This was the final battle against the demons.
Naturally, the Demon Slayer Corps had gathered every force it could mobilize.
That, of course, included many cultivators who had retired from the front lines.
Originally, the Ubuyashiki Family had not intended to call upon these... elderly and wounded people who had already contributed so much to the Demon Slayer Corps.
But Xia Xi kept egging them on.
He brought up things like their [former Hashira-level combat strength].
Or how they were, at the very least, [on par with Kinoe-ranked slayers].
Then he threw in phrases people in the Far East loved hearing, like [stake everything on a glorious death].
These convincing-sounding arguments ultimately succeeded in swaying the head of the Ubuyashiki Family.
Especially another reason Xia Xi offered.
"Even if they're retired, they must still hope to kill a few more demons while they're alive."
"Boss, I know you can't bear to send these people back onto the battlefield."
"You, I, and the people themselves all understand that."
"But we're not conscripting them. We're just asking."
"Those who want to come will come."
"And I think, if you make the decision for these former cultivators and slayers without even asking them..."
"You'd be snuffing out their last lingering wish to slay demons with their own hands."
"Even if you mean well."
Back then, Xia Xi had looked at Kagaya very seriously.
Under his stare, Kagaya had been forced to close his eyes and weigh the matter.
Xia Xi had added one more thing.
"But in a sense, such overly gentle kindness is also a kind of cruelty to them."
In the end, the Ubuyashiki Family had agreed to Xia Xi's proposal.
That was also why Igarashi, who had already begun settling into retirement, and Urokodaki, who had spent many years as