Come Forth, Asuramaru!

At last, the time had come!

Do you know what these past two years had been like for me...

Meanwhile, in the outside world.

Upon learning that Tanjiro had awakened, Kagaya Ubuyashiki immediately gave the order to convene the Hashira Meeting.

Tanjiro was also brought to a vast courtyard.

The courtyard was beautifully landscaped. After walking down a path to the open space before the residence, he saw nine figures gathered there.

They were the nine Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.

They had been waiting here for quite some time, all awaiting an answer. The box containing Nezuko sat not far away.

Before Tanjiro could relax.

Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, glared at him viciously and threatened with a savage expression, "If the Master cannot convince me, I'll kill your sister without mercy!"

Among the crowd not far away, Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira with cherry-pink hair, flushed slightly as she murmured inwardly.

Huh, are they going to kill that demon?

Tanjiro was still somewhat confused. Who exactly were these people before him?

Fortunately, Lin Fan reminded him.

"These nine are the highest-ranking and strongest members of the Demon Slayer Corps. They bear the title of Hashira."

So that was it.

Tanjiro did not have time to think and hurriedly explained, "My sister Nezuko has never eaten anyone, and she never will..."

But before he could finish.

A black-haired young man lay on his side atop a tree nearby, bandages covering the lower half of his face. It was Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira. He coldly pointed at Tanjiro and questioned him.

"Of course you'd protect your own family. No one can believe what you say. Instead, why don't you explain that strange sword first?"

At those words.

Everyone present became interested. Clearly, they all knew of Azhuluomaru's unusual nature.

But Tanjiro fell silent for a moment.

"No... My sister became a demon two years ago, but she has never eaten a person from beginning to end..."

Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, was a massive man visibly taller than everyone else. Dressed in monk's robes, he clasped his hands around prayer beads as two streams of tears flowed from his blind eyes.

"How pitiful. We should kill this poor child quickly and grant it release..."

Lin Fan, within the blade, could tell by now that not a single one of these people was normal.

Tanjiro still wanted to argue.

But the next moment.

From the empty entrance hall of the residence, two white-haired girls spoke at once.

"The Master has arrived."

This successfully drew everyone's attention, and they all turned to look.

The doors beyond the entrance opened to either side, and a figure emerged, dressed in a white kimono as he walked forward step by step.

He extended a hand and, supported by the two girls beside him, made his way onto the corridor outside the entrance, bathing in the sunlight.

Only then did Tanjiro see his true appearance.

Beneath his black hair, a hideous scar covered the upper half of his face. He tilted his head slightly upward, feeling the warmth of the sun before speaking gently.

"Good morning, everyone."

Tanjiro could not help letting his imagination run wild at the sight of that horrific scar.

An injury?

Or an illness?

Azhuluomaru should be able to heal it...

Just as he was pondering, he suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind and hurriedly tried to evade.

But he was ultimately one step too slow. Sanemi Shinazugawa grabbed him from behind and slammed him to the ground, forcing his body to kneel.

This shocked everyone present.

After all, not just anyone could notice the Wind Hashira's sneak attack!

Sanemi Shinazugawa was also taken aback. Then he nodded slightly and said respectfully, "I hope you are well, Master. Forgive my presumption, but please explain the value of this Demon Slayer named Kamado Tanjiro.

I cannot accept that his importance surpasses yours!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki had long anticipated this. Without changing expression, he stepped forward and said in a warm, calm voice, "Then let me clear up everyone's doubts here."

As soon as he finished speaking.

The girl on the left took a letter from her robes, opened it, and read aloud, "This is a letter from former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki. I will read its contents."

The Hashira, along with Tanjiro, listened with utmost concentration, afraid of missing even a single word.

The girl began reading in a calm, clear voice.

"Please allow Tanjiro and Nezuko to remain together. Nezuko has undergone a change that Muzan did not anticipate. Even while hungry, she will not eat humans. Though this is difficult to believe.

Should anything go wrong, Giyu Tomioka, Kamado Tanjiro, and I will commit seppuku to atone.

Next, please handle this with the utmost caution, Master, for the generational blade handed down in Kamado Tanjiro's family harbors a legendary Deity, a weapon spirit by the name of Ashura Kabuto!

Like something from myth, it possesses many incredible powers. I believe it has the ability to change the balance between humans and demons and bring everything to an end!"

Come forth, Asuramaru!

"Furthermore, it was awakened by Kamado Tanjiro and recognizes him alone as its master. No one besides Tanjiro can wield it!

At the same time, this sword has only just awakened, and its abilities have not fully recovered. It must slay demons to regain its strength.

