Under the guidance of that Ubuyashiki clan member, Ryosuke and Shota walked in silence.
Shota couldn't hold back and subtly nudged Ryosuke with his elbow.
"Hey, what's going on with you? Why did Master Ubuyashiki summon you again?"
Ryosuke waved his hand and joked, "How should I know? Maybe he thinks I'm handsome and wants to invite me for tea."
"Get lost!"
Shota spat out in annoyance, but the curiosity and envy in his eyes remained undiminished.
He truly couldn't understand how this guy, who would lie down rather than sit and would rather be lazy than work hard, had caught the eye of Master Ubuyashiki and was repeatedly summoned.
Ryosuke didn't speak again, his heart also filled with doubt.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's thoughts ran deep; this summons was definitely not just for a simple tea and chat.
The fact that it coincided with Rika and the others participating in the Fujikasane Mountain selection felt a bit subtle.
Passing through several long corridors, the guide stopped in front of an elegant courtyard, bowing to signal Ryosuke to enter alone.
Shota was politely led to a side hall to wait.
Ryosuke took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Within the courtyard, beneath a wisteria trellis, Ubuyashiki Kagaya still sat on the veranda.
Only this time, he was not alone.
Beside Kagaya, a brawny, towering man was kneeling!
He wore an expression of sorrow, two lines of clear tears silently streaming down his face, his hands clasped together, like a silent, unmoving rock.
That familiar monk's robe and prayer beads belonged to none other than Himejima Gyomei!
Ryosuke's pupils constricted slightly; he suppressed his confusion and took a few steps forward, bowing to Kagaya.
"Master Ubuyashiki."
Kagaya turned his head slightly, a gentle smile appearing on his face: "Mr. Yasui, no need for formalities."
Ryosuke straightened up and turned his gaze to the brawny man beside him, greeting him politely.
"Mr. Himejima, long time no see."
Although Himejima was blind, he accurately looked in Ryosuke's direction.
His clasped hands remained unmoved, and his voice was low: "Mr. Yasui... long time no see."
"Your aura is even stronger than it was on Mt. Hinode... like tempered steel, calm and resilient."
"It seems you have already mastered Total Concentration Breathing Constant."
Ryosuke's lips twitched imperceptibly.
Good heavens! His perception is too abnormal!
Just meeting him, and he already figured out my breathing state!
However, being praised by such a human-shaped Gundam, Ryosuke felt no comfort whatsoever.
It is well known that Demon Slayer Corps is never short of geniuses.
Thinking of monsters like Sabito, Giyuu, Uzui Tengen, and this superman beside him who swings a meteor hammer like a helicopter and cuts demons with an axe like slicing vegetables... Ryosuke's progress and strength were truly nothing.
Ryosuke even felt that if Himejima threw a hammer at him now, he would most likely ascend directly to heaven.
No choice, he's just too strong! A pure stat monster!
Thinking that, Ryosuke forced a dry laugh and waved his hand.
"Mr. Himejima overpraises me; I was lucky to have some insights, but it's nothing, and I'm still far from true geniuses."
Kagaya seemed to see through his inner thoughts and spoke with a light chuckle.
"Mr. Himejima has just been promoted to Stone Hashira. He trains diligently, has an unyielding will, his strength grows by leaps and bounds, and his perception far exceeds that of ordinary people."
As expected!
Ryosuke understood in his heart.
The final selection for Fujikasane Mountain in the Demon Slayer Corps does not have a fixed annual schedule.
In the original story, Himejima went from being unjustly imprisoned to becoming the Stone Hashira in only about a year.
One must know that he hadn't even held a sword before and had no exposure to Breathing Technique whatsoever.
Such a growth rate was terrifying.
Kagaya continued to explain: "This time, I also wanted you two to meet again, after all, it was Mr. Yasui who first vouched for Himejima's innocence on Mt. Hinode."
He paused, his gaze gently falling on Ryosuke.
"Moreover, looking at Mr. Yasui's aura and strength, he seems not far from the threshold of a Hashira."
Ryosuke quickly shook his head upon hearing this: "Master Ubuyashiki flatters me; I'm still far from it."
He roughly calculated that in the past year, he had desperately killed demons, and at most, it was only a little over thirty.
He was indeed still some distance from the standard of "fifty demons" or "one of the Twelve Kizuki" required to become a Hashira.
After all, the demons Ryosuke killed were of high quality, not all cannon fodder, so it would take some time.
Kagaya smiled and shook his head, his tone firm: "It's only a matter of time. I trust my judgment, and I trust Mr. Yasui's potential."
Himejima, who was beside them, spoke again, his voice like a bell.
"I feel the same. Mr. Yasui possesses a firm resolve to protect, and the power driven by this resolve will surely lead him to constantly break through his limits. Becoming a Hashira is only a matter of time."
Being affirmed and anticipated by these two in such a concerted manner, Ryosuke was truly a bit overwhelmed and momentarily speechless.
How did these two get such high favorability?
Just because of that shout and those few letters on Mt. Hinode back then?
The return on investment was too incredible!
He awkwardly rubbed his nose, not knowing how to respond.
If he admitted it, it would seem immodest.
If he denied it, it would seem like he was rejecting their goodwill.
Kagaya also noticed his discomfort and timely changed the subject.
However, this new topic made Ryosuke even more uncomfortable.
"Actually, the reason I invited Mr. Yasui this time, besides letting you two meet, was indeed at someone's request."
A hint of teasing entered Kagaya's tone.
"At someone's request?"
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow, a premonition of ill omen rising in his heart.
"Hmm."
Kagaya nodded, his smile deepening: "Mr. Rengoku Shinjuro, the Flame Hashira, sent another message a few days ago through someone."
"He seems to have always held Mr. Yasui in high regard, and he hasn't forgotten him."
"These past few days, he happens to be resting at home and would like to invite Mr. Yasui to his residence for a visit."
Ryosuke: ∑(っ °Д°;)っ
No! Bro!!!
He still hasn't given up!
A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Ryosuke understood, he completely understood!
Today, Kagaya praised him for being able to become a Hashira and arranged for Himejima to meet him.
The purpose was to let him, the future "Hashira," get acquainted and build good relationships with the leadership, so he could better carry out his work in the future.
Alright, alright, alright—
You've truly mastered the workplace!
Evil Ubuyashiki brat!
Ryosuke ranted wildly in his mind.
Kagaya also seemed to notice the change in Ryosuke's expression and chuckled softly.
"Mr. Ryosuke seems very afraid of Mr. Rengoku?"
"No! Nothing of the sort!"
Ryosuke's rear tensed instinctively, and he waved his hands repeatedly.
Is that fear?! I have trauma! Psychological trauma, do you understand?!
Kagaya changed the subject, sighing deeply.
"Mr. Rengoku's wife has not been well, and recently her condition has worsened, so his fighting spirit has also been somewhat low."
💎 Power Stone Bonus: Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter
🌟 5-Star Review Bonus: Every 5 (5-Star) Reviews = +2 Extra Chapters
💬 Comment Speed-Up: If any chapter reaches +10 Comments = The Next Chapter Will Be Released Faster!