"…Oyakata-sama"
"Shinjuro," Ubuyashiki Kagaya's reply was soft, fragile, yet steady. "It is rare for you to visit outside a Hashira meeting"
Shinjuro bowed deeply. "Oyakata-sama… I have something important I must tell you-"
"Shinjuro." Kagaya's voice interrupted, calm and certain. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.
Shinjuro lifted his head and met Kagaya's gaze. Those eyes… the eyes of a boy barely nine, yet older than any warrior. Shinjuro could not endure them for long. The weight of that clarity pressed down on him, not with judgment, but with quiet truth. Ashamed, embarrassed, he bowed again.
Kagaya's words followed, gentle as falling leaves, yet sharp enough to pierce the heart:
"You understand, don't you? We Demon Slayers… we are not heroes. We walk in shadow, so that light may exist. In the eyes of others, we will never be seen. What we do will not be remembered.
We fight only to survive. We survive only to reach for peace. And when that peace finally arrives… it may not be ours to enjoy.
So tell me, Shinjuro, knowing this… do you believe what we do is worthless?"
"I… I never once thought what we do is worthless, Oyakata-sama," Shinjuro said at last, his voice low but firm. "We Demon Slayers… each of us had our own reasons for picking up the sword. Some came from vengeance, some from helplessness, some from duty. But in the end, we share the same goal... kill Muzan, and end this madness"
Kagaya tilted his head slightly. "…Then what is your reason, Shinjuro?"
"I…" Shinjuro hesitated. The word stuck in his throat.
Kagaya's smile deepened, but his words cut like a soft blade. "Yes, Shinjuro. Tell me. What is your reason for becoming a Demon Slayer? To preserve the Rengoku family's teachings? To make the Rengoku name great? No… it isn't that, is it?... It's for your family. You fight for a future where your descendants won't have to live like us. You fight so they can walk under the moon without fear. We all began for different reasons, but in the end, our goal becomes the same... a brighter future. Am I right, Shinjuro?"
Shinjuro swallowed hard. "…You're right, Oyakata-sama"
"Then, Shinjuro…" Kagaya's tone shifted, gentle but firm, "You know I cannot accept your proposal, don't you? Do you think me selfish, Shinjuro?"
"I… I would never dare think such a thing, Oyakata-sama," Shinjuro replied immediately. "You are the most selfless person I have ever known"
"Shinjuro…" Kagaya said softly, "Look at me"
Slowly, Shinjuro raised his head. But what he saw made him tremble.
The Oyakata-sama he knew, so young, yet so composed, so far beyond his years was on the verge of tears.
"O… Oyakata-sama?" Shinjuro's voice trembled. He was surprised beyond words.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya had taken the position of head of the Demon Slayer Corps at only four years old. From then on, he had watched Demon Slayers die day by day. He had lost more than anyone could imagine. On those fragile shoulders rested a burden far too heavy for a child his age. He did not mature quickly because he wanted to, he matured because he had no choice.
And in that moment, with all his respect, with all the reverence he felt for the boy before him, Shinjuro realized something he had forgotten.
The one who carried the weight of every Slayer's hope, the one respected by all... was still nothing more than a nine-year-old child.
"Shinjuro…" Kagaya whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't want you to retire. Call me selfish if you must... I would rather you did, but I know better than anyone what it means to lose a family.
All of you… All of you are my family. If you must think of me as selfish, then do so. I can bear that. But please… don't stop being a Pillar. You don't have to be as you once were. You may refuse missions if you must. But when something truly urgent happens… I don't want just Shinjuro. I want the Flame Hashira.
Can you accept this selfish request of mine, Shinjuro?"
"O-Oyakata-sama, I-" Shinjuro had an answer. It hovered on his lips, ready to spill forth. But in his heart… in his heart, another answer stirred.
Kagaya smiled faintly, as though he had seen straight through him. "You needn't answer right away. I know the weight you carry, and I can wait"
Then, his tone shifted, softer, lighter. "All this talk… it made me forget something important"
"Yes, Oyakata-sama?"
"Shinjuro… congratulations on your second child. I share in your happiness"
"…It's my third, Oyakata-sama"
"Oh?" Kagaya blinked, then chuckled gently. "Ah, yes. I nearly forgot about him. Forgive me. Your eldest son… Kagerou, isn't it?"
"Yes, Oyakata-sama"
"I've heard whispers, you boast about him whenever the chance arises. Is he truly that talented?" Kagaya asked with a boyish curiosity, the heavy mood from before dissolving like morning mist. Still, both men knew the earlier matter had not vanished, it lingered, waiting.
"…He is more than talented, Oyakata-sama," Shinjuro said with pride in his voice. "To be honest… he resembles you"
"Oh~?" Kagaya's eyes brightened. "In what way?"
"He matured far beyond his age. It's admirable… but at times, it makes him difficult to handle"
Kagaya chuckled softly. "Oh? Was I difficult to handle too, Shinjuro?"
"N-No, Oyakata-sama, I didn't mean it that way. It's just… sometimes I don't know what he's thinking"
"Hmm~ That does sound interesting," Kagaya said with a playful smile. "So, do you plan to make him your Tsuguko?"
Shinjuro shook his head. "No. I intend to appoint my second son, Kyojuro, as my Tsuguko. As for Kagerou… he has forged his own path. He calls it Smoke Breathing"
Kagaya leaned forward slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Forged his own path? Smoke Breathing? How old is he now?"
"He is seven years old. Already, he has created five forms for his Smoke Breathing. And I believe he will not stop there. Forgive me if this sounds arrogant, Oyakata-sama… but in my eyes, Kagerou is a genius among geniuses"
"…Interesting. Very interesting," Kagaya murmured, resting his chin lightly on his hand. "Shinjuro… if it is possible, at the next Hashira meeting, could you bring Kagerou-kun with you?"
"Can I, Oyakata-sama?"
"Yes," Kagaya nodded. "It is my request. Will you honor it?"
"…Yes. I will bring him"
The two spoke for a while longer, the conversation gentler now, until a Kakushi approached, bowing deeply, and reminded Kagaya that it was time to rest. Though he seemed reluctant, Kagaya yielded, mindful of his fragile health.
Shinjuro rose to his feet, bowed deeply, and left the Ubuyashiki estate.
His steps were steady as he walked down the quiet path… yet his heart felt heavier than when he had arrived. Not because of the choice he had to make, but because of the consequences that choice would bring.