The Hashira meeting!
It was the Demon Slayer Corps' highest-level meeting, gathering all the Hashira-level swordsmen to discuss important matters and receive instructions from the Corps' leader.
Whenever a meeting was called, it was invariably because something of the utmost importance had happened, usually something concerning the Demon Slayer Corps' continued existence.
"They're actually holding a meeting... Looks like Kagaya Ubuyashiki did take this matter to heart."
Speaking of meetings, Lu You's first thought was of a certain slime anime where they held meetings all day long.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was hardly like that, though. Almost every meeting concerned serious business. After all, the Hashira were busy and normally had no time to gather.
After receiving the news, Lu You was half satisfied and half dissatisfied.
He was dissatisfied because he wanted to change the Demon Slayer Corps' system quickly. Waiting two months to decide was rather late.
He was satisfied because the Demon Slayer Corps had not forgotten the matter. It would not simply disappear without a trace, never to be heard of again.
"Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer to get that 20% Synchronization Value. In that case..."
Lu You rubbed his chin, considering how to increase his Synchronization Value over these two months.
He had two things to do now: first, increase his template Synchronization Value, and second, refine Source Breathing.
The former progressed slowly; the latter required time.
"I'll kill demons. That's the simplest way to increase my Synchronization Value. Besides, with the Hashira meeting coming up, killing one of the Twelve Kizuki would make a fine gift.
"If I can eliminate an Upper Rank, Ubuyashiki will have absolutely no reason to reject my proposed reforms."
Killing demons was a good way to accomplish two things at once.
Knock, knock, knock...
Knocking came from the entrance.
Lu You looked up. Through the diamond-shaped paper window, he saw a gray-haired old woman emerge into the courtyard. She approached the front gate, drew back the bolt, and opened it with a creak.
Standing outside was a burly man wearing a bamboo hat and a Tengu Mask, with a long, slender bundle hanging from his back.
"My name is Hagane Ikkyū. I was ordered to forge a Nichirin Blade for the swordsman You. This is the blade I forged."
He took the bundle off his back and unfolded layer after layer of cotton cloth, finally revealing a straight longsword in a black-and-red scabbard.
Lu You appeared before him in an instant, his eyes brightening slightly. "Thank you. I'm Lu You."
"Master Lu You, please try the blade."
"All right."
Lu You took the sword. Its scabbard was about ninety centimeters long, slightly longer than that of a normal Nichirin Blade.
Simple patterns were carved into it, with plain red spider lilies adorning the black scabbard.
Clang! The clear ring made their ears tingle.
The blade slowly left its scabbard. A metallic chill spread around them, making their skin seem to sting. Hagane Ikkyū stared, transfixed.
"A Nichirin Blade is a color-changing blade. Its color changes according to its owner. Master Lu You, please use your Breathing Style."
Lu You nodded and drew the sword completely.
The blade was perfectly straight without the slightest bend, curving only at its very tip. Then, slowly, a pitch-black glow suddenly flowed upward from its base, covering the entire blade.
"A black blade..."
But it was still changing.
Scarlet lines appeared across the pitch-black blade in an instant, tracing exquisite patterns of flowers in full bloom. The entire sword was black and red, elegant and mysterious, exceedingly dangerous yet breathtakingly beautiful.
"Truly, a color I've never seen before! Utterly beautiful!"
Hagane Ikkyū exclaimed in admiration. As though he had spotted a treasure, he kept bending down to examine the sword.
Lu You was very satisfied and sheathed it.
Seeing Lu You's satisfaction, the swordsmith felt proud as well. "Hehe, may fortune favor you in battle."
Hagane Ikkyū left soon afterward. With his sword in hand, Lu You returned to his room.
He was not the only one. Over the following days, the other three also received their Nichirin Blades.
Now that he had his sword, there was no need to remain here. Lu You intended to leave.
But he was still choosing his target.
"In the original story, there are only two of the Twelve Kizuki whose locations I know for certain: Lower Rank Five, Rui, on Mount Natagumo, and Upper Rank Six, Gyūtarō, in Yoshiwara's Entertainment District."
Going after the Lower Rank would practically guarantee a victory without injury.
Going after the Upper Rank carried some risk, and Yoshiwara's Entertainment District was a densely populated area.
If he went alone, it would be difficult to look out for ordinary people.
Ordinary people on a battlefield of that level were no different from blood bags for an Upper Rank demon.
Who should he fight?
