For years, Muzan Kibutsuji had been a phantom, a coward who rarely took the initiative to attack, preferring to let the Twelve Kizuki do his bidding. Even then, it was usually the easily replaceable Lower Ranks who were sent out. The Upper Ranks, powerful enough to be considered a match for three Hashira at once, were rarely seen. They were a terrifying, almost mythical threat that even the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were hesitant to confront directly.
"Currently," Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice echoed in the silent hall, "our Demon Slayer Corps is, in a word, completely on the defensive. Everyone should already know that three of our Hashira have gone missing."
As the words were spoken, a visible shock went through the remaining six Hashira and the other members present. This generation of Hashira was arguably the strongest in history; their talent, strength, and loyalty were beyond question. They had all been improving constantly, and given time, they might have been able to challenge the Upper Ranks in a true battle.
But now, before the war had even truly begun, three of their own—Giyu Tomioka, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Obanai Iguro—were gone. There was no direct evidence of their deaths, but they had disappeared on Mount Sagiri, where the formidable Upper Rank Three, Akaza, had appeared. Their chances of survival were slim.
"Namu Amida Butsu..." The compassionate voice of the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, broke the tense silence, his hands clasped in prayer. "I hope they can all escape with their lives."
Beside him, the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, was visibly distraught. Obanai Iguro was her closest friend among the Hashira, and the thought of him being gone was a loss she could barely comprehend. As a Hashira, she knew her duty was to slay demons above all else, but the personal pain was still sharp.
However, the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, was focused on a different, more strategic problem. The loss of three Hashira was a tragedy, but from the moment they all joined the Demon Slayer Corps, they had accepted the possibility of death. What truly concerned her was the other news from Mount Sagiri: the disappearance of the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, and the mysterious demon girl, Nezuko Kamado.
Nezuko was the real danger. According to the information the Corps had gathered, she was a demon who had not only conquered her thirst for human blood, but could also potentially withstand the sun. She represented a new era for demons, a terrifying evolution. And now, this key to overcoming all of Muzan's weaknesses was in his hands.
If Muzan, who was already a despicable and terrifying monster, learned her secret, he would become a flawless, invincible being.
"Our people are doing everything they can to find them," Kagaya's voice said, bringing everyone's attention back to the present. "But this incident has changed everything. The direction and arrangements of the Demon Slayer Corps must also change."
An hour later, the Hashira meeting concluded. As Kagaya left, supported by his wife, the remaining six Hashira gathered.
"It's clear something has changed with Muzan Kibutsuji," the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, said grimly. "He's abandoned his old way of acting."
"What we know for sure," Shinobu added, "is that the girl, Nezuko Kamado, is incredibly important."
"But she's in Muzan's hands now," the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, stated, his voice distant. "All we have left is... her brother."
Though the Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane had ended in a massacre, a few candidates had managed to survive. One of them was Tanjiro Kamado. He had been severely injured and unconscious for hours, but he was alive.
"Leave him to me," Shinobu said, a calm smile on her pretty face that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I already know all about Tanjiro Kamado's situation. His master is Urokodaki, his senior disciple is Tomioka, and his younger sister is Nezuko. Muzan is undoubtedly racing against time to uncover the secrets within the girl. That means our own time is running out."
She looked at the others. "The safety of Oyakata-sama and the headquarters will depend on all of you."
"Don't worry," Gyomei said, his voice a deep and steady rumble. The other four Hashira nodded in unison. Even without being asked, they would give their lives to protect their master, who had always cared for them like his own children.
Meanwhile, in the Demon Slayer Corps' Support Department, a boy covered in bandages shot up in bed.
"Nezuko!"
With a startled cry, Tanjiro Kamado suddenly awoke.
"You... you're finally awake!" a voice yelped from nearby. A boy with bright, golden hair, who had been sitting bored by the bedside, was now overjoyed. "Haha, Tanjiro! You're awake!"
"Where... where is this?" Tanjiro asked, his expression shifting as he recognized the familiar face of Zenitsu Agatsuma. "Where are we?"
"This is the Demon Slayer Corps' Support Department!" Zenitsu said with a huge, happy smile. "We passed the selection! We're official members now!"