The other Hashira were all equally stunned, their gazes fixed on Tanjiro. Tengen, turning too abruptly, even bumped into Mitsuri and knocked her over.
"How is that possible? None of the Hashira have ever encountered him," Tengen said in disbelief.
"Besides his appearance and abilities, where did you meet him? Say it now!"
"Did you fight him?" Even Muichiro, who had been staring up at the sky, focused his attention on Tanjiro and asked.
"What is Kibutsuji Muzan doing? Have you found his lair?! Hey! Answer me!" Sanemi leapt in front of Tanjiro, grabbing him by the hair as he shouted, just as agitated.
"Shut up! Kazuki and I asked first! He should answer our questions before yours!" Tengen yelled at Sanemi.
For a moment, the scene descended into complete chaos.
At that point, Kagaya raised a finger to his lips in a gesture for silence. Everyone immediately quieted down.
Kagaya continued calmly, "Kibutsuji Muzan is currently sending people to hunt down Tanjiro. Although his reason may simply be to silence him, this is the first time I have managed to grasp the tail he has revealed—and I do not intend to let go.
"Something must have happened to Nezuko that went beyond Kibutsuji Muzan's expectations. Do you understand?"
After the earlier trial and Kagaya's words just now, none of the Hashira had anything more to say.
"Yes," the Hashira replied in unison.
Kagaya then turned his gaze to Obanai and Sanemi and spoke to them.
"Also, Sanemi, Obanai—do not be too harsh on the lower-ranking children."
This was not the first time Kagaya had noticed Sanemi and Obanai's unfriendly attitudes toward lower-ranked swordsmen. Sanemi at least rarely interacted with other members, but Obanai often privately "disciplined" those who had interacted with Mitsuri.
Kagaya had heard no small number of complaints from Demon Slayer Corps members about this. Most of them had only brushed against Mitsuri by accident, yet were soon reprimanded by Obanai afterward. Some had merely spoken with her for a little too long.
"Yes, Master," Obanai replied crisply.
Sanemi also lowered his head, placing his Nichirin Blade on the ground as he answered, "Yes, Master."
Under the eaves, Nezuko was glaring angrily at Sanemi, her eyes fierce, her cheeks puffed out—somehow making her look rather adorable.
"That concludes Tanjiro's matter. You may step down," Kagaya announced.
At this moment, Shinobu raised her hand and said to Kagaya, "Then I will have Tanjiro stay at my estate for the time being."
She then smiled and clapped her hands lightly.
"All right, please take them away."
Two Kakushi rushed forward.
"Excuse us!"
They bowed to Kagaya and the Hashira, then swiftly lifted Tanjiro and Nezuko's box and carried them away.
"Tanjiro, please send my regards to Lady Tamayo."
Just as Tanjiro was about to be taken away, Kagaya suddenly said this.
Tanjiro's pupils constricted. Hearing Kagaya speak that name left him utterly stunned.
The Hashira, hearing Kagaya's words, were completely confused. None of them had any idea who Tamayo was, or why Kagaya would even ask for her well-being.
After Tanjiro and Nezuko were taken away, Kagaya addressed the Hashira again.
"Now, we move on to the second matter."
He then turned to Kazuki and asked, "Yō, regarding the Crimson Blade—was it verified during this mission?"
Kazuki nodded. "I've confirmed that the Crimson Blade can indeed suppress a demon's regeneration."
"Excellent. You've done well," Kagaya said in praise.
He then looked to the other Hashira. "And as for the Crimson Blade—have any of you made progress over the past few days?"
The first to step forward was Obanai.
"I followed Kazuki's method and did manage to turn my Nichirin Blade red."
As he spoke, Obanai drew his blade and held it upright before him, gripping it tightly.
After a short while, a faint crimson hue crept over the serpentine, double-edged blade, gradually spreading across its entire length.
Moments later, his Nichirin Blade had turned completely red. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Obanai's forehead, making it clear that the effort had taken a considerable toll on him.
"Although it can be done, using grip strength to turn the blade red consumes a great deal of stamina. I'm not certain whether expending that much energy to create a Crimson Blade is worthwhile during combat," Obanai shared his assessment.
"My situation is the same as Iguro's!" Kyojuro said loudly.
Though his blade was already red in color, there was still a subtle difference once it became a Crimson Blade—one that could be clearly distinguished.
"I feel the same way," Muichiro nodded. "Against weaker demons, there's no need to use the Crimson Blade. It's probably most effective only when facing powerful enemies."
Giyu, Sanemi, and Mitsuri all nodded in agreement—their experiences were similar.
"For me, the consumption isn't that significant. I can use it quite flamboyantly in battle," Tengen said as he drew the dual blades from his back. After gripping them with both hands, his twin swords turned crimson after a short while. Judging by his expression, the effort hardly taxed him at all.
"Red Nichirin Blades—truly flamboyant."
"Ah… my weapon isn't a Nichirin Blade, so I can't use that method directly. However, when I tested it with other members' Nichirin Blades, I succeeded without much difficulty. I've also found another way to turn my weapon red," Gyomei said.
Since Gyomei's weapon was enormous, he hadn't brought it with him and couldn't demonstrate.
The other Hashira turned their attention toward him.
Gyomei then explained, "My weapon consists of a heavy axe and a flail connected by a long chain. After hearing Kazuki's explanation that day, I began thinking about how to turn my weapon red. Since it's forged from the same materials as a Nichirin Blade, any effect a Nichirin Blade can achieve, my weapon should as well.
"By chance, I discovered that striking my weapons against each other can also turn them red. I believe your Nichirin Blades should be able to become Crimson Blades through this method as well."
"In that case, let's test it right now," Sanemi said, standing up and drawing his Nichirin Blade as he turned toward Giyu.
"Giyu, let's try it—what do you say?" Sanemi grinned, pointing his blade at him.
Sanemi had long been displeased with Giyu and had wanted to fight him. However, the Corps' rules forbade internal combat, so he'd never had the chance.
Now that such a perfect opportunity had appeared before him, he couldn't help himself. Even if it didn't escalate into a full fight, trading a few blows sounded satisfying enough.
"I'd like to give it a try as well. What do you think, Tomioka?" Obanai said at this moment, also turning toward Giyu and stepping closer. The two of them subtly closed in, hemming Giyu in.
Yet even faced with this situation, Giyu's expression remained completely unchanged.
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