Just as he finished speaking, Sanemi Shinazugawa was stunned—Tomioka Giyu was already carrying Nezuko's wooden box and walking toward the room where Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, awaited.
"Excuse me, my lord," Giyu said, bowing slightly. "We need to verify whether Nezuko will attack humans."
Then, turning his head, he called out, "What are you standing there for? Come over here."
Giyu clicked his tongue. "Tch. Demons can't come out in the sun, you know. I really envy you—your brain must be spotless from lack of use."
"Huh?!" Sanemi's brain short-circuited for a moment, forcibly ignoring the second half of Giyu's comment. His attention remained fixed on the most important task: proving that Nezuko was dangerous.
"Nezuko!" Kamado Tanjiro called out worriedly.
Giyu shook his head lightly. "This is necessary. Trust your sister."
"No need to waste time talking!" Sanemi barked. He jumped to Giyu's side and yanked up his sleeve, exposing a freshly bleeding forearm. He shoved it toward the box.
"Hey, demon! Time to eat! Go ahead—lick it clean!"
"Come out! This is your favorite—fresh human blood!"
But even after a moment passed, the box remained perfectly still.
Annoyed, Sanemi drew his Nichirin Blade and prepared to stab the box directly.
Clang!
Tomioka deflected the strike with his own sword, exasperated. "Can you not solve every problem by stabbing it?"
As he spoke, Giyu slowly opened the box. Inside, Nezuko stirred and began to grow, her form expanding to her full size.
She locked her eyes on Sanemi's bleeding arm, drooling heavily.
Seeing her reaction, Tanjiro tensed. "Nezuko!!"
The moment she heard his voice, Nezuko froze.
Several seconds passed. Then, slowly, she turned her head away, deliberately averting her gaze from Sanemi's bleeding arm.
Sanemi stood dumbfounded. That reaction wasn't what he expected.
Meanwhile, Ubuyashiki, unable to see, turned his head slightly and asked the small white-haired girl at his side, Kiriya Ubuyashiki, "What just happened?"
"She turned her head away," Kiriya explained. "Sanemi's bleeding arm was right in front of her, but she endured it. She didn't bite."
Hearing this, a calm, gentle smile spread across Ubuyashiki's face. "Then this proves it—Nezuko will not attack humans."
But his voice grew more serious. "Still… Kamado Tanjiro. There will be those in the Corps who remain opposed to your sister's existence."
"You must prove from this day forward that you and Nezuko will fight as members of the Demon Slayer Corps and contribute your strength."
Tanjiro, kneeling, felt a strange lightness in his chest. The master's voice was like a balm to his wounds.
Ubuyashiki continued, his voice soft yet firm, "Defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki. That is how you will gain acknowledgment. That is how your words will begin to carry weight."
Tanjiro nodded with fiery resolve. "I… Nezuko and I will defeat Kibutsuji Muzan!"
"We'll definitely swing our blades to sever the chain of sorrow!"
Ubuyashiki gave a small, serene smile, while Kanroji Mitsuri and Uzui Tengen couldn't help but chuckle at Tanjiro's passion.
"He can't even beat a Kizuki yet," Uzui said, amused. "Let's start there."
Ubuyashiki's tone remained gentle. "Yes. First, defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki."
Tanjiro blushed, realizing he had gotten ahead of himself.
Ubuyashiki added patiently, "The Hashira became who they are not only because of talent, but through relentless training and facing death countless times. Only then did they triumph over the Twelve Kizuki."
"Because of that, they are worthy of honor. You still have a long road ahead, Tanjiro."
"Yes, sir!" Tanjiro nodded repeatedly.
"That's enough about Kamado. You may take your leave," Ubuyashiki said, smiling gently. "The Hashira Meeting is about to begin."
Two members of the Kakushi, clad in black, arrived and bowed respectfully. They helped Tanjiro and Nezuko, now back in her box, off the grounds.
As he was leaving, Ubuyashiki called out softly, "Please give my regards to Lady Tamayo."
Once Tanjiro had left, Ubuyashiki sat up straighter and formally declared, "Let the Hashira Council commence."
***
The meeting focused on problems within the Demon Slayer Corps. The incident at Mount Natagumo had revealed the frightening incompetence of lower-ranked slayers.
Ubuyashiki addressed the issue. Many lacked resolve, or the will to truly destroy demons. That was why they perished so easily.
The discussion ran deep into the night.
When it finally ended, Giyu left the estate and headed directly home. He was desperate for sleep. For once, no urgent mission came—Kanzaburo didn't bring any messages.
[The Next Morning]
Early the next day, Giyu got up, freshened up quickly, and made his way to the Butterfly Estate.
He had made a promise.
As he arrived, he spotted the three little girls of the house hanging quilts outside.
They saw him and greeted him in cheerful unison.
Moments later, Aoi appeared at the door. "Master Tomioka? What brings you here?"
"Hey, is Tomioka here?" came a soft, elegant voice from inside.
Though he hadn't seen her yet, Giyu recognized that gentle tone instantly.
"Nothing important, Kanae," he said. "I just came to see someone."
"Hm? Shinobu…?" Kanae placed a finger to her lips, thinking. "She went out earlier this morning. She should be back soon."
As soon as she finished, a voice called out behind him.
"Tomioka? Why are you here? Did something happen? Are you hurt?"
Kocho Shinobu approached with an arched brow.
"I'm not injured," Giyu replied, turning around. "I came to fulfill my promise. Can you give me that chance?"
Shinobu paused, blinked, then let out a quiet laugh.
"Of course. I've been waiting a long time, Giyu Tomioka~"
Giyu gave a polite nod. But inside, he sighed.
This woman is trouble.
As they walked off together, Kanae tilted her head slightly, watching their backs.
"…Could it be that those two…"
***
Giyu chose a humble ramen shop. He ordered salmon with daikon and a bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
Shinobu, to his surprise, only picked two side dishes and nothing else.
Giyu glanced at her. "Are you… trying to save me money?"