, we'll move immediately to the place Master has arranged."
Sabito had never let his guard down. Their battle against Upper Rank Three had made them realize how far their strength still fell short of a true Upper Rank.
"Sabito, take it easy. There's no point worrying right now. The Kamado Family is already pushed past its limits. If we keep forcing them, they could end up with lasting injuries, and that would do more harm than good."
"Are you afraid of Upper Rank Three, Sabito? It's fine. You can leave first when the time comes."
"Giyu, you really should stop talking."
The four disciples of Sakonji Urokodaki chatted in the courtyard, talking about many things. Suzuki Mufeng learned that the three of them had always traveled together, and that Sabito and Giyu Tomioka had already slain more than a dozen demons. They had even encountered a Lower Rank demon, which the two of them had killed together.
This had all happened in barely a year. They had grown much faster than they had in the original story.
Just then, Kyojuro Rengoku and Kanae Kocho came over and looked at Suzuki Mufeng.
"Master is holding a Hashira Meeting, and you've been invited this time too, Mr. Mufeng."
"That's right, Mufeng. Let's get going."
"What about the Kamado Family? What will happen to them after we leave?"
Kanae Kocho patted Makomo on the shoulder. "They'll escort them, of course. Don't worry. Master has arranged everything, so nothing will go wrong."
"Let's go. They'll be fine without you here."
"Yes. If Master summoned you, it must be something important."
"Mm. You're different from us."
After saying their goodbyes to the Kamado Family, the group set off at once. They took a winding route before finally reaching the hidden place where Master lived.
The courtyard was extremely secluded. Even following the Kasugai Crow, Suzuki Mufeng and the others had gotten completely turned around. There was no way they could remember the route.
"When you see Master, remember to show him respect, Mr. Mufeng. You can't be as casual as you were before."
Kanae Kocho leaned close to Suzuki Mufeng and whispered in his ear, reminding him of all the things he needed to keep in mind.
Soon, they reached a courtyard. The other Hashira and Master Kagaya Ubuyashiki had been waiting there for some time.
At once, Kanae Kocho and Kyojuro Rengoku knelt on one knee. Suzuki Mufeng, however, stood where he was, openly studying the man before him.
Unlike at the time when the main story began, Kagaya Ubuyashiki wasn't blind yet, though his forehead was already covered in poison marks.
"Mr. Mufeng, Mr. Mufeng, hurry and kneel."
Kanae Kocho anxiously tugged at Suzuki Mufeng's sleeve with her small hand, but there was no way she could pull him down.
"It's all right, Kanae. Suzuki Mufeng, I've wanted to meet you for a long time. As expected of someone who killed Lower Rank Six and held his own against Upper Rank Three—you're indeed an impressive young man. Were any of you injured?"
Kyojuro Rengoku answered loudly and enthusiastically.
"No, Master. Mufeng and Kanae risked their lives to protect the Kamado Family. Without them, we wouldn't have arrived in time."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Suzuki Mufeng again. At last, he was about to explain the purpose of today's meeting.
"Mufeng, everyone has seen what you've accomplished these past few days. I'd like you to become a new Hashira. How does Light Hashira sound?"
The current Wind Hashira, Hideki Iwasaki, had as quick a temper as Sanemi Shinazugawa. He was the first to challenge the proposal.
"Master, he just got lucky and killed Lower Rank Six after the Flame Hashira had already gravely wounded him. He did all right in the fight against Upper Rank Three, but I don't acknowledge his strength.
"And, brat, what were those strange techniques you used against Upper Rank Three? You claim it was Onmyodo, but it could just as easily have been a Blood Demon Art. So, Master, let me put him to the test."
While the agitated Wind Hashira, Hideki Iwasaki, ranted, Suzuki Mufeng remained perfectly relaxed. He impatiently yawned. "So, you just want to fight me. I don't mind, but can you even stand up right now?"
Stand up?
"Are you looking down on me, brat? You're dead—"
Thud—
Hideki Iwasaki tried to rise, but his half-kneeling leg suddenly spun out from under him. The next second, he sprawled face-first on the ground in front of everyone.
"Hideki, you need to work on your fitness."
"Hideki, you really ought to exercise more. You couldn't even hold a squat for a moment."
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, and the Rumble Hashira, Tomoya Sakai, teased Hideki Iwasaki. But neither of them dared underestimate Suzuki Mufeng. They were curious about what kind of technique could make a battle-hardened swordsman like Hideki Iwasaki—who had slain more than fifty demons—lose his footing like that.
"I told you: if you can stand up, I'll fight you seriously. But if you can't even get to your feet, stop running your mouth."
"You little punk! I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"
No matter how much Hideki Iwasaki yelled, he still couldn't stand. He tried everything, ending up sprawled in a split, kneeling, and performing all sorts of difficult gymnastic poses.
"All right, Mufeng. Stop messing with Hideki Iwasaki."
Suzuki Mufeng flicked a finger. A bubble shot from his fingertip, landed in front of Hideki Iwasaki, and burst.
"Damn brat! Are you taunting me?"
Hideki Iwasaki suddenly sprang to his feet. This time, he didn't slip again. Everyone was astonished by this miraculous Onmyodo.
"That's truly astonishing, Mufeng. Such a tiny bubble can do something like this."
"Does it only make people fall over?"
"It'd take too long to explain this technique. But, Master, I'd like to talk to you about the Upper Ranks."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki paused in surprise. Suzuki Mufeng had already made up his mind. The pressure he had felt fighting Upper Rank Three, Akaza, had shown him that he could defeat him, but only by revealing all his trump cards and paying a tremendous price.
He couldn't rely on himself alone. He had decided to share all the information he had about the Upper Ranks. That was the right thing to do.
"As for the information about the Upper Ranks, everyone, please leave. I'd like to speak with Mufeng in private."
The other Hashira started to object, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki stopped them with a look.
That day, Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Suzuki Mufeng talked for a long time in the room, all the way until the next day. They discussed the Upper Ranks, the organization and selection of the Demon Slayers, and all sorts of medical matters.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki couldn't help but marvel. "Mufeng, you really are just as I saw you in my dream. You're the key to everything. In the future, the Child of Light will bring the Demon King's life to an end once and for all. I'm counting on you, Mr. Mufeng. Next, please go with Kanae to investigate the Eternal Paradise Faith in the Entertainment District."
"What's meant to happen can't be avoided. I'll protect Kanae."
Since Kanae Kocho was bound to encounter Doma sooner or later, they might as well prepare and face him early, before resolving the danger. With Suzuki Mufeng there, he could at least get Kanae Kocho to safety.
Before you continue