The Hashira rejoiced upon confirming Ubuyashiki's recovery.
Sanemi beamed at Kagaya. "Lord, your healing is a blessing!"
Giyuu smiled faintly. "Indeed, good news."
Iguro's mask hid his grin. "Lifting the curse is wonderful. Thanks to Horitake."
Gyomei wept, palms pressed. "Amitabha... Horitake, the Corps owes you greatly."
Horitake chuckled, shaking his head. "Master Gyomei treats me like an outsider. I'm Corps too—of course I'd lift the Lord's curse."
Amid cheers, the Hashira meeting began.
Kagaya introduced. "Kanamori Ri, new Hashira—everyone knows her, no need for details?"
Nods all around.
"Per rules, assign her a patrol zone. Horitake, any thoughts?"
Mindful of Horitake and Ri's closeness these six months, Kagaya asked gently.
Horitake replied firmly. "Lord decides. Separation stings, but we prioritize duty. Rest assured."
"Good."
Kagaya assigned Ri's zone—her hometown included, a thoughtful compensation for homesickness.
Ri glanced gratefully, silent.
Such is our leader—attentive to every heart.
Next: event summary.
Evacuation led by Kagaya and Kiriya—details omitted for brevity.
Battle under Horitake's command: he recounted cause, flow, outcome clearly.
Questions answered swiftly.
Participants nodded; absentees lamented.
Sanemi punched air. "One Upper, two Lowers, hundreds of demons—missed it! Huge loss!"
Iguro and Giyuu silent.
Gyomei sighed. "A grand victory."
Kagaya agreed. "Annihilated hundreds, two Lowers, routed Upper Three—rare triumph in Corps history. Horitake, your command was pivotal!"
Horitake shook head. "Overpraise. Akaza escaped via Muzan—my failure."
Kagaya consoled. "No perfect battle. This was victory enough."
Kyojuro raised hand. "Horitake! Akaza's strength? Even you let him flee!"
Horitake frowned thoughtfully. "Top three Uppers are monstrous. Akaza, weakest of them, is shocking. Here, only three or four could withstand him. Defeat? Besides me, only Master Gyomei has a shot."
All gauged Akaza's might.
Horitake continued gravely. "Escape due to Muzan's lair demon. Infinity Castle—complex space controlled by Naru, Muzan's aide, rivaling Uppers in role.
Naru manipulates the castle, summons, teleports—instant, unpredictable!
Near Kusatsu, I clashed with Kokushibo pre-dawn; he vanished via Naru's teleport.
Same here. My blade in Akaza's neck—one twitch from decapitation.
Muzan sensed danger, had Naru teleport him.
I reacted fast—slashed lightning in, wounding Naru, preventing Muzan's arrival.
Two failures yield a lesson."
Hashira pressed: What?
Horitake's eyes gleamed. "Naru lives, Uppers endure. Naru lives, Muzan rages unchecked."
Silence fell, thoughts churning.
To be continued…