Demon Slayers: Swordsman
Chapter 10 — The Sun Returns
Ren, Kanae, and Shinobu arrived at the Demon Slayer Headquarters As per protocol Ren had been blindfolded during the journey.
When the blindfold was removed, a vast estate surrounded by forest greeted him.
At the entrance stood the Ubuyashiki Family, along with several Hashira.
The current Hashira present were Stone, Sound, Wind, Water, Flame, and Flower. Many future pillars had yet to rise to that rank.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"We greet the swordsman, Ren-sama," he said calmly. "Welcome to the Demon Slayer Headquarters."
He lowered his head respectfully.
"I am Kagaya Ubuyashiki. I humbly thank you for saving the Flower Hashira and killing Upper Moon Two, Doma."
Behind him, the entire Ubuyashiki family bowed.
Ren felt extremely awkward.
He understood that in Japanese tradition, bowing was a great sign of respect, but seeing such a respected figure bow to him made him uncomfortable.
It almost felt like he was some kind of villain.
"Ahem… please don't bow," Ren said awkwardly.
He scratched his head, clearly unsure how to respond.
Soon, the Hashira followed Kagaya's lead and expressed their gratitude.
"Thank you for eliminating Upper Moon Two."
"You have done what none of us could for decades."
"You have our respect."
Ren's mouth twitched.
"Ahem… please stop," he said quickly. "I just fought because I wanted to. There's no need to thank me like that."
He waved his hands slightly.
"Please raise your heads."
Kagaya smiled gently.
"Very well."
He gestured toward the estate.
"Please, come inside and sit."
Everyone moved into a large tatami room.
The Hashira observed Ren closely as they walked.
Each of them tried to gauge his strength, yet none could sense anything clearly.
It felt like he wasn't even there.
Shinobu quietly left for the Butterfly Mansion, even though she wanted to attend the meeting.
Since she wasn't a Hashira yet, she had no authority to join.
Inside the room, everyone took their seats.
Kanae sat forward and began explaining everything that had happened.
She described her encounter with Doma.
Then she described Ren's arrival.
And finally—
She described the fight.
The room fell silent as everyone listened carefully.
But as her explanation continued, disbelief slowly appeared on every face.
Because what Kanae described…
Wasn't even a battle.
It was a massacre.
Doma didn't even understand how he died.
An Upper Moon.
The second strongest demon after Muzan.
Killed so effortlessly.
The Hashira exchanged uncertain glances.
Only the Flame Hashira showed a different reaction.
His body trembled slightly.
It was as if he had realized something.
But he couldn't fully accept it.
Finally—
He looked directly at Ren.
"Sun…"
The word slipped out of his mouth unconsciously.
Ren smiled slightly and nodded.
That single gesture shook both Kagaya and the Flame Hashira.
Because only they understood the meaning behind it.
The other Hashira looked confused.
They couldn't follow the conversation at all.
"The original?" the Flame Hashira whispered.
His voice trembled.
"How can that breathing still exist?"
He stood up abruptly.
"Only one man in the entire history of the Demon Slayers could use that breathing!"
His grip tightened around his sword.
"Show me," he said firmly. "Show me the strength of that breathing."
Ren looked at him calmly.
He could already tell.
The man had recently lost someone close.
His heart was unstable.
Filled with doubt.
Ren stood up without hesitation.
"Alright."
He walked toward the garden outside.
The Flame Hashira followed him.
The others quickly gathered to watch.
The tension in the air became heavy.
The Flame Hashira drew his blade.
Flames seemed to flicker around him as he took his stance.
He attacked first.
Flame Breathing.
His sword cut through the air with blazing intensity.
Ren calmly drew his blade.
The moment he stepped forward—
He entered the Selfless State.
His presence vanished completely.
For a brief moment—
No one could sense him.
Then—
The two passed each other.
Silence.
The Flame Hashira stood still.
His haori slowly tore apart in multiple places.
His blade trembled in his hand.
The garden fell completely silent.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Only Kanae remained calm.
She had already seen this before.
Sanemi clenched his teeth.
Veins bulged on his forehead.
"I didn't see a single attack," he muttered.
Gyomei's tears stopped falling.
"He disappeared from my senses," he said quietly.
Tengen suddenly grinned.
"What a flamboyant display of power and control."
"I like it."
The Flame Hashira slowly turned around.
His expression was completely shaken.
For the first time—
He understood.
This was not a man they could measure.
This was something far beyond them.
And for the Demon Slayer Corps—
It meant only one thing.
The sun had returned.