Lin Yoriichi had even considered that Sanemi Shinazugawa might seize the chance to "ambush" him to test his strength.
But he truly hadn't expected Sanemi Shinazugawa to choose to join them.
What was this supposed to be?
I'm not here to break up this family, but to join it?
Lin Yoriichi's expression grew increasingly strange, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki wore a smile, seemingly having anticipated this all along.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with a smile:
"Sanemi, of course it's a good thing that you're willing to join."
"But I require you and Kyojuro Rengoku to follow Mr. Yoriichi's orders at critical moments. Can you do that?"
No sooner had he finished than Kyojuro Rengoku shouted energetically:
"Of course! No problem!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa, however, didn't answer immediately. He merely looked at Lin Yoriichi with displeasure.
He had been observing Lin Yoriichi ever since he entered the courtyard.
Weak!
This fellow named Yoriichi had far too weak a presence!
To Sanemi Shinazugawa's senses, this fellow's presence didn't even measure up to that Murata who had come in with him.
Although Murata and Giyu had already explained how strong he was.
And Oyakata-sama had personally acknowledged Yoriichi's accomplishments, saying that he had not only escaped Muzan Kibutsuji unscathed, but had even protected a family.
Yet Lin Yoriichi's weak presence still left him unconvinced, and even worried him.
Sanemi Shinazugawa didn't know exactly what the special mission Oyakata-sama had mentioned was, but since he had called upon Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, there certainly had to be considerable risk.
So he had chosen to join them to provide more strength when they encountered demons and protect this Yoriichi.
But at critical moments, Kyojuro Rengoku and I would have to follow his orders?
Sanemi Shinazugawa began to doubt him again.
Seeing this, Lin Yoriichi couldn't help sighing again.
Fine. I get it now.
Unless I completely convinced Sanemi Shinazugawa, he would question me on every front.
So he stepped down from the veranda, stood in the courtyard, and said bluntly:
"Sanemi Shinazugawa, I already asked you before."
"Do you want to look into my past accomplishments, or test my strength?"
As he spoke, Lin Yoriichi also observed Sanemi Shinazugawa through the Transparent World, which he had never fully deactivated.
His breathing, his heartbeat, the contraction of his muscles...
All this information surfaced in Lin Yoriichi's mind. He knew that Sanemi Shinazugawa was ready to attack.
Though Gyomei Himejima couldn't see, he too sensed the signs that Sanemi Shinazugawa was about to act.
He pressed his palms together, his tone stern:
"Sanemi, do not behave insolently before Oyakata-sama!"
"Besides, armed fighting within the Demon Slayer Corps is forbidden!"
His face taut, Sanemi Shinazugawa declared in a low voice:
"I'll test his strength barehanded."
"I hope the Master can forgive me afterward!"
As his words fell, Sanemi Shinazugawa shot toward Lin Yoriichi like a cannonball fired from its barrel!
Lin Yoriichi stood where he was, feeling only a fierce gust rushing toward him.
But with the aid of the Transparent World, every movement Sanemi Shinazugawa made became clearly visible to him.
Lin Yoriichi clearly saw Sanemi Shinazugawa sweep toward him like the wind.
As he drew close, one foot suddenly planted against the ground. Then he twisted his body, driving his elbow toward Lin Yoriichi's temple.
Lin Yoriichi narrowed his eyes.
He could sense that Sanemi Shinazugawa was actually holding back.
That made dodging this elbow strike easy.
Lin Yoriichi merely leaned back slightly, letting Sanemi Shinazugawa's elbow pass him by.
Feeling his elbow hit nothing, Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes widened.
This is bad!
Sure enough, Lin Yoriichi tripped him with one foot, then followed through with a push.
Thud!
Having overcommitted to his strike, Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately lost his balance and fell to the ground in utter disarray.
Lin Yoriichi remained standing perfectly fine in the same spot, only his hair stirring in the gust the attack had raised.
"What?!"
"You, you turned on..."
Lying on the ground, Sanemi Shinazugawa had only one thought in his mind.
Even if I held back some of my strength, there's no way he could have put me on the ground in a single exchange!
This was practically a joke.
Yet when that unfinished sentence reached Lin Yoriichi's ears, it took on a different meaning.
What do you mean, "you turned it on"?
I simply hadn't turned off the Transparent World.
Not turning it off means it's on?
Silence filled the courtyard.
Meanwhile, the Hashira watching from the sidelines also wore expressions of astonishment.
Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki on the veranda was somewhat surprised.
A legendary swordsman? He truly lived up to the name.
The courtyard fell silent.
Rolling the prayer beads in his hands, Gyomei Himejima suddenly remarked:
"Truly incredible!"
Though blind, his perception was all the sharper.
Neither at rest nor at the moment he attacked had Lin Yoriichi given off any powerful presence that Gyomei Himejima could sense.
Someone who felt little different from Murata could nevertheless put Sanemi Shinazugawa on the ground in a single exchange.
Truly incredible!
Giyu Tomioka opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.
But the next moment, Shinobu Kocho, who had come over at some point, grabbed him.
Fortunately, Sanemi Shinazugawa didn't see this.
He had just gotten up and dropped to one knee facing Kagaya Ubuyashiki, his head deeply bowed.
Only now did Sanemi Shinazugawa feel that dazed sensation fade.
That's right. It definitely wasn't luck.
He had seen through every one of my movements from the very beginning.
Just then, Kagaya Ubuyashiki said apologetically to Lin Yoriichi:
"Mr. Yoriichi, I apologize to you on Sanemi's behalf."
"Sanemi has always been somewhat hotheaded. Please forgive him."
As he spoke, Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa, his tone growing sterner:
"Sanemi, apologize to Mr. Yoriichi!"
His head lowered, Sanemi Shinazugawa said through gritted teeth:
"Please forgive me!"
Lin Yoriichi waved a hand generously, indicating that he didn't mind.
He had figured it out: there certainly weren't any bad people among these Hashira, but comparatively speaking, they all had rather "distinctive personalities."
Giyu Tomioka, who had no way with words, was like that; Gyomei Himejima, who burst into tears at the slightest thing, was like that; and Sanemi Shinazugawa, who kept questioning him unless convinced, was like that too.
And then there was-
"Impressive!"
A loud, hearty voice rang out:
"Shinazugawa's elbow strike was truly excellent! Both the strength and the angle were superb!"
"Of course, Mr. Yoriichi's response was also excellent! I certainly couldn't have responded so beautifully myself!"
Naturally, the person capable of praising both sides was Kyojuro Rengoku.
Kyojuro Rengoku said loudly:
"No time to lose, Sanemi! Let's set off with Mr. Yoriichi right now!"
Lin Yoriichi couldn't help rubbing his ears, which ached from the booming voice.
He suddenly felt that this trip to Asakusa in Tokyo Prefecture would certainly not be a lonely one...
Before you continue