Chapter 16: Rearrangements and Meetings |
A short while later.
The tremors wracking Akaza’s body finally subsided as he completely assimilated the blood Muzan had bestowed upon him.
He tightened his fists, savoring the explosive surge of power now coursing through his veins.
If he were to encounter Makomo and Kanae now...
He would surely emerge victorious!
"Master Muzan, thank you for this gift!" Akaza declared, dropping to one knee in a deep bow.
"Do not disappoint me," Muzan replied with a calm nod. He then shifted his cold, piercing gaze toward the rest of the Twelve Kizuki, causing them to shudder violently.
None of the Upper Ranks dared to speak, while the Lower Ranks could barely maintain their composure under his scrutiny.
Once the demons had been reduced to trembling wrecks, Muzan finally spoke in a measured tone. "An obstacle has appeared on my path. Destroy it."
The demons remained silent.
An oppressive stillness filled the fortress.
"What sort of obstacle, my Lord?" Kokushibo inquired cautiously.
"A swordswoman," Muzan answered indifferently. "A practitioner of an unknown style has appeared, one whose strength rivals the greatest masters of the Breathing Techniques. The world does not need another path. The world does not need more swordsmen. Her style must not be allowed to spread as the Breathing Techniques once did."
The Progenitor's words sent a shockwave through the gathered demons.
Kokushibo, in particular, was stunned. 'A style has appeared that is as formidable as... the Breathing Techniques?'
The creator of the Breathing Techniques, which were still passed down to this day, was the greatest genius the world had ever seen—his own brother, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Until now, no style had ever existed that could truly compare to the Breathing Techniques. Even the newer branches of those techniques were mere shadows of what Yoriichi Tsugikuni had pioneered.
But today.
Such a style had emerged.
Naturally, Kokushibo was shaken to his core.
Muzan replied with cold detachment, "It matters not how this new style came to be; the world is always changing. Simply destroy it."
"...Understood!" the Upper Rank One answered resolutely.
Though he did not fully believe that an unknown style could match the Breathing Techniques, it had to be eliminated regardless!
Kokushibo had never managed to reach the heights of his brilliant brother. However, since Yoriichi’s death, he had become the world's preeminent master of the blade.
Any challenger would fall beneath his sword!
Muzan swept his gaze over the trembling demons one last time before turning away to leave.
But.
Akaza called out after him, "Master Muzan, I request permission for a Blood Battle among the Upper Ranks!"
The Progenitor slightly turned his head. "Do as you wish."
At the moment, only Akaza showed any promise in Muzan's eyes. As for the internal struggles of the Upper Ranks, it mattered little who Akaza intended to challenge; the ranks were distributed according to strength anyway.
Having received Muzan's approval, Akaza cast a defiant, warlike glance toward Doma and Kokushibo. "Then..."
The forty-third year of the Taisho Era.
Upper Rank Three Akaza defeated Upper Rank Two Doma by a narrow margin, but subsequently lost to Upper Rank One Kokushibo by a similarly thin margin in a battle for the highest position.
In the end.
The holder of the Upper Rank Two position changed, while the first remained unchallenged.
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
In the inner courtyard, before the entrance to the main estate, a small line of young swordsmen had gathered, including Kanae Kocho. These were the elite, the strongest representatives of the Demon Slayer Corps, whose rank reflected their vital role—the Hashira!
The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps!
The reason for their gathering was simple.
The holding of the highest assembly of the organization: the Hashira Meeting.
Present in the line were familiar faces, such as the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, the Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, and others, as well as some unfamiliar faces destined to fall in the coming years.
Seventeen-year-old Giyu Tomioka was also there, having become the Water Hashira just a month prior. However, sixteen-year-old Kyojuro Rengoku was absent, as he was currently a Demon Slayer of the Kinoe rank, just one step below the Hashira.
"Does anyone know why we've been summoned so suddenly?" the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, inquired.
Since each Hashira was responsible for protecting their assigned territory, a sudden emergency meeting was a significant undertaking; there had to be a powerful reason behind it.
Thus, every such assembly traditionally signaled a major event.
In the original timeline, the true reason for the Hashira Meeting four years later would not be Nezuko’s demonic nature, but Tanjiro’s contact with the Progenitor of Demons—Muzan!
Not even a Lower Rank would warrant an emergency summons for all Hashira, let alone an ordinary demon. Only critical information regarding an Upper Rank would suffice as a worthy cause.
Tengen cast a glance toward Gyomei.
The monk replied calmly, "Speculation is futile. We will be told everything when the time is right."
Though the Stone Hashira was blind, his other senses far surpassed the limits of any normal human being.
Kanae Kocho hesitated for a moment before interjecting into the conversation between the Stone and Sound Hashira. "Well... I know why."
At those words, the eyes of every other Hashira immediately focused on the Flower Hashira.
The girl offered a gentle smile. "I do not know Oyakata-sama’s full plans, but there are two primary reasons for this gathering. First... I recently encountered Upper Rank Three."
Upper Rank Three!
Kanae’s revelation deeply shocked the Hashira.
Many of those present had personally decapitated one of the Twelve Kizuki, but those had been exclusively Lower Ranks.
There were simply no records of an Upper Rank falling to a Hashira's blade. In fact, an encounter with an Upper Rank was one of the most common causes of death for those of their rank.
"So, what did he look like? What kind of abilities did he possess?" one of them asked instantly.
"I am glad you are still with us..." another added with genuine concern.
Kanae replied calmly, "I will describe Upper Rank Three in full detail when Oyakata-sama arrives. For now, you should hear the second reason... a newcomer has joined our ranks. Oyakata-sama has decided to appoint her as a Hashira immediately. This is unprecedented in our history, so our leader requires our formal consent."
Silence fell over the courtyard after she spoke.
A newcomer?
A direct promotion to Hashira?
They needed their consent?
Naturally, those present were no fools and immediately concluded that this newcomer must possess extraordinary abilities.
However, a direct promotion to the honored rank of Hashira without a track record of service would naturally provoke a negative reaction, regardless of the individual's raw strength.
"I do not intend to object, provided she can convince me!" Tengen Uzui declared. The Sound Hashira’s statement made it clear that he was not about to give his approval lightly.
"A Hashira is characterized by more than just strength. Every one of us had to endure life-and-death battles with demons to stand here today. So, do not be offended if I oppose the leader's decision!" another Hashira added.
"Oyakata-sama must have his reasons, so let us not jump to conclusions," Gyomei said unperturbedly. "We must first see this newcomer for ourselves..."