"Judgment of the Hashira (Part 1)"
"Hey, wake up. Wake up."
A blurry voice reached Tanjiro's consciousness. He opened his eyes to find himself in a courtyard filled with wisteria flowers.
"What's this? I heard there was a Demon Slayer with a demon, and I expected someone more impressive. So ordinary," Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, commented.
Six Hashira stood before Tanjiro.
Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, clasped his hands, the beads on his rosary clicking. "Yes! We're judging this youth, I see."
"He clearly broke the rules by protecting his demon sister. Let's just behead them both," Rengoku Kyōjurō, the Flame Hashira, declared.
Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, placed a hand on her chest. Such precious sibling love. So touching.
Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, and Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, remained silent.
Tanjiro felt a sense of unease. These Hashira seemed formidable.
A Demon Slayer with "Hidden" tattooed on their uniform pressed Tanjiro's head to the ground. "Don't interrupt. Do you know who they are? They're the Hashira! You're before the Hashira!"
"Hashira?" Tanjiro recalled Aoki's title. He didn't understand its meaning then, but if these six individuals held the same title as Aoki, their strength was comparable.
Panic seized Tanjiro. He had violated Demon Slayer Corps rules by protecting Nezuko. Execution by these six Hashira was certain. Even Aoki couldn't save him from a six-on-one fight.
"Where am I?" Tanjiro asked nervously.
"Demon Slayer Corps headquarters," Shinobu Kocho said gently. "We will judge you. First, let's explain your crime—"
Rengoku Kyōjurō interrupted. "No need for a trial. Protecting a demon clearly violates the rules. We can handle this. Behead them both."
Uzui Tengen: "Let me have the honor of beheading him, making the blood splatter beautifully."
Kanroji Mitsuri: "To kill such a cute boy… My heart aches. I can't bear it."
Himejima Gyomei: "Such a poor child. So pitiful. Born into this world, so pitiful."
Tokito Muichiro: "What's that cloud's shape? What's it called?"
Tanjiro noticed Nezuko wasn't there. He looked around anxiously.
The Demon Slayer holding him down sweated profusely. "He's looking around! They're the top ten swordsmen of the Corps!"
A figure approached.
"Your sister is safe. For now," Aoki said.
Aoki, the Devour Hashira, had the authority to be present, despite some skepticism about his position.
"Senior Aoki," Tanjiro said, noticing Aoki didn't seem to be intervening.
"Leave," Aoki said to the Demon Slayer, who released Tanjiro and bowed before leaving.
Aoki helped Tanjiro up, freeing his hands. "Don't worry. It's not a big deal. If they accept you and Nezuko, you'll be fine. Don't act rashly until the decision is made."
Even though he knew Aoki couldn't save him, Tanjiro remained calm.
Aoki approached the Hashira, moving closer to Shinobu Kocho. She smiled, then moved away, creating distance.
Aoki felt awkward, fidgeting.
"Hey, Aoki, you released him. Aren't you worried he'll escape?" Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira, said, lounging on a tree with a white snake.
"Relax, Iguro. My junior brother is obedient. He won't run. And even if he did, you wouldn't let him get away," Aoki said, ignoring Iguro's provocation.
Iguro continued. "I'm more curious about how you and Giyu Tomioka will be handled. According to Shinobu, you both violated the rules. Yet, you're not bound. That's concerning."
"Giyu," Tanjiro said, noticing Giyu Tomioka standing apart.
Kanroji Mitsuri's thoughts: Iguro-san is so persistent, like a snake. Annoying… and handsome. Giyu-san standing alone… so cute.
"It's fine. He came quietly. We'll decide on the punishment later," Shinobu Kocho said, pointedly ignoring Aoki, who fidgeted again.
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