Chizhong, who opened the door, never would have imagined that he would run into Si Shu again here.
"What are you doing here?!"
His expression stiffened. Chizhong pointed at Si Shu and roared, "How does a guy who isn't even a Demon Slayer know about this place?!"
Looking at the shouting Chizhong, Si Shu blinked and sighed.
"I say, do you ever bother to look at the situation? Besides, aren't the people who come here all here to recuperate?"
Only with this reminder did Chizhong notice the four injured Demon Slayers standing next to Si Shu.
"How did you get such serious injuries? Hurry, come inside to rest and get treated!"
He rushed forward to support the injured men, leading them into the house. As he passed Si Shu, he didn't forget to shoot him a look of contempt and anger.
Shrugging nonchalantly, Si Shu followed them inside. The family with the wisteria crest had once been saved by the Demon Slayer Corps, and as a result, they provided free lodging, medical care, and supplies to any passing Slayer. Although Si Shu wasn't an official member, he still received a delicious meal.
After eating his fill and taking a hot bath, Si Shu was about to go rest when he found someone blocking his path.
It was Chizhong.
Veins bulged on his forehead like gnarled roots. One hand rested on the hilt of his Nichirin Sword, looking as if he might draw it and kill someone in the next second. It was obvious he was still stewing over what had happened earlier.
Not only had he been taken out in one hit by an eight-year-old, but he had also been scared witless when he woke up. The memory of his humiliating display caused the anger in Chizhong's heart to burn uncontrollably. He had lost a tremendous amount of face in front of Si Shu.
Glancing at Chizhong, Si Shu spoke directly. "As I recall, the corps rules forbid fighting and brawling here."
That one simple sentence was like a basin of cold water, dousing Chizhong's rage and snapping him back to reality.
The corps rules!
He had almost forgotten about the rules. A chill ran down his spine, and he felt his heart begin to race. If he violated the rules, he would be kicked out of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Damn it... I'll let you off the hook this time!" Chizhong spat out viciously as he watched Si Shu walk away.
He spun around angrily, only to find someone standing right behind him.
"Senior Kondou! What are you doing here?!"
The person was the one-armed slayer, Kondou. His wound had already been treated. Though his face was still pale, he was able to walk on his own. Seeing the fury on Chizhong's face, looking as if he wanted to eat Si Shu alive, Kondou couldn't help but sigh.
"Sigh... Chizhong, I advise you to give up that idea."
This statement instantly provoked Chizhong's defiance.
"Why, Senior Kondou?!" As a senior by several years, Chizhong had always respected Kondou. Even though Kondou had lost an arm on this mission, Chizhong still deeply admired the man who had looked after him.
"I'm only saying this for your own good." Waving his one remaining hand, Kondou beckoned Chizhong over. "You were curious why that boy, Si Shu, was with us, weren't you? Let me tell you what happened."
Pulling Chizhong aside, Kondou slowly recounted the events that had occurred in the forest. As he listened, Chizhong's expression began to change—from anger and confusion to shock, then to deep doubt, and finally to a dead silence. After hearing Kondou's story, what little self-esteem Chizhong had left was utterly shattered.
He had now completely abandoned any thought of going against Si Shu. How could he, Chizhong, possibly defeat a being who could effortlessly slay demons at the age of eight?
After resting for a night at the Wisteria House, Si Shu left with Chizhong, Kondou, and the others. The latter were returning to the Demon Slayer Corps to report the completion of their mission. As for Si Shu, he simply wanted to go back. No matter how good the outside world was, it couldn't compare to home.
Once again, he arrived at the main gate of the Demon Slayer Corps, but this time, Si Shu strode in openly. The patrol guards saw him among the returning team and, though confused, did not step forward to question him.
"Hey, hey, look at that kid. Do we have members that young in the Corps?" "I don't know. Maybe he was rescued by the other Slayers." "Tch, why does that kid look so familiar?"
After returning to headquarters, Si Shu didn't wander around. He went directly back to the small cottage he shared with Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Surprisingly, Yoriichi was actually home this time and not out hunting demons.
"Master."
Yoriichi opened his eyes and turned his head slightly to look at Si Shu. "You left the Demon Slayer headquarters?"
"Yes, I went out."
Without any attempt to hide or explain, Si Shu freely admitted it. Yoriichi nodded, not saying much more. He had a great deal of trust in Si Shu. Besides, everyone has their little secrets.
"Oh, right, Master. I had some questions while I was practicing my breathing these past few days. The first one is..."
Taking advantage of Yoriichi being present, Si Shu brought up all the points about the breathing techniques that had been puzzling him. Yoriichi, holding nothing back, began to explain each one in detail, referencing the booklet he had given him.
Several hours passed. Just as Yoriichi was explaining the next point, a knock came from the door.
Si Shu went to open it and was surprised to see the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Toujurou.
"Haha! Si Shu, I knew you'd be here!" Toujurou laughed loudly, his face beaming with excitement. "Perfect timing! Come with me right now. The Master wishes to see you."
"The Master wants to see me?"
Just as Si Shu was feeling puzzled, Yoriichi emerged from the room and asked, "The Master wants to see Si Shu? Has something happened?"
It hasn't been long since I revealed my relationship with Si Shu. Why would the Master suddenly want to see him?
"Hehe, it's good news!" Toujurou declared, crossing his arms. "Since you're here too, Mr. Yoriichi, why don't you come along?"
"Very well."
Yoriichi nodded slightly. He decided to go and see what was happening. At this point, Si Shu was probably the only person in the world he cared so much about.
Led by Toujurou, Si Shu and Yoriichi arrived smoothly at Ubuyashiki Mitsuya's residence.
Upon entering the room, Si Shu immediately sensed that something was different. Besides Master Ubuyashiki, who was seated in the main position, there were two people seated on either side of him.
On the left was a woman with long blue hair and a gentle smile, and a man with his arms crossed, staring intently at him. On the right was a massive man, probably over two meters tall, and a middle-aged man with sharp eyes that seemed to crackle with lightning.
Although it was their first time meeting, Si Shu recognized them. The Water Hashira, the Wind Hashira, the Stone Hashira, and the Thunder Hashira. Including the Flame Hashira who had brought him here, five of the current Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were gathered in one place.
One could only imagine the gravity of what was to come.
Ubuyashiki motioned for Si Shu and the others to sit, then smiled gently.
"Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be here. There is only one purpose for this meeting."
He paused, then fixed his gaze on Si Shu.
"Young Si Shu, are you willing to officially join the Demon Slayer Corps and become the youngest official member in its history?"
The moment he spoke, the entire room fell silent.
And as Si Shu heard these words, only one thought echoed in his mind.
"What the...?"
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