Seeing this, Tanjiro panicked and shouted, "Please don't! Please don't hurt Nezuko—she won't harm anyone!"
When he saw the other Hashira looking at Nezuko's wooden box with hostility, fear gripped him.
At this moment, only Kurosaki Rei's tall figure gave him even a shred of security. Every other Hashira seemed openly hostile toward Nezuko.
The Sound Hashira had originally said he would speak up for him, but due to the severity of his injuries, he had been ordered by the Master to recuperate and was unable to attend today's meeting.
"I've met Tanjiro's sister," Kurosaki Rei said calmly. "Just as he said, she has never eaten a human and won't harm people. In last night's battle on Natagumo Mountain, she fought bravely against demons and protected many Demon Slayer Corps members."
"The Sound Hashira can also testify to this—unfortunately, he isn't present today."
"Hah? Do you even know what you're saying?"
The Wind Hashira was extremely agitated. If not for the possibility that the Master might appear at any moment, he would have already attacked.
"A demon that won't hurt humans? There's no such thing in this world. Oh, right—I remember now. You also brought other demons here, didn't you?"
"Why not wait and hear what the Master has to say?"
Kurosaki Rei released his grip. Having overexerted himself, the Wind Hashira stumbled back a step.
"You can act right now if you want," Kurosaki Rei continued evenly, "but I already promised Tanjiro that I would protect his sister. If you make a move, you'll be making an enemy of me."
As his words fell, the calm aura around him began to surge. It was no longer a still, deep pool, but a raging tsunami. An invisible pressure bore down on the Wind Hashira, disrupting his breathing for an instant.
Boom—
A massive spiked flail slammed into the ground with a dull, thunderous sound.
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, had intervened. Tears streamed from his eyes as he spoke.
"Please do not argue before the Master. For comrades to turn their blades on one another… it is too tragic."
Gyomei held immense prestige within the Corps. At his words, Shinazugawa Sanemi loosened his grip on his sword hilt, though he didn't move any closer to the box.
Because he could sense it clearly—the newly appointed Thunder Hashira was serious. If he pushed further, Kurosaki Rei would strike back, and that would inevitably lead to a violent clash.
More importantly, Gyomei's words had jolted him awake. At the far end of the corridor, a figure was already approaching.
The Master had arrived.
All the Hashira knelt on one knee at once, lowering their heads in respect. Only Kurosaki Rei remained standing, making him stand out conspicuously.
Though the Master could not see, he seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere. He smiled gently, showing no displeasure at Kurosaki Rei's "presumption."
"After half a year, we gather once more for a Hashira Meeting. Though Tengen is recuperating and cannot attend, seeing all of you safe and sound fills me with joy."
It was Kurosaki Rei's first time meeting the Master in person. Unlike in anime, seeing someone so severely disfigured in reality was unsettling. Yet the Master possessed a peculiar presence that made it impossible to feel aversion toward him.
His voice, in particular, carried an indescribable quality—light, soothing, and calming. Just hearing it made one feel relaxed, naturally inclined to trust and like him.
Unable to restrain his curiosity, Kurosaki Rei used his appraisal skill on the Master.
His physical attributes barely reached 5, burdened by numerous illness-related debuffs. Yet his Spirit stat was a solid 25, and his Charm—an astonishing 40.
Kurosaki Rei couldn't help touching his own face. He thought he looked fairly decent, yet his Charm was only 6. So charm really isn't all about looks…
"I heard the dispute between Sanemi and Rei just now," the Master said gently. "The reason I summoned everyone today is to clarify several matters—Tanjiro's sister, Nezuko, among them."
The Master's voice remained calm and warm. All the Hashira lowered their gazes, none daring to interrupt.
"Regarding Nezuko, I have already heard the full account from Rei and Tengen. She performed admirably in battle against demons and has proven herself to be no threat to humans."
"This matter has already been verified."
He continued, "Furthermore, Tanjiro's mentor—the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki—and the current Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu, have jointly provided their guarantee. You may all set your minds at ease."
"Master," the Wind Hashira spoke up, lifting his head, "forgive my bluntness, but how exactly do they guarantee that Nezuko won't harm humans?"
Giyu Tomioka stood at the side, eyes forward, as though everything before him were none of his concern. He did not respond to Tanjiro's grateful gaze.
"If Nezuko ever loses control and harms a human," the Master said, "then both the former Water Hashira and the current Water Hashira will commit seppuku to atone."
"Is that guarantee sufficient?"
Those words sent a shock through the Hashira. There was nothing more they could say on the matter.
With two highly respected Hashira staking their lives as collateral, pressing the issue further would be grossly disrespectful. Still, not all of them were fully convinced in their hearts—they would observe Tanjiro and Nezuko in the future.
Sanemi, in particular, was far from satisfied. He knew better than anyone how difficult it was for demons to suppress their urge to eat humans.
Even his own mother had failed—slaughtering all of her children except him and his younger brother.
He had wanted to use his rare blood to demonstrate that Nezuko would not be able to resist—but sensing the Thunder Hashira's threatening gaze, he reluctantly abandoned the idea.
"It seems there are no further objections," the Master said with a gentle smile. "Then I shall move on to the second matter."
"This matter also concerns demons, and it was discovered and brought back by the Thunder Hashira in Asakusa."
He turned toward the interior of the building. "Lady Tamayo, please come out. There is no sunlight under the eaves at the moment."
