The crisp voices of the young children echoed in the courtyard.
Sensing their Master's presence, Uzui Tengen and the others, who had been chatting, stopped their conversation and turned to look toward the residence.
Under their gaze, a man with a scarred face, clouded eyes, and skin as cracked as withered wood slowly stepped out of the residence.
"You have all arrived."
Supported by the two young girls who had stepped out first, Ubuyashiki Kagaya entered the courtyard.
"Gyomei, Tengen, Giyuu, Kanae... my lovely children, it has been a long time... *cough cough*!"
Before he could finish his sentence, a wave of discomfort rose from deep within his body. Ubuyashiki Kagaya covered his mouth and coughed twice, a smear of crimson appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Master, your body..."
Kocho Kanae and the others, who were scattered throughout the courtyard, appeared in front of the residence in an instant, looks of concern on their faces.
"It is no matter. The curse has not worsened; this is merely the result of not resting well due to recent concerns."
Taking out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his mouth, a faint smile appeared on Ubuyashiki Kagaya's face; he seemed to be in a good mood.
"There is still a month until the next Hashira Meeting. You must have many questions for me, since I have summoned you back early."
"Amida Butsu. Master has always been far-sighted and would not make a useless move. This summons must mean something major has happened."
"Precisely."
Facing Himejima Gyomei's guess, Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded slightly.
"Two days ago, I received a letter. Someone has obtained information regarding the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki."
"Information on the Upper Ranks?!"
Uzui Tengen let out an exclamation: "Master, is the source of the information reliable?"
"The provider of the information is the disciple of the former Sound Hashira, Jigoro Kuwajima—YukimuraLynn."
"Lynn..."
Uzui Tengen searched his memory carefully but found he had no impression of that name.
"Lynn is a disciple recently recruited by Mr. Jigoro Kuwajima a few months ago. His talent is astonishing."
"Two days ago, Lynn went to Mount Fujikasane to participate in the Final Selection and cleared the mountain of demons in a single night."
As if seeing through Uzui Tengen's thoughts, Ubuyashiki Kagaya briefly introduced Lynn's achievements.
"Cleared Mount Fujikasane of demons?"
The previously silent Tomioka Giyuu suddenly looked up, his attention drawn by those words.
"Speaking of which, there is something I have only informed Mr. Urokodaki Sakonji about and haven't told you yet, Giyuu."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya took out a letter and handed it to Tomioka Giyuu via the young girl on his left.
"While clearing Mount Fujikasane, Lynn encountered a Mutated Demon related to the former Water Hashira..."
The matter regarding the Hand Demon was not complicated.
In just a few minutes, Ubuyashiki Kagaya explained the sequence of events.
After that, Ubuyashiki Kagaya leaned forward slightly, an apologetic look on his face.
"I am sorry, everyone. The tragedy caused by the Mutated Demon on Mount Fujikasane is my responsibility."
"If I had discovered the anomaly sooner, so many people would not have been sacrificed."
...
Silence fell over the courtyard once again.
Uzui Tengen and the others, who were still focused on the information about the Upper Ranks, stopped speaking and turned their gazes toward the expressionless black-haired young man beside them.
Although Tomioka Giyuu didn't fit in well and rarely communicated...
As fellow Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Uzui Tengen and the others were not entirely ignorant of his past.
If Ubuyashiki Kagaya wasn't lying, then Tomioka Giyuu's close friend, Sabito, most likely died at the hands of that Mutated Demon.
"Master, please do not dwell on it."
Under everyone's gaze, the usually taciturn black-haired young man gave his answer.
Any rule has loopholes.
The matter of the Hand Demon only proved that there were issues with the rules of the Final Selection that needed further improvement.
As for the matter of Sabito, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, as the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, certainly had to bear some responsibility.
But rather than blaming the cursed and physically limited Ubuyashiki Kagaya, Tomioka Giyuu resented his own incompetence even more.
If he had been stronger back then, if he could have kept up with Sabito's pace to share the burden, no one would have been sacrificed in that Final Selection trial.
Suppressing the slight frustration rising in his heart, Tomioka Giyuu met Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze.
"The dead cannot be brought back to life. All we can do is inherit their will and use this blade to kill Kibutsuji Muzan in their stead."
"Well said! Water Hashira!"
Uzui Tengen suddenly let out a loud shout.
"Although this response still isn't flashy enough, I, Uzui Tengen, acknowledge you!"
"..."
So, what exactly does 'flashy' mean?
Glancing at Uzui Tengen with confusion, Tomioka Giyuu looked back at Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Master, may I ask where Lynn is?"
"As for Lynn, right now..."
"Master! Mr. Lynn has arrived!"
Just as Ubuyashiki Kagaya was about to reply, a Demon Slayer Corps member rushed in from outside to report.
"It seems they returned a bit faster than I expected."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya stopped his explanation, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Please invite our distinguished guests in."
"Yes!"
The Demon Slayer Corps member who had just rushed in to report quickly stood up and ran out of the courtyard.
A moment later, under everyone's gaze, three figures—two men and one woman—walked in from outside.
"Hmm?"
Seeing one of the figures clearly, Kocho Kanae froze, a look of astonishment appearing on her face.
"Shinobu, why are you here?"
"I was commissioned by the Master to guide Lynn and Rengoku Kyojuro."
"Then your outfit..."
"Sister, let's skip such irrelevant topics," Kocho Shinobu interrupted.
Compared to two days ago, the Demon Slayer Corps uniform Kocho Shinobu had been wearing was gone.
In its place was a black and white maid outfit with lace trim.
"Oh! That's certainly a novel outfit!"
Uzui Tengen nodded thoughtfully, giving Kocho Shinobu's outfit a thumbs up.
This style wasn't bad; he could let his three wives try it when he got home, it might have a miraculous effect.
"Master! I have something to report!"
Seemingly realizing that she would remain the center of attention if this continued, Kocho Shinobu simply stepped forward to change the subject.
"One day ago! The Demon Slayer Corps swordsman Lynn discovered traces of the Twelve Kizuki at Mount Natagumo!"
"In just two hours, Lynn single-handedly cleared all the demons on Mount Natagumo! He decapitated Lower Rank Five!"
Killed one of the Twelve Kizuki?
Hearing Kocho Shinobu's report, everyone's gaze fell upon Lynn.
Although Lynn hadn't introduced himself yet, no one present was an ordinary person.
Even just by observing his aura, they could see that Lynn was on a different level compared to the other two.
"Another member of the Twelve Kizuki has fallen; that is indeed good news."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's lips curled up slightly, a smile appearing on his face.
Although the vacancy in the Twelve Kizuki would soon be filled due to Kibutsuji Muzan's existence...
Lynn being able to slay one of the Twelve Kizuki single-handedly held another layer of meaning.
"Lynn, thank you for your contribution to the Demon Slayer Corps."
"As a token of gratitude, I would like to invite you to take the position of the Thunder Hashira. What do you think?"
"Will it affect our partnership?" Lynn didn't agree immediately, but asked instead.
"I don't want the partnership to be affected by factors of status."
"Rest assured, I give my word as the head of the Ubuyashiki family that such a thing will not happen."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya understood Lynn's meaning and gave a firm reply.
"As long as you can assist us in slaying Kibutsuji Muzan, I can provide all the help you need."
"I understand. Since you put it that way, I'll talk about the battle plan."
Lynn nodded slightly, his gaze moving toward Uzui Tengen and the others nearby.
"Before we take action against Kibutsuji Muzan, there are three things we need to do."
"Find Tamayo, obtain the blue spider lily, and clear out the demons of the Upper Ranks."
...