The sunlight was as radiant as ever, its warmth still reaching the ground even after filtering through the layered petals and leaves of the early-blooming cherry blossoms.
Yet on this peaceful morning, the Kakushi of the Demon Slayer Corps had no time to admire it. Today marked the start of the Hashira Meeting, and preparations kept them busily occupied.
Of course, a few people had no such worries—Yuichiro was clearly one of them.
"Let's go, Yuichiro! Hurry, hurry!"
Yuichiro let himself be dragged along as they ran, his voice full of helpless resignation.
"Even if you're in a rush, the meeting still starts at a set time, doesn't it?"
"I know that! But this is your first meeting, right?" Muichiro said, looking unusually excited. "I want to introduce you to everyone before it starts! Hehe—I don't know why the meeting was moved up, but the timing's perfect since you just finished the Hashira examination!"
Yuichiro was far less optimistic.
"If they called the meeting early, something urgent must have happened. Don't get too excited—you might end up disappointed."
Muichiro only grinned wider.
"With Hiru and Yoriichi here, nothing will go wrong!"
Yuichiro sighed again. He was about to say something else, but Muichiro had already pulled him into the small courtyard where the Hashira Meeting was being held.
Several people had already gathered there. He could only recognize the Kocho sisters, who often visited the river valley, as well as Sanemi. The two he was most familiar with—Hiru and Yoriichi—had yet to arrive.
Before he could keep looking around, Muichiro had already dragged him over to the Kocho sisters.
"Kanae! Shinobu! Long time no see!"
"Oh my, Muichiro." Kanae smiled warmly. "And Yuichiro as well. It's been a while. You've both grown taller."
"Yeah! My brother became a Hashira too! Even though he didn't get to kill one of the Twelve Kizuki, his swordsmanship isn't weaker than mine!"
"Oh my, is that so?" Kanae clasped her hands together, clearly delighted. "Then we must celebrate properly later."
"Becoming a Hashira at such a young age—allow me to offer a flashy compliment!"
Yuichiro tilted his head slightly toward the speaker.
"Is your praise supposed to mean something?"
Uzui raised an eyebrow, about to respond, but Muichiro spoke first.
"What are you saying!"
Everyone turned to Muichiro, who said with complete seriousness, "Of course Uzui-san's praise doesn't mean much. That's just his weird way of talking. You'll get used to it."
"What do you mean weird way of talking?! You two brats are showing disrespect to a god!"
And just like that, Uzui and Muichiro launched into an argument over whether or not he was a god, while Kanae led Yuichiro around to meet the other Hashira who had already arrived.
After the introductions were finished, however, Kanae began to look concerned.
"This is strange… Hiru and Kyojuro still haven't arrived. Those two are usually among the first to show up. Could they have been injured on their last mission?"
"How did those two end up together anyway?" Sanemi crossed his arms. "Their missions shouldn't have overlapped."
"It seems they went to find Kyojuro to deliver some prepared medicine for Tanjiro… But now neither of them has arrived. It's worrying."
"Relax. Even if something did happen, if Hiru was there, he would've handled it easily."
Uzui pressed a hand down on Muichiro's head, holding the younger boy in place as he kept trying to argue.
"Don't forget—he crushed Upper Moon Five with his bare hands. That guy's practically as strong as a demon."
"What do you mean 'as strong as a demon'…?"
A voice full of weary exasperation came from the entrance.
Hiru, Kyojuro, and Yoriichi were walking toward them. Hiru led the way, glancing at the heavily bandaged Kyojuro with clear resignation.
"Why is it that every time I show up, you all happen to be talking about me?"
"That's because your timing is always terrible."
Uzui released Muichiro, letting the boy run toward Hiru and Yoriichi.
"But what's with you two? Neither of you brought your weapons today. For a Hashira, carrying your weapon at all times is the most basic rule."
"Because today, the two of us should not carry weapons."
Yoriichi's strange answer left the gathered Hashira confused.
Obanai spoke first. "Why so serious? Did that demon brat finally lose control and start eating people?"
"Hmm! It's even more unbelievable than that!" Kyojuro stepped forward. "After the mission ended, I was so shaken I couldn't sleep properly at all!"
The group was about to continue the discussion when the sound of a door opening behind them made everyone fall silent and turn around.
"Oyakata-sama."
"The weather is quite nice today."
A dreadful scar had already spread across Ubuyashiki's forehead, yet the smile on his face remained as gentle as ever.
"I'm very glad to see everyone here. The Hashira Meeting was called early because there is an important matter that must be announced. I appreciate your efforts."
"Amida Butsu… What concerns our lord is precisely what we must resolve. Moving the meeting forward is no trouble at all."
Ubuyashiki turned his gaze to Yuichiro.
"You must be Tokito Yuichiro. Muichiro often says he hopes to go on missions together with his brother. It seems his wish has come true. Welcome to the ranks of the Hashira."
"Yes. I will give my utmost." Yuichiro lowered his head. "My younger brother has been in your care."
"The thanks should come from me," Ubuyashiki said with a faint smile before shifting his gaze to Hiru. "Hiru, have you made your decision?"
"Yes. The final battle will arrive soon. Rather than letting the truth surface at that time, it's better to explain everything clearly now. Besides, I promised Kyojuro."
"Final battle?" Uzui looked at him. "What do you mean? Did Yoriichi find Muzan?"
"No. I only discovered a few entrances to the Infinity Castle," Yoriichi replied. "But their response was extremely fast. Even after cutting open the gaps, I still couldn't enter. Since then, I've been severing the connections between those rooms and the castle."
The news immediately stirred the gathered Hashira.
At the same time, some were more concerned about the earlier exchange between Ubuyashiki and Hiru—Gyomei among them.
"Amida Butsu… That is indeed uplifting news." Gyomei slowly rolled the prayer beads in his hand. "But such news should not disturb our composure. What exactly is it that Hiru wishes to tell us?"
Gyomei held great authority among the Hashira. The moment he spoke, the courtyard fell silent again, and everyone turned toward Hiru.
Feeling their gazes upon him, Hiru let out a quiet breath.
"Then I'll say it directly. I'm not someone with a demon-eater constitution, I am the true primordial demon—one who has lived from the Sengoku period until now."