Chapter 42: His Name Is Fist
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled at them and said, "As you all know, Ryuji has successfully slain a Lower Rank demon. By the rules of the Corps, he is qualified to be promoted to Hashira."
The moment the words left his mouth, Uzui Tengen was first to voice his approval: "No objection from me—his record and everything else are utterly fabulous!"
Himejima Gyomei pressed his palms together. "I also agree. namu amida butsu."
He had been there; the wounds he'd received from Ryuji told how perilous the fight had been.
And that was on top of having already killed a Lower Rank demon.
Most important, not a single Demon Slayer had died… though most had suffered lung injuries and would have to retire.
But alive was alive.
No argument.
A relieved smile spread across Ubuyashiki Kagaya's face.
"Since everyone is in agreement…"
He turned slowly to Ryuji and said quietly, "Then I declare: from this day forth, Ryuji is officially a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps—bearing the title Fist."
As the words faded, two crowss burst from behind him and vanished into the sky.
They were dispatch birds; after today, every slayer would soon learn that the Corps had gained a new Hashira.
The Fist Hashira!
"Ryuji, you are the fourth active Hashira. I dearly hope your generation will see demons wiped out entirely."
Ryuji's lips curved; he dropped to one knee, voice steady and strong:
"It will be done. The Demon Slayer Corps will prevail!"
Even without me you would win—only at terrible cost.
But now that I'm here, victory will never again be so grim.
"Excellent. I, too, believe we shall win."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded, then added, "Concerning your earlier proposal for an instructor post, I have already arranged it."
He glanced toward the Stone and Sound Hashira: "You may observe; if it proves useful, it could help with adopting Tsuguko."
Turning back to Ryuji, he continued:
"I've gathered some gifted children and several seasoned Seniors; they will form your first class."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow—so quickly? Barely half a month?
As expected of the man who would sacrifice himself without hesitation to raise the Corps' morale.
"Begin once your injuries heal."
"Understood. May I ask—who are these students?"
Ryuji wanted to know if any canon characters were among them; early training could save them.
Ubuyashiki answered with a smile:
"Many you know—Sabito and Tomioka Giyū, for instance. They leapt at the chance once they heard you'd be teaching…"
Sabito and Giyū!
Ryuji's eyes lit up. Excellent—they'd be drilled hard; the Corps might soon gain another Water Hashira.
"There's also a tragic boy, Shinazugawa Sanemi: great talent, fierce hatred of demons, but a volatile temper…"
"Please be patient with him."
Shinazugawa Sanemi? The future Wind Hashira—already enlisted?
Perfect!
"Others include Mochizuki Himeki, Kozaki Jirō… and the retired Thunder Hashira, Sengoku Jigorō himself."
After rattling off a dozen names he glanced worriedly at Ryuji: "Too many?"
"Not at all! These are the seeds of the future—teach them, then spread the method through the whole Corps!"
A mere dozen felt small.
Apart from the future Hashira, the rest were unnamed extras.
"You're right, Ryuji; they will be the Corps' backbone."
Ryuji nodded in agreement.
Even the weakest swordsman, drilled by Zephyr's new-recruit manual, would grow stronger.
Those who never became Hashira would still shine.
And to think the master had coaxed even Sengoku Jigorō out of retirement—such effort!
Ryuji's gaze burned as he said softly, "Rest assured, my lord—I will give everything."
Then he added, "My lord, before I begin, I request leave to visit Swordsmith Village."
"Of course. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have sent you; a swordsman without a nichirin blade is no swordsman."
"Anything else?"
"One more thing: I believe Hashira should operate in teams—threes or pairs…"
Much like the ninja squads next door.
"After facing Upper Rank Two, I'm convinced a lone Hashira is hard-pressed against an Upper Rank."
Ubuyashiki lowered his eyes. He knew Ryuji was right, but there were still too few Hashira.
"We'll discuss it at the next Hashira meeting; the matter is too grave…"
That was a polite refusal, and Ryuji knew it.
"As you wish, my lord."
Numbers—always too few against so many demons.
When Ryuji finished, Himejima Gyomei spoke: "namu amida butsu, my lord, concerning Rengoku Shinjuro…"
"Gyomei, let it rest until the meeting."
Ubuyashiki waved a hand.
"Understood."
Rengoku Shinjuro… about to retire. From their last meeting Ryuji had sensed it.
A pity; if the man could rally, the Corps might field twin Flame Hashira and twin Water Hashira.
"Enough. You are dismissed; go and rest."
"Yes, my lord."
Leaving the Oyakata Residence, Ryuji found a brawny Hidden and said he needed to reach Swordsmith Village.
"Understood, Fist Hashira! Leave it to me—Chikara Shinbu!"
Chikara hoisted a muscular arm, then yelped: "Ah, as your guide I shouldn't tell you my name—sorry!"
You just did, idiot!
Ryuji screamed internally.
"Here, forgive the inconvenience."
Chikara handed over a black blindfold and earplugs with a grin.
"I know the drill."
Ryuji donned them carefully; after inspection Chikara said, "Off we go!"
Ryuji felt himself being spun.
"Some swordsmen have sharp senses, so we spin them first…"
Chikara explained.
"Got it."
"How can you still hear?!"
Chikara shrieked; the inspection had been perfect.
Ryuji sighed—superior senses weren't his fault.
After more earplugs and several switch-overs,
Ryuji felt them stop.
"We've arrived."
A female Hidden, pale as a ghost, removed his earplugs and glared like a vengeful spirit, muttering, "He doesn't look heavy… why does he weigh so much?"
Ryuji: "…"
No idea—maybe a pirate quirk?
Facing Swordsmith Village, he drew a deep breath; the inevitable had come.
The weight of little Koana still seemed to rest on his shoulder, yet his hands were empty.
How furious would Tetsugane Iwao—the man who called his blades daughters—be?
He rubbed his nose, guilt rising.
Whatever came, he would take it.
With the resolve of a debtor facing his creditor, Ryuji stepped into Swordsmith Village.
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