Beyond that, Azhuluomaru's healing ability may be able to cure the Master's illness..."

The moment those words fell.

Every Hashira present changed expression and became excited.

Especially Sanemi Shinazugawa. As he looked at Azhuluomaru hanging at Tanjiro's waist, hope actually flickered within his fierce gaze!

Unable to wait any longer, he interrupted.

"Then what are we waiting for? Start the treatment now!"

Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira beside him, fixed his fiery, resolute gaze upon Azhuluomaru once more and said excitedly after him.

"That's right, begin the treatment immediately!"

Even Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira who despised demons most, looked at the sword hanging at Tanjiro's waist with his mismatched eyes.

He spoke quietly.

"If it can heal the Master, then keeping this guy who travels with a demon is not unacceptable..."

Only Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira among the crowd, stared at the sword with a flushed face and murmured inwardly.

Huh, can that sword really heal the Master?

The other Hashira thought the same. In their minds, the Master stood above all else.

Yet Kagaya Ubuyashiki, faced with the possibility of curing his illness, appeared extraordinarily calm, his expression as still as autumn water without the slightest ripple.

It seemed he had long seen through life and death.

He raised his right index finger to his lips, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Seeing this, the Hashira below immediately ceased speaking. They respectfully knelt on one knee and waited in place. The courtyard became terrifyingly silent.

Only then did Kagaya Ubuyashiki continue calmly, "The letter said it may be possible to cure me, not that it is certain.

Therefore, even if there is no cure, I hope you will not harbor any resentment toward Ashurao-maru and Tanjiro.

Furthermore, whether Ashurao-maru is willing to step forward and heal me is not something we can decide, but rather something that must be decided by it personally...

So, could we ask to meet the spirit within the blade, Azhuluomaru?"

His words were gentle and brought peace to the heart.

As though they held some sort of magic, he was simply a born leader who made people unable to resist wanting to follow behind him...

Lin Fan had truly witnessed it today.

Meanwhile, Tanjiro was still immersed in the trust expressed in the letter, where Sakonji Urokodaki and Giyu Tomioka had staked their lives on him.

Tears of emotion welled from the corners of his eyes.

The next moment.

Sanemi Shinazugawa grabbed Tanjiro by the hair with one hand and shook him wildly, berating him, "Hurry up and call Azhuluomaru out!"

Shaken back and forth like that, Tanjiro came to his senses. Before him, every Hashira and the Master himself were looking at him. At that moment, the pressure on him was immense.

Even so, he gritted his teeth and said firmly, "Please wait a moment. I need to ask Azhuluomaru's opinion!"

Upon hearing that, Sanemi Shinazugawa wanted to say something else, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke before him with a smile.

"Of course."

Seeing this, Sanemi Shinazugawa released the hand holding Tanjiro down.

After receiving permission.

Tanjiro did not dwell on Sanemi Shinazugawa's earlier offense. Instead, he hurriedly asked in his heart.

"Azhuluomaru, can you come out again or take control of my body? If possible, please try to treat the Master."

He had ordered him around so boldly yesterday. Why had he gone back to this today?

Lin Fan truly did not understand.

Still, he had been looking forward to what came next for a very long time!

Though he very much wanted to come out, he still said reservedly.

"If you want me to, I suppose I can."

Having received that answer, Tanjiro understood Azhuluomaru's intent. He immediately broke into a bright smile.

"Thank you so much, Azhuluomaru."

Outside.

After Tanjiro finished asking and came back to his senses, he immediately raised his head with a smile on his lips. Under the expectant gazes of all the Hashira.

He slowly said.

"Master, I just asked Azhuluomaru, and it is willing to try treating you."

The instant he finished speaking.

Every Hashira present was excited from the bottom of their hearts, all anticipating the treatment to come. The Master's illness had always been a thorn in their hearts!

In contrast, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was not as excited as they had imagined. On the surface, he remained calm as still water.

But this time, a faint smile appeared on his face as well. "Really? That is wonderful."

Though he did not fear death, if there was a chance to cure this curse and continue living, he would not refuse it.

After his excitement subsided, Sanemi Shinazugawa below quickly swept his gaze over Tanjiro and then asked solemnly.

"Then how will Azhuluomaru treat the Master? Do you need to touch the Master's body with your hand?"

Even the malice in his voice was no longer as intense.

And the fact that he could ask such a question already showed they had learned some information about Azhuluomaru from Zenitsu and Inosuke.

Beyond that, they also wanted to see with their own eyes how this so-called legendary blade would heal someone.

Hearing about it from others could never compare to witnessing it firsthand.