Hashira

The Hashira.

The pillars supporting the Demon Slayer Corps, the nine swordsmen who stood at its highest rank.

To become a Hashira, one had to slay more than fifty demons or single-handedly kill a member of the Twelve Kizuki. Only by fulfilling one of these requirements could someone be called a Hashira.

The current nine Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, a user of Water Breathing.

The Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, a user of Insect Breathing.

The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, a user of Sound Breathing.

The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, a user of Wind Breathing.

The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, a user of Mist Breathing.

The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, a user of Flame Breathing.

The Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, a user of Love Breathing.

The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, a user of Stone Breathing.

The Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, a user of Serpent Breathing.

"What's this?! When I heard there were Demon Slayer Corps members traveling with a demon, I was expecting someone with a little flair. But they're just two brats!"

The breeze stirred the diamond chains on Tengen Uzui's Forehead Protector, making them rattle.

When Kyojuro Rengoku saw Lin Guang, he declared passionately, "Hmm! Lin Guang! I didn't expect you to join the Demon Slayer Corps too! But I still can't forgive you for fighting alongside a demon!"

Hearing this, Lin Guang knew Kyojuro Rengoku was a little disappointed in him.

After all, whenever Lin Guang had previously visited the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, he had either gone to the Butterfly Mansion or visited the Rengoku Family to train with Kyojuro Rengoku.

Lin Guang said helplessly, "Rengoku, since I dared to face the Twelve Kizuki and even killed a Lower Rank, that should tell you I wouldn't spare any demon that eats people. But I spared Nezuko, which means there was a reason."

Kyojuro Rengoku replied just as loudly, "I see! I believe you! But the corps regulations cannot be broken, even if you killed a Lower Rank demon!"

Lin Guang gave a wry smile and said, "All right, Rengoku. Let's wait until the Master arrives before discussing this."

Just then, Mitsuri Kanroji walked over to Lin Guang. Blushing, she offered him a packet of sakura mochi and asked, "Are you hungry? Would you like some sakura mochi?"

Looking at the sakura mochi Mitsuri Kanroji offered him, Lin Guang took it with his bound hands and bit into one.

"Delicious! Thanks for the sakura mochi, Mitsuri! I really am a little hungry after fighting all night."

At Lin Guang's words, Mitsuri Kanroji's face instantly flushed crimson, and sweat kept beading on her forehead.

"I-it's nothing! I'm just glad you like it!"

As she watched Lin Guang eat all the sakura mochi, bite by bite, Mitsuri Kanroji's face filled with a blissful smile, and her thoughts drifted into the distance.

When I first came to the Demon Slayer Corps, I met Lin Guang at the Rengoku Family's home. He was the first person who didn't dislike my hair color-he even said it was beautiful. He wanted to arm-wrestle me, too, and didn't think any less of me after losing. He even treated me to lots of sakura mochi. After spending a day with him, I realized I'd fallen for him.

But when I wanted to tell him the next day, he had left, leaving only a letter. When I learned that Lin Guang's grandfather was a cultivator and that he would join the Demon Slayer Corps someday, I decided to join the Demon Slayer Corps for him, too.

But after a year without finding you, I almost gave up. Thank goodness you appeared today. Whatever decision you make, I'll support you!

Mitsuri gazed at Lin Guang, her eyes full of affection.

Standing nearby, Shinobu Kocho saw the way Mitsuri looked at Lin Guang, and the anger in her heart flared a little hotter.

Lin Guang, I didn't see you last time, and now you've gone and gotten involved with another girl. You really are something!

Although she was furious inside, Shinobu Kocho kept smiling. Only her gaze at Lin Guang carried an inexplicable chill.

Obanai Iguro, who had been secretly watching Mitsuri from a tree, felt a surge of jealousy when he saw how close she and Lin Guang were.

Why is this man so close to Mitsuri? Does he like her too?

The members of the Hidden Department had all seen Lin Guang around the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters to some extent, so they weren't surprised that he could speak to the Hashira like this. That was also why they had bound his hands in front of him rather than behind his back like Tanjiro's.

After the Hidden Department explained who these people were, Tanjiro understood their standing. Seeing Lin Guang converse with the Hashira like this filled him with admiration.

Then Shinobu Kocho looked at Lin Guang with a smile and said, "Before we begin the trial, let's first explain the crimes you've committed."

"There's no need for a trial! Harboring a demon is a clear violation of the corps regulations! We alone have the authority to deal with them!" Kyojuro Rengoku declared loudly, his words still brimming with enthusiasm.

Striking a flamboyant pose, Tengen Uzui looked down at Lin Guang and Tanjiro and said, "Anyone harboring a demon should be beheaded along with it! So let me flamboyantly cut off their heads! I'll make their blood spray everywhere more flamboyantly than anyone else! It'll be unbearably flamboyant!"

Hearing Kyojuro Rengoku and Tengen Uzui's words, Mitsuri suddenly grew anxious.

How can Mr. Rengoku and Mr. Uzui say that? Oyakata-sama said there would be a trial, so we have to wait for him to arrive. If... if they try to attack, I'll take Lin Guang away!

"Ah! What pitiful children! How pitiful! The very fact that they were born is pitiful enough."

Gyomei Himejima spoke with tears streaming from his eyes.

Meanwhile, Muichiro Tokito had not looked at Lin Guang or Tanjiro even once. He had been staring at the sky the entire time.

Then Obanai Iguro, who had been lying in the tree all along, spoke.

"More importantly, what are we going to do about Tomioka? He hasn't even been tied up. It's giving me a headache. According to Kocho, Tomioka violated the corps regulations too, didn't he?"

"How should we punish him? How should we make him take responsibility? What position should we put him in? Say something, Tomioka."

Giyu Tomioka stood alone some distance away. Even when Obanai Iguro mentioned him, he showed no reaction.

Seeing this, Shinobu Kocho said, "Does it really matter? He came along willingly, anyway. We can consider his punishment later."

Shinobu Kocho continued, "More importantly, I'd like to hear what they have to say. Despite being members of the Demon Slayer Corps, they took a demon along on a mission. I'd like to hear their explanation."

As Shinobu Kocho spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Lin Guang. Clearly, she wanted to hear his explanation. As for Tanjiro, she didn't particularly care.

However, Tanjiro Kamado stepped forward and said, "That demon is my younger sister. Our home was attacked while I was away, and when I returned, everyone was dead. My sister turned into a demon, but she's never eaten anyone."

"She won't hurt anyone now, and she never will!"

Obanai Iguro pointed at Tanjiro and said coldly, "Don't spout such tiresome nonsense. In the end, of course you'd protect your family. Nothing you say is remotely convincing. I won't believe you."

"Hahaha!"

A burst of laughter rang out. The Hashira looked over and saw Lin Guang laughing heartily.

"Tiresome nonsense? That's hilarious. You know absolutely nothing, yet here you are making sweeping claims. If you want proof, then I'll give you proof!"