"Hashira Meeting?"
Kanae's eyes widened. "Xia Xi, are you going to headquarters again?"
There was clear reluctance to part in her words.
"After something this big, I have to report it in person."
He looked toward Kuang Jin, who was still swinging his sword in the courtyard.
And Shinobu Kocho beside him, who seemed to be teasing him.
Then he continued, "Senior Brother Igarashi is retiring with serious injuries, and there's also the intelligence on Upper Rank Three."
"It would be strange if Boss Ubuyashiki didn't call a Hashira Meeting."
Kuang Jin's expression instantly grew complicated.
He had just passed the Final Selection, which should have been a happy occasion.
Yet barely two days later, his eldest senior brother had suffered grievous injuries fighting an Upper Rank Demon.
Honestly, he did not even know whether he should tell Master Kazami about this.
And now his senior brother was leaving first, too...
His mind felt like a complete muddle.
Xia Xi walked up to the boy and patted his shoulder. "Practice hard. I'll be checking later."
"Work hard, and spend more time learning from Kocho and the others."
"Once the Hashira Meeting is over, come find me in Sendai with Kanae."
Shinobu Kocho's ears twitched beside them.
Damn it, I really want to go to the Northern Region too.
If the Butterfly Mansion could have been left unattended for long, and her sister had not been going solely for training, she would certainly have wheedled her way into joining them.
"Shinobu, while Kanae is away, I'll leave the Butterfly Mansion in your hands."
Shinobu Kocho answered listlessly, "Yes, Lord Dawn Hashira-"
After packing a few things,
Xia Xi prepared to set out for headquarters.
Before leaving, he glanced at the Butterfly Mansion's yard.
The childlike Kuang Jin was practicing Kendo with