"Namu Amida Butsu, calm yourself a little, Sanemi."
Gyomei's deep voice rang out, his presence so overwhelming it made the very air vibrate.
The flow of air grew thick and heavy. Sanemi tried to rely on his Breathing Technique to withstand the pressure, but every breath felt thinner, heavier than usual.
Kanae had thought Sanemi would calm down once Gyomei invoked Oyakata-sama's authority… but the opposite happened.
"I've heard the rumors too, Gyomei."
A wildfire of anger burned in Sanemi's chest, making his voice low and muffled. "They say someone outside the Corps killed not one but two Upper Moons—something not seen in centuries. That's why Oyakata-sama wants to meet her, isn't it? But don't you all think that's a little too absurd?!"
"Even we Hashira aren't guaranteed to defeat an Upper Moon, and you expect me to believe an outsider just crushed two of them? Don't make me laugh!"
The pressure on Sanemi's shoulders grew even heavier. Sweat beaded on his brow, palms, and back.
"So… are you accusing me of lying to Oyakata-sama?"
Gyomei's voice was suddenly cold and taut, veins bulging on his forearms—a rare sign of anger from the Stone Hashira. "I may not have seen Nightingale defeat an Upper Moon, but I have fought her myself. Even if she only showed me a fraction of her true power, it was obvious—had we kept going, I almost certainly would have lost."
"Funny, none of us witnessed that little duel. So whether it's true or not is up to you two, isn't it? You think a few pretty words will convince us? Since when did you get so naïve, Gyomei? Give us some proof—something we can see for ourselves!"
Gyomei fell silent at that.
"So what kind of proof do you want?" he finally asked.
Sanemi's lips curled into a savage grin. "Isn't it obvious? If she's really as strong as you say—if she could beat an Upper Moon—then let her fight me right here! Someone like that wouldn't be scared stiff by a challenge like this, would they?"
Nightingale wasn't far; she'd been listening behind the door the entire time.
Kanae had asked her not to come out at first, after seeing that all the commotion was thanks to Sanemi. She could practically see what would happen if those two met—Sanemi was as harsh on himself as he was on others, covered in scars, always getting hurt in battle, and absolutely uncompromising.
But now… Kanae began to reconsider.
Honestly, after all my work keeping you apart, you insult me and then demand a fight? Maybe I should just let Nightingale teach you a lesson you'll never forget…
Even someone as gentle as Kanae was starting to get annoyed with Sanemi's attitude.
Just then, a Kasugai crow flapped over, bearing a message from Oyakata-sama.
"Attention! Attention! The Hashira meeting is about to begin. Nightingale-sama and all Hashira are to attend immediately!"
Sanemi shot a glare and spat at the crow. "Tch! Of all the times…"
With the meeting about to start, the fight could only be postponed.
Before leaving, Sanemi shot another murderous look at Kanae. "Don't think this is over. If you're too scared to even show your face, then crawl back home where you belong! And if you try any tricks in front of Oyakata-sama, I'll cut you down myself!"
With that threat, he stalked off, the Kakushi trailing behind him looking utterly miserable.
Sigh… Maybe I should have let Nightingale give him the full treatment after all. Then maybe he'd start taking better care of himself…
Kanae watched Sanemi's figure disappear, then turned and smiled gratefully at Gyomei.
"Thank you for stepping in, Gyomei-san."
"Namu Amida Butsu, it was nothing… Though perhaps it was unnecessary."
"You think so too, Gyomei-san?"
It was obvious—even Gyomei thought it might have been better to let Sanemi and Nightingale meet face to face.
"But there's no need to worry too much," he continued. "At least in front of Oyakata-sama, Sanemi will restrain himself. As long as we explain everything clearly, we'll win everyone's trust."
"Yes, with Oyakata-sama there…" Kanae's relieved smile froze, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
Oyakata-sama… and Nightingale… Oh no! I can't believe I just realized—
A meeting between Oyakata-sama and Nightingale… this could be a disaster!
…
On the way, Kanae was almost frantic, fussing over Nightingale like a mother sending her child into the high school entrance exam.
"Nightingale, you must remember: when you see Oyakata-sama, stay calm—no matter what! Anything important can wait until the meeting ends, okay? Please don't do anything too dramatic…"
"Kanae, you've told me the same thing over thirty times now. My memory isn't that bad."
It's not your memory I'm worried about—it's that madness you get whenever you see a patient!
The Hashira meeting was held in a serene, beautiful estate—stone paths, carefully tended gardens, bridges over trickling streams. The manor was a classic Japanese design, heavy with history.
"Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei, accompanied by Flower Hashira Kochou Kanae and Nightingale-sama."
Gyomei's voice wasn't loud, but it carried far and clear, spreading through the entire estate.
In that instant, Nightingale felt countless gazes settle on her—curiosity, suspicion, hostility—each laced with different emotions.
"Long time no see, Gyomei! And you're the one bringing them here?"
The voice was so loud you'd instinctively want to cover your ears.
Rengoku Kyojuro, with his flaming red-and-gold hair, radiated warmth and reliability like fire itself.
After greeting Gyomei, he turned to Kanae. "I'm glad to see you back at a Hashira meeting! You fought bravely against the demons, Kanae!"
Kanae offered a gentle smile, warmed by Rengoku's sincerity. "Yes, I suppose I have fate to thank… for letting me meet Nightingale when I did."
Rengoku nodded, his flame-bright eyes shifting to Nightingale.
"So this is the one who saved Kanae—and took down two Upper Moons alone?"
He gave Nightingale a searching look, then nodded in approval. "Excellent! I can sense a will that burns like an eternal flame! I imagine you've saved and changed many people wandering in darkness. There's something dazzling burning within you!"
Nightingale studied the man before her, brows furrowing ever so slightly.
"Have you ruptured your eardrum?"
Rengoku's eyes widened, surprised by her sharp perception. "That's right! I once fought a demon who attacked with sound—I ruptured my own eardrums to survive!"
Nightingale fell silent. Next to her, Kanae wore a frozen smile, sweat beading at her brow.
"…After the meeting, come to the Butterfly Estate with me. Even if it's been a while, since you can still hear at all, treating you shouldn't be too difficult."
At last, Kanae let out a breath of relief. Thank goodness—she really did listen to me… All that nagging paid off!
No one noticed Kanae's silent gratitude, but Rengoku nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I'll be in your care!"
The encounter went smoothly—Rengoku's first impression of Nightingale was a good one.
Rengoku longed to help others, to be a warm light in the cold night, knowing he could never be the sun that banished darkness. He only wished to burn like a flame, guiding others until dawn—even if it meant burning himself out.
In Nightingale, he glimpsed the sort of person he aspired to be—sparking instant admiration.
The courtyard was filling with figures—the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Hashira.
"To single-handedly slay two Upper Moons! Truly a flamboyant achievement!" Uzui Tengen, the Sound Hashira, tapped his jeweled headband, grinning. "Not exactly the kind of flamboyance I imagined, but still—very flamboyant!"
Tomioka Giyuu, the Water Hashira, stood a little apart from the rest, silent as ever. He only glanced at Nightingale and the newcomers for a moment before looking away, seemingly isolated from the group—or maybe it was the other way around.
Some reactions were friendly, but others were less so…
"I expected someone with the power to defeat two Upper Moons to have some striking quality… How odd—her aura is so clear. Has she ever even fought before?"
The voice came from above, in the trees.
Coiled like a serpent on a branch, eyes of gold and blue, radiating a poisonous air—a white snake draped over his shoulders: Iguro Obanai, the Serpent Hashira.
"I'm beginning to doubt your story. Is she really as strong as you claim?"
Obanai's suspicion stemmed from the absence of bloodlust around Nightingale. Even the Hashira, though they killed demons and not humans, carried a certain killing intent. But not Nightingale—her work was about saving lives, not ending them, so her soul carried no bloodthirst.
His wariness was cold and subtle, while on the other side, a storm gathered like a hurricane.
"I warned you not to bring her here!"
Sanemi's face twisted with rage, his smile more savage than any demon's. "Fine! Good! You're standing here—that means you accept my challenge, right? Just so you know, if you're not half as strong as the rumors say, I'll tear you apart!"
Sanemi's drawn blade made every Hashira tense up.
"Sanemi!" Rengoku and Gyomei both barked in warning.
Uzui tensed as well, ready to act at a moment's notice.
Giyuu and Obanai simply watched; Obanai to see how Nightingale would respond to Sanemi's hostility, Giyuu because—well, he just didn't care.
"Oyakata-sama approaches!"
At those words, all the killing intent and fury vanished.
Because, in his presence, none of them dared step out of line.
"You're all here—my beloved swordsmen, and… honored Nightingale-san. Thank you for accepting my invitation."
Just the sound of his voice brought an inexplicable sense of ease and happiness, lightening the mind.
Walking across the tatami, approaching with gentle steps, was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps—Ubuyashiki Kagaya.