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Aside from Kaidō, Shinobu, Kanae, and Giyu remaining silent, the others expressed opposition and refused to accept the situation.
"Very well. Bring out the letters," Kagaya nodded to Hinaki.
"Yes." Hinaki produced two letters from her kimono. "These are from former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki. I will read relevant excerpts."
She began reading:
[Please forgive Tanjiro for traveling with his demon sister, Nezuko. Through immense willpower, Nezuko has maintained her humanity as a demon.]
[Even while starving, she refuses to eat humans. She has gone two years like this—this is an undeniable fact. If Nezuko attacks anyone, Tanjiro Kamado, Giyu Tomioka, and Sakonji Urokodaki will commit seppuku!]
Tears streamed down Tanjiro's face. He hadn't realized everyone was willing to stake their lives for him and Nezuko.
"Seppuku means nothing! Go rot somewhere if you want to die! If she attacks someone, it'll be too late!" Sanemi's anger was palpable.
"As Shinazugawa says," Kyojuro added, glancing at Kaidō, "if that happens, the victims won't come back. Even if they could be revived... the price would be devastating."
"Um..." Kaidō raised his hand. "Why did only Giyu-senpai and Master Urokodaki vouch for them? What about me? I'm also Master Urokodaki's student—I can vouch too."
Kagaya smiled. "Read the second letter."
"Yes. This letter is from Sakonji Urokodaki to the Dragon Hashira. I'll read an excerpt."
[Kaidō, I have heard everything about your accomplishments in the Demon Slayer Corps. I am proud you have mastered Water Breathing. Therefore, I do not want you involved in this matter! You must survive! Do not let Water Breathing's legacy die.]
[I ask that you serve as Tanjiro and Nezuko's supervisor. If Nezuko harms anyone, please eliminate her yourself!]
As Hinaki finished reading, Kaidō clenched his fists—then relaxed them. He understood what Urokodaki meant by "survive." It was probably because he had revived Kanae and Ruka.
"I understand. I will fulfill Master Urokodaki's wishes and supervise Tanjiro and Nezuko."
Kagaya addressed the Hashira. "Nezuko hasn't eaten anyone in two years—that is a fact. Two people have staked their lives on her."
"To deny this fact, the opposing party must offer an even greater stake."
"Furthermore, there is another reason to recognize Tanjiro and Nezuko—they have encountered Muzan Kibutsuji!"
The Hashira reacted instantly: "!!"
"None of the Hashira present have ever encountered him...?"
"What does he look like?"
"Did you fight him? What are his abilities?"
"Answer us!!"
Kagaya raised a finger to his lips, signaling for quiet. The Hashira immediately fell silent.
"Muzan sent subordinates to kill Tanjiro—probably just to silence him. This is the first time Muzan has shown his tail. I don't want to let go of this lead. Perhaps something unexpected happened with Nezuko that even Muzan didn't anticipate."
"Do you understand now?"
The Hashira fell silent once more. Seeing this, Kaidō spoke up. "I know some of you still don't want to accept Nezuko. But I have a way to test her. Master, with your permission." He brought the box containing Nezuko into Kagaya's room.
Opening it, Nezuko saw Kaidō and immediately jumped into his arms, happily nuzzling against him.
"Good girl, Nezuko." He stroked her head, then looked at Sanemi.
Understanding Kaidō's intent, Sanemi said, "Master, pardon me." He approached Kaidō and, in front of everyone, sliced his arm with his Nichirin blade. Blood flowed immediately.
"My blood is Marechi—the rarest type. No demon can resist it." He extended his bleeding arm toward Nezuko.
"Nezuko!" Tanjiro rushed to the room's entrance but Kaidō stopped him with a shout. "Tanjiro! This is your chance to prove your sister! If she truly hasn't eaten people, you should trust her!"
"Yes, Kaidō-san!"
"Nezuko!" Kaidō called out, pointing at Sanemi. "Do your best! Don't let me, your brother, or everyone else down!" He stood aside.
"Mm-hmm!" Nezuko nodded and looked at Sanemi.
"Come on, demon. Here's your favorite food—rare blood." He extended his arm again. Nezuko grabbed it. Everyone expected her demonic nature to surface. Sanemi's hand moved to his sword hilt.
