Six people stood aligned beneath the shadow of a cloud, in front of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's mansion.
The six Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Shinjuro Rengoku, father of Kyojuro Rengoku.
Clearly the oldest among those present, bearing the same red and golden hair as Kyojuro.
But unlike his son, his face was not lively, he carried a poorly hidden melancholic air and a faint scent of alcohol.
Giyu Tomioka stood a few steps to the left, his posture impeccably straight, yet he seemed distant, barely moving.
Uzui Tengen was the complete opposite, standing with a relaxed posture and a lazy smile.
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked like he was about to jump at Tengen's throat at any moment, having just been provoked by him.
Gyomei Himejima was the largest among them by an absurd margin, a true mountain compared to the others, even Tengen, who could already be considered tall.
Kanae stood beside Gyomei, which made her seem tiny.
She spoke casually with the man.
Then, soft footsteps echoed from within the mansion, silencing the commotion outside.
Everyone immediately knelt.
Their sheathed katanas were respectfully placed at their right side.
Except for Gyomei, who wasn't even carrying his weapon for obvious reasons.
The Master appeared.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki walked slowly, alone, without needing Amane's support this time.
Even fragile, his presence dominated the space.
"Before we begin our meeting…" His voice was gentle, yet it filled the entire courtyard.
"I would like to share something important."
"..."
"A Lower Rank was defeated last night."
The Hashira glanced at one another.
Kanae only smiled faintly.
'Who?' That was what most of them were thinking.
The Master noticed the curiosity, maintaining his usual smile, but speaking with a strangely mysterious tone.
"This time… it was none of you."
The meaning of those words was quickly understood by the Hashira, slaying a Lower Rank would place a slayer at the highest position within the Demon Slayer Corps.
They raised their eyebrows; a new Hashira would be of great help.
"So… we have someone new?" Tengen murmured.
"Yes."
"He will participate in this meeting, since he did not suