Joining

The previous Masters of the Demon Slayer Corps had actually been aware of these two problems, but had never found a good solution.

Every cultivator in the Demon Slayer Corps had different teaching methods and standards, and the disciples they trained varied in ability.

What was more, some people did fine during training, but when faced with demons and the threat of death, they might lose their composure, or even the courage to draw their swords and fight.

That was precisely why the final selection had been established.

But this method of testing did have flaws, the most obvious being the two Kanzaki Kumo had pointed out.

In theory, the solution was not difficult: simply assign a few high-ranking swordsmen to watch over each selection from the shadows.

The problem, however, was that the Demon Slayer Corps had too few people.

The stronger the swordsmen were, the heavier and more dangerous their assignments became. There was simply no way to spare anyone to oversee the newcomers' final selection.

"I'm very sorry, young Kanzaki. The Demon Slayer Corps really is too short-handed at present, so neither of the problems you raised can be resolved for now. But I will continue thinking of solutions. As for the present, all we can do is slightly increase the frequency of the Hashira's patrols of Mount Fujikasane."

After thinking for a long time, Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head. The fervor in his voice had faded, replaced by guilt and self-reproach.

He had not dismissed Kanzaki Kumo's concerns because of his age. Not only had he seriously considered solutions, he had not made the person who pointed out the problems solve them, nor had he dealt with that person when he could not solve the problems. As Demon Slayer Corps Master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was already far better than the so-called leaders Kanzaki Kumo had seen or heard about in his previous life.

Moreover, even with Kanzaki Kumo's powers of observation, he could find no sign that the guilt and self-reproach were feigned. At the very least, that meant the current Demon Slayer Corps Master was a good person.

Yes, Kanzaki Kumo had already silently stamped Kagaya Ubuyashiki as a good person in his mind.

While Kagaya Ubuyashiki was still blaming himself, Kanzaki Kumo turned to glance out the window. Evening had already arrived.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was still pondering solutions to the two problems, while Gyomei was considering whether to join the Demon Slayer Corps and disrupt his current peaceful life. Kanzaki Kumo was the first to break the silence.

"I can join the Demon Slayer Corps, but I have one condition."

"Please, go ahead." Kanzaki Kumo's agreement to join temporarily eased Kagaya Ubuyashiki's worries.

"Among the children this temple took in, there was a boy named Kaigaku. First, he stole valuables from the temple. After he was driven out, he lured a demon here and even destroyed the incense that kept demons away. Otherwise, this place would never have been attacked by a demon last night."

Kanzaki Kumo looked straight into Kagaya Ubuyashiki's eyes.

"My condition is that I never see him again."

This rather blunt "hint" made Kagaya Ubuyashiki pause inwardly, and he turned to Gyomei beside him.

"Amitabha. I do not know who lured the demon here or who destroyed the incense, but Kaigaku was indeed not a good child. He was driven out after repeatedly doing wrong, and the other children also said that Kaigaku destroyed the incense burner. Therefore, I believe what Kumo said. Besides, a bad child like that should be punished."

As though sensing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's gaze, Gyomei pressed his palms together before his chest and spoke slowly. He had wanted to add that Kaigaku was only a child and his crimes did not warrant death, but Kanzaki Kumo touched his arm, making him swallow the rest of his words.

"I see... I agree." After a brief moment of thought, Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded his consent.

On one side was a prodigy willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps; on the other was a menace who was clearly extremely selfish and disregarded other people's lives. This choice required practically no hesitation. If anything, Kagaya Ubuyashiki worried that agreeing too quickly might make him seem like someone who also held life in contempt.

"Mr. Ubuyashiki, I am also willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps and do my part in slaying demons," Gyomei added.

"Thank you both very much."

"In that case, you've presumably prepared the arrangements for what comes next?" Kanzaki Kumo nodded. The sooner they got rid of a menace like Kaigaku, the better.

"Of course. It is rather late now, so please get a good night's rest. Someone will come early tomorrow morning to take you both to the Demon Slayer Corps. Demons are most active at night, and the same goes for the Corps' work. I still need to return and attend to some matters, so I will take my leave."

