NOVEL WEB Chapter 92: Chapter 92
"By the way, Shinobu, since you believe in your sister so much, haven't you ever thought about striving to become a Hashira yourself?" Shinichi remarked casually, unable to resist reaching out to stroke Shinobu Kocho smooth black hair.
"Don't pat my head! I'm not a child!" Shinobu irritably brushed Shinichi hand away.
"Eh? Tch." Shinichi reluctantly withdrew his hand, thinking it had felt really nice—much better than chubby Maru-ni head, that was for sure.
Of course, Shinichi had only been joking earlier.
After all, Shinobu talent for slaying Demons wasn't particularly outstanding.
Her physical strength was too lacking.
Though she had managed to rise to the rank Tsuchinoto thanks to her unique combat techniques and poisons, neither Shinichi, nor Kanae, nor even Shinobu herself believed she could ever become a Hashira.
But so what if she couldn't become a Hashira?
With powerful people like her sister and that blockhead Shinichi around, the Demon Slayer Corps was plenty strong as it is.
That was what Shinobu believed, anyway.
"Heh, hey, Shinobu, speaking of which, I recently discovered that adding a bit of wisteria to dorayaki makes it taste even better. Wanna try some?"
"No way."
***
"In just two short years, two Lower Moons have been killed in succession. Since when have the Lower Moons become so useless? Has Muzan only recruit worthless demon into the rank now? Do we really need to be this cautious? Why not just track him down and finish him off?"
In a dimly lit room, a figure spoke brashly.
The faint glow of the lantern revealed the speaker appearance.
Golden eyes, a face as cold and sharp as a blade, short black hair and a headband tied around his forehead with the character "Martial" emblazoned in the center.
Two sharp fangs protruded from his lips and his arms were crossed, black claws glinting ominously.
The speaker was unmistakably a Demon!
Yet astonishingly, this Demon had uttered the name of the progenitor of Demons, Kibutsuji Muzan, without consequence.
Every Demon bore a curse in their blood—any who dared speak Muzan name or reveal information about him would meet a gruesome end.
Yet this headband-wearing Demon had not only spoken Muzan name outright.
It was nothing short of unbelievable.
Seated before the headband-wearing Demon was another figure, seemingly engrossed in writing something.
Hearing the Demon words, the figure set down his pen and replied in a gentle tone.
"Maito, it's not that simple. Muzan has survived for a thousand years—he won't be so easy to deal with. The Demon Slayer Corps has fought against Demons for centuries, yet apart from that one swordsman, no one has ever truly managed to harm Muzan."
The Demon named "Maito" merely scoffed at this before casually adding.
"By the way, I messed up that task you gave me last time. I ran into that kid—the one who inherited Shunichi Breathing Style and bloodline."
At these words, the previously composed figure abruptly stood up. The lantern light now revealed his appearance as well.
Dressed in a tailored suit, with slightly wavy hair and a refined, scholarly face, he looked every bit the educated professor—except for the sharp fangs and claws that betrayed his true identity.
He too, was a Demon!
"Is that so? How is that child doing?"
Maito golden eyes flickered with a trace of reminiscence as he replied calmly.
"He's doing fine. Much better than that family, at least. He hasn't disgraced Shunichi Breathing Style either. By the way, Shouku, are you sure the things you're researching will be useful against Muzan?"
The demon named Shouku froze for a moment before shaking his head in silence. Slumping back into his chair, he said dejectedly.
"I don't know. After all, apart from Shunichi, none of us have ever faced Muzan. Still, at least our efforts aren't entirely hopeless."
"Oh, right, Maito. I've recently gotten some new information, so I'd like to ask you to go to Kyoto again and search for that woman..."
Maito frowned, displeased.
"Again? I've already searched half of Japan. Are you sure she's in Kyoto?"
"I'm not sure, but isn't it worth a try?"
Maito let out a cold chuckle before turning and striding out of the room. In the next moment, his figure vanished, leaving only an afterimage behind.
Watching Maito leave, Shouku turned his gaze back to the table before him, cluttered with various bottles, jars and even some advanced experimental tools only found overseas.
Staring at these scattered containers, he sighed, his tone a mix of lament and resignation.
"Demons should never have been born into this world. All of this is a grave sin... Muzan."
***
"Oyakata-sama!"
The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps—Rengoku Shinjuro the Flame Hashira, Himejima Gyomei the Stone Hashira, Uzui Tengen the Sound Hashira and Moriki Shinichi the Forest Hashira—stood in perfect formation, bowing respectfully to their master, Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Please, rise. I am truly overjoyed to see all of you again. Your unwavering dedication to the Demon Slayer Corps moves me deeply. Please accept my gratitude."
As always, Ubuyashiki Kagaya exuded an aura of warmth and kindness that naturally inspired reverence for this gentle yet resolute leader.
It was another biannual Hashira meeting, but unlike before, Kagaya was accompanied by two small figures this time.
Two little girls dressed in miniature purple kimonos, their faces so alike they resembled exquisitely carved porcelain dolls—adorable enough to make anyone want to pinch their cheeks.
In fact, Shinichi did just that.
Whenever he visited the master, he couldn't resist giving the girls' cheeks a playful squeeze—though never without bringing some sweets or candies from his pockets as compensation.
As a result, Kagaya children were quite fond of Shinichi.
Indeed, the two little ones standing beside Ubuyashiki Kagaya were his daughters—the older sister, Ubuyashiki Hinaki, with a red ribbon on the right and the younger sister, Ubuyashiki Nichika, with a yellow ribbon on the left.
Besides these two, Kagaya had three other children: Ubuyashiki Kanata, Ubuyashiki Kuina and his eldest son, Ubuyashiki Kiriya.
Perhaps it was a tradition of the Ubuyashiki family, but Kagaya had already begun presenting his two- or three-year-old children as part of the household public image.
Shinichi had even jokingly accused Kagaya of exploiting child labor.
But now was the time for the Hashira meeting, where serious matters concerning the future of the Demon Slayer Corps would be discussed.
Here we go again.
At this moment, the Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen was complaining about Shinichi.
"Shinichi, the Final Selection you presided over last time was utterly unflashy. Those examinees awareness and abilities were just too pathetic..."
In response, Shinichi merely shrugged his shoulders.
He was helpless too—who could have expected the existence of an outlier like Sabito, a youth who far exceeded standards?
"Namu Amida Butsu. Tengen, that's not an appropriate thing to say. Although those examinees may lack in ability, their courage and determination are equally worthy of recognition" said the Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei with his hands clasped together.
The Flame Hashira Rengoku Shinjuro didn't comment on the matter but brought up something else instead.
"Master, the ranks of the Hashira may be expanding again soon."
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