Lu You spent only a tenth of a second thinking about it.
"Obviously, the Upper Rank. Either don't do it or go all the way. I need to secure as much absolute say as possible at the Hashira meeting."
As for the crowds in Yoshiwara's Entertainment District...
Ask Tanjiro for help? No, Tanjiro hasn't finished his training yet. He's nowhere near ready and could easily get killed on the spot.
Wait, don't I have three extras right here?
Lu You suddenly turned his gaze toward the three fellows swinging their swords in the courtyard to test them.
Although they could not help in a direct fight, helping evacuate the crowds would be no problem.
"Xijing, I suddenly have a bad feeling."
"Yamada, you coward. Worried about being sent on a mission?"
"Bullshit! Me, scared? Even if I got beaten to death or died out there, there's no way I'd be the slightest bit afraid!"
Then, the very next day, Lu You swept all three of them up and set off toward Yoshiwara's Entertainment District.
"Come on. I'm taking you to find an Upper Rank of the Twelve Kizuki."
"Bro, I'm scared! Aaaah!"
The four set out on their journey.
Unless they traveled at top speed, reaching the Entertainment District would take nearly half a month. Fortunately, Lu You could use that time to refine his Breathing Style.
To conceal their intentions, they also accepted a few missions along the way, making their destination seem less obvious.
Traveling while growing stronger made for a fulfilling journey.
Half a month later, when Lu You and his three underlings saw the walls of Yoshiwara's Entertainment District, his panel had taken on an entirely new look.
[Name: Lu You (invading entity)] [Psychic Energy realm: Middle First Tier] [Innate ability: Astral Transit (red)] [Strength: 59 Speed: 56 Qi: 50 Spirit: 1] [Skills: Reverse Cursed Technique-blue, Malevolent Shrine-blue, Source Breathing (constant)-green, comprehensive weapon combat-green, swordsmanship proficiency-green, steel ball expert-green, basic hand-to-hand combat-white, Psychic Energy control-gray...] [Constitution: intermediate physique-green] [Loaded template: Yuji Itadori (current Synchronization Value: 32%)]
"After Source Breathing came into being, my physique improved dramatically again. I feel like, among the Hashira-level swordsmen, only the Stone Hashira and Mitsuri Kanroji could match me in an arm-wrestling contest."
The system now assessed Lu You as being at Middle First Tier.
Even in Fuyuki City in the main world, someone at this level would not be considered weak. Moreover, Lu You possessed so many skills that his actual combat strength far surpassed Middle First Tier.
Only his Spirit attribute remained at one point. As for how to increase it, Lu You had no ideas yet.
But he was in no hurry. There would be a way forward when the time came.
"Upper Rank Six probably isn't as strong as I am now, but I'll have to fight him to know."
He could not fully trust the portrayal in the original story. After all, the Sound Hashira and Tanjiro's group had ganged up on Upper Rank Six.
That had diluted the sense of pressure the enemy exerted.
"It really is bustling, boss!"
Hirakawa spoke quietly, suppressing his excitement.
The four had now changed into ordinary clothes and entered the bustling city that never slept-the Entertainment District!
Brilliant golden lights illuminated the entire city.
The streets were packed with men-customers-wearing kimonos and black caps. In groups of three or five, or alone, they moved among the brightly lit establishments.
Behind the paper windows on either side of the street, many women in lavish kimonos could be seen.
Although richly dressed, most wore cold or expressionless faces, displayed like merchandise behind latticed windows, waiting for customers to choose them.
Along Yoshiwara's central avenue, enormous Yūjo Houses stood tightly packed on both sides.
These buildings were usually three stories tall, their exteriors decorated with exquisite carvings and enormous signs. Brightly lit at night, they formed a dazzling tunnel of light.
Luxuriously dressed oiran rode in palanquins held high, surrounded by attendants and geisha in magnificent clothing.
Huge candlelit lanterns lined the streets they passed through as they held grand, almost mythical processions.
This was the Entertainment District, the city that never slept that demons loved most!
Lu You's mind was clear as a mirror. His extremely keen senses prompted him to look in the direction from which a faint sense of danger came.
There stood a vast cluster of buildings.
It was also a place where customers and geisha enjoyed themselves.
Xijing and the other two were all flushed. Not only were they staring dumbfounded, but they had also grown hard... Their fists, of course.
"Boss, we've got nothing on today. Let's listen to some music at a pleasure house!"
Before you continue