"Oh, by the way, isn't there a Hashira in your Demon Slayer Corps who's really loud with hair like a fried shrimp, and another one who's got a deadpan face and loves to make sarcastic remarks?" Uesugi Sakaii suddenly asked Qingshui.
"Ah, yes, that's right. One is the current Flame Hashira, and the other is the Water Hashira. Why do you ask?"
"They're here to tell you that Ubuyashiki is on his last legs and needs you to go back with them right away. Please take them with you quickly. One of them almost ate all the fried shrimp in the police station cafeteria, and the other…"
"The other one probably doesn't have that big an appetite, right?"
"But his mouth is too good at offending people. Before they arrived, my guards almost couldn't resist pulling out their guns on him. You'd better take them away quickly. I'm really afraid there might be a conflict."
Uesugi Sakaii's expression was a bit subtle. He wondered what astonishing remark Tomioka Giyuu had made now.
…
…
The next day, Ubuyashiki Mansion.
Qingshui led Tomioka Giyuu and Rengoku Kyojuro into the courtyard, through the corridor, and into a room.
This was Ubuyashiki Kagaya's bedroom.
At this very moment, this small room was filled with high-ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Aside from Kocho Shinobu, who was pregnant and awaiting childbirth, all the Hashira were present.
As soon as Qingshui entered the room, he saw a person lying on the bed, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, except for his eyes.
"Cough, cough… Qingshui, you're finally here."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya, wrapped like a mummy, weakly spoke when he saw the newcomers.
"Yes, I'm here."
The Hashira all moved aside, clearing a path for Qingshui to reach Ubuyashiki Kagaya's bedside.
Under the scan of the Transparent World, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's physical condition was laid bare.
With Qingshui's current mastery of Medical Ninjutsu, it was clear that Ubuyashiki Kagaya's end was near, perhaps within the next few days.
Even with Qingshui's Medical Ninjutsu prolonging his life, it would only make his passing less painful.
"How is little Shinobu doing now? Pregnancy is a very tiring thing. I still remember how Amane was when she was pregnant… Cough, cough!"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya couldn't help but cough after saying a few words.
Amane quickly grabbed a handkerchief and stepped forward to support him.
Specks of fresh blood, like plum blossoms, appeared on the handkerchief.
"Shinobu is currently in the best hospital in all of Neon, guarded by Kuwasima Senior, a former Sound Hashira, along with two female members of Class-B or higher. Oh, and also Shinobu's adopted sister, Kanao, who just passed the Final Selection last month. Although her rank isn't high, she has mastered Constant Total Concentration Breathing and possesses the combat power of a Class-A Swordsman, which is enough to protect Shinobu's safety."
Qingshui extended a hand and placed it on Ubuyashiki Kagaya's body, emitting faint green light.
The Mystical Palm Technique could make Ubuyashiki Kagaya more comfortable, preventing him from coughing up blood after just a word or two.
Qingshui had already demonstrated this ability before.
Although it bore a slight resemblance to a Blood Demon Art, Qingshui was not a Demon. He could walk in sunlight, didn't eat people, and had slain multiple powerful Twelve Kizuki.
Even if the Hashira were surprised, as long as Qingshui didn't say anything, they wouldn't press him for answers.
They only needed to know that Qingshui could kill Demons and save people; that was enough.
"Is that so? That's good."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya took a few breaths and continued to ask, "Qingshui, in your opinion, how much time do I have left? I have a premonition it will be within the next few days."
"Three days. You likely won't last until the fourth. Your internal organs have atrophied to a certain extent and are almost unable to function anymore."
Qingshui stated truthfully.
"Namu Amida Butsu…"
Himejima Gyomei's face showed a pained expression as he recited a Buddhist prayer.
Most of the other Hashira had similar expressions. The younger Tokito Muichiro secretly wiped away tears, and Kanroji Mitsuri almost cried out loud.
Because male members of the Ubuyashiki Clan do not live past thirty, they usually become the Head at an age not exceeding ten.
This meant Ubuyashiki Kagaya had been the Head of the Demon Slayer Corps for over a decade.
Among the current Hashira, Himejima Gyomei, the most senior Stone Hashira, was recruited into the Demon Slayer Corps by Ubuyashiki Kagaya seven years ago.
It could be said that this batch of Hashira was essentially discovered and nurtured by this frail, short-lived young man. His charisma and leadership skills were exceptionally high, and he held great prestige among the majority of the current generation of swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.
"I called you here because, in these final moments of my life, I want to do one last thing for you: use my life to draw out Muzan."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at Qingshui, then one by one at the others.
"Master! You must not do this!" Iguro Obanai shouted.
"Master, there's no need for this. I will personally chop off the heads of those Demons! You just need to rest quietly!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi echoed his shout.
"Let's all calm down for a moment."
Seeing that several Hashira were about to speak up again, Ubuyashiki Kagaya gestured for everyone to quiet down.
"We have no other way to draw out Muzan. This is currently the only feasible method, with the lowest risk and highest chance of success. Given Muzan's personality, if he learns of my whereabouts, he will surely come in person to take my life.
It's almost my time anyway, so I will use this as a trap. Everyone! Kagaya has been frail since childhood and cannot fight like all of you, shedding blood and slaying demons. I can only do small things within my capabilities. But in this final moment, I finally have the ability to fight alongside all of you!"
Even with bandages obscuring his face, making his expression unclear, everyone could still sense a near-pleading emotion emanating from Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
The first to respond was Rengoku Kyojuro.
"I agree. I can feel the will burning in Master's heart. This is the climax of life burning to its last moment. I will not refuse Master's final command."
He stood upright and spoke loudly and sincerely.
"Kyojuro, you…"
Shinazugawa Sanemi called out to Rengoku Kyojuro, then looked at Qingshui.
In this situation, Qingshui, who had been designated by Ubuyashiki Kagaya as the Acting Head to succeed him, was not suitable to speak.
So Shinazugawa Sanemi looked to Himejima Gyomei, who had the highest prestige among the other Hashira.
"Gyomei, what are your thoughts?"
The latter began to chant a sutra.
"Bodhisattvas, by relying on Prajnaparamita, have no hindrances in their minds. Because there are no hindrances, there is no fear. Far removed from deluded thoughts, they attain ultimate Nirvana…"
Tokito Muichiro, who spent a lot of time with Himejima Gyomei, said:
"This is from the Heart Sutra, Prajnaparamita. It means that Bodhisattvas reach the other shore through wisdom, with no hindrances in their minds, no attachments, no fear, far removed from all false thoughts, attaining the state of Nirvana.
Gyomei means that Master is now like a Bodhisattva, having let go of the fear of death and worldly concerns, fearless and compassionate, bringing salvation to all living beings."
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