Seeing that Si Shu hadn't answered, Mitsuya offered a kind smile.
"It's alright. You can take your time to think it over."
Ubuyashiki Mitsuya's words pulled the assembled Hashira back to reality, and they could no longer sit still. Putting the other four aside, even the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Toujurou, had never imagined the meeting would unfold like this. He had assumed Mitsuya had summoned Si Shu to praise and encourage his talent and hard work. Who would have thought it would be an invitation to join the Demon Slayer Corps as its youngest official member?
Si Shu was only eight years old! At an age when other children were trembling at the mere rumor of demons, was Si Shu really going to be learning Breathing Styles and participating in demon hunts?
"Master, I have a question!"
The Wind Hashira at the side suddenly spoke up, making his opinion known.
"I don't mean to target the child present, but I wish to know what reason led the Master to make such a decision." As he spoke, the Wind Hashira's gaze drifted, observing the expressions of the others. "Furthermore, to summon all five of us Hashira here for this..."
The other Hashira nodded in agreement. As the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, their days were incredibly busy. Not only did they have to constantly hone their own sword skills and bodies, but they also had to patrol their respective territories to prevent demons from devouring people. And yet, under such high-pressure circumstances, Ubuyashiki had still gathered them all together.
"The reason, you ask?" A faint smile appeared on Mitsuya's lips, his expression growing somewhat excited. He glanced at Yoriichi Tsugikuni. "Yoriichi, is it alright?"
He seemed to be seeking Yoriichi's consent. Yoriichi gave a slight nod, showing no objection. He had been prepared for his relationship with Si Shu to be revealed from the moment he brought him back. Besides, he also wanted to know why Mitsuya wanted to make Si Shu an official member.
Receiving Yoriichi's approval, Mitsuya continued.
"I have three reasons for this announcement. First, Si Shu is Yoriichi's direct and only disciple, who has received his full, wholehearted instruction!"
The moment he said this, the eyes of the other four Hashira—everyone except Toujurou, who already knew—went wide. They stared intently at Si Shu, as if observing some kind of rare treasure. As the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, they were all masters of the sword in their own right. But even so, after Yoriichi had taught them their Breathing Styles, he had never allowed them to call him "teacher" or "master."
And this incredibly handsome little boy had actually been chosen by Yoriichi?!
Seeing the shocked expressions on the four Hashira's faces, Toujurou burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! I had the same expression when I first heard the news, but yours are even funnier!"
Hearing this, the four Hashira shot Toujurou unfriendly glares. Damn it, so you knew all along! And you didn't tell us? Are you asking for a beating?
Mitsuya gestured downwards with his right hand, signaling for them to quiet down.
"Of course, that is only the first reason, and it is the least important one. After all, the Demon Slayer Corps is a place that does not look at one's background. We value heart and strength above all."
At this, everyone nodded. Just as Mitsuya said, the Corps didn't care about a person's background. As long as you were willing to contribute to the cause of slaying demons, you were welcome.
Seeing that the room had settled down, Mitsuya continued.
"As you all should know, Yoriichi's Breathing Style, the Sun Breathing, has yet to be learned by anyone else to this day."
Hearing the Master say this, the Hashira all tensed up. They weren't fools; they could understand the implication in his words.
Could it be... that this child has learned the Sun Breathing?!
The Water Hashira rested her chin on her hand, a slight smile on her face.
"That is precisely it!" Mitsuya's pale hands clenched into tight fists, his excitement causing him to cough several times. "Si Shu... has already learned Yoriichi's Sun Breathing!"
Hearing this, the way everyone looked at Si Shu changed completely. The five Hashira's gazes were incredibly strange, even containing hints of envy and jealousy. If the time and place were different, they probably would have already dragged Si Shu away to beg him for lessons.
Even Yoriichi Tsugikuni himself, upon hearing this news, stared with wide eyes. The hand holding his teacup was trembling uncontrollably, revealing the immense excitement in his heart.
My disciple... he truly didn't disappoint me. He really did it!
He unconsciously swallowed and set his teacup down. Mitsuya saw all of this and felt happy for his old friend.
"As for the third reason," he said, his voice growing serious, "this is the most important one. A few days ago, Si Shu successfully used Sun Breathing in real combat... and slayed a demon! He slayed the very demon that we were originally going to dispatch a Hashira to subjugate!"
Hiss—
The noisy room fell instantly silent, the only sound being the sharp, collective intake of breath from the Hashira.
The Water Hashira, who had been resting her chin on her hand, was so shocked her jaw slipped and hit the table. The Wind Hashira's arms were crossed no longer; his jaw hung open, his cool expression completely gone. The Stone Hashira, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened them wide, his pupils filled with utter shock. Even the old, experienced Thunder Hashira was looking at Si Shu as if he were a monster.
The only one who seemed normal was the Flame Hashira, Toujurou, who was laughing heartily.
Looking at the varying expressions of the five Hashira, Mitsuya smiled.
"Of course, these are merely my words. You may still have your doubts. If Si Shu is willing, he can give everyone a demonstration right here. How about it?"
At these final words, everyone's gaze once again converged on Si Shu. Even Yoriichi himself seemed to be glancing his way.
"Uh, that might not be a good idea," Si Shu said, feigning humility. "I don't really feel like I'm that amazing. I'm just an ordinary person."
Though he said this, he couldn't withstand the expectant gazes of the Hashira, especially Yoriichi's.
Picking up a wooden sword, he walked into the courtyard and took a deep breath. Slowly closing his eyes, he relaxed his body and mind, attempting to become one with the world around him.
Hoo~
A puff of pale white air escaped his lips. The next second, Si Shu moved. His footwork was identical to Yoriichi's as he demonstrated every form of the Sun Breathing style.
Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance. Sun Breathing, Second Form: Clear Blue Sky. ... Sun Breathing, Twelfth Form: Flame Dance.
The Hashira watched Si Shu perform the Sun Breathing, and exclamations of praise erupted from them.
"A divine technique! That is without a doubt the divine technique of Sun Breathing!" "A genius! Si Shu is without a doubt a genius!" "Genius isn't even enough to describe him! He's a prodigy! A god!" "After Mr. Yoriichi, has another peerless individual appeared in our Corps?"
As for Yoriichi Tsugikuni himself, he was already stunned speechless. Watching Si Shu wield the Sun Breathing that had once belonged only to him, his eyes had, at some point, grown moist.
Though still a bit immature, that is undeniably the real Sun Breathing!
After demonstrating all twelve forms, Si Shu tossed the now-scorched wooden sword aside.
"Now that you've all seen this, are there any more questions or objections?"
There was complete silence. No one objected.
"In that case," Ubuyashiki Mitsuya's voice rang out, clear and firm. "I officially declare: Si Shu is now the youngest member in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps!"
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