"The Master has arrived!"
Supported by two doll-like young girls, Ubuyashiki Kagaya appeared before everyone.
Except for Kiyokawa Izumi, the other eight people respectfully knelt on one knee on the ground.
Kiyokawa Izumi simply sat cross-legged on the ground, which naturally caught the attention of the others.
"You fellow..."
Shinazugawa Sanemi spoke with some dissatisfaction.
'Are you talking to me? Don't you remember how unrestrained you were back then?'
Kiyokawa Izumi did not kneel just to fit in; there are many ways to express respect, and kneeling was a custom he was neither used to nor liked.
In his eyes, Ubuyashiki Kagaya was much like a leader or a boss.
Facing a leader who cares about you, you might respect him from the bottom of your heart, but it would never reach the exaggerated extent of kneeling.
As a transmigrator, it was impossible for him to truly accept the concept of a master; the so-called path of lord and retainer was nothing but dross in his eyes.
The reason he remained in the Demon Slayer Corps now was not because he had decided to pledge loyalty to this man, but simply because he had things he wanted to do; it had little to do with him.
It didn't matter who sat in that position; whether it was him or his children, it had no impact on Kiyokawa Izumi.
Of course, he also knew that this unusual behavior might lower his colleagues' favorability of him, but he didn't care.
That they respected this man from the bottom of their hearts was their business.
He understood, and he respected that.
"Sanemi!"
The Master called out softly. If he didn't even have this much broad-mindedness, he wouldn't have earned the respect and love of the others. He continued speaking.
"The weather is very nice today as well. I am very happy to see you all again, and I am also glad that we have another reliable Hashira."
"I wish you good health!"
Kiyokawa Izumi said with a natural expression.
As soon as these words came out, Sanemi became even more dissatisfied.
He was clearly here first! He was the first to arrive!
The words of blessing and greeting should have been said by him!
Does this newcomer understand anything at all?
He's just as annoying as that bastard!
"Izumi, has your injury improved?"
"It should be fine after resting for a while longer."
"Then, let us begin this Hashira Meeting!"
...Inside the room, everyone sat on the floor.
To Kiyokawa Izumi's left was Kochou Shinobu, and to his right was Shinazugawa Sanemi, who looked at him with great displeasure.
"Before the Hashira Meeting begins, may I be permitted to say a few things?"
In such an environment, surrounded by swordsmen stronger than himself, Kiyokawa Izumi showed no nervousness or intention to back down, his voice ringing out very clearly.
Everyone's gaze turned toward him, and The Master sitting opposite him nodded with a smile.
"In my opinion, both the Selection and the training of members are far too unreasonable!"
Participating in this kind of meeting for the first time, Kiyokawa Izumi dared to make such bold declarations—in his view, the Demon Slayer Corps was no different from a makeshift crew.
Whether it was the Selection or the subsequent training, it was all too informal!
"First, let's talk about the Final Selection; it is cruel and a waste of talent.
Every year, only a handful of swordsmen can pass the Selection, while the vast majority die during it.
Why can't the Selection method be changed?
Before participating in the Selection, some basic tests could be conducted, such as speed, strength, and swordsmanship.
Those who are clearly unqualified should be directly dismissed, and their Trainers should be punished.
Whether a person has the talent to become a swordsman, or whether they are suitable to become a Demon Slayer—can't those Trainers tell? Is it a matter of doing things perfunctorily, or a lack of ability?
Irresponsible Trainers must be warned!
As for the swordsmen who are dismissed, those with special talents or those with firm wills who are unwilling to leave can be reassigned to the Kakushi."
Kiyokawa Izumi's voice was loud and clear, his calm gaze sweeping over each of the Hashira.
"Then there is the Selection itself. Can the difficulty be lowered slightly? For example, successfully slaying three demons counts as passing!
The Kasugai Crows can be responsible for monitoring.
In addition, a group of members, or even available Hashira, could be mobilized to save clearly unqualified members to avoid wasting their lives in vain.
If there is a shortage of manpower, could we discuss it with the retired former Hashira and have them participate in the Selection to minimize casualties as much as possible?"
"Too weak! Can swordsmen selected this way really go out to slay demons? If this continues, the Demon Slayer Corps will only get weaker, won't it?"
Uzui Tengen suddenly spoke up. Coming from a Ninja background, he was long accustomed to life and death.
"Sacrifice without value is meaningless!"
Kiyokawa Izumi turned his head abruptly and said seriously, "What is the difference between letting people with insufficient strength participate in the Selection and sending them to their deaths? What value is there in their deaths?
It is because of this kind of Selection that manpower is tight and talented swordsmen lose their lives early. I do not believe such a Selection is correct!"
The determination in his words was evident to everyone present.
"Meaningless. To participate in the Selection, one must have the resolve to lose their life!"
The Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, said coldly. He didn't think there was any point in doing this; no matter how many ordinary members there were, it would be difficult to slay the Twelve Kizuki.
"Perhaps it could be considered?"
Kochou Shinobu also spoke up in support.