Unlike the noisy chaos inside the Infinity Castle, the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters felt as festive as New Year's.
"No way! Isn't that a little too flashy...?"
Tengen Uzui couldn't help exclaiming when he received the news. Upon hearing that the Swordsmith Village was under attack, he had been preparing to rush over as reinforcements. After all, in terms of running speed alone, he was the fastest among the Nine Pillars.
He had just finished packing his explosives and taken one step out of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters when a Kasugai Crow delivered word that the Swordsmith Village had won a resounding victory, wiping out three Upper Ranks.
The news spread throughout the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had also been preparing to head over, let out a deep sigh of relief when he heard it.
"That brat... survived..."
Sanemi and Genya were brothers by blood. Although their relationship was badly strained, Sanemi actually cared deeply about his younger brother. He didn't want Genya to join the Demon Slayer Corps as he had. He wanted his brother to live a peaceful life like an ordinary person, marry, and have children.
Before receiving the news, he had been sparring with the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima. Although the Nine Pillars had no officially announced ranking, in the original story, Kokushibo had personally praised both the Wind Hashira and the Stone Hashira as standouts among the current Nine Pillars.
The Stone Hashira was unquestionably the strongest, while the Wind Hashira's position as the second strongest among the Nine Pillars was also relatively undisputed.
"Wind Breathing, Third Form: Clean Storm Wind Tree!"
"Stone Breathing, Third Form: Stone Skin!"
"Wind Breathing, Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts!"
"Stone Breathing, Fourth Form: Volcanic Rock, Swift Advance!"
Their sparring benefited them both.