Chapter 794: The Upper Moon Replacement and the Hashira Meeting
Chapter 794: The Upper Moon Replacement and the Hashira Meeting
Finally.
Yusha had completely absorbed the blood bestowed upon him by Muzan Kibutsuji, and his body no longer trembled as it returned to a state of calm.
He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him and sensing the immense enhancement to his strength.
If he were to face off against Shinobu Kochou and Kanroji now, he was confident he could emerge victorious!
"Thank you for your gift, Master Muzan," Yusha said, bowing his head.
Muzan stood upright and regarded him calmly. "Do not disappoint the expectations I have of you."
Yusha remained kneeling on one knee.
Muzan turned away, his gaze falling upon the others in the room, his expression turning icy. A chilling aura permeated the air, causing everyone present to shudder.
No one dared to speak.
The Lower Moons, in particular, struggled to maintain their composure.
As the demons trembled, Muzan finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Something in this world has emerged to hinder me once more. I need you to eradicate it."
"For so many years, you have failed to completely eliminate the Demon Slayer Corps, nor have you succeeded in finding what I seek. I am deeply disappointed in all of you. This time, I do not wish to be let down again."
Silence filled the room. No one dared to utter a word.
After a lengthy pause, Upper Moon One, Kokushibo, spoke up, his voice deep and solemn. "What is it that Master Muzan wishes for us to eradicate?"
"A swordsman," Muzan replied, his tone indifferent. "A new swordsmanship style has emerged, one that rivals the power of the Breath users. This world does not need so many styles, nor does it need an abundance of swordsmen. I do not wish to see this new style spread and gain influence like that of the Breath users."
The Twelve Kizuki, including Kokushibo, were taken aback by Muzan's words.
"A swordsmanship style that rivals the Breath users...?" Kokushibo echoed, his eyes narrowing.
The Breath users were founded by his younger brother, the once-in-a-millennium prodigy, Tsukihito, and had endured throughout history.
Never before had a swordsmanship style come close to rivaling the power of the Breath users. Other styles were not even in the same league, unable to touch the hem of their garments.
And yet, here stood Muzan, speaking of a style that could match the Breath users' might.
Muzan glanced at him dispassionately. "It is of no consequence how or why new things emerge in this world. All that matters to me is that this particular style ceases to exist."
"Yes, Master Muzan," Kokushibo replied, his voice heavy with resolve.
Though he doubted that any style could truly rival the Breath users, he would not tolerate even the slightest hint of competition.
While he could never reach the heights of his brother, Tsukihito, Kokushibo was now the closest to achieving the pinnacle of swordsmanship since his brother's demise.
Any challenger would fall before his sword.
Muzan's gaze swept over the Twelve Kizuki, noting their bowed heads and acquiescence, before turning to leave.
Just then, Yusha raised his head and spoke. "Master Muzan, I wish to request a position change within the Upper Moons through a blood battle."
Muzan turned to look at him. "As you wish."
Yusha was the only one among the demons who had earned Muzan's somewhat satisfactory appraisal. Muzan cared not whom Yusha chose to challenge, as the ranking among the Twelve Kizuki was always determined by strength.
Yusha's gaze shifted to Upper Moon Two, Daki, and Upper Moon One, Kokushibo, a gleam in his eyes.
"Then..."
...
Meiji 42, year 1909.
Upper Moon Three, Yusha, requested a position change within the Upper Moons and narrowly defeated Upper Moon Two, Daki, in the exchange battle. He then challenged Upper Moon One, Kokushibo, but was defeated by a slim margin.
In the end, the first position among the Twelve Kizuki remained unchanged, while the second and third positions were swapped.
...
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
In a courtyard before a corridor, several young swordsmen stood in a neat row, including Butterfly Shinobu.
They were the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, the organization's elite warriors, their title signifying their very existence—the pillars!
The pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps!
Their presence here was for a simple reason.
Among them were some familiar faces and some strangers—familiar ones such as Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, and Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira. The strangers were those who had sacrificed themselves during the four-year period and were thus absent from the Hashira Meeting four years later.
It is worth mentioning that the now seventeen-year-old Tomioka Giyu had already assumed the position of Water Hashira a month prior, attending the Hashira Meeting, while the sixteen-year-old Rengoku Kyojuro remained a Grade-A Slayer, one rank away from Hashira, and so was not present.
"I wonder what urgent matter has brought us all here so suddenly. Do any of you know anything about it?"
Uzui looked to the others and spoke.
The Hashira Meeting was not convened lightly, as each Hashira was responsible for guarding a region. Whenever a meeting was called, all the Hashira would be summoned to headquarters, making it a very solemn occasion.
Thus, each Hashira Meeting signaled that a significant event had occurred.
Like the Hashira Meeting that took place four years later in the original timeline, ostensibly due to Nezuko Tanjiro being a demon, the real reason was that Tanjiro had come into contact with Kibutsuji Muzan!
A mere ordinary demon matter wouldn't escalate to the level of a Hashira Meeting, nor would an incident involving a Lower Moon demon. It would have to be at least intelligence regarding an Upper Moon demon to warrant such a gathering.
Uzui directed his gaze toward Himejima.
Though blind, Himejima's senses were incredibly sharp, and he replied in a low voice, "We'll probably find out when we meet with the Master. I don't think we need to rush to conclusions."
Shinobu looked at Uzui and Himejima, hesitated slightly, and then suddenly spoke up, "Actually, I think I know why we've been summoned here."
Upon hearing this, all the Hashira turned their eyes toward Shinobu, their gazes filled with curiosity.
With a gentle smile, Shinobu said, "Although I don't know how the Master intends to deal with me, I believe there are two reasons for this gathering. First, two nights ago, I encountered Upper Moon Three."
Upper Moon Three!
Everyone was taken aback by this revelation.
Those who had attained the rank of Hashira had almost all personally slain members of the Twelve Kizuki, but the demons they had defeated were exclusively Lower Moons.
To date, there had been no record of a Hashira slaying an Upper Moon demon, and more often than not, the sacrifice of a Hashira came about due to an encounter with an Upper Moon, ending in their defeat and death!
"What does he look like? What are his abilities?"
One of the captains immediately asked.
"You managed to survive. It must have been a harrowing encounter."
Another captain offered a concerned glance.
Shinobu smiled and said, "I will give a detailed account of Upper Moon Three's intelligence to the Master later. For now, let me tell you about the second matter... We have a new member joining the Demon Slayer Corps, and the Master has already proposed that she be appointed directly as a Hashira. However, as there is no precedent for this, he also seeks our unanimous agreement."
At these words, the room filled with astonishment.
A newcomer?
Appointed directly as a Hashira?
And they needed to agree unanimously?
None of the Hashira present were fools, and they immediately understood that this new member must possess extraordinary abilities.
However, the issue was that even with exceptional power, without any achievements or experience climbing the ranks, appointing someone directly as a Hashira would undoubtedly spark controversy.
"It seems that this newcomer possesses considerable strength. If she can convince me, I will give my approval."
Uzui spoke, making his stance clear.
His words conveyed that he must be truly convinced; otherwise, he would find it difficult to agree.
"To become a Hashira, we have all faced life-and-death battles with demons. It's not something that can be simply overridden by raw ability. While the Master may have his reasons for this proposal, I'm inclined to disagree."
Another Hashira voiced their opinion.
"The Master must have his reasons for making this suggestion. Let's reserve our judgment until we've met this newcomer," Himejima said slowly.
(End of Chapter)
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