Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya, lying in bed, listened as Ubuyashiki Amane reported the information about the battle in Swordsmith Village.
He was covered in bandages, and the purple toxin on his face had spread across his entire countenance, causing him to cough violently several times. However, upon hearing of the great victory, he was still overjoyed.
Seiichi, who forced Upper Moon One to retreat; Mitsuri and Muichiro, who awakened their Demon Slayer Marks; and Tanjiro, who made rapid progress.
"It seems the hope of eradicating Muzan Kibutsuji lies with this generation, cough cough, Amane, help me write an announcement."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya gasped for breath, and Amane took out paper and pen to record his words, one by one.
"Amane, for the upcoming Hashira Meeting, I'll have to trouble you to put your heart into it. You've worked hard all this time."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked gently with his pale pupils at Ubuyashiki Amane, whom he couldn't actually see, and Ubuyashiki Amane's tears couldn't help but fall.
"Yes!"
Headquarters, Butterfly Estate.
Tanjiro was sitting on the bed, eating his meal heartily, while outside, Aoi Kanzaki and the three little ones were playing with Nezuko.
It felt like he had only left here a short while ago, yet he was back so soon. Could it be fate?
Tanjiro, who was shoveling rice, suddenly realized this, and even his eating speed slowed down.
He didn't want to keep getting injured!
Still, it was truly wonderful. Everyone was safe, and Nezuko had even overcome the sunlight.
"Speaking of which, that's quite extraordinary, about, well, your sister."
The Kakushi accompanying him said.
"Eh? Is that so? Maybe just a little bit."
Tanjiro was completely unaware of Nezuko's current significance.
"But Sun Hashira is truly strong. It's said that Upper Moon One and Upper Moon Five attacked him simultaneously, and not only was Upper Moon One repelled, but even Upper Moon Five was slain by him."
The Kakushi beside him marveled at Seiichi's strength. The Demon Slayer Corps had never before seen such a powerful swordsman. If there ever was one, it would have been the first generation of swordsmen, and now, another one had appeared in the current era.
"Yes, yes, Seiichi-san is truly amazing. In fact, Upper Moon Three was also scared away by him. He also taught me many powerful techniques. If it weren't for these sword techniques, I might have already died."
Tanjiro wholeheartedly agreed with others' praise for Seiichi, even feeling that their praise wasn't enough.
"Did Sun Hashira teach you swordsmanship? Then aren't you Sun Hashira's Tsuguko?"
"Cough cough!"
The Kakushi asked curiously. Little did he know that Tanjiro, upon hearing this, completely petrified, his chopsticks still mid-air.
Tsuguko? Seiichi-san and I…
Tanjiro quickly waved his hands, sweat pouring down his face. Becoming a Tsuguko to someone his own age was just too strange.
Outside, a chaotic commotion erupted, and the noise even woke Genya, who was in the bed next to Tanjiro.
"Urusai!"
Genya shouted loudly. Tanjiro put down his rice bowl, also curious about what was happening outside.
"Tanjiro!"
Zenitsu rushed in and grabbed Tanjiro's shoulders.
"Where's Inosuke? I'm going to kill him."
"Huh?"
Tanjiro looked bewildered.
"That Inosuke, he actually dared to teach Nezuko to say his name! Damn it! Nezuko should learn my name first!"
Zenitsu was wailing again. Genya pulled the blanket over his head, covering his ears.
"Zenitsu, it's really good to see you again."
Tanjiro ignored Zenitsu's cries because he was genuinely happy. The battle in Swordsmith Village was a near-death experience. If not for Seiichi, it would have been certain death.
Zenitsu stopped wailing. Looking at Tanjiro's smiling face, he couldn't help but give Tanjiro a tight hug.
"Do you think saying something like that will make me forgive Inosuke!"
Releasing Tanjiro, Zenitsu showed a fierce expression, grabbed his sword, and went out to find Inosuke.
"Your friend is really energetic."
The Kakushi beside him quipped.
