The two issues Kanzaki Kumo raised were not new. Previous leaders of the Demon Slayer Corps had long been aware of them, but they had never found a perfect solution.
Each Cultivator in the Corps taught differently, and their standards varied widely. Naturally, the strength of the disciples they trained also differed.
Some trainees performed well during practice, yet when they actually faced a demon—or the real threat of death—they could panic. Some might even lose the courage to draw their blade.
Because of this, the Final Selection had been established as the ultimate test.
Even so, the exam clearly had flaws. The most obvious ones were exactly what Kanzaki Kumo had pointed out.
In theory, the solution wasn't complicated: simply assign several high-ranking swordsmen to secretly monitor each examination.
The problem was manpower.
The stronger a swordsman was, the more dangerous and demanding their missions became. The Corps simply couldn't spare experienced fighters to guard a group of newcomers.
After a long silence, Ubuyashiki Kagaya slowly shook his head.
"I am very sorry, Kanzaki-kun. The Demon Slayer Corps is currently severely understaffed, so the two problems you mentioned cannot be solved for now. However, I will continue searching for a solution. For the time being, the only thing we can do is increase the patrol frequency of Hashira-level swordsmen around Fujikasane Mountain."
The youthful vigor in his voice had faded, replaced by guilt and self-reproach.
The fact that he didn't dismiss the criticism simply because it came from a child—and that he sincerely tried to find a solution—already made Kagaya far better than many of the so-called leaders Kanzaki Kumo had seen in his previous life.
More importantly, with Kumo's keen observation skills, he couldn't detect the slightest hint of pretense in Kagaya's expression.
At the very least, this young master of the Demon Slayer Corps was genuinely a good person.
Kanzaki Kumo had already silently handed him a "good person" card in his mind.
While Kagaya was still lost in self-reflection, Kumo glanced out the window.
It was already evening.
Kagaya continued pondering possible solutions, and Gyoumei seemed to be thinking about whether joining the Demon Slayer Corps would destroy the temple's peaceful life.
Kumo was the first to break the silence.
"I'm willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps," he said. "But I have one condition."
"Please, go ahead."
Kagaya's gloomy mood immediately lightened upon hearing Kumo's agreement.
"Among the children once taken in by this temple, there was a boy named Kaigaku. He first stole temple property. After being expelled, he deliberately lured a demon here and even destroyed the demon-repelling incense. Otherwise, the temple wouldn't have been attacked last night."
Kumo stared directly into Kagaya's eyes.
"My condition is simple."
"I never want to see him again."
The blunt implication made Kagaya pause.
He turned toward Gyoumei.
"Amitabha," Gyoumei said softly, his hands pressed together in prayer. "I do not know who lured the demon or destroyed the incense. However, Kaigaku was indeed expelled for repeated misconduct, and the children said he was the one who broke the incense burner. Therefore, I believe Kumo's words. Such behavior deserves punishment."
Originally, Gyoumei had intended to add that Kaigaku was still just a child and his crimes did not warrant death.
But Kanzaki Kumo lightly touched his arm, and Gyoumei quietly swallowed those words.
"I understand."
After a moment of consideration, Kagaya nodded.
"I promise you."
The decision was simple.
On one side stood a gifted child willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps. On the other was someone selfish enough to endanger innocent lives.
There was hardly any room for hesitation.
If anything, Kagaya was more worried that agreeing too quickly might make him appear indifferent to human life.
"Ubuyashiki-sama," Gyoumei said calmly, "I am also willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps and dedicate myself to the fight against demons."
"Thank you both."
Kagaya bowed his head slightly.
"In that case," Kumo said, "you must have already prepared the arrangements that follow, right?"
"Of course."
Kagaya smiled.
"It's getting late. Please rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, someone will escort you to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters."
He paused briefly.
"Demons are most active at night, and so is the work of the Demon Slayer Corps. I still have matters that require my attention, so I must take my leave."
With that brief explanation, Kagaya stood and prepared to depart.
Gyoumei and Kumo followed him out of the quiet room.