After briefly explaining the situation, Kagaya Ubuyashiki rose to leave. Gyomei and Kanzaki Kumo also walked out of the quiet room, one after the other.

That night, Kanzaki Kumo lay in bed with countless thoughts running through his mind.

When he watched the anime in his previous life, he had felt sorrow over the tragedies of many characters in this world. Now that he had been reincarnated here, and clearly at a very early point in the timeline, many future tragedies had become possible to rewrite.

Of course, more importantly, he had to grow stronger. Otherwise, never mind rewriting tragedies-even protecting himself would be a problem. In this world, who knew which night he might run into a demon?

Thinking about growing stronger led him to Breathing Styles, which in turn led him to consider which one he should choose to practice. Then he began imagining what he would look like after learning those cool Breathing Styles...

Amid all those tangled thoughts, Kanzaki Kumo drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Ubuyashiki Estate.

Riding back at full speed, Kagaya Ubuyashiki returned in the deep darkness of night.

He had only just reached the entrance when his wife, Amane, came to meet him with an urgent report in hand.

"Mr. Kuwajima was severely injured on a mission and lost a leg. He is receiving treatment in the Medical Department now."

The news instantly extinguished Kagaya Ubuyashiki's joy at having just recruited two prodigies.

"Let's go see him together."

"Yes."

Inside, two little girls who had been woken by their movements, Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki, stood by the window and sighed helplessly as they watched their parents hurry away.

"Let's go back to sleep."

Hinaki patted her younger sister's shoulder.

"Okay..."

The two considerate little girls knew that their parents bore heavy responsibilities. Young as they were, the only way they could help was to look after themselves and keep their parents from worrying about them.

In the Demon Slayer Corps Medical Department, the severely injured Rumble Hashira, Jigoro Kuwajima, had regained consciousness. Feeling the pain throughout his body, particularly in his right leg, which had lost its lower half, he was utterly listless.

He had traveled from place to place slaying demons throughout the night, only to fall victim to a sneak attack by a demon with a particularly insidious Blood Demon Art because his body was exhausted.

Although he had slain the demon despite his severe injuries, it had cost him a leg.

"Ah..."

Jigoro Kuwajima was sighing not only over his injuries, but also out of concern for the Demon Slayer Corps' future. What troubled this old man, who had devoted half his life to slaying demons, was that he too would now have to retire due to injury. Shinjuro Rengoku would be the Corps' only remaining Hashira, and its future would become even more difficult.

Before long, there was a knock at the ward's door, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked softly from outside, "Mr. Jigoro, may we come in?"

"Of course. Please come in, Master."

Watching the Ubuyashiki couple slide the door open and enter together, Kuwajima sighed inwardly again. He had not even noticed that there had been two sets of footsteps outside, further showing him just how badly his physical condition had deteriorated.

"My apologies, Lady Amane. I failed to notice that you had come as well."

"Please don't worry about it, Mr. Kuwajima."

"..."

The room fell silent for a time.

Jigoro Kuwajima felt somewhat ashamed to ask for retirement, while the Ubuyashiki couple were distressed by his injuries.

It was no exaggeration to say that this graying pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps had watched its current head grow up. Now, this elder was covered in wounds and could hardly continue fighting on the front lines.

"Mr. Jigoro, once your injuries have healed, please become a cultivator."

In the end, Kagaya Ubuyashiki took the initiative to break the heavy atmosphere.

"Yes, Master."

Jigoro Kuwajima accepted, his voice trembling slightly.

"Please do not let this weigh on you. The Demon Slayer Corps has endured for hundreds of years. With our swordsmen's unyielding resolve, we can weather any setback. Besides, I believe that with your skill, you will surely train many outstanding swordsmen in the future."

"I will not fail the trust you have placed in me, Master!"

"It's just... Shinjuro and the other swordsmen will have a harder time from now on."

"Focus on recovering, Mr. Jigoro. Only by restoring your health can you teach more effectively. I have already contacted a craftsman who makes prosthetic limbs. Although he cannot restore you to how you were before, it should make your daily life easier."

"Thank you, Master."