In a spacious hall, the Hashiras debated among themselves heatedly.
They had been summoned here by their leader on short notice, without explaining much about the situation.
However, the obvious absence of Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, within their ranks suggested the obvious reason for this summon.
The Flame Hashira, Rengoku, was also missing in the hall, but it was because of a mission.
"It's that white little shit, again, isn't it?!" the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, spat, veins pulsing against his scars.
"Didn't you see that woman fighting?" the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, asked, hissing under his breath.
The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, looked out from the open door of the hall, remembering the woman.
Now a Demon Slayer, Moraine had left a queer, but powerful impression in the hearts of the Hashira.
It wasn't just her mastery over the sword, but her armor and... her demonic powers, both felt like children's fantasies coming true.
"She was flamboyant!" the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, blurted, laughing. "Not as fun as fighting him, still..."
"Let me have a go at him!" the Wind Hashira screamed. "I will mess up that little demon..."
"Amitabha!" the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, put his hands together, tears falling from his closed eyes. "Don't forget the Upper Moon Six."
Upper Rank Six, Gyutaro and Daki, the siblings.
None of the Hashiras had fought them. Nor had they seen Kai fighting them.
However, after receiving a listless Daki as the spoil, Insect Hashira had sung the tale of Kai's fight with the siblings like poetry.
Now, a few of the Hashiras might not trust Kai completely, but they never thought of Shinobu as a liar.
What she said, was the truth, then.
If it wasn't just the fact that there wasn't one, but two demons, representing the Upper Moon Six, then it was their use of Resurreccion that had shocked the Hashiras.
And, if even that wasn't enough, then, later, they had used Segunda Espada — a myth, even among the figures of Hashiras and Upper Moons.
For Kai to fight such a demon on equal grounds, defeat it, and then capture one of them alive —
— it was a feat beyond imagination.
Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, kept silent, his eyes planted dead on the wooden floor.
Will I get to meet him today?! Mitsuri, the Love Hashira, asked herself, blushing. No. No. He belongs to Shinobu-Chan... Ahhhh! Noooooooo!!!
Suddenly, the inner doors opened.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, walked in, accompanied by his wife, Amane Ubuyashiki.
The moment the Hashiras' eyes landed on him, they shot up to their feet.
The shock, pain, and sadness in their voices were obvious.
Lavender-colored, shriveled skin now covered Kagaya's left face. It felt like his entire face was rotting, the obvious signs of the curse showing themselves.
He took a seat in front of the Hashiras, his wife sitting next to him.
"It's nothing to be worried about," Kagaya said, smiling. He pointed toward his left, suggesting the Hashiras take a seat. "Guests have come from afar. Let's not make them wait any longer."
The Hashiras clenched their fists, but reluctantly sat down, masks of worry shadowing their faces.
The Wind Hashira felt the itch in his bones now. "Has he come back..."
He couldn't finish the question, though. The very air had stalled. They could feel it. All Hashiras could sense it. It was a feeling, like a current, coursing through the stagnant air.
Then, one by one, they began hearing his steps.
Hashiras were masters of breathing, to say the least.
They could even control their heart rates, quickening or slowing them down as per the requirement.
However, at this moment, involuntarily their hearts began resonating with the steps.
Each step made their hearts beat once.
Then again. Again. Again.
As slow as the steps were, they landed on their hearts; powerful and majestic.
Blood rushed into their brains with an explosion, their eyes going bloodshot. Veins pulsed on their foreheads and the tips of their fingers throbbed.
What was going on?! Why was it happening?!! It wasn't like they were going to meet him for the first time, no? Then why?!
Why did it feel like a calamity was descending upon them?!!!
Kagaya Ubuyashiki wasn't faring any better, sensing the doom.
However, he forcefully squashed the emotions, maintaining his smile.
Just as the Hashiras couldn't bear any longer, their hands reaching for their swords, they saw him.
When he came into their vision, he replaced the world!
White shirt over white pants and shoes. His shoulder-length white hair was swaying left and right with the wind. The smile on his face seemed eternal. His hazel, reptilian eyes donned purple rings.
The yellow cloak on his shoulders fluttered as if it had a life of its own.
With one slow step after another, he entered the hall and looked at them.
And all Hashiras thought the same thing. This man... is strong!
What they were looking at wasn't man or demon, but pure, raw Strength.
"We meet again," the Demon King greeted Kagaya and the Hashiras. "Sooner than I'd thought."
The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps sighed, reining his boiling emotions.
"Please sit," Kagaya said, pointing to the place next to him.
The Hashiras were gobsmacked.
Oyakata-sama was asking to sit beside him? Wouldn't that...
It was equivalent to elevating this man's status to himself!
It was equivalent to accepting the demon hidden within him!
It was equivalent to already accepting the proposal the Hashiras knew this man was going to make!
Smiling, the white-haired swordsman sat down next to the two Ubuyashiki, leaving the door's threshold.
It happened out of nowhere.
It was as if just had they dealt with one calamity, when another calamity befell, squashing them in between.
They were hearing them again.
They were hearing the steps again.
Their hearts began slowing down, quickening, and beating irregularly.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki mechanically shifted his head with disbelief and looked to his left, but the white-haired man had already closed his eyes, a smile lingering on his face.
Black shirt over black jeans, his hands down in his pockets...
The Calm walked toward them with a nonchalant smile, shaking the world around him.
"Impossible..." the Wind Hashira mumbled. That was a mistake.
Blood oozed out from his mouth, making him grit his teeth, trying to regain control over his breathing.
Taking a step inside the hall, the short, black-haired man, who looked exactly like his white-haired counterpart, sat down, facing the Stone Hashira.
Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, entered the Hall, then.
Under the shocked eyes of the Hashiras, she silently, ignoring the black-haired doom, took a seat next to Kai just like Amane sat next to Kagaya.
It wasn't the end of shocks and surprises, though.
It was just the beginning.
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