"Judgment of the Hashira (Part 3)"
"You brat, want a fight?" Sanemi Shinazugawa asked, his voice chilling as he brandished his Nichirin Sword.
"I wouldn't mind another fight, and another victory," Aoki retorted, unfazed.
Just as they were about to clash, two voices simultaneously halted them.
"The Master has arrived."
Two nearly identical children appeared, ushering in Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the head of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The children supported him as he walked forward, gazing at the sky. "Good morning, everyone. Fine weather. Is the sky blue? It's our bi-annual Hashira meeting. Mostly familiar faces. I'm pleased. Or perhaps, there's a new face."
Seeing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's severely disfigured face, Tanjiro was stunned. Aoki grabbed Tanjiro's head, forcing him to kneel.
Confused, Tanjiro saw everyone else kneeling before Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Aoki's thoughts: He's the head of the Demon Slayer Corps. He may not fight, but basic etiquette is necessary.
Aoki looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki, a bright smile on his face. "Master Ubuyashiki, it's been a while. Are you well?"
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Aoki," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently. "I hear you killed a member of the Twelve Kizuki at Natagumo Mountain. That secures your position as the Devour Hashira."
Aoki chuckled wryly. "It was only a Lower Rank Five. I'm far behind the other nine Hashira. It will take a long time to catch up."
Aoki wasn't truly comparing himself; he wanted to preempt any taunts about the weakness of Lower Rank Five from Sanemi Shinazugawa or Obanai Iguro.
"Master," Sanemi Shinazugawa spoke. "Aoki's kill secures his position. I acknowledge him. However, Tanjiro Kamado acted with a demon. I wish to resolve this before the Hashira meeting begins."
Tanjiro's thoughts: He seemed so dense earlier, and now he speaks so formally.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded after a moment. "I apologize for the disruption. Tanjiro and Nezuko are approved by me, and I hope you will also approve them."
Everyone was surprised.
Gyomei Himejima, clutching his beads, wept. "Even if the Master says so, I find it difficult to accept."
Tengen Uzui: "I vehemently object. I will not accept a Demon Slayer acting with a demon."
Mitsuri Kanroji: "I'll follow the Master's orders."
Muichiro Tokito: "I don't care. I'll forget soon."
Obanai Iguro: "I don't believe it. I hate demons."
Rengoku Kyōjurō: "Master, I respect you deeply, but I cannot understand this. I strongly object."
Sanemi Shinazugawa: "Our duty is to kill demons. Punish Tanjiro Kamado and his siblings."
Shinobu Kocho, Giyu Tomioka, and Aoki remained silent. Shinobu Kocho's silence might be due to Aoki or a newfound interest in Tanjiro.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, unsurprised by the objections, turned to one of the children. "Get the letter."
The child produced a folded white envelope. "This letter is from Urokodaki Sakonji, the former Water Hashira. I will read an excerpt."
The child read:
"I implore you to allow Tanjiro to act with his demon sister. Nezuko, with her powerful spirit, maintains her humanity and hasn't eaten a human in over two years. While unbelievable, it's true.
If Nezuko attacks a human, Tanjiro Kamado, Urokodaki Sakonji, Aoki, and Giyu Tomioka will commit seppuku."
Tears streamed down Tanjiro's face.
Aoki patted his head. Well done, old man.
Giyu Tomioka remained silent, but his inner turmoil was evident.
Sanemi Shinazugawa objected again. "Seppuku? Let them die if they want. What kind of guarantee is that?"
Rengoku Kyōjurō agreed. "He's right. If she eats someone, it'll be too late. The dead can't be revived."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki remained calm. "True, we can't guarantee she won't attack. We have no proof."
Sanemi Shinazugawa's face brightened.
"But we also have no proof she will attack."
Sanemi Shinazugawa's expression fell.
"Nezuko hasn't eaten anyone in over two years. That's a fact. Four people are willing to stake their lives on it. To deny this, you must provide stronger evidence. Do you have that resolve?
And there's something else. Aoki and Tanjiro encountered Muzan Kibutsuji."
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