Seeing Kagaya Ubuyashiki here did not surprise Aoyama.
He had come to headquarters.
Meeting the Master was only natural.
Tanjiro, however, was startled when he saw Ubuyashiki's face clearly.
Those marks…
Not wounds.
An illness?
So this is… the Master?
All the Hashira were already kneeling respectfully.
Only Tanjiro, dazed—
And Aoyama, standing straight—
Remained upright.
Sanemi instinctively reached out to pull Aoyama down.
But remembering what had just happened…
He withdrew his hand.
Instead, he grabbed Tanjiro's head and slammed it down.
Thud!
Tanjiro's forehead struck the ground without warning.
He tried to lift it—
But Sanemi's hand pressed firmly on him.
He couldn't move.
Out of the corner of his eye, Tanjiro saw all the Hashira lined up neatly, kneeling in reverence.
He stopped struggling.
"Master, as long as you remain in good health, nothing could be better. I sincerely wish for your continued well-being."
Sanemi's tone had completely changed.
Gone was the violent temper.
His voice was steady.
Respectful.
Ubuyashiki nodded gently.
"Thank you, Sanemi."
Sanemi raised his head slightly.
"Forgive my rudeness. Before the Hashira meeting begins, I request clarification regarding this swordsman—Kamado Tanjiro—who travels with a demon."
Tanjiro's body stiffened.
Still… a trial?
He wanted to look at Senior Brother—
But his head was still being pressed down.
Aoyama, on the other hand, was calm.
He believed in one thing with absolute certainty:
Nezuko would be fine.
Ubuyashiki spoke softly.
"Yes… you're right. I apologize for disturbing you all."
"As for Tanjiro and Nezuko—"
"I have already acknowledged them."
"And I hope all of you will acknowledge them as well."
Tanjiro felt his breath leave him.
They were… recognized by the Master.
Gyomei clasped his hands, prayer beads clinking softly as tears streamed down his face.
"Ah… even if it is the Master's wish… I find it difficult to agree."
The others glanced at him.
Especially Sanemi, whose swollen head still throbbed.
Tengen Uzūi stepped forward flamboyantly.
"I, too, flamboyantly object! A Demon Slayer traveling with a demon? I cannot accept it—unless there is proof."
"For example… defeat me."
His gaze drifted toward Aoyama.
Aoyama met his eyes with a faint smile.
He didn't mind.
If "proof" meant fists—
He could provide that.
Right here.
Rengoku stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"Though I respect the Master from the bottom of my heart, I cannot understand this either! I, too, would like proof!"
Aoyama snorted inwardly.
Another one.
Mitsuri clasped her hands to her chest, eyes shining.
"I fully support the Master's wishes!"
Muichiro stared vaguely at the clouds above.
The only thing that had caught his attention earlier…
Was that kick smashing into Sanemi's head.
He had briefly wondered what it would feel like to try that himself.
Shinobu and Giyu remained silent.
Their silence was agreement.
Obanai hesitated.
He had strongly opposed Tanjiro earlier.
But now…
He glanced at Sanemi.
Perhaps he would wait and see.
Sanemi clenched his jaw.
He would not yield.
"Demon Slayers exist to exterminate demons. I request that Kamado Tanjiro and his sister be dealt with—along with Tomioka Giyu and Aoyama Ren!"
Aoyama laughed lightly.
Ubuyashiki tilted his head slightly.
"Has another arrived?"
Mitsuri quickly spoke up, eager.
"Yes, Master! Another swordsman has come. His name is Aoyama Ren. He is Tanjiro's senior disciple!"
Aoyama Ren…
Ubuyashiki paused thoughtfully.
He had heard that name.
From Final Selection reports.
From Kasugai Crows.
From Sakonji Urokodaki's letter.
"Yes… Aoyama Ren. I have heard you are an outstanding young man."
Though blind, Ubuyashiki turned his face toward Aoyama.
"You heard what Sanemi said. What is your opinion?"
Aoyama stepped forward calmly.
He glanced at Sanemi, still kneeling beside him.
"My opinion?"
"I have no objection."
Tanjiro's heart skipped.
No objection?!
He twisted his head in shock.
Aoyama shot him a reassuring look.
Then continued:
"No one here is wrong."
"Nezuko is a demon. That is true."
"But she has never eaten a human. That is also true."
He walked slowly toward Sanemi.
Bent slightly at the waist.
"Humans can be good or evil."
"So can demons."
"You understand that."
"But Sanemi does not."
"If he insists on treating all demons the same…"
Aoyama's lips curved faintly.
"I don't mind teaching him again."
His gaze dropped to the hand that had been pressing Tanjiro's head down.
He smiled at Sanemi.
Sanemi instinctively pulled his hand back.
His teeth ground together.
The Master was here.
He could not act recklessly.
He had to endure it.
But his eyes—
Burned.
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