Another Hashira meeting.
I brought out new sweets Amane made. Asked Nezuko if she'd eat.
She'd been biting the bamboo muzzle in her mouth. Heard she never took it off, even while sleeping.
Just try the feeling of constantly biting something—you'd know it's very uncomfortable.
After asking Tanjiro's opinion, I removed the bamboo muzzle first.
This thing wasn't some mysterious seal. Nezuko instinctively closed her mouth once. Noticed her mouth felt empty. Seemed somewhat unaccustomed.
But she didn't immediately go berserk. Didn't pounce at anyone.
Just blankly looked up at me. Then glanced at her brother standing in the sunlight outside. Shrank closer to me.
Though she didn't eat people, she also couldn't eat other food. This made me somewhat regretful.
While Tanjiro stood in the courtyard, also very uneasy, occasionally glancing inside. Then glancing at the other side of the courtyard. Expression very constrained.
This meeting felt a bit like a trial.
Though the topic related to Nezuko, the one being judged wasn't Tanjiro.
Currently under siege was Giyuu.
Because he not only let a demon go, but also kept it hidden without reporting. In his colleagues' eyes, this was a very serious problem.
Of course, Giyuu himself had no such awareness. Still said: "I didn't deliberately conceal it. If you truly wanted to understand this matter, naturally you'd know."
I also stared at him blankly. Didn't understand how a perfectly good sentence could sound so grating coming from his mouth.
Shinazugawa naturally flew into a rage. Yelled about just cutting him down and being done with it.
Ritsuka still had a private grudge with Shinazugawa over Genya. At this moment, stepped forward without hesitation to defend her good friend. Said I knew about this long ago—what are you gonna do about it?
So the people under siege became two. Ritsuka also dragged Sabito in.
Obanai and Tengen helped speak for Shinazugawa. The former out of friendship and a common enemy.
The latter probably just purely joining the excitement.
Kagaya would come soon. Fighting naturally couldn't break out. Both sides just hurled trash talk in the courtyard. And arranged a post-meeting brawl activity.
I watched Tanjiro's dumbstruck expression. Felt all six of them were quite embarrassing to the Hashira. Not a shred of senior expert bearing. Really wanted to just drive them out.
Gyomei watched from the side. Probably contemplating whether to mediate.
While Muichiro as usual gazed at the sky in a daze. Whether people or demons, none could spark his interest.
The remaining few didn't get involved. All sat across from me observing Nezuko.
Mitsuri extended her hand. Revealed a brilliant smile. "Hello there~ You're called Nezuko, right?"
Nezuko looked at me. Then at her. Gently placed her hand on hers. Seriously said "Mm."
"So cute—"
As Mitsuri sighed this, Kyojuro asked: "Lady Chihaya, has this young lady truly not received your blood?"
"That's right." I held Nezuko. She sat on my lap. Already started playing a clapping game with Mitsuri.
"This point is very rare. I don't want to destroy her own changes. So didn't give her blood."
"This child seems mentally incomplete. Also unable to speak?" After carefully observing, Shinobu said: "Does she still remember things from before becoming a demon?"
For this question, I called Tanjiro over. Also spared him from standing there like a pillar, not knowing what to do.
Tanjiro answered very thoroughly. "Nezuko won't eat people! She'll also help fight and protect everyone... Yes, previously slept for almost two years... Aside from sleeping, hasn't tried ingesting other nutrition... No, never showed bloodthirsty symptoms."
Shinobu carried a small notebook with her. Took notes while listening.
Tanjiro asked again with underlying unease: "About Nezuko's matter..."
"Don't worry. Since Miss Chihaya has acknowledged your sister, then we won't have objections either."
Shinobu smiled at him. After becoming a Hashira, her temper had restrained somewhat. When not provoked, could also learn from Kanae to show a smile.
"Very sorry for attacking your sister earlier without knowing the situation. I'll also apologize on Kanao's behalf."
Tanjiro frantically waved his hands, overwhelmed by the favor. "No, no, no. That everyone is willing to understand this matter—I'm already extremely grateful."
As he spoke, looked at me somewhat hesitantly. "Though I knew Miss Chihaya before, what exactly is your relationship with the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan?"
"Lady Chihaya's existence is classified information of the Demon Slayer Corps. Normally only Hashira-level members can be informed."
Kyojuro said in a clear voice. "But your sister's situation is special. Therefore, the Master also allows you to exceptionally attend the Hashira meeting. Later when the Master arrives, he'll naturally answer for you."
The siege against Giyuu continued until Kagaya appeared.
Fortunately, everyone had become desensitized enough over the years. Just that Shinazugawa frowned when hearing Nezuko had no connection to me.
But he didn't raise any objections either. Everyone accepted the Kamado siblings' existence.
Just that after the meeting, Shinazugawa still called out to Tanjiro.
"Your sister hasn't fully gained my approval." His tone was somewhat nasty. Like intimidating someone. "As long as she remains a man-eating demon, there's the risk of losing control and eating people. If you brat want her to stay, you'd better open those eyes of yours wide and watch her like your life depends on it."
Tanjiro didn't mind his attitude. Nodded with righteous resolve. "Yes, I absolutely won't let Nezuko eat people!"
Shinazugawa glanced at Nezuko again. Don't know what he thought. Then turned and left.
Shinobu patted Tanjiro's shoulder. "Alright. You're still injured, right? First come with me to settle at the Butterfly Estate. Can you still walk? I'll have the Kakushi carry you."
Nezuko also shrank back into a small child. Climbed into his wooden box and sat properly.
Though I also wanted to go to the Butterfly Estate to see Agatsuma Zenitsu, I still needed to stay first. Hear the details of Giyuu's confrontation with the Twelve Kizuki.
He'd already made a report earlier. This time his opponent was Lower Rank Five. Nothing particularly noteworthy appeared.
Giyuu tried asking him about Muzan. But also didn't obtain any useful intelligence.
Because Lower Rank Five resisted fiercely, couldn't be captured alive and brought back for my interrogation. Could only be slain on the spot.
Not that I didn't trust Giyuu's report. Just worried there might be details he didn't notice.
Therefore, I had him recount in detail everything he saw and heard on Mount Natagumo. Including after seeing Lower Rank Five, his every subtle expression and movement.
But gained no harvest. Perhaps the Twelve Kizuki were disciplined by Muzan. Wouldn't so easily leak information anymore.
Giyuu honestly said he arrived too late. Before that, Lower Rank Five fought Tanjiro for much longer. Perhaps there'd be some information he didn't know.
All said and done, I still had to personally go to the Butterfly Estate to see the Corps members who participated in this battle.
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