'You can do it, Nezuko! Don't disappoint everyone! I believe in you!' Tanjiro thought desperately.
Something unexpected happened. Nezuko covered Sanemi's wounded arm with her kimono sleeve, then reached up and patted his head with her small hand, her eyes crinkling happily.
Everyone witnessed this clearly—even Kagaya.
Sanemi was stunned. He'd expected her demonic nature to emerge, but reality proved otherwise.
After this gesture, Nezuko ran back to Kaidō, arms raised, asking to be held. He picked her up and stroked her head. "Nezuko, you did wonderfully! So proud of you!"
"Mm-hmm!" She wrapped her arms around his neck contentedly.
Kagaya spoke then. "This proves Nezuko won't attack humans, doesn't it?"
"Tanjiro, even so, some still harbor reservations about Nezuko. You must prove yourselves."
Hearing this, Tanjiro immediately assumed a proper kneeling position.
"From today forward, Tanjiro and Nezuko will fight as Demon Slayer Corps members, lending their strength to our cause."
Kagaya's voice had a strange effect on Tanjiro—it made his head feel light and pleasantly relaxed.
'Is it his voice? Hearing him speak makes me feel so at ease. Incredible...'
"Defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki. Then your words will carry weight. Just like Kaidō—his actions have earned him immense respect throughout the Corps."
"Yes! Nezuko and I will definitely defeat Muzan Kibutsuji! We'll swing our blades to sever the chain of sorrow!" Tanjiro declared passionately, brimming with determination.
"You are not ready for that yet, Tanjiro. First, defeat a single Twelve Kizuki member," Kagaya smiled gently.
"Pfft~" Mitsuri puffed out her cheeks, trying desperately not to laugh.
'Just like that iconic anime scene...'
Kaidō struggled internally, knowing this was Tanjiro's famous moment. Seeing it in person was... profoundly embarrassing.
The other Hashira also suppressed laughter. Shinobu covered her mouth. A question mark appeared above Muichiro's head—he didn't understand what was happening.
"YES!!" Tanjiro, kneeling on the ground, felt mortified. His face turned bright red.
"The Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira possess exceptional abilities and operate independently. They have survived countless life-or-death situations and defeated Twelve Kizuki members. So Tanjiro, please be mindful of your words," Kagaya advised.
"Yes."
"That concludes Tanjiro's matter. You may withdraw. Time to begin the Hashira meeting!"
"Then Tanjiro and the others will stay at the Butterfly Mansion under my care!" Shinobu clapped her hands, summoning Kakushi to take Tanjiro away.
Hearing the order, Goto sprinted over, grabbed Tanjiro by the collar, and ran off. "Sorry about earlier!"
"Nezuko, you should rest too. I'll visit you tonight, okay?" Kaidō stroked Nezuko's head, pointing to the box on the tatami.
"Mm-hmm." She nodded and crawled inside.
"I'll leave her in your care!" He handed the box to another Kakushi member.
"Dragon Hashira-sama, you are too kind! This is my duty!" The Kakushi accepted the box and hurried away—the other Hashira seemed intimidating.
"Now we can begin the Hashira meeting—" Kagaya started, but a shout interrupted him.
"Wait! Let me headbutt that scarred bastard! He shouldn't have said those things about Master Urokodaki! One headbutt shouldn't violate regulations, right?" Tanjiro had run back, clinging to a support beam.
"Shut up already!" Two Kakushi members pulled and tugged at him desperately.
"Kaidō Chop!!"
Kaidō appeared instantly in front of Tanjiro and delivered a karate chop to his head.
"Kaidō-san, what was that for?" Tanjiro clutched his head.
"Tanjiro, interrupting the Master is extremely rude! Goto, sorry for the trouble—take him to the Butterfly Mansion for treatment!"
"Yes! Dragon Hashira-sama, we apologize for the disturbance!" They hoisted Tanjiro over their shoulders and fled.
Muichiro quietly dropped the small pebbles he had been holding.
"Tanjiro, please give Lady Tamayo my regards!" Kagaya called out.
"!?"
"Wait, just now... just now..."
'He mentioned Lady Tamayo...' Tanjiro thought.
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