His voice was incomparably gentle—just hearing it was enough to make one feel calm and at ease.
Then Kazuki finally saw the appearance of the man who had stepped out of the estate.
The upper half of his face was largely disfigured, yet even from the intact portion it was clear that he had once been quite handsome. A faint smile rested on his face, his demeanor serene and unshaken, like that of a deity or a Buddha.
So this is the man who commands the entire Demon Slayer Corps… His voice is so gentle. Are those injuries from illness?
This was Kazuki's first time seeing Ubuyashiki Kagaya, and such thoughts crossed his mind as he looked at him.
"Good morning, everyone. It's a lovely day today."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya lifted his head slightly, feeling the sunlight fall upon his face. The warmth brought a rare sense of comfort to his body, which had been steadily deteriorating under the grip of illness.
"I am very glad that we are able to convene another Hashira Meeting without any loss of personnel."
In the next moment, the nine Hashira knelt down in unison on one knee. Seeing this, Kazuki followed suit and knelt as well.
"It is truly wonderful that you remain in good health, Master. I sincerely hope that your condition continues to improve," Sanemi said respectfully.
"Thank you, Sanemi," Kagaya replied with a smile before continuing to address the assembled Hashira.
"This Hashira Meeting has been convened earlier than usual, and I believe many of you have questions about that.
"The primary reason for holding this meeting ahead of schedule is the Demon Slayer Corps' newly appointed tenth Hashira."
As he spoke, Kagaya turned his gaze toward Kazuki. At his words, the eyes of the other nine Hashira all focused on Kazuki at once.
Kazuki's mind filled with confusion. Being stared at by everyone like this left him feeling flustered.
"Traditionally, the Demon Slayer Corps has maintained nine Hashira. This has rarely changed. While there have been times when Hashira were lost, the total number has never exceeded nine.
"On one hand, the requirements to become a Hashira are extremely strict—one must either slay a member of the Twelve Kizuki or kill fifty demons. On the other hand, the missions assigned to Hashira are far more dangerous, making casualties likely.
"However, recently, a new Demon Slayer—Kazuki—fulfilled the requirements to become a Hashira by slaying one of the Twelve Kizuki, Lower Rank Two, Rokuro. This has broken the long-standing limit of nine Hashira.
"This is a joyous event for the Demon Slayer Corps as a whole."
Kagaya spoke with measured rhythm, then continued while looking at Kazuki.
"Generally, Hashira take their titles from their Breathing Styles. Yō, have you decided on your Hashira title?"
He remembered my name all this time…
Kazuki wasn't surprised that Kagaya knew his name. When Kyojuro had taken him in as a tsuguko, he had reported the matter to the Master—Kazuki assumed that was when Kagaya learned it.
What truly surprised him was that Kagaya, as the leader of an organization as vast as the Demon Slayer Corps, would remember the name of an ordinary member like him. This alone greatly increased Kazuki's respect and fondness for the Master.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master. I will take the title of Sun Hashira," Kazuki replied.
Though he still didn't fully grasp everything that was happening, he answered Kagaya's question first.
He chose this title because the character Yō related both to his Breathing Style and to his name—Sun Hashira felt perfectly fitting.
After hearing his answer, Kagaya nodded.
At this point, the other Hashira still wore puzzled expressions. They hadn't yet understood why the Hashira Meeting had been called early. Logically speaking, the promotion of a single member to Hashira rank shouldn't warrant such urgency.
Kagaya soon provided the explanation.
"Now, to the true reason for convening this meeting ahead of schedule. Yō, from the report of your Kasugai Crow, I learned that you possess a unique mark.
"That is why I summoned everyone early—I hope that you can explain the conditions under which this mark appears to the other Hashira present."
Kagaya looked at Kazuki, his tone carrying a note of request.
"A mark?!" The other nine Hashira were immediately confused—they had never heard of such a thing.
A mark… a term Sensei's father once mentioned.
Unlike the others, Kazuki had heard this word before. When he previously visited Kyojuro's home, Kyojuro's father had mentioned it in passing. At the time, Kazuki had been completely lost, having no idea what it referred to. Now, he was hearing the same word again from the Master's lips.
Kagaya continued explaining.
"It is said that during the Sengoku era, there was once a group of swordsmen who used the First Breathing and nearly succeeded in slaying Kibutsuji Muzan. All of them bore marks resembling demon sigils upon their bodies.
"However, this remains little more than legend, and thus very few people are aware of it."
After hearing Kagaya's explanation, the Hashira gained a rough understanding of what the mark represented. Put simply, it was a sign that appeared on powerful individuals—another way of saying that it could potentially enhance one's strength.
Kazuki fell silent.
He had always believed that the strange mark on his forehead was a curse. His father had abandoned him and his mother because of it, plunging them into a life of hardship. His mother had borne immense burdens and fallen gravely ill as a result.
He had even blamed the demon attack on his village on that mark, drowning himself in guilt.
Now, for the first time, he was learning the true origin of what he had long regarded as an ill omen.
After hearing this, Sanemi asked Kagaya with some confusion, "This is the first I've ever heard of it. Why was it hidden from us before?"
Kagaya turned to him and answered,
"Because many outstanding swordsmen in the past became mentally and emotionally exhausted upon learning of this, distressed by the fact that no mark appeared on them… That is why we had no choice but to conceal this information."
He then added,
"There are still far too many unclear details regarding the inheritance of these marks. Whether they were insufficiently valued at the time, or whether the knowledge was lost during several near-catastrophic crises the organization faced before its establishment, can no longer be determined."
"Today, only a single line has been preserved in written records:
'Whenever a marked swordsman appears, others will gradually emerge around them, as though resonating in response.'"
"This was recorded in the journal of a swordsman who once wielded the First Breathing. In this era, you are the first to manifest such a mark."
After finishing, Kagaya looked at Kazuki.
"I ask this of you," Kagaya said, bowing his head slightly toward him.
So long as it would strengthen the Demon Slayer Corps and bring them closer to destroying Muzan, Kagaya was willing to give anything—even his life. Pride, for a leader like him, was insignificant by comparison.
"Master…" Kagaya's gesture left Kazuki at a loss. From the other Hashira's reactions, it was clear that their respect for the Master came from the heart—yet now Kagaya was bowing to him, a subordinate. It filled Kazuki with panic.
At the same time, seeing the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps make such a request of him inspired profound respect in Kazuki as well.
Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon him, Kazuki spoke with a helpless sigh.
"I'm truly sorry…"
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