Although the Hashira had heard rumors beforehand, hearing it confirmed by the Master himself was still shocking. They all watched the doorway warily.
The door slid open.
A beautiful woman in a traditional kimono knelt inside. She stepped forward and bowed.
"My name is Tamayo. This is our first meeting. I humbly ask for your guidance."
"Master, this is unacceptable!"
"How can we cooperate with demons?!"
"Allowing a man-eating demon into the estate is far too reckless. If this place is exposed, the Master will be in danger!"
"Let me eliminate this threat at once!"
"Master, please distance yourself from her!"
The Hashira erupted in alarm, some even rising to their feet, ready to strike.
Yet the Master remained unperturbed. He had his wife, Amane, take Tamayo's hand and lead her forward slightly as he continued.
"Lady Tamayo is an exceptional physician. She will assist us in developing medicine to combat Kibutsuji Muzan, increasing our chances of victory."
"What?"
Even the irritable Wind Hashira was distracted by this.
"Have we already located Muzan?"
"She can really develop medicine to deal with Muzan?"
The Serpent Hashira stared intently at Tamayo, doubt evident in his words.
The others shared these questions and turned their attention to the Master.
"Please, remain calm. I will explain one point at a time."
The Master raised a hand to settle them.
"First, like Nezuko, Lady Tamayo has partially broken free from Kibutsuji Muzan's control. Her actions cannot be perceived by him and will not expose our location."
"The other gentleman, Yushiro, is a new demon created by Lady Tamayo over several hundred years and bears no relation to Muzan."
"Second, Lady Tamayo is indeed a physician of extraordinary skill. She has practiced medicine for centuries and saved countless lives. There is no need to doubt her abilities or her stance."
As he spoke, he "looked" in Kurosaki Rei's direction.
"Finally, Lady Tamayo was discovered and brought here by the Thunder Hashira. He has provided a guarantee—identical to the one just mentioned."
The Hashira turned to Kurosaki Rei in astonishment. They couldn't understand how he dared to stake his life on a demon he had known for only a few days.
They could understand Giyu and Urokodaki guaranteeing Tanjiro and Nezuko—years of acquaintance, shared lineage, and deep personal bonds.
But Kurosaki Rei? Wasn't this far too bold?
What if these demons truly harmed humans—what would he do then?
"Mr. Rei…"
Even Tamayo herself was startled. She hadn't expected Kurosaki Rei to put his life on the line for her. Her heart was deeply moved.
At the same time, she felt the weight of the Master's trust. If not for Kurosaki Rei's guarantee, the Master would never have agreed—especially given that Kurosaki Rei was likely the Corps' strongest combatant.
"Though words alone are inadequate," Tamayo said solemnly, bowing deeply to the Hashira, "I still ask that you place your trust in me. I will devote myself fully to creating a medicine that can kill Muzan as soon as possible."
"I, Tamayo, swear not to betray the trust of the Master or Mr. Rei."
The Master smiled and then turned toward Shinobu Kocho's direction.
"Shinobu, I entrust this matter to you."
Shinobu looked at Tamayo with clear hostility, but in deference to the Master, she nodded.
"I will work with Lady Tamayo on developing the new medicine."
"Master," Gyomei asked once the matter seemed settled, "have we already located Kibutsuji Muzan?"
This was the question all the Hashira were eager to have answered.
The Master smiled gently. "That brings us to the third matter. I will leave it to our newly joined Thunder Hashira to explain."
Kurosaki Rei stepped forward.
"I encountered Muzan in Asakusa."
The courtyard erupted.
Even Giyu Tomioka and the Mist Hashira turned their gazes toward Kurosaki Rei, eyes fixed on him, waiting for more.
"Rei-ge found Muzan?! Did you fight him?!"
Tanjiro couldn't contain himself and blurted it out. Muzan was the demon he most wanted to kill. If not for Muzan, he and Nezuko's family would still be living happily on the mountain.
Kurosaki Rei shook his head.
"I only saw him. Asakusa was full of civilians, so I didn't act rashly. Moreover, based on intelligence I gathered later from fighting Upper Rank Five, Muzan likely possesses an interdimensional fortress—a castle he can retreat into at will. Unless we can kill him instantly, there's nothing we can do to him."
Kurosaki Rei's words left Tamayo shocked and shaken. She hadn't known Muzan was in Asakusa at all. She had practiced medicine there for years—she had truly been dancing on the edge of a blade.
"An interdimensional castle?"
The Serpent Hashira frowned.
"I've seen Blood Demon Arts that manipulate space, but they're usually easy to counter. Are you saying Muzan has an otherworldly domain on the scale of an entire city, one he can enter and exit freely?"
There was no reason to doubt Kurosaki Rei's intelligence. He had slain two Upper Ranks and encountered Muzan himself—it was only natural that he knew more.
This was the advantage of status and prestige. As a Hashira with unparalleled achievements, and with no one knowing the exact details of his battles, what he said carried unquestioned authority.
"Yes," Kurosaki Rei replied. "Let's tentatively call it the Infinity Castle. Based on my deductions, when Muzan is prepared, the castle can open anywhere, pulling people or demons in or expelling them at will. It's an extremely troublesome ability."
"If we can't find a way to restrain Muzan—or enter the Infinity Castle—then there's very little we can do to him."
With the explorers having already thrown the original plot into chaos, Kurosaki Rei himself couldn't yet see a clear path to killing Muzan.
He wanted to hear what the nine Hashira and the Master thought next.
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