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"No!"
The young man shouted hoarsely, his voice filled with desperation.
"Nezuko hasn't hurt anyone even after becoming a demon! Nezuko and I will fight as members of the Demon Slayer Corps to protect others!"
Kamado Tanjirō stood in front of the wooden box, doing everything he could to shield his sister. His voice trembled, yet his resolve was unwavering as he tried to convince everyone present that even as a demon, Nezuko would never harm a human.
However, the Hashira did not believe him.
Even when Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya—the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps himself—stated that he had approved of the Kamado siblings and hoped they could be accepted, none of the Hashira were willing to compromise.
In the end, Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya produced a letter.
It was written by the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki.
The letter detailed everything that had occurred during the two years Nezuko spent under his care, stating clearly that she had never harmed a human. More than that, Sakonji Urokodaki declared that he was willing to vouch for the Kamado siblings with his own life—along with Tomioka Giyu's.
Still, words alone were not enough.
Shinazugawa Sanemi then used his rare blood to test Nezuko directly. Even when exposed to it, she forcibly suppressed her instinct to devour humans.
Only then did the Hashira reluctantly agree not to execute the Kamado siblings.
That said, conditions were imposed.
The siblings would be placed under supervision.
Whenever Kamado Tanjirō carried out missions in the future—especially if Nezuko accompanied him—other members of the Demon Slayer Corps would have to be present.
Kamado Tanjirō accepted these conditions without hesitation.
"Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya."
Because Naruto had not yet officially become a Hashira, he remained silent throughout the judgment.
Only after the matter of the Kamado siblings was settled did he finally speak, pointing toward them.
"Can you entrust the task of supervising them to me?"
Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya and the Hashira were all taken aback by Naruto's sudden request. Even Kamado Tanjirō looked at him in surprise.
"Of course."
Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya agreed immediately, then asked with curiosity, "But may I ask why you made this request?"
"Because of a feeling."
Naruto pointed at Kamado Tanjirō, his expression uncertain.
"I feel something familiar from him… I can't really explain it, but I want to observe him."
"A familiar feeling?"
Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled gently.
"In that case, the task of supervising Kamado Tanjirō and Nezuko will be entrusted to you."
He paused briefly, then continued.
"Now that the matter of the Kamado siblings has been concluded… we will move on to Naruto's promotion."
Before all the Hashira, Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya personally stood and handed Naruto the uniform representing a Hashira.
"From this moment onward," he said warmly, "you are the Storm Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Mm!"
Naruto accepted the uniform with shining eyes and immediately put it on. He then turned toward Shinazugawa Sanemi with a smug grin.
The gesture looked like pure bragging—but in truth, it resembled a child seeking approval from a parent.
Shinazugawa Sanemi felt both annoyed and amused.
At the same time, pride welled up in his chest.
After all, this new Hashira—one who could arguably be called the strongest of his generation—was someone he had personally trained.
"Alright."
After completing Naruto's appointment, Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya's expression grew serious.
"Since Naruto defeated an Upper Moon, demon activity has noticeably increased. Even the Twelve Kizuki—who were once extremely difficult to track—have begun to move more openly."
"Upper Moon Demons?!"
The Hashira reacted immediately, eyes burning with anticipation.
"Master, do we have intelligence on one?"
"Yes."
Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded.
"Recently, we received reports of a suspected Upper Moon Demon appearing in the Flower Street of Yoshiwara Yukaku."
"This is the most important reason I summoned you today."
"For over a hundred years, we have never been able to actively track Upper Moon Demons. And yet now, their traces are surfacing one after another."
He coughed lightly before continuing.
"This may mean that the demons who have survived for a thousand years… will finally be brought to an end in our generation."
"Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi immediately stepped forward, unable to contain himself.
"Please let me go! I'll personally cut off that Upper Moon's head!"
"Don't dream!"
Uzui Tengen interrupted at once, pointing at Shinazugawa irritably.
"The intelligence came from my wives. If anyone's going, it's going to be me—and it'll be handled flamboyantly!"
Uzui Tengen's three wives had been infiltrating the Flower Street for months. The intelligence had come directly from them—there was no way he would back down.
Soon, Obanai Iguro, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Muichiro Tokito also expressed their desire to participate.
They all wanted to face an Upper Moon Demon.
Naruto did as well—but before he could speak, Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya raised his hand.
"Enough."
"Sending only one Hashira would be too dangerous."
After a brief moment of consideration, he made his decision.
"Tengen. Sanemi. Kyojuro."
"The three of you will go together."
"Please… be extremely cautious."
Even if the intelligence had not yet been fully confirmed, this was the safest arrangement.
If they truly encountered an Upper Moon Demon, three Hashira together would be enough.
"Thank you, Master!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi, Uzui Tengen, and Kyojuro Rengoku all showed visible excitement.
For a Hashira, personally slaying an Upper Moon Demon was the highest honor imaginable.
Due to Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya's frail health, the Hashira meeting concluded soon afterward.
"How annoying…"
Obanai Iguro looked at the three departing Hashira with clear displeasure.
"You idiots—don't you dare die."
With the meeting over, those without assignments returned to their respective regions.
Naruto, newly promoted to Hashira, also received his own area of responsibility.
However, because his new Nichirin Blade had not yet been forged, he needed to go to the Swordsmith Village first.
Kamado Tanjirō—whose sword had been broken during the battle on Mount Natagumo and who was now under Naruto's supervision—was granted special permission to accompany him.
Together, they set out for the Swordsmith Village.