"Even if there are exceptions, we cannot take that risk." Kagaya kept his voice gentle, but his tone grew more emphatic.
"Humanity's safety comes before all else. Any being that might threaten humanity must be eliminated. That is the Demon Slayer Corps' mission, and my lifelong pursuit."
"Your lifelong pursuit?" Tetsuhiro pressed him relentlessly. "Or is it an obsession passed down through generations of the Ubuyashiki Family?"
"You!" Kagaya's breath caught slightly. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes before his gentleness concealed it again. "You must be joking, sir. Peace for humanity is all I think of."
"Is that so?" Tetsuhiro sneered. "Then why did you let the Hand Demon slaughter so many prospective recruits on Mount Fujikasane? When you knew how powerful the Upper Rank Demons were, why didn't you have the Hashira work together? Why scatter them instead, sending them on missions alone or in pairs?"
"Don't tell me you didn't know! Your so-called 'compassion' and 'future' are nothing but disguises you wear to achieve your goals."
"Everything Oyakata-sama does is for humanity, to destroy the demons!" Kyojuro's booming voice rang out as fierce flames blazed around him. "It is our honor to sacrifice ourselves for this great mission!"
"Honor?" Tetsuhiro looked at Kyojuro with a trace of regret in his eyes.
"Do you know that, in the future, you will fight Upper Rank Three, Akaza, to the death aboard the Mugen Train to protect hundreds of people, only to die when your strength gives out? Your sacrifice is certainly great, but your family and friends will suffer for the rest of their lives because of your death!"
"And how many of those civilians will remember you afterward?"
The smile on Kyojuro's face froze instantly. He stared at Tetsuhiro in disbelief. "You... what nonsense are you talking