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"Dragon Hashira-sama, please hand over the box!" A Kakushi member spoke respectfully to Kaidō.
"What's your name?"
"Dragon Hashira-sama, I'm Goto."
"Alright, Goto. It's fine—I'll carry it myself."
"But—"
"Don't worry, Goto. No one will blame you. I'll explain everything." Kaidō smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Dragon Hashira-sama!"
As Goto departed, Kaidō suddenly sensed a powerful attack aimed at the box on his back.
CLAP!
He spun instantly, catching the strike with both hands. Good thing he hadn't used any techniques—otherwise he would've never resorted to catching a blade barehanded.
"I say, Sanemi, what exactly are you trying to do?"
The attacker was none other than Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"Kid, I won't waste words. Hand over that box!"
"No way. I know what you're planning. I'm not giving it to you!"
"So you're protecting a demon too?"
"It's not like that. There's a reason. I can't hand it over. Plus, you just attacked me with your Nichirin blade—that's also breaking regulations, isn't it?"
"Tch! Then quit yapping and hand it over!" Sanemi bellowed.
"I'll trade you something for it!" Kaidō had anticipated Sanemi's move. He knew the Wind Hashira's preferences and had prepared accordingly.
"Quit stalling and give me that box—what's this?" Sanemi caught an iron can Kaidō tossed his way.
"It's my favorite drink—coconut milk. Consider it compensation."
"A drink? Coconut milk? What the hell is that?"
"Open it and take a sip. Just pull that tab."
Sanemi examined the can curiously, pulled the tab, and took a drink.
"Mm! This taste..." One sip revealed a rich, sweet flavor. He couldn't help but take another.
"Here, have this too. Goes even better with coconut milk!" Kaidō handed over a bag of pre-prepared ohagi.
Sanemi accepted the ohagi. One bite of sweet rice cake, one sip of coconut milk—pure bliss. But mid-chew, realization struck.
"You think you can bribe me with this? Fat chance!"
"How about I throw in another serving?"
"No way. Minimum five servings. Plus five more cans of that drink."
"Deal!"
"Hmph. Out of respect for you, I'll let it slide. Hand them over!"
"You want them now? Where are you gonna put them? Planning to carry them in your arms during the Hashira meeting?"
"Good point. After the meeting, then."
"Sure thing!"
'Thank god the System Lifestyle Shop stocks this stuff. Otherwise I'd have no idea how to handle this mess!' Kaidō thought with relief.
——————
"Wake up! Come on, wake up!"
"Get up already!"
"How long are you gonna sleep? WAKE UP!!"
Tanjiro jolted awake, finding several people standing before him.
"Standing before you are the Hashira! Show some respect!"
'Hashira? What's that mean? Who are these people? Where am I?' Tanjiro's mind raced.
"This is Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. You're about to face judgment, Tanjiro Kamado." Shinobu seemed to sense his confusion and explained.
"Oh my, Shinobu, no need to be so serious!" Kanae added cheerfully.
"There's no need for a trial. Protecting a demon violates Corps regulations. Demons get decapitated—plain and simple!" Kyojuro declared.
"Then let me flamboyantly sever his head and paint the ground with his blood!" Tengen struck a pose.
'Are they really going to hurt such a cute boy? Poor thing!' Mitsuri thought sympathetically.
Muichiro gazed at the sky, lost in thought as usual...
"Wait, where's Kaidō-kun? Didn't he go with you?" Kanae looked around, searching.
"He said he had some matters to handle. He'll be here shortly."
"Cough cough..."
"Drink some water first. I've added painkillers. Then explain what happened." Shinobu brought medicated water to Tanjiro's lips. After drinking, he felt considerably better.
"This is just for the pain—it won't heal your injuries. So please don't do anything rash."
After catching his breath, Tanjiro spoke. "My sister... became a demon. But she's never eaten anyone—not before, not ever! She would never hurt anyone!"
"Stop spouting nonsense! You're only defending her because she's family. I don't trust a word you're saying!" Obanai's voice was sharp.
