Just his stance alone tells me this man is insanely strong! Mitsuri Kanroji could not help thinking, her eyes sparkling.
The newcomer was a young man with a long ponytail, a Nichirin Blade in a red-and-black sheath hanging at his waist.
He stood around 180 centimeters tall. His plain white haori fluttered, with nothing but a simple Demon Slayer Corps uniform beneath it.
His handsome face was calm and expressionless, his dark eyes deep yet gentle. Every step he took seemed to land upon their hearts, shaking them to their cores.
As the nine Hashira focused their gazes on Lu You at once, he, too, felt a little pressure from them.
As the saying went, the eyes were the windows to the soul.
A gaze likewise possessed incomparable power. Some people became timid under a hundred people's scrutiny, while others could still laugh and chat before ten thousand.
Fundamentally, this depended on the strength of one's mind.
The nine Hashira-level swordsmen were outstanding even among this world's finest, and each possessed strength no lower than the middle first tier.
Fortunately, to Lu You, it felt only like a gentle breeze.
"What a powerful mind. Indeed, hearing about someone cannot compare to meeting them. He is an exceptionally powerful swordsman."
The Stone Hashira, Himejima, pressed his palms together.
"This is our first meeting, isn't it, You? We have exchanged letters and discussed things for quite some time. The reforms you mentioned in your letters left me deeply surprised and delighted.
The Demon Slayer Corps has existed for nearly a thousand years, undergoing destruction and reorganization many times. The changes to its rules over that time must have been countless.
I failed to recognize this and continued to hold the old, rotten system up as our guiding standard. That was my mistake."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke with gentle refinement, his voice naturally soothing the heart.
This was a unique ability of the Ubuyashiki Clan, though to those with powerful minds, it was merely an aid.
What truly moved people was always sincerity met with sincerity.
Just like now.
Rather than shifting responsibility for Mount Fujikasane's selection system onto some previous Master, he shouldered the wrongdoing himself.
That was equivalent to single-handedly taking responsibility for the lives of every prospective swordsman who had died on Mount Fujikasane.
Though he had little time left to live, he did not rail against fate or blame others, instead steadfastly leading the Demon Slayer Corps onward.
Someone like that deserved respect, no matter which anime he appeared in, and Lu You admired him as well.
After all, Lu You had his own selfish interests, but this man truly pursued the greater cause in his heart with unwavering resolve, even at the cost of burning through his life.
He cupped his hands and spoke sincerely to Ubuyashiki. "It is indeed our first meeting, Master of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Since you agree that this system needs changing, there's no time like the present. How about starting with next year's Mount Fujikasane selection?
Meaningless deaths are unnecessary. It is important to give those entering the selection a chance to withdraw.
Even if they fail the selection, they should be allowed to join departments other than the demon-hunting swordsmen.
Whether in medical care or logistics, they can still contribute their strength toward their wish to eliminate demons."
Everyone listened carefully.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded with a smile and extended his hand, taking the reform proposal he had asked Amane to prepare beforehand.
Understanding his intent, Amane handed the document to Lu You, who opened it and read through it.
He took matters involving his synchronization value quite seriously.
If Yuji Itadori thought the new system was terrible too and gave him no synchronization value, wouldn't all his work have been for nothing?
"Survival time will no longer serve as the selection criterion. Instead, a points system will be used, with one point awarded for each demon killed. Candidates will pass upon reaching the required score.
Those with insufficient points may apply to join other noncombat departments after the selection ends.
Personnel will be stationed throughout the selection to maintain order. Candidates wishing to withdraw during the selection may fire a signal flare to indicate their location to staff.
Mount Fujikasane will be cleared out every two years..."
After reading it all, Lu You found no major issues. He handed the document back to Amane Ubuyashiki and said with a smile:
"I have no objections."
"Amane, let the other children take a look as well."
The documents were distributed to the Hashira present. Some nodded, while others frowned.
"Master, forgive my bluntness, but swordsmen selected this way will be severely lacking in resolve.
Killing demons is a matter of life and death. If they haven't committed themselves from the very beginning, there will be no withdrawal mechanism when they actually come face-to-face with a demon."
