Higashino Makoto leaned against a pillar of the torii gate, arms crossed, his golden eyes fixed on the people.
"These people... are all very weak."
"Hmm. The strongest one isn't even level 20."
"But their eyes... are very bright."
Higashino Makoto's voice was very soft.
"That's the look in the eyes of someone who knows why they live."
Momo looked at him, her purple eyes flashing with a complex light.
"Cheng-san, do you envy them?"
I'm not envious.
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"I just thought it was interesting."
He straightened up and dusted off the hem of his clothes.
"Let's go. It's time to meet these Demon Slayer Corps 'masters'."
The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters is located in a secluded valley.
Surrounded by dense forests, with only a narrow path leading to the outside world, the headquarters building is a Japanese-style wooden house with a tiled roof and lanterns that gleam with a dark red luster in the sunlight.
Higashino Makoto stood at the headquarters entrance, gazing at the tightly closed wooden door.
Two young swordsmen stood on either side of the door, each holding Nichirin Blade, watching him warily.
"Who are you?"
The swordsman on the left asked, his voice low and wary.
"Traveler."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"We wish to see your lord."
The two swordsmen exchanged a glance.
"My lord does not see strangers."
He will see him.
Higashino Makoto strode forward.
"Stop!"
The swordsman on the right drew his Nichirin Blade, the blade gleaming blue in the sunlight.
"Take one more step, and I won't hold back."
Higashino Makoto didn't stop.
He continued walking forward.
The two swordsmen moved at the same time.
Their speed was astonishing; the Nichirin Blade drew two arcs in the air, one aimed at Higashino Makoto's neck, and the other at his waist.
Higashino Makoto did not dodge.
He extended his right hand and pinched the left blade between two fingers.
At the same time, he extended his left hand and pinched the right blade between two fingers.
The two swordsmen froze. They tried to draw their swords, but the Unassailable.
I the Unassailable cut it horizontally.
They tried to let go and back away, but their hands seemed to be nailed to the ground and they couldn't let go.
"A nice knife."
Higashino Makoto loosened his grip and took a step back.
But that's not enough.
The two swordsmen stood still, gripping their blades, their breathing rapid and heavy.
Their hands trembled, not only from humiliation, but also from fear and anger.
"--ghost!"
"Damn it! Die!"
They hate demons, and almost all members of the Demon Slayer Corps have had family members or friends eaten by demons.
In their eyes, a stranger of unknown origin who could easily take their knives was undoubtedly a ghost.
Higashino Makoto looked at the dark clouds gathering in the sky and blocking out the sunlight, and clicked his tongue softly.
"Looks like I chose a bad time to visit."
However, Higashino Makoto didn't explain further, since he would probably have to explain again later.
He snatched the two men's swords in an instant, tossed them lightly, and planted them into the torii gate in the distance.
"Take me to your lord."
The door was pushed open.
It wasn't Higashino Makoto who promoted it, but rather someone within the group.
An elderly man with white hair came out, dressed in a white kimono and leaning on a wooden cane.
His face was covered in wrinkles, but his gray eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's.
"Who are you?"
His voice was hoarse, but carried the composure characteristic of someone long accustomed to high positions.
"Traveler."
Higashino Makoto repeated it.
"We wish to see your lord."
The old man stared at him for a long time.
"Our lord is unwell and will not see any outsiders."
He will see him. So--
"Let me in."
Dominate the influence of the magic, the old man and the two team members beside him instantly lost control of their bodies and trembled as they opened the door.
Ignoring him, Higashino Makoto strode forward and entered through the gate.
"Stay here and don't do anything unnecessary."
Inside the gate was a spacious courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard stands a huge cherry blossom tree, its blossoms in full bloom, petals falling in the wind like pink snowflakes.
A person sat under the cherry blossom tree.
Man.
He was in his thirties, with a thin face, pale skin, and deep-set eyes.
He was wearing a white kimono, holding a folding fan in his hand, and a blanket was covering his knees.
His eyes are purple.
It wasn't the bright purple of Momo, but a deeper purple, as if it could devour all light.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
The lord of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Higashino Makoto looked at him, a complex light flashing in his golden eyes.
This man is terminally ill and doesn't have long to live.
But he still sits here, leading the Demon Slayer Corps, fighting against Muzan Kibutsuji.
Not for myself, but for those killed by demons, for those still struggling in darkness, for the future of humanity?
This is how it should be.
Unfortunately, his words, logic, and behavior in the anime don't match up, giving people a sense of inconsistency. For a time, Higashino Makoto even thought he would become the new boss.
Higashino Makoto didn't really know what kind of person he was, but since he seemed to have sacrificed himself in the end, let's just assume he was a good person for now.
"You are my lord?"
Higashino Makoto walked up to him and stopped.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised his head, his purple eyes looking at him.
"Who are you?"
"Higashino Makoto, the traveler."
"Traveler..."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's lips curled up slightly.
"It's rare to see someone capable of subduing two of my team members and the traveler who was guarding me in an instant."
"Your teammate attacked first."
They thought you were a ghost.
"Whatever they think is fine, I don't care. By the way, I'd like to find a pretty lady from your Demon Slayer Corps to be my tour guide, do you have any recommendations?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki closed his folding fan and coughed lightly twice.
"That probably won't work; those children are all busy killing demons. Of course, if someone is willing, I won't refuse."
"Hmm, it seems you still don't trust me."
Higashino Makoto tilted his head, his tone flippant.
"However, I am indeed a traveler from a very far place."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki stared at him for a long time.
What brings you here?
"Looking for someone."
Who to look for?
"Tour guide."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki frowned slightly.
"Tour guide?"
"Yes, tour guide."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"I'm very interested in this world and want to travel around and see it all. I need a beautiful person who knows this place well to show me around."
The courtyard fell silent.
The Demon Slayer Corps members standing around, the Pillars who had already drawn their Nichirin Blade, and the swordsmen rushing over from all directions were all stunned.
This person broke into the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, defeated the guards, came before the Master, and then said he wanted to find a guide?
Are you kidding me?
A deep voice came from behind Higashino Makoto.
Higashino Makoto did not turn back.
"I'm not joking."
"Then you'll have to get past me first."
The sound of a blade slicing through the air rang in my ears.
The one who made the move was the Water Pillar, Giyu Tomioka.
His knife is so fast that ordinary people can't even see the trajectory of the blade.
The Nichirin Blade in his hands seemed alive, flowing like water, as it slashed towards the back of Higashino Makoto's neck.
Higashino Makoto did not turn back.
He extended his right hand and pinched the blade between two fingers.
Giyu Tomioka's pupils contracted slightly.
He tried to draw his knife, but the Unassailable.
I the Unassailable cut it horizontally.
He tried to let go and step back, but his body seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move.
"Water Breathing... that's quite interesting."
Higashino Makoto loosened his grip and took a step back.
Giyu Tomioka stood there, gripping his sword, his breathing rapid and heavy.
His face remained expressionless, but something was churning in his blue eyes.
Shock, resentment, and a hint of indescribable... fear.
It wasn't out of fear for their own safety.
I'm terrified by such a powerful demon; my lord's chances of survival are slim!
Absolutely not!