Mei looked at Rengoku Mujuro and asked in a rather awkward tone, "Um... why do you suddenly want to make him your stepson? You two look like you're about the same age. Wouldn't that be... a bit strange?"
Mei's question, delivered with such innocent confusion, was like a bucket of cold water splashed onto Mujuro's burning enthusiasm.
Mujuro blinked, momentarily stunned, before realizing that she had no idea about the internal terminology or rank structure of the Demon Slayer Corps. In the common tongue, the word he used—Tsuguko—could indeed be mistaken for "adopted son."
His large, owl-like eyes blinked once, twice, and then he burst into a booming laugh, showing no sign of being offended. His flame-colored hair shook back and forth, making the scene look almost comical.
"Hahahaha! Umu! It was my mistake for not being clear, leading to such a misunderstanding!"
Mujuro stood up slightly, took a sudden half-step back, and slapped his own forehead with a resounding smack. As a red handprint bloomed on his brow, his voice rang out even louder:
"The 'Tsuguko' I spoke of is not the father-son relationship you're thinking of! In the Demon Slayer Corps, it refers to the personal apprentice of a Hashira. They are the disciples chosen by the most powerful swordsmen in the Corps to inherit their techniques in full!
"A Tsuguko is a student, and those chosen as Tsugukos are the most likely candidates to become the next generation of Hashira! As for what a 'Hashira' is—the Master once told us: a Hashira is a pillar that supports the world, a pillar that prevents ordinary people from being swallowed by the dark night of demons!"
As he spoke, Mujuro instinctively puffed out his chest. He looked at the two of them with a smile filled with immense pride. Honestly, when Mujuro laughed, he didn't carry an air of intimidating majesty; instead, he radiated a simple, honest warmth that made him feel very approachable.
Having finished his explanation, Mujuro exhaled a long breath as if he had completed a great task. Then, his eyes burned with intensity once more as he turned to Kiyowa.
"So, young man! Please, join us! Join the Demon Slayer Corps and become my Tsuguko! Let us slay the demons that prey on the innocent together! Although I am not yet a Hashira, I believe I will certainly become one in the near future!"
Kiyowa looked at the man who seemed to be radiating literal flames and felt a surge of admiration. However, he had already thought this through.
First, his system had issued a check-in mission that required him to go to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters of this era. If he didn't join the Corps, it would be virtually impossible to find their secret base. He didn't believe for a second that his information-gathering skills could rival Muzan's—the ability to see through the eyes of countless demons was an overwhelming advantage in a search. Furthermore, the Ubuyashiki family possessed a unique precognitive sense; if a stranger like him appeared uninvited, they would likely relocate immediately.
This effectively locked in his future path: he had to join the Corps or find another way into their headquarters. Since Muzan hadn't succeeded in finding them for nearly a thousand years, Kiyowa didn't think he would fare much better on his own.
Second, if he joined now, his use of Sun Breathing would almost certainly be exposed to Muzan. Given Muzan's personality, he would likely dispatch a massive number of demons to hunt him down. Kokushibo—one of the peaks of combat power—would pursue him relentlessly. Aside from his younger brother, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, no one had mastered Sun Breathing. Even among the first generation of marked swordsmen, no one had been able to pass it on. If a Sun Breathing user suddenly appeared now, Kokushibo would hunt him to the ends of the earth.
In Kiyowa's view, he could join the Corps, but not yet. He needed to wait until his strength reached a certain threshold.
What was that threshold? At the very least, he needed to have a deep mastery of all thirteen forms of Sun Breathing and the stamina to maintain a continuous cycle of at least twenty rotations. Only then would he have a baseline level of self-preservation.
As for what to do if he encountered demons in the meantime? That was simple. He would try to dismember them without using Sun Breathing and wait for dawn. Even if he did use Sun Breathing, there was a low probability of Muzan seeing it. Muzan was busy searching for the Blue Spider Lily and only cared about the Upper Moons; he rarely shared the vision of "trash" demons.
Having weighed these factors, Kiyowa spoke to Mujuro.
"Mr. Rengoku, I am deeply honored by your offer, and I have heard a bit about the Demon Slayer Corps. Honestly, the fact that you all fight those man-eating demons without regret, protecting ordinary people even at the cost of your own lives... it's both incredible and something I admire from the bottom of my heart."
Kiyowa paused, sighing as his gaze drifted to Mei, who was watching him intently, and then to the corner where Gyutaro lay unconscious but breathing steadily.
"However, I cannot accept your invitation right now."
Kiyowa pointed toward Mei and Gyutaro, his voice steady and firm.
"Until he has fully recovered and until Mei is completely safe, I cannot leave this place. I'm sorry, but I am not as great or selfless as you are. I have my own selfish desires. To me, they are the most important people in the world. I cannot leave them behind to protect others. For me, their safety outweighs the safety of strangers. I don't have your level of resolve."
To his surprise, Mujuro didn't show a hint of anger or disappointment. He simply looked at Kiyowa, his voice filled with understanding and warmth.
"Young man! You don't need to apologize! It was my invitation that was too hasty. I didn't consider the safety of these two children. But I won't give up! You are an exceptional person! I must have you as my Tsuguko!
"And..."
Mujuro's voice suddenly dropped an octave, a sharp contrast to his previous boisterous tone.
"There are rumors that two powerful demons may appear here in Yoshiwara soon. I will remain here to protect you, and to protect every innocent person in this district. For the time being, try your best not to go out at night."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the district, a demon covered in tattoos stood atop a massive tree, staring into the city with a ferocious expression.
It was Akaza—the current Upper Moon Three.
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Demon Slayer: Starting by Snatching Daki(83 Chapter- Ongoing)
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