A record to prove it

Oyakata-sama, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, solemnly surveyed everyone in the courtyard with his remaining eye.

"It's been so long since I last saw you all."

"How wonderful that I can still see your faces."

His voice was very gentle, as soothing to the ear as a spring breeze.

Yet at Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words, everyone's breathing grew heavy.

They all knew the state of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's health and understood even better what he meant.

The purple scars on his forehead were like a death warrant growing on his body, eating away at his life every moment.

For now, Oyakata-sama still had one eye with which to see everyone clearly, but what about in a little while...

But Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed unconcerned by this and simply continued with a gentle smile.

"How have you all been lately?"

At these words, even the ever-defiant Sanemi Shinazugawa reined in his attitude.

He said respectfully:

"We've all been well."

"But Master, your health is what matters most!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa and smiled.

"Thank you, Sanemi."

"I heard your voice from the back just now. It sounded as though you had some questions?"

Sanemi Shinazugawa clearly did not want to question him outright, but under Kagaya Ubuyashiki's gaze, he still spoke.

"Master, forgive my impertinence, but..."

"Kyojuro Rengoku demonstrated convincing strength, which is why I no longer have any objections to his succeeding as the Flame Hashira."

"To put it plainly, the Demon Slayer Corps is a place where results and strength have to speak for themselves."

"But I've never even heard of this fellow before."

"Did you call him here because you want to recruit him into the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Lin Yoriichi was a little taken aback.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was targeting him even on an occasion like this?

But once he thought about Sanemi Shinazugawa's personality, Lin Yoriichi understood.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was not deliberately targeting him on this occasion in an attempt to embarrass him.

The guy simply had no tact, and questioned anything that failed to convince him.

Just consider Sanemi Shinazugawa's "record" in the original story-

First, when he became the Wind Hashira, he questioned Kagaya Ubuyashiki, believing that he merely treated swordsmen as disposable pawns.

Later, when Kyojuro Rengoku was preparing to succeed his father, he questioned whether he had sneaked into the Hashira Meeting.

Later still, when he met Genya Shinazugawa, who had also joined the Demon Slayer Corps, he questioned his choice to take such a dangerous and mistaken path, not only trying to drive Genya Shinazugawa away but also refusing to acknowledge their brotherhood.

Not to mention how, when Tanjiro Kamado appeared at the Hashira Meeting with his sister, he drew his sword and stabbed Nezuko outright...

One could only say that throughout his life, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, was either questioning something or on his way to questioning something.

So faced with a Sanemi Shinazugawa like this, Lin Yoriichi naturally chose to forgive him... like hell he did!

Lin Yoriichi stepped forward and said in a low voice:

"So, do you want to check my past record, or test my strength?"

He knew very well that Sanemi Shinazugawa was not really a "bad person."

But unless he was thoroughly convinced, Sanemi Shinazugawa would not turn himself into a "good person" who knew how to respect others.

"You..."

At those words, veins immediately bulged at Sanemi Shinazugawa's temples.

But he had only gotten out a single word before Gyomei Himejima held him back.

Slowly withdrawing the hand he had just used to restrain Sanemi Shinazugawa, he pressed his palms together and said gravely:

"Though we currently have nine Hashira, we remain the weaker side compared to those demons."

"We all understand Oyakata-sama's wish to make a special recruitment of swordsmen into the Demon Slayer Corps."

"However, we also need to know more about him to make working together easier in the future."

At these words, Lin Yoriichi's expression softened somewhat.

What Gyomei Himejima had said was actually much the same as what Sanemi Shinazugawa meant.

But his way of saying it was clearly easier to accept.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki listened to their conversation with a smile on his face throughout.

At this point, he turned toward Giyu Tomioka and said softly:

"Giyu, you and Mr. Yoriichi went to support Murata."

"Why don't you give everyone a brief introduction to Mr. Yoriichi's strength?"

Giyu Tomioka was silent for a long moment before saying, "Very strong."

Then Giyu Tomioka fell silent.

Only after another long stretch did everyone realize that Giyu Tomioka had already finished speaking.

Now, not only Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai Iguro, but even Shinobu Kocho beside them had veins bulging on their foreheads.

Lin Yoriichi could only feel like covering his face and sighing.

Come on, man. You were asked to introduce my strength, and after all that time, you really only managed two words!

Even the corners of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's mouth could not help lifting as he turned toward Murata.

"Murata, why don't you add something?"

Suddenly singled out by Oyakata-sama, Murata froze.

The rumors that Oyakata-sama could remember the name of every member of the Demon Slayer Corps were actually true!

He raised his hand in surprise, pointing shakily at himself.

"Ah... me?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki gave him an encouraging smile.

"Yes. Please tell everyone about Mr. Yoriichi's strength."

Feeling the gazes of Oyakata-sama and all the Hashira focused on him, Murata trembled slightly.

But he still mustered his courage and said:

"I personally saw Mr. Lin Yoriichi fight. He used a Breathing Style very similar to Flame Breathing."

"The demon we encountered together was extremely cunning. It used its Blood Demon Art to feign attacks on Mr. Tomioka and me, then secretly launched a surprise attack on Mr. Yoriichi."

"But Mr. Yoriichi killed that demon in an instant!"

After saying this, Murata seemed to have exhausted all his strength and immediately lowered his head.

As a result, he missed the Hashira's surprise upon hearing this news.

Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together, and two streams of hot tears suddenly rolled down his face.

"The ability to use a Blood Demon Art shows that the demon possessed considerable strength."

"Being able to slay that demon instantly shows that Yoriichi is strong enough to join the Demon Slayer Corps, and could at least be rated a Lower Rank swordsman or higher."

"I support his joining the Demon Slayer Corps."

Lin Yoriichi stared at Gyomei Himejima, a little dazed.

He had almost forgotten how much Gyomei Himejima liked to cry.

Sanemi Shinazugawa also fell silent at these words.

He could instantly slay a demon with a Blood Demon Art, and from the sound of it, he might even have created his own Breathing Style similar to Flame Breathing.

With Oyakata-sama wishing to recruit someone like that into the Demon Slayer Corps, he naturally would not keep questioning it.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki suddenly looked toward Lin Yoriichi, then said gravely:

"In fact, Mr. Yoriichi has another truly astonishing feat to his name."

"A few days ago, he encountered Muzan Kibutsuji face-to-face at the summit of Mount Kumotori."

"Not only did he escape unscathed, but he also protected a family living at the summit."

Those words were like a massive boulder dropped into still water.

The Hashira present all froze for a moment, then shock spread across their faces!