Disclaimer: Demon Slayer is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
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-Two days later, The Ubuyashiki Estate, High noon-
Everyone had gathered in the courtyard, chatting in a relaxed atmosphere.
Shinobu sat in the corridor beneath the eaves, quietly watching the two figures engaged in a game of strategy in the veranda.
"Everyone..."
Her pale purple eyes reflected the contrasting black and white hair of those two people. She smiled from the bottom of her heart and murmured to herself. "They all look so happy..."
"Hey..."
Sanemi sat cross-legged before the Go board, veins throbbing visibly at his temples. His hands rested on his knees as he glared impatiently at the person across the board.
"You bastard... can't you move any faster?!"
Smack!
"You're taking way too long!!"
He slammed his palm down beside the board with force, shouting abuse and pointing a finger at the man sitting opposite him.
Giyu held a stone between his fingers, his eyes scanning the board before him, deep in thought.
He paused for a moment, then responded in a flat tone. "Please be quiet. I am thinking."
"Hah?!" Sanemi shot to his feet, his expression twisting into a snarl, both hands already clenched into tight fists.
It looked as though he was about to beat Giyu to a pulp at any second.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!"
An exceptionally cheerful laugh rang out from beside him. Sanemi turned to look.
What filled his vision was a mane of blazing hair, shining brightly under the sunlight.
"You two are always so lively whenever you meet!"
Kyojuro stood with his hands on his hips, his thick dark brows raised as he watched the Water and Wind Hashira playing their game. "You get along so well! I'm envious!"
He had come today with his father.
"Bastard." The corner of Sanemi's mouth twitched, and the whites of his eyes were already shot with blood vessels.
Just as Sanemi was about to teach the guy a lesson.
Tap.
Obanai appeared suddenly, placing a hand on Kyojuro's shoulder and interrupting their exchange.
"Hold on, Shinazugawa."
He first glanced at Sanemi with calm eyes, stopping him in his tracks, then looked up at Kyojuro and spoke. "I have a question for Rengoku. The two of you can settle your dispute later."
"Come with me." With that, he grabbed Kyojuro and pulled him toward the other side of the courtyard.
Faint snippets of conversation drifted back. "Rengoku, what do you know about Kanroji's..."
"Mmm! You mean Mitsuri's favorite things?!"
"You idiot, keep your voice down!"
Watching their retreating figures, a sense of absurdity welled up inside Sanemi's chest.
Sanemi looked up at the clear blue sky and took a deep breath.
"Well."
"This ain't half bad."
Whoosh!
A white blur flashed by.
"Right? Right?"
"That Iguro-kid... he's been getting awfully close to Rengoku's Tsuguko lately."
Tengen had appeared silently beside Sanemi. A grin tugged at his lips as he rested a hand on his chin, gazing thoughtfully at Obanai's back.
He turned his head, giving Sanemi a deeply meaningful look.
"You've noticed it too, right?"
"Huh?"
"Namu Amida Butsu."
Gyomei sat beneath a tree, hands pressed together in prayer. He quietly observed the boisterous group in the courtyard, silently reciting the Buddha's name.
He relished these peaceful days.
They reminded him of the past.
After a while.
The soft sound of footsteps on tatami mats approached.
A gentle voice spoke. "Good afternoon, everyone."
Instantly, the Hashira in the courtyard snapped to attention, setting down their diversions and kneeling in a neat row upon the ground.
"Oyakata-sama!"
The sunlight slanted beneath the eaves, illuminating the figure of Kagaya as he gradually emerged from the shadows.
Kagaya stood unaided. The purplish scars on his face seemed to have faded considerably. His eyes, once went white and blind, now appeared to have recovered partial sight in at least one of them.
Amane stood quietly at his side.
"Oyakata-sama... your health!"
The Hashira quickly noticed the change.
"Yes." Kagaya nodded slightly. "That is what I wish to speak of next."
The wisteria blossoms hanging from the eaves swayed in a gentle breeze.
"Thank you for coming."
He smiled, occasionally suppressing a cough or two. His tone was sincere as his gaze swept over each person before him.
"Today marks the final Hashira Meeting."
"Since the Heian Era, the Demon Slayer Corps has existed for over a thousand years."
Everyone remained silent, listening intently to the soft, peaceful words coming from beneath the eaves.
"As of the two days before, the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan, has finally been annihilated."
"Following extensive confirmation by the Hashira and the tireless efforts of the Kakushi members, we have reached a conclusion."
Kagaya stated the joyous fact to everyone present. "All man-eating demons in this world have perished along with Muzan."
"Haah..."
He let out a deep breath, as if casting off an immense burden.
"Everyone."
"For so long, you have staked your very lives."
Kagaya's voice was slow and steady, speaking words he had clearly rehearsed countless times in his mind.
"For the sake of humanity and the world, you have fought till this day, giving everything you had."
He slowly lowered himself to his knees, sitting back on his heels and bowing his head deeply before the assembled group.
"The entire Ubuyashiki family extends our heartfelt gratitude."
"Our mission is complete."
"The Demon Slayer Corps is hereby officially disbanded, effective immediately."
"Thank you all for your unwavering dedication over these many years."
"I wish you all smooth sailing on the paths you take from here on."
Behind Kagaya, Amane bowed as well, offering the assembled Hashira the deepest expression of thanks.
The Hashira looked up, slightly bewildered. They exchanged glances, looking at one another, seemingly at a loss.
Finally.
Clap!
Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together, tears streaming down his cheeks. He bowed his head deeply, his voice thick with emotion.
"Understood."
Seeing this, the other Hashira followed suit, lowering their heads in unison. "Understood!"
But no one moved to leave.
A prolonged silence fell over the courtyard.
"Oyakata-sama! Actually, we should still—"
Sanemi raised his head, brows furrowed slightly, but was cut off by Kagaya's raised hand.
"I am no longer your Master, Sanemi-kun."
Kagaya smiled. Kneeling beneath the eaves, his gaze swept over them. "If you don't mind, I would much prefer to be friends with all of you."
"But—" Sanemi found himself speechless for a moment, his posture stiff with bewilderment. He felt utterly lost.
"Is that alright?" Kagaya pressed with a smile, as if finding this exchange quite amusing.
"...Yes, sir... I understand." Sanemi lowered his head, his response coming out awkwardly.
"Pfft!" A clear, unmistakable snicker sounded from beside him. Sanemi immediately shot a glare in that direction.
It was Tengen, struggling to hold back his laughter.
At that moment, Kagaya slowly lifted his head. His blurry vision swept around the courtyard before he finally realized someone was missing.
"Where has Kamado-san... gone?" he asked hesitantly.
"Kamado-san parted ways with us as soon as we neared the estate,"
Obanai stated.
"He headed straight for the Butterfly Mansion."