This Hashira Meeting was actually very brief. The Hashira simply reported the demons they had slain over the past six months—excluding official mission assignments—as well as any locations they found suspicious, requesting the Kakushi to investigate.
Since Himejima could not see, he relied solely on his Kasugai Crow's reports and had almost nothing additional to mention.
Uzui Tengen spoke with excessive flourish, declaring that although he had three exceptionally capable wives, ever since joining the Demon Slayer Corps he had focused entirely on becoming a splendid Hashira worthy of his title as the God of Festivals, and so he had paid no attention to matters in neighboring areas.
Yoriichi had joined the Corps less than half a month ago. He had only gone to investigate due to the suspicions of his fellow swordsmen, and that was how he happened to encounter a member of the Twelve Kizuki.
Thus, the only person truly giving a report was Rengoku Shinjuro.
Once the reports concluded, Ubuyashiki Kagaya spread out a map and assigned patrol regions to the three newly promoted Hashira, explaining the duties and privileges expected of them.
"Now then, do any of you have questions?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked up at the three new Hashira, his expression soft and warm. "I will answer them one by one."
"Excellent! Your flashy explanation is splendidly transparent! This God of Festivals has fully and flashily understood everything!"
"Amida-butsu… I too have no questions."
After a brief silence, Yoriichi finally spoke. "Is a Hashira limited to overseeing only one territory?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya paused in mild surprise. "Not necessarily… but if you take on too many, you won't be able to rest properly—"
"It's fine. Please assign all seven patrol areas in the Kanto region to me." Yoriichi lightly tapped the map. "Half a year should be enough time for me to purge the majority of the demons there."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya: …?
Did he just hear the word purge?
"Young man! Confidence is good, but I must warn you!" Rengoku, who had been watching from the side, crossed his arms with a stern look. "Patrolling is nothing like carrying out missions! There are far more things you have to pay attention to!"
Yoriichi nodded slightly. "I understand. But finding demon traces isn't difficult for me, and half a year is enough to thoroughly search the entire Kanto region."
"Ha! How flashy!" Uzui Tengen said with interest. "Then I'll join too! Oyakata-sama, please assign me—hmm—three regions! With the help of my three virtuous wives, patrolling three locations isn't an issue!
Though it pains me to admit it! As the flashy God of Festivals, I must accept defeat this time!"
"Amida-butsu… Though I cannot see if the areas are adjacent, I can manage with the Kasugai Crow's timely guidance." Himejima lowered his eyes. "The Demon Slayer Corps is at its weakest now. It is only right that we shoulder more responsibility."
"Haah—" Rengoku Shinjuro ran a hand through his hair. "You juniors really won't let an old man rest… Very well, Master! Increase my patrol to four regions as well! Preferably ones located near the Kanto area!"
"Mr. Rengoku, I appreciate your concern, but I wasn't trying to boast—"
"No need to say more!" Rengoku Shinjuro placed a firm hand on Yoriichi's shoulder. "If a junior has such drive, I can't allow myself to slack off! Besides… for some reason, when you mentioned Sun Breathing, I felt a strong sense of familiarity!"
"Familiar, hm…" Yoriichi's gaze lowered for a moment before a faint smile appeared. "That may be so…"
With all Hashira in agreement, Ubuyashiki Kagaya redistributed the territories to ensure they could support each other swiftly. After expressing his gratitude to the four Hashira once more, he declared the meeting adjourned.
Once all the Hashira had departed, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, accompanied by his wife Amane, opened the clan scrolls that recorded the history of the Breathing Styles.
The first head of the clan to encounter the Breathing Styles was Ubuyashiki Mutsuki.
According to his account, one of the eight Hashira of that era—Rengoku Tetsushiro—had met the swordsman who taught the Primordial Breathing Style. But that swordsman refused to join the Demon Slayer Corps and would not give his name, so he was never officially recorded.
It was written, however, that the Primordial Breathing came from his understanding of the sun. His elder brother joined the Corps and developed a unique Breathing Style—not as powerful as the original, but still immensely strong. Neither had found a successor.
That same year, the original swordsman taught the Corps how to awaken the Slayer Mark. The Mark granted great power, but at the cost of shortening one's life. Those who awakened it could not live past the age of twenty-five.
Next were the records of Ubuyashiki Mutsuki's child, Ubuyashiki Asahi.
The original swordsman's elder brother became a demon, destroyed his own family, and killed Ubuyashiki Mutsuki. Later, after gravely wounding Muzan Kibutsuji, the original swordsman brought his younger brother—who had inexplicably also turned into a demon—to the Demon Slayer Corps. He gave them notes detailing Muzan's weaknesses and taught them how to awaken the Bright Red Nichirin Sword. By then, he was well past the age of twenty-five and unimaginably powerful.
His younger brother had become a Primordial Demon akin to Muzan, yet he managed to suppress the urge to devour humans. He even developed numerous demon-slaying medicines, gifting them to the Corps.
Private Note:
I've always wanted to apologize to them. That swordsman committed no sin, yet bore every burden in silence. Even after losing so much, he remained gentle and accepting of this world. But they never returned to the Demon Slayer Corps. If my child ever meets him someday, please convey my apology.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya continued reading the records of Ubuyashiki Kagayaki—
When I inherited the Corps from my father, Muzan Kibutsuji had already vanished for twenty years and stopped creating demons. Yet powerful demons still wandered the land. I continued receiving letters from the Founding Swordsmen, along with new formulas for demon-slaying medicines. But they never left an address. Throughout my eighteen years as leader, until my body finally failed, I never once met them. My father's will could only be passed down.
Thirteen years have passed since I inherited the Corps from my father, Kagayaki. Muzan Kibutsuji has yet to appear, leaving the Demon Slayer Corps with no demons to slay for the time being. Yet in a bittersweet turn, I finally received news of the Founding Swordsman.
He took his own life. As he neared the end of his lifespan, he slew his younger brother—the Primordial Demon—then leapt from a cliff. His remains were shattered beyond recognition, but the Nichirin Blade he carried confirmed…
Ubuyashiki Kagaya closed the record. A faint worry surfaced across his handsome features.
"I hope… I'm only imagining things."