After announcing Ming as the Tenth Pillar, it was finally time to address Tanjiro's case.
Long before this day, Urokodaki Sakonji had already written to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, fully explaining Tanjiro's circumstances.
Now, Kagaya took out that letter and began to read it aloud.
As the former Water Hashira, Urokodaki held considerable prestige within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Furthermore, both the former and the current Water Hashira had pledged their lives as guarantors for Tanjiro.
But even that wasn't enough to convince Rengoku and the others right away.
In the end, it was the Wind Hashira—using his own blood—who proved beyond doubt that Nezuko would not attack humans.
Only then did the other Hashira begrudgingly accept the situation, even if their expressions suggested they were swallowing something bitter.
With that resolved, the matter of Kichiro and Giyu supposedly violating Corps regulations naturally lost all weight.
Of course, beyond all the testimonies, there was another, even more crucial reason the Hashira agreed to accept Tanjiro:
Tanjiro had come face-to-face with Kibutsuji Muzan
and Muzan had personally ordered his death.
That single revelation made the Hashira see a glimmer of hope
that perhaps their generation might finally fulfill the Corps' centuries-old wish.
For all these reasons, Tanjiro became the only Demon Slayer permitted to fight alongside a demon.
"Tanjiro's matter ends here. You may withdraw."
"Then, let him stay at my mansion for now," Shinobu Kochō added lightly.
Tanjiro froze.
He had never imagined those words would come from Shinobu—the very woman who, upon first meeting, nearly executed his sister.
The contradiction made him awkwardly stiff, but he had no room to refuse.
An attendant from the Kakushi team simply picked him up and hauled him away.
"Well then… let us begin the Hashira Council Meeting."
Kagaya's voice was soft, yet absolute.
As the newly appointed Hashira, Kichiro was naturally part of the council.
However, having just taken his position, he wasn't required to give a report.
He simply sat quietly and listened.
The meeting didn't last long—less than an hour.
Most of the Hashira kept their words concise, mindful of Kagaya's frail health.
At the end, Kagaya turned to Kichiro.
"Kichiro, for the time being, remain at Headquarters. I'll arrange your post as soon as possible."
The Hashira were responsible for far more than slaying demons.
For instance, Shinobu oversaw the Butterfly Estate and managed the Corps' medical operations.
Each Hashira bore administrative duties that helped sustain the organization.
"I understand."
Truthfully, Kichiro welcomed the arrangement.
Ordinary demons no longer provided him meaningful experience.
Training with the Hashira was far more useful than aimlessly hunting weaker demons.
With the Hashira gathered in one place, this was the perfect opportunity to study their techniques.
Shinobu could no longer satisfy his growing needs in training.
Once Kagaya, supported by his children, withdrew to rest, the Hashira began dispersing.
"What are you thinking about?"
Shinobu suddenly tilted her head toward him.
"N-Nothing…"
Kichiro's voice wavered.
Just as he was about to buckle under the weight of Shinobu's probing stare
"HEY!"
Sanemi abruptly stepped forward.
"You! Don't think becoming a Hashira means I recognize you! I'm still holding onto what you did—getting in my way earlier! If you've got guts, come fight me!"
"No problem. I'll take you on anytime."
Kichiro had never found Sanemi this likable before.
"Eh?!"
Sanemi blinked, surprised.
Then a feral grin stretched across his face.
"Didn't expect you to agree that fast. Fine! Come on—we'll find a place and go all out!"
Moments earlier they had nearly been at each other's throats.
Now they walked side by side like old friends
anyone observing would think they had a deep bond.
Shinobu watched them leave, amused.
Unexpectedly, she felt the two might actually become good friends.
Both were battle-hungry, hot-blooded, and competitive
it wasn't hard to imagine the endless topics they'd share.
Several days passed in a blur.
With the collective guidance of the Hashira, Kichiro's Water Breathing had finally reached Level 7, and as he expected, a new effect emerged:
[Effect 4: Mastery — The user has achieved near-perfect command over this technique. Stamina consumption is significantly reduced.]
This effect increased his sustained combat time several-fold
a tremendous advantage in prolonged battles.
Compared to demons' bottomless stamina, humans always suffered an inherent disadvantage.
If he couldn't win quickly and was dragged into an endurance fight, Kichiro would be in serious trouble.
But this change made him more confident in facing Upper Ranks.
After the meeting, Kichiro had opened the reward chest from killing the Lower Rank demon.
Inside were three items:
[Congratulations, Player has obtained 500 Paradise Coins]
[Congratulations, Player has obtained: Soul Crystal (Small) ×1]
[Note: Soul Crystals are rare items used to upgrade skills upon returning to Paradise]
So this is the proper way to level skills?
Kichiro frowned.
His own skill levels hadn't been that hard to improve
in just over a month he'd already reached Level 7.
Was it because he was special?
Or because this skill was inherently easy to evolve?
If it was the latter, then Soul Crystals might not be as precious as stated…
With so little information about Paradise, Kichiro couldn't form a conclusion.
He'd have to wait until he returned.
[Congratulations, Player has obtained: "Demon Blood (Deep Blue)" ×1]
[Note: Can be consumed. 80% chance to inherit demon bloodline. 20% chance of death.]
[Note: Can also be submitted as a quest item to a certain story character.]
Consume it?
Absolutely impossible.
This was the blood of a Lower Rank demon
a one-hit-kill, disposable grunt.
Kichiro would have to be out of his mind to drink it.
Even if it did improve his strength…
the weaknesses it carried weren't worth the cost.
If it were Muzan's blood, maybe—maybe—he'd consider it.
Besides, this was only the first derivative world he'd visited.
There would be better bloodlines later.
Thus, the vial had only one purpose:
A quest item.
Other players would have to search blindly for the right NPC.
But Kichiro—who knew the story—already understood exactly who needed this item.
He simply hadn't had time to complete that side quest, having spent the past days sparring with the Hashira.
Now that his skill had leveled up, he finally had time to deal with it.