Bang!
Someone flew in through the window, glass scattering everywhere. It was Inosuke.
"Hahaha, Tanjiro, training is about to start!"
Aoi Kanzaki ran in when she heard the commotion and was stunned to see the scattered glass on the floor.
Subsequently, Tanjiro witnessed the scene of Inosuke being severely lectured while performing a dogeza.
"Ano, can I ask Inosuke first? I promise I'll return him to you in a moment."
Tanjiro raised his hand to signal. Aoi Kanzaki naturally had no objection. She had always been quite respectful of Tanjiro, but she was somewhat helpless with Zenitsu and Inosuke, those two livewires, especially Inosuke. For some reason, she had been increasingly concerned about Inosuke's well-being recently.
"Inosuke, what did you mean by starting training just now?"
Tanjiro asked with some curiosity.
"Hmph hmph, Tanjiro, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps have decided to personally train the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. It starts today. You should recover quickly, or else you'll be far surpassed by me, Lord Inosuke!"
Tanjiro had been lying down for over ten days and only woke up today. He didn't expect such significant changes to have occurred within the Demon Slayer Corps.
"What exactly will the training be?"
"According to the notice, Sound Hashira is in charge of endurance training, then there's Mist Hashira's speed training, Love Hashira's flexibility training, Serpent Hashira's sword technique correction training, Wind Hashira's relentless attack training, Stone Hashira's muscle strengthening training, and finally, Sun Hashira, which is Seiichi-san's comprehensive training."
A dejected Zenitsu walked in from outside the door, informing Tanjiro of the specific details, as Inosuke would certainly not remember them.
The two immediately started brawling upon seeing each other.
Tanjiro was somewhat excited, because they were Hashira. How much could he improve after training with the Hashira? In the battle at Swordsmith Village, he had fully realized that his strength was still far from enough.
If my muscle strength were a bit higher, would the Crimson Lotus Breathing Style not have such severe side effects? If my speed were a bit faster, would I have been able to save Muichiro?
All these thoughts swirled in Tanjiro's mind. Finally, he picked up his rice bowl and devoured his food, mouthful after mouthful. He had to recover quickly and participate in the training. Everyone else was working hard, so he couldn't be absent.
Rewind to a few days ago.
Seiichi caught Cuckoo that flew into the window with his hand.
"Seiichi-sama, these are notices distributed by Ubuyashiki-sama, and some are your private letters."
Seiichi opened the notes. There was a lot of content, roughly expressing concern for Seiichi's condition and admiration for his heroic deeds, and finally mentioning the notice for the Hashira Meeting to be held tomorrow morning.
There was also a notice letter for all Demon Slayer Corps members. It described the events of Swordsmith Village and expressed great praise for everyone who participated in the battle.
He glanced at it and set it down, then opened the private letters. The first was Shinobu Kocho's inquiry about him, along with some of her own matters. The second was Muichiro's thank-you letter.
Nothing happened, except for the meeting.
Seiichi sat cross-legged, resting with his eyes closed.
"Open panel."
Name: Seiichi
Strength: Tier 1 Spiritual Power: 250/250 (Human limit in this world)
Basic Skills: Japanese Mastery (1700/7500), Swordsmanship - Grandmaster (10000/100000), Medical and Poison Mastery (100/50000)
Supernatural Abilities: Sun Breathing Style - Total Concentration, Extreme (Breaking Limit 40000/100000), Void Breathing Style - Total Concentration, Extreme (4300/100000), Red Nichirin Sword - Mastery (30000/50000), Transparent World - Proficient (100/10000), Breathing Style Fusion Technique - Beginner (100/100000), Breathing Style (Expand)
Temporary Talent: Close to the Dao
Evaluation: Tier 1 Supreme!!
He had grown stronger! But Seiichi would not slack off.
The room returned to silence, with only the sound of regular breathing.
At this moment, he still didn't know that the Demon Slayer Corps outside had been completely blown away by this news!