This was Tanjiro's first time attending such an important gathering, and it was also his first time facing so many Hashira at once. His heart was tense, but also stirred with excitement.
When he saw everyone's eyes fall upon him, Tanjiro clenched both hands and could not help looking toward his mentor. There, he saw Soma watching him with a gentle gaze, encouragement hidden within his eyes.
For a moment, it was as if he had seen his father's figure.
In the past, whenever Tanjuro Kamado entrusted certain matters to him, he would always look at Tanjiro with that same encouraging gaze.
"Phew…"
Tanjiro took a small breath to steady himself and faced the group. "My nose is extremely sensitive. I can detect many different scents and distinguish subtle differences between odors in the air…"
"Is it truly that impressive, young man?"
Kyojuro Rengoku stepped forward with enthusiasm and placed an arm around Tanjiro's shoulders. "I heard that Urokodaki-senpai's nose was also very sensitive in the past, and that he could often rely on his nose to track down traces of demons. Did Urokodaki-senpai teach you this ability?"
"Urokodaki-sensei taught me many things," Tanjiro replied with respect when mentioning Sakonji Urokodaki, before continuing. "However, my sense of smell is something I was born with."
"If everyone does not believe me, you can test it."
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked at Tanjiro with some suspicion.
"Anyone can make grand claims. But this hunt is against Upper Rank Two. It is incredibly important. If anything goes wrong, do you understand what that would mean?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's attitude toward nearly everyone was extremely harsh. If this newcomer had not been introduced by Mr. Soma, his attitude would only have been worse. After all, it was difficult for him to place his trust in the nose of a rookie. Sanemi Shinazugawa was far more willing to place that trust in his own two hands.
Tanjiro naturally understood. The more he learned about the Demon Slayer Corps after joining it, the more he understood what an Upper Rank Two represented.
It represented an existence that countless swordsmen would be willing to exchange their lives and blood to kill.
If Upper Rank Two escaped because of his nose, then in the future, who knew how many people would die because of it? Who knew how many swordsmen would lose their lives at the hands of that Upper Rank Two, perhaps even powerful Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps?
Tanjiro very much wanted to give them his assurance, but a promise spoken with an empty mouth held no meaning.
"Namu Amida Butsu…"
Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together. "No endeavor in this world is ever perfect. Even during our last siege against Muzan Kibutsuji, we still failed despite everything."
As he spoke, tears glistened in Himejima Gyomei's eyes. He suddenly recalled the previous battle, where so many had sacrificed their lives — even the most respected Oyakata-sama had given his life — yet they still failed to drag that demon into the sunlight.
"Yeah, I think we can believe in him. Even if it doesn't work this time, there will be another opportunity later."
Kanae Kocho glanced at Soma, who sat there without speaking, before continuing, "I believe we can try trusting him."
The others remained silent, tacitly approving.
At this moment, Tanjiro's keen nose detected many scents in the air — the scent of doubt. Clearly, the others weren't fully convinced by him. They were only choosing to believe him out of respect for Soma.
Tanjiro clenched his fist slightly. He made a firm resolution: in three days, he absolutely could not disappoint his mentor.
...
Although they had decided to act in three days, Soma and the others did not remain idle.
During the day, with Miho Arakaki's cooperation, Soma went to the Eternal Paradise Faith to scout the area.
Under the sunlight, no demon would dare show itself. They would only hide in the shadows like rats. For Soma and the others, the only people they needed to watch out for were the believers of the Eternal Paradise Faith.
Although Soma had already dressed himself in ordinary clothing, his tall build was still far too eye-catching. When he entered the grounds of the Eternal Paradise Faith, he still attracted the attention of the believers from time to time, and people would often look his way.
Whenever that happened, Soma would stop and smile.
Seeing this, those believers would be slightly stunned at first, then smile and nod in return. Some would even come forward to greet him, and a few bolder believers would step up and ask about Soma's name or identity.
Miho Arakaki would explain from the side that Soma was a nobleman from far away, and that she had brought him here for a look.
Soma, meanwhile, claimed that he admired the doctrines of the Eternal Paradise Faith and wished to join. He even said he was willing to make a donation for that purpose.
Because the Eternal Paradise Faith was currently in a period of expansion, it actually had quite a few gaps in its finances. Someone like Soma, who was willing to donate upon joining, was rather welcome.
"You really are entirely too tall, sir," Miho Arakaki murmured under her breath, a faint trace of amusement in her voice as she guided Soma deeper down the stone pathway.
Most people here were quite short in stature, so someone as tall as Soma stood out like a crane among chickens.
Still, walking beside such a tall person gave her a considerable sense of security.
Soma simply smiled and did not reply to Miho's comment. He continued carefully observing the surroundings. After flashing another smile at a passing believer and waiting for the person to leave, they moved to a quieter, more secluded area before he spoke in a low voice:
"It looks as though most of the Eternal Paradise Faith's believers are women?"
"Yes. Most of them are women, basically. There are very few men."
Miho Arakaki nodded. After joining the faith, she had felt this quite deeply.
"Then it seems that is his taste. You should be careful too."
Upon hearing Soma's words, Arakaki Miho didn't understand at first. But after walking a couple more steps, realization hit her and her expression darkened considerably.
At first, she hadn't thought much of the fact that most believers were women. But now it was obvious why the Eternal Paradise Faith had so many female followers — it was purely because this Upper Rank demon had a particular preference: he liked eating women.
This realization filled Arakaki Miho with uncontrollable rage. She felt as if she had become nothing more than a dish laid out on the demon's table.
The feeling of being treated as food was incredibly difficult to accept.
While Miho Arakaki burned with anger over this, Soma suddenly thought that if these believers stepped forward to obstruct them while they were dealing with Upper Rank Two during the day, it might create a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
The swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps showed no mercy when killing demons, but if they were asked to turn their blades against humans, it would not be so easy.
However, this time, the Ubuyashiki family would contact the authorities to step in. When the time came, they could simply have all these believers arrested in one sweep.
That said, the followers of the Eternal Paradise Faith were also rather pitiful.
They longed for the world of ultimate bliss. They hoped to attain eternal life, hoped to receive salvation, and hoped that their Founder would guide them into that world.
But in truth, all they would become was food for the very Founder they worshipped.
...
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