---
That night, Kanzaki Kumo lay in bed, his mind racing with countless thoughts.
Back in his previous life, when he watched the anime, he had felt deep pity for the tragic fates of many characters in this world.
Now that he had been reborn here—and at an early point in the timeline—many of those tragedies might still be prevented.
But first and foremost, he had to grow stronger.
Without strength, rewriting tragedies would be impossible. He might not even survive long enough to try.
In this world, running into a demon at night was always a possibility.
Thinking about gaining strength naturally led him to the Breathing Techniques.
Which one should he learn?
Then his imagination wandered further—picturing himself using those dazzling sword techniques.
Amid the chaotic swirl of thoughts, Kanzaki Kumo eventually drifted off to sleep.
---
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
The Ubuyashiki Estate
Traveling through the night, Kagaya returned to the estate.
As soon as he reached the entrance, his wife Amane approached him with urgent news.
"Mr. Kuwajima was severely injured during a mission," she reported. "He has lost a leg and is currently receiving treatment in the Medical Department."
The joy Kagaya felt from recruiting two promising talents instantly vanished.
"Let's go see him."
"Yes."
Inside the house, the commotion woke two young girls.
Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Nichika stood by the window, watching their parents hurry away into the night.
"Let's go back to sleep," Hinaki said, gently patting her younger sister's shoulder.
"Okay…"
Both girls understood the heavy responsibilities their parents carried.
Being so young, the only way they could help was by taking care of themselves and not causing worry.
---
Medical Department — Demon Slayer Corps
The injured Sound Hashira, Kuwajima Jigoro, had already regained consciousness.
Pain spread throughout his body, but the absence of the lower half of his right leg weighed on him even more heavily.
His spirit was deeply shaken.
Earlier that night, he had traveled to several locations to slay demons. In the end, exhaustion had slowed him down, allowing a demon with a particularly insidious Blood Demon Art to catch him off guard.
Although he managed to kill the demon, the price had been his leg.
"Sigh…"
Jigoro's sigh carried more than physical pain.
He was worried about the future of the Demon Slayer Corps.
This old warrior had devoted half his life to fighting demons. Now, with such an injury, he would have no choice but to retire.
That meant the Corps would be left with only one Hashira—Rengoku Shinjuro.
The situation could only grow more difficult.
A knock sounded at the door.
From outside, Kagaya's gentle voice called out.
"Mr. Jigoro, may we come in?"
"Of course, Master. Please come in."
When the door opened, Jigoro saw Kagaya enter alongside Lady Amane.
He sighed inwardly again.
He hadn't even noticed there were two sets of footsteps outside.
That alone told him just how much his condition had declined.
"Forgive me, Lady Amane," he said quietly. "I didn't realize you were here as well."
"Please don't mind it, Mr. Jigoro."
Silence filled the room.
Jigoro felt ashamed to ask for retirement.
Meanwhile, the Ubuyashiki couple felt deep sorrow seeing the veteran swordsman covered in wounds.
This gray-haired pillar of the Corps had practically watched Kagaya grow up.
Now he could no longer fight on the front lines.
At last, Kagaya spoke.
"Mr. Jigoro, once you recover… please become a Cultivator."
Jigoro's voice trembled slightly.
"Yes, Master."
"There is no need to burden yourself," Kagaya continued gently. "The Demon Slayer Corps has endured for centuries. As long as the swordsmen's will remains unbroken, we will overcome any hardship."
He smiled faintly.
"And with your skill, I believe you will train many outstanding swordsmen in the future."
"I will not betray your trust, Master!"
Kagaya nodded.
"Still… things will be difficult for Shinjuro and the others on the front lines."
"Please focus on recovering, Mr. Jigoro," Kagaya replied softly. "Only by restoring your health can you properly teach the next generation."
"I have already contacted a craftsman who specializes in prosthetic limbs. It will not fully restore your abilities, but it should at least make daily life easier."
Jigoro bowed his head.
"Thank you, Master."
I'm posting many TL fan.
This fanfic will continue or not depends on how well this fanfic, survival of the fittest