Sanemi Shinazugawa

Obanai Iguro looked at Lin Guang, a glint of menace flashing in his mismatched eyes.

Lin Guang ignored Obanai Iguro's gaze and continued, "Tanjiro and I took part in the same Final Selection and went on missions together. During the battle in Asakusa, Tokyo Prefecture, Tanjiro and Nezuko helped evacuate the injured and held the demons off for me."

"Of course, the injured man was unconscious during that battle and saw nothing, so he can't provide evidence. But afterward, at the Drum House, Nezuko helped Tanjiro eliminate two demons and protected a human girl from them."

"You can confirm that simply by asking. Then, in the battle at Mount Natagumo that just ended, Nezuko helped Tanjiro and Inosuke kill the strongest demon serving Lower Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki. All of that is evidence!"

The Hashira looked at Lin Guang without speaking for a moment. Everything he had mentioned could be verified with a little investigation. If they contradicted him now, they would only embarrass themselves when the evidence came to light.

Finally, Lin Guang said, "Of course, you might not believe me, but the Master must know about all this. Otherwise, we wouldn't be holding this trial today, would we?"

Hearing this, the Hashira also felt that Lin Guang had a point and silently conceded.

Tanjiro looked at Lin Guang with tears in his eyes.

Senior Lin Guang has gone this far against the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps for Nezuko and me. I have to do something, too. I can't let him bear all of this alone.

Tanjiro shouted, "My sister can fight alongside me! She can fight as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps to protect humans! So..."

"Well, well! Looks like something interesting is happening!"

Just then, a man with wild white hair entered the courtyard, his tone distinctly hostile.

The man who had appeared wore a vicious expression, and an intense air of brutality surrounded him.

Most striking were the scars on his exposed face, chest, and abdomen. This scar-covered man was the most violent of the nine Hashira-Sanemi Shinazugawa.

"Is that the idiot Corps member traveling with a demon? What the hell is he thinking?"

A Kakushi member hurried over and called out anxiously to Sanemi Shinazugawa, "You're putting me in a difficult position, Lord Shinazugawa! Please put that box down!"

When Shinobu Kocho saw Sanemi Shinazugawa holding up the box containing Nezuko, the smile vanished from her face.

"Sanemi Shinazugawa, please don't act without permission."

But Sanemi Shinazugawa ignored Shinobu Kocho entirely. Instead, he stared at Tanjiro and demanded, "What did you say about demons, kid?"

"She can be a member of the Demon Slayer Corps? Fight to protect humans? How could that ever happen, you idiot!"

As he spoke, Sanemi Shinazugawa reached for the Nichirin Blade at his waist, drew it with one hand, and moved to stab the Wooden Box.

Seeing this familiar scene, Tanjiro tried to free his hands to save Nezuko, but Lin Guang acted before him.

Lin Guang jerked his hands apart, snapping the ropes binding them.

"Shave!"

Then Lin Guang drew his Nichirin Blade in an instant and charged at Sanemi Shinazugawa too quickly for the eye to follow.

Clang!

Lin Guang's and Sanemi Shinazugawa's Nichirin Blades collided.

Sanemi Shinazugawa stared at Lin Guang and realized that, with only one hand gripping his sword, he was gradually being overpowered.

"You've got some strength, kid, but..."

With that, Sanemi Shinazugawa hurled the Wooden Box containing Nezuko away.

Seeing this, Lin Guang immediately broke away from Sanemi Shinazugawa.

"Shave!"

Lin Guang leaped high into the air and caught the Wooden Box containing Nezuko.

Sanemi Shinazugawa's attack followed right behind him.

"Wind Breathing! Fourth Form! Rising Dust Storm!"

Five wind blades slashed upward toward Lin Guang and the Wooden Box containing Nezuko.

"You little brat shielding a demon! Die along with her!"

Holding the Wooden Box containing Nezuko, Lin Guang remained utterly calm.

"Shave Blade!"

This technique combined Geppo and Shave. It was as fast as Shave, but added greater freedom of movement, allowing him to move through the air.

Lin Guang vanished, and the five wind blades disappeared into the distant sky. Before anyone knew when he had moved, Lin Guang was already behind Sanemi Shinazugawa, his sword pointed at the center of his back.

Although Lin Guang had accompanied Sakonji Urokodaki to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters many times, he rarely interacted with Sanemi Shinazugawa. For one thing, Shinazugawa truly had a violent temper. For another, knowing that Sanemi Shinazugawa would hurt Nezuko in the future had made Lin Guang somewhat averse to him.

"If you can't even tell a kind demon from an evil one, then I don't think you need to remain a Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa."

At this sight, every Hashira looked shocked.

Tanjiro relaxed as well. She's safe! Thank goodness Senior Lin Guang was here! Although he taught me Shave, my body can't perform it as easily as his can. I really do need more training if I want to protect Nezuko from harm!

How did he do that? He actually dodged all five of Shinazugawa's attacks in midair. Even Ditemaru couldn't follow that brat's movements. Obanai Iguro was utterly shocked.

Seeing the entire exchange end in less than ten seconds-and with what appeared to be Lin Guang's victory-Shinobu Kocho's calm expression broke, giving way to surprise.

Has he become this strong since I last saw him? Then did he really mean it when he said he would avenge my sister for me?

Mitsuri, meanwhile, gazed at Lin Guang with flushed cheeks, her eyes practically turning into little hearts.

That's Lin Guang for you! He's amazing! He even defeated Sanemi Shinazugawa!

Tengen Uzui, who excelled at speed, had picked up on part of the technique.

This kid is truly flamboyant. If my flamboyant ears heard correctly, that must be some incredibly fast, flamboyant footwork. And its burst of speed is even faster than flamboyant old me!

Just then, two identical little white-haired girls called out in unison.

"The Master has arrived!"

Then a man emerged from the house. He had shoulder-length hair parted down the middle, but his most striking feature was the scarring covering half his face.

This man was the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps-Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

"You've all come, my dear children."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki stepped out of the house and spoke graciously to everyone in the courtyard.

His voice was very quiet and gentle, pleasant to the ear, as though it possessed a magic that soothed the heart.

Once Kagaya Ubuyashiki stepped outside, the two identical little white-haired girls closed the doors and came to his side.

Then Kagaya Ubuyashiki rested one hand on the shoulder of the girl to his left while the girl to his right supported his other hand. He looked terribly frail.

Supported by the two little girls, Kagaya Ubuyashiki walked step by step into the sunlight.

"Good morning, everyone. What lovely weather we have today. The sky is so blue."

"I'm very happy that we can hold our semiannual Hashira Meeting without any changes to our members."