After reading it and glancing at the silent people around him, the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, offered his thoughts nonetheless.
"I agree with Iguro. Killing demons isn't child's play. If they want an escape route, they shouldn't join in the first place."
Sanemi Shinazugawa spoke stiffly as well.
"Hahahaha! You, your idea is good, but this might lower the overall quality of our swordsmen.
I cannot agree with your view."
Kyojuro Rengoku scratched his head and laughed heartily. He spoke his mind, and his frank, forthright answer did not come across as offensive.
"Rengoku, could the old system really ensure that only high-quality swordsmen remained? Not necessarily."
Tengen Uzui smiled as he countered.
"Yes. There have been quite a few cases where a particularly strong swordsman among a group of candidates brought many others through the selection with them."
Shinobu Kocho gently added her point. Hearing this, Giyu Tomioka's expression suddenly grew complicated.
"Since opinions differ, why don't we vote?"
Gyomei Himejima did not state his position, instead suggesting a vote.
After all, their positions now appeared sharply divided.
This was also why Kagaya Ubuyashiki had called the Hashira Meeting.
The Master could, of course, decide with a single word.
But if those below him disagreed, the decision could not be carried out.
"Then, those in favor of reform, raise your hands."
Understanding his intent, Amane addressed the ten strongest members of the Demon Slayer Corps before her.
Naturally, Lu You did not need to raise his hand, since he had proposed the reform. He simply stood quietly to one side, secretly keeping score.
Those who raised their hands in favor were the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima; the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho; the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui; and the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji.
Four Hashira expressed their approval.
Tengen Uzui met Lu You's eyes and gave him a thumbs-up, meaning, I've kept my promise.
"Those opposed, please raise your hands."
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa; the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku; the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro; and the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito.
Muichiro did not care either way. He raised his hand purely because he had just finished spacing out.
"Well..." Looking at the tied vote, Amane felt somewhat at a loss. Meanwhile, Lu You looked toward the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, who was still staring blankly with beady eyes.
The two communicated through their eyes.
Giyu: You, do I have to vote too?
Lu You: Yes.
Giyu: But I'm not the Water Hashira?
Lu You: Who cares? Just hurry up and vote!
Giyu Tomioka turned toward Amane Ubuyashiki and said respectfully, "Lady Amane, I haven't voted yet."
Good! Tomioka Rena, it's up to you!
Lu You cheered inwardly.
Seated on the platform, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's expression shifted slightly.
Has Giyu finally let go of his fixation on the past and begun to see himself as a Hashira?
"Mr. Tomioka, please speak."
"I support the reform."
His eyes were deep, tinged with sorrow.
Mount Wisteria was the source of his fixation, but that was precisely why he needed to cast this crucial vote.
This vote was to ensure there would never again be a tragedy like Sabito's, never again a tragedy like that of Sakonji Urokodaki's line of disciples...
"I see... Since even Giyu says so, I agree as well."
Flames seemed to burn in Kyojuro Rengoku's clear eyes. He was sincerely happy about the change in Giyu Tomioka.
"Changing it is fine, too. It's not a big deal."
The outwardly prickly Obanai Iguro stumbled over his words.
"As long as they can be useful afterward, I have no objections either." The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, finally nodded.
The Mist Hashira blinked without speaking.
"In that case, the reform is formally approved. It will take effect next year.
You, what do you think?"
"I have no objections."
Lu You cupped his hands. Of course he had no objections! The system's announcements were already ringing in his ears.
[You have successfully changed an organization's thousand-year-old selection system, profoundly influencing the world's future development. This outstanding institutional reform, rigorous yet merciful, has earned the extreme approval of template-Yuji Itadori. He has generously increased your synchronization value by 20%!] [Congratulations! Your cumulative synchronization value has surpassed 40%, unlocking Cursed Technique-Blood Manipulation (Blue)!] [Congratulations! Your cumulative synchronization value has surpassed 50%, unlocking advanced technique-Black Flash (Purple)!] [Congratulations on obtaining your first purple ability! Your final settlement rewards will increase by 20%!]
Awesome!
Before you continue