Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters — Barracks
Kazuki hurried toward the estate where Kagaya resided.
"Master," Kazuki called respectfully upon seeing Kagaya inside.
"Yō, what brings you to see me?" Kagaya asked gently.
"Master, do you know about the Bright Red Blade?" Kazuki didn't explain immediately and instead posed a question.
After Kanamori had left, Kazuki spent nearly an entire day researching and finally managed to roughly determine how to turn a Nichirin blade into a Bright Red Blade. Eager to share this discovery so the Demon Slayer Corps could potentially gain this power, he came straight to the Master.
Kagaya paused briefly at Kazuki's question, then seemed to recall something.
"You're referring to the Bright Red Blade that can suppress a demon's regeneration, correct?"
"That's right. Kanamori-san, who forged my Nichirin blade, analyzed that the Bright Red Blade is a variation of the Nichirin blade itself. This has also been confirmed in my previous battles. I've already found the method to turn a Nichirin blade into a Bright Red Blade," Kazuki said excitedly.
Hearing this, Kagaya's composure shifted slightly. The earlier reports from the Kasugai Crow had not mentioned the Bright Red Blade, so he had been unaware that Kazuki could do this.
"You're certain that the Bright Red Blade can suppress a demon's regeneration?" Kagaya asked.
"Yes." Kazuki nodded and continued, "During my battle with Lower Rank Two, I confirmed that after I severed its limbs, it was unable to regenerate them immediately."
"Good. In that case, since the other Hashira haven't yet departed on missions, I'll summon them now. We'll have the Hashira test this first, and if it works, we can gradually pass it on to the other swordsmen," Kagaya decided at once.
Anything that could strengthen the Demon Slayer Corps was of the utmost importance to him.
Before long, the other nine Hashira were gathered as well.
After Kagaya explained the situation, the gazes of all nine Hashira focused on Kazuki.
"Alright, Yō. Please begin," Kagaya said.
Kazuki didn't waste any time and spoke plainly.
"The method to turn a Nichirin blade into a Bright Red Blade capable of suppressing demon regeneration lies in grip strength. Powerful grip strength can stimulate the solar power contained within the Nichirin blade, rapidly raising its temperature and granting it the ability to inhibit a demon's regeneration."
As he spoke, Kazuki drew his Nichirin blade. Holding the hilt firmly with both hands, he stood it upright before him. The blade's surface, black as obsidian, was clearly visible to everyone.
He then increased his grip strength.
A streak of crimson appeared on the jet-black blade and quickly spread across it. In no time at all, the once-black Nichirin blade had transformed into a crimson blade.
"So flashy…" Uzui Tengen couldn't help but exclaim.
"Can turning a Nichirin blade like that really suppress a demon's regeneration?" the Serpent Hashira questioned, clearly cautious.
Though his impression of Kazuki had improved, he still felt that matters concerning the Corps required strict scrutiny.
"I've already verified its effect in battle against Lower Rank Two," Kazuki replied.
"I've just received confirmation from the Kasugai Crow as well. The Bright Red Blade does indeed suppress demon regeneration," Kagaya added.
With that, the other Hashira had no further doubts.
"In that case, we'll begin trying to acquire this ability as soon as possible," Gyomei said, pressing his palms together.
"And about the mark we discussed before—since Kazuki's mark is innate, I'll awaken mine on my own and then tell everyone how to do it," Sanemi added energetically.
Giyu glanced at Sanemi with an expression that clearly said, I can't believe you just said that.
At that moment, Kagaya spoke again.
"There is something about the mark that I did not explain last time. I will tell you now."
His tone was solemn. The Hashira immediately focused their attention on him, curiosity in their eyes.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
"According to the records, every swordsman who bore a mark died before the age of twenty-five…," Kagaya said slowly.
The reason Kagaya hadn't mentioned this earlier was because he had been worried about whether Kazuki—who had only recently joined the Demon Slayer Corps—could bear such information. He understood the other Hashira well, but he hadn't known Kazuki long enough at the time.
After their previous conversation, however, Kagaya judged that Kazuki possessed sufficient emotional resilience and chose to reveal the truth to everyone.
None lived past twenty-five… So when Rengoku's father said "a short-lived life," this was what he meant…
Kazuki finally understood what Shinjuro had meant back then. The revelation still shocked him.
Yet he felt no fear, resentment, or negativity. For him now, dying before twenty-five was not an unbearable notion.
In the past, he would have worried about who would care for his mother if he died so young—but now, he no longer had that concern.
What he didn't know was that Kagaya's statement was not entirely accurate. There was an exception—someone who bore the mark and lived well into his eighties: the man who cornered Muzan during the Sengoku era—Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The room fell silent after Kagaya's words—not from fear of the mark's drawback, but from sympathy for Kazuki and uncertainty over what to say.
"If that's the case, then I'll just have to slay all the demons before I turn twenty-five."
Kazuki's firm voice shattered the silence as he spoke calmly to Kagaya.
"Exactly! That's the kind of thing I like to hear. So what if we don't live past twenty-five? If we can wipe out all the demons, then who cares how short our lives are?" Sanemi said with a fierce grin, clenching his right fist.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," the Serpent Hashira agreed.
"I'm actually looking forward to my mark now. It'll definitely make me even more flashy," Uzui said, stroking his chin.
The other Hashira paid little mind to the mark's drawback and even seemed to anticipate its awakening.
"So that's how it is… Then what will happen when I awaken mine, I wonder…" Gyomei murmured to himself.
Seeing the mood lighten, Kagaya smiled as well.
At that moment, a Kasugai Crow flew in through the window and landed before Kagaya, a letter tied to its leg.
Kagaya removed the letter, read it, then looked up.
"An Upper Rank has appeared at Mount Natagumo. Many Corps members have already fallen. Giyu and Shinobu, you two are to go. Yō, you'll go as well—it'll be a good opportunity to further test the Bright Red Blade."
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