"Please listen! I joined the Demon Slayer Corps to turn my sister back into a human! Nezuko became a demon two years ago, but she truly hasn't hurt anyone! She can even fight for humans—protect them!"
"Enough talk! Everything you're saying is just your personal opinion. Prove it if you can!"
"Um, I have a question. Does the Master know about this situation?"
Suddenly—
"Yo, everyone! Morning!" Just as the heated discussion reached its peak, Kaidō flew in on his greatsword to everyone's astonishment. Sanemi followed behind him.
"Good morning, young Kaidō! Come visit my home sometime—my parents want to thank you personally!"
"I will, Rengoku."
"Truly flamboyant! Though compared to me, you're still missing just a bit!" Tengen grinned.
"Tengen, one day I'll be more flamboyant than you!"
"Is that so? Then I'll flamboyantly look forward to it! Haha!"
"Obanai, Mitsuri-nee, how have you been?"
"I'm well. Thank you, Kaidō."
"M-me too! Things with Obanai have been really good lately!"
Kaidō's arrival eased the tense atmosphere considerably.
"Oh my, Kaidō-kun, now's not really the time for small talk~"
"Sorry, sorry! You all looked so tense—thought I'd lighten the mood! Haha!"
"Kaidō-san!" Tanjiro called out.
"Hey! Show some respect! This is Dragon Hashira-sama—the most revered member of the Corps aside from the Master himself!" Goto pressed Tanjiro's head down.
"It's fine, Goto. You can step back. Tanjiro's mentor was also my teacher—he's my junior brother."
"Yes, Dragon Hashira-sama!" Goto withdrew to wait elsewhere.
"Tanjiro, Nezuko's safe. She's fine." Kaidō pointed to the box on his back, then approached and untied Tanjiro's restraints. "Just stand aside for now. Trust me—everything will work out."
"Cough cough... Thank you, Kaidō-san."
'Kaidō-san is also a Hashira?' Tanjiro's mind reeled.
"Shinazugawa-san, did you just eat something? You've got something on your mouth." Mitsuri pointed to Sanemi's face.
"Huh? Oh, sorry." He wiped his mouth.
Everyone found this odd—Sanemi was notoriously hot-tempered, yet he'd just responded politely. They glanced between Sanemi and Kaidō, quickly piecing things together.
"Pfft!" Kaidō couldn't help but laugh, immediately apologizing.
"You brat! You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Haha, no way! How could I?" Kaidō protested innocently.
"Hmph. Whatever. Not worth my time."
The other Hashira: "..."
"THE MASTER HAS ARRIVED!"
"Good morning, my beloved children. What beautiful weather today—the sky is so blue."
"Having all of you gathered for our biannual Hashira meeting brings me great joy. Not only that, but we have two new Hashira—Kaidō and Kanae. Kaidō, my child, I'm proud of you." Kagaya appeared on the veranda, seeing all eleven Hashira assembled before him. His happiness was genuine.
Instantly, all eleven Hashira—except Kaidō, who bowed respectfully—dropped to one knee. Sanemi pressed Tanjiro to the ground as well.
"Master, you're too kind. Seeing you healthy and vigorous brings me great comfort."
"Being able to see the Master again fills me with joy," Kanae added.
"Thank you, Kaidō. And thank you, Kanae."
'I wish I could greet the Master too...' Mitsuri thought wistfully.
"Master, with all due respect, before the meeting begins, could you explain this situation with the swordsman Tanjiro Kamado and the demon he's protecting?" Sanemi requested.
"Yes, I apologize for startling you all. I recognize both Tanjiro and Nezuko. I hope you will as well."
"Even if it's your request, Master, I find this difficult to accept..." Gyomei's voice was heavy.
"I'm also firmly opposed," Tengen declared.
"Either way, I'll forget about it soon enough," Muichiro added absently.
"I'll follow whatever the Master decides!" Mitsuri said earnestly.
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