The entire reception hall was utterly silent...
The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps had heard every word clearly. Though they did not fully understand, they were awed.
"Though I don't know exactly what happened, those gods sound dangerous just from hearing about them."
Respect welled up in everyone's hearts. Someone who would defy even deities to save humanity deserved to be called a hero.
His ears bright red, Tetsuhiro sat at the head of the room and heard it all clearly. Though he had grown tired of praise, hearing a child say things like that, praising him so bluntly right to his face,
made even his old face flush. He could barely take it.
"Ahem!"
He slowly began, "I'm not that great. A happy, fulfilling life takes everyone working together. Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Reasonable, controlled competition is a source of progress, but I will never tolerate anything that strips away our humanity!
"Things like man-eating demons, slaughtering the living, and disregarding humanity-I will put a complete end to them!" He looked at Tengen Uzui, his gaze sharp and resolute. "I'll resolve your family's tragedy!"
Tengen Uzui abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You... you're willing to help me?"
"It's a small matter." Tetsuhiro nodded. "You... you're just like Tomioka. Stop thinking about retirement all the time and work hard for me!"
"Don't you want to learn ninjutsu? The Empire has a military merit system and a points system. Earn merit in battle or offer something of equivalent value, and someone will be assigned to assess you."
He looked the members of the Demon Slayer Corps up and down. "Some of you have well-developed muscles, while others have very fragile bodies. Your bodily functions are out of balance, too. Once Tobirama gets