Ubuyashiki Kagaya

"I agree. I'm willing to go with Hiruma and wipe out every Demon in this world!"

Shinobu Kocho spoke without hesitation. Hiruma had given her the blade to sever her past, and she was determined to give him a blade in return.

"Mm!" Kanae Kocho nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "I don't want anyone else to become unhappy because of Demons."

"I want them to be able to live happy lives, so I choose to join your organization."

No matter their reasons, once those who had been harmed by Demons gathered together, they would resolutely march toward a future without Demons.

Hiruma hoped Shinobu Kocho would not walk this path, because slaying Demons truly meant risking one's life. But he respected their choice.

"Oh, right. The two of us can't decide whether you can join the Demon Slayer Corps. We'll have to ask Oyakata-sama!"

"Come with us first!"

The four returned to the Wisteria House. Shinjuro Rengoku had long since gone to rest, and the owner of the Wisteria House arranged accommodations for the Kocho sisters as well.

At dawn, Shinjuro Rengoku came for breakfast and froze in the doorway. He rubbed his eyes, his face full of astonishment.

He quickly dragged Hiruma and Iguro Obanai aside and said earnestly:

"You two are still young. There's no rush to find wives!"

"And what exactly is going on with those two little girls?"

"The Demon Slayer Corps forbids bullying ordinary people!"

Iguro Obanai spread his hands and innocently pointed at Hiruma, then said something easily misunderstood. "Last night, I was only following Hiruma, and then Hiruma went to those sisters' home..."

Iguro Obanai abruptly stopped there. After thinking for a moment, he added:

"Oh! Right, both sisters cried. They cried miserably."

Hiruma's mouth fell open at once. What was this guy trying to say? He left it hanging halfway through, that bastard.

Following strange girls?

Making them cry?

What was going on?

Shinjuro Rengoku's gaze turned cold, and he nearly drew his sword. It seemed necessary for him to discipline that brat Hiruma on Senior Kuwajima's behalf.

Crooked intentions, huh.

Iguro Obanai nonchalantly returned to the table, eating while watching the show. The Kocho sisters really had cried; everything he said was true.

"Sir, please listen to my sophis—no, explanation. It's complicated..."

Hiruma could not put his suffering into words. What kind of mess was this? Iguro Obanai, you treacherous bastard.

How could Shinjuro Rengoku listen? Hiruma had spent the night away from home, then returned with two little girls. It was hard not to be suspicious.

"You brat, bullying girls? I'll beat you first and ask questions later!"

The moment he finished speaking, a small figure stepped in front of Hiruma. It was Shinobu Kocho.

Unlike ordinary girls, she was neither shy nor reserved. She was a forthright girl who directly showed whatever she thought and did.

"Sir, Hiruma saved my sister and me, and he helped us avenge ourselves. He did nothing wrong!"

To their surprise, Shinjuro Rengoku put his hands on his hips and burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

"I haven't even asked what happened yet. Why would I hit him? I was only joking!"

"Eat, eat!"

Kanae Kocho watched her younger sister with a smile but said nothing. Her sister had changed.

After breakfast, Shinjuro Rengoku learned what had happened. He expressed regret over the Kocho sisters' ordeal and praised Hiruma and Iguro Obanai.

He would write to Oyakata-sama and tell him everything. He believed Oyakata-sama would also sympathize with the Kocho sisters' plight.

Shinjuro Rengoku's Kasugai Crow departed from the Wisteria House with the letter. It flew over countless towns and into desolate mountains.

The endless forest resembled a green ocean, stretching beyond the eye could see.

When the breeze gently swept through, the leaves rustled like beautiful music played by nature itself, leaving one feeling refreshed and at peace.

Amid the dense woods stood an extraordinarily hidden cluster of buildings, entirely concealed among the mountains and trees, perfectly blending into its surroundings.

This was one of the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters. Even Muzan, the Demon King, would find it difficult to locate.

The Kasugai Crow flew past one residence after another before finally landing in a secluded courtyard.

A winding cobblestone path ran through the courtyard. Beside it lay a shallow pond, and next to the pond stood a wooden pavilion.

Inside the pavilion sat a young man dressed in plain white clothes.

He was handsome and refined, with clear, bright eyes like dazzling stars. At that moment, he sat quietly with a book in hand, completely absorbed in reading.

He was Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the ninety-seventh head of the Demon Slayer Corps, only fourteen years old.

At that time, the young Oyakata-sama had not yet been disfigured by the curse. He was still the most handsome young man in the entire forest.

"Oyakata-sama, Rengoku has sent you a letter!"

The Kasugai Crow landed on the stone table, its loud voice shattering the tranquil atmosphere.

Rather than being annoyed, Ubuyashiki Kagaya rubbed the Kasugai Crow's little head. He scattered a handful of rice grains, his gentle voice like warm sunlight in the depths of winter. It left the Kasugai Crow feeling lightheaded, and the fatigue of its long journey instantly vanished.

"Taro, you've worked hard!"

He opened the letter and began reading. As he did, a deep sorrow flashed through his eyes. He grieved for the Kocho sisters' suffering.

After a moment, Ubuyashiki Kagaya let out a long breath and said to Taro:

"Tell Senior Shinjuro Rengoku that I approve. If the Kocho sisters wish to, they may go help at the Demon Slayer Corps' medical house!"

"They will need their knowledge there!"

"Alright, I understand, Oyakata-sama!" Taro nodded and spread his wings into the sky.

After the Kasugai Crow flew away, a mature, intelligent white-haired woman appeared beside Ubuyashiki Kagaya. Her eyes were pale violet, and she carried an otherworldly air, like a shrine maiden removed from the mundane world.

Ubuyashiki Amane came from a family of Shinto priests. She had married Oyakata-sama a year earlier. Though it had been an arranged marriage between their families, the two treated each other with respect.

Ubuyashiki Amane was four years older than Kagaya, and standing beside him, she looked more like his older sister.

"Kagaya, it's cold outside. Let's go back inside!"

Amane thoughtfully draped a blanket over her husband, her voice full of concern.

Kagaya took his wife's hand and smiled. "It's alright. The sunlight is better outside. You should get more sun too."

"Then I'll stay with you!"

Amane moved a wooden chair over and quietly remained by her husband's side.

"Amane, get me some paper and a brush. I want to write something!"

"Mm!"

A moment later, she brought over xuan paper and a writing brush, then ground the ink at his side. Its fragrance spread through the air; it was premium ink from Hiruma's hometown.

For the Ubuyashiki Family, this was no difficult matter. They had maintained an organization of several hundred people for over a century, so naturally their financial resources were considerable.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya picked up the brush and wrote five large characters on the paper: a person's name.

Amane looked over curiously and read it aloud.

"Tendo Hiruma!"

"This is Senior Kuwajima's disciple!" The name had left a deep impression on her. Senior Kuwajima had mentioned him many times in their correspondence, always with immense pride.

As the Strongest Hashira of the previous generation, anyone worthy of his praise was surely extraordinary.

A calm yet expectant smile rested on Ubuyashiki Kagaya's lips as he said:

"Tendo has already slain three Demons. He is only twelve years old and has not even taken part in the Final Selection."

"I'm very much looking forward to meeting him!"