"Big bro, there's no rush about becoming sworn brothers. We'll have plenty of chances later." Hiruma put an arm around his big brother's shoulders as well and said with a chuckle.
"Then come to my house. I've already had a room prepared for you."
"My mother has been talking about you constantly. Please, let me thank you again for curing her illness!"
Over the past few years, Rengoku Ruka's condition had worsened steadily. The Demon Slayer Corps' medical division had been completely helpless, but after Shinjuro Rengoku brought back that bottle of medicine, her condition stabilized.
For the Rengoku Family, this matter had always weighed on them like a boulder, leaving them unable to breathe.
It was no exaggeration to say that Hiruma had swept away the gloom hanging over the Rengoku Family. His standing in their hearts had soared, rivaling even Oyakata-sama.
"Big bro, forget it. If you see me as a brother, don't be like this."
"Rengoku, that idiot just loves sticking his nose into other people's business. You'll get used to it!" Obanai's voice suddenly cut in. He sat atop the wooden fence as though suspended in midair.
"Long time no see!"
"Mm." Obanai nodded, every bit the cool and aloof handsome man. "I'm going to train."
He had come only to see Hiruma, with no other purpose.
Hiruma and Kyojuro walked ahead with their arms around each other's shoulders, while Shinobu followed behind.
Boys' friendships were so strange. They had obviously only met for the first time.
Shinobu was deeply baffled by the two of them.
Shinobu's destination was the medical division, while Hiruma had been summoned by Oyakata-sama.
After parting ways with Kyojuro, he was led toward Oyakata-sama's residence by a member of the Kakushi.
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, the Swordsmith Village had the highest level of secrecy, while Oyakata-sama's residence was the second most confidential location.
After following a winding forest path, the Kakushi member brought Hiruma to a clearing in the woods.
The clearing was square, and the trees on all four sides had been pruned into exactly the same shape. Standing in the center, one could barely distinguish east from west, let alone north from south.
Even the Kakushi guiding him only remembered the stretch of path they were responsible for. In short, getting lost was easy.
"Mr. Tendo, please wait here. A Kasugai Crow will guide you from here on."
The black-uniformed, masked member spoke kindly and gave a slight bow. It was his first time seeing Oyakata-sama personally summon such a young swordsman.
He could not help but feel some respect. After all, every swordsman fighting at the front lines deserved respect.
"Thank you. I look forward to your guidance in the future!"
Hiruma thanked him with a smile and watched the Kakushi member leave.
A moment later, a Kasugai Crow burst out of the dense forest, carrying a black blindfold in its beak.
"Please put on the blindfold. Only the Pillars may know the location of Oyakata-sama's residence." This Kasugai Crow spoke with a scholarly air and was exceedingly polite.
"Alright!" Hiruma did as instructed.
"Now, take three steps to the left, then walk straight ahead!"
"Listen for my commands from here on!"
The Kasugai Crow flew ahead while Hiruma followed behind. Throughout the journey, not even a single leaf touched him.
Being blindfolded actually made for better sensory training. Why not?
About an hour later, Hiruma received the Kasugai Crow's order to stop. He removed the blindfold and found himself facing a towering "wall."
More accurately, it was a man as massive as a mountain. Even with a ten-year gym membership, there was no way anyone could train muscles like those.
They were perfect, gleaming, superhuman muscles.
Sensing Hiruma's unusual aura, Himejima Gyomei turned around.
Hiruma looked up and met those vacant white eyes. Though the other man was blind, he felt as if he were being watched.
This was the future eldest of the Nine Pillars, the Stone Pillar who had tempered his body to its utmost limit—Himejima Gyomei.
At this point, Himejima Gyomei was only nineteen. Apart from looking somewhat younger, he was dressed much as Hiruma remembered.
A massive man in monk-like attire, with an extremely long scar across his forehead. Over his dark brown Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he wore a brown kasaya embroidered with the words "Namu Amida Butsu."
"What brings you here, sir?"
"Namu Amida Butsu!"
Hiruma unconsciously pressed his palms together and answered with a smile, "Greetings. I am Tendo Hiruma. I was summoned by Oyakata-sama and have come to pay my respects."
"You are quite extraordinary, sir!"
Himejima Gyomei blurted it out almost immediately. Since he could not see, he understood the outside world entirely through his senses, and this was the first time he had encountered someone on the same wavelength as himself.
He could sense that the person before him was not very strong at present, but only at present. Perhaps one day, he might surpass him.
"You flatter me. We exist only to slay the Demons of this world!"
Though Hiruma's voice was youthful, the strength contained within his words was not weak in the slightest.
"Slay the Demons!"
Upon hearing those words, Gyomei began to weep involuntarily.
"Stone Pillar, Himejima Gyomei!" he introduced himself directly.
Thus, the Demon Slayer Corps' future two strongest combatants came to know one another.
Just then, the residence gates opened, and Ubuyashiki Amane stood in the doorway with a gentle smile.
"You two, please come into the courtyard!"
"Lady Amane, congratulations!"
"It's the aura of new life. Ooooooh!"
Himejima Gyomei pressed his palms together, tears of emotion streaming down his face.
"Greetings, I am..."
Amane's eyes flashed with delight amid her surprise, but she immediately interrupted Hiruma, her smile widening.
"Hiruma, may I call you that?"
"Senior Kuwajima said that was alright!"
"Oh my!"
"So you already know each other. Then I won't say much more, hehe!"
So the old man had already paved the way for him. Not bad at all.
Amane made an inviting gesture, and the two followed her into the courtyard.
The instant he stepped inside, a soothing voice rang out.
"Gyomei and Hiruma have arrived!"
The moment he heard that voice, Hiruma felt lightheaded, and a sense of submission rose within him.
But in just an instant, he suppressed that strange feeling.
Looking up toward a nearby pavilion, he saw a young man in white sitting quietly with a calico cat in his arms.
Without a doubt, this was the Demon Slayer Corps' sole charmer, the Oyakata-sama who made everyone devoted to him.
Hiruma had to admit that Ubuyashiki Kagaya truly possessed the bearing of a leader.
"Oyakata-sama!"
Himejima Gyomei dropped to one knee, his tone deeply respectful.
Hiruma gave a slight bow and said with a smile, "Oyakata-sama, I am Tendo..."
"Tendo Hiruma, I have looked forward to meeting you!"
"Seeing you in person is better than hearing of you. Greetings, I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the ninety-seventh head of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Senior Kuwajima said you are rather free-spirited, so please act as you please!"
If Hiruma had not known the plot so well, Ubuyashiki Kagaya might truly have won him over.
As the head of the Ubuyashiki Family and the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, his status was noble, yet he was not arrogant. He treated others gently, without the haughtiness of someone in power.
"Since the boss has said so, I'll just do as I please!"
"What did you summon me for?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled faintly and replied, "I have long wished to meet you. That is all!"
Hiruma: "???"
He only wanted to meet him? What exactly had the old man told Kagaya?
Was it because he was too handsome?
Or because he was too much of a genius?
Just as Hiruma's thoughts began to wander, Ubuyashiki Kagaya walked toward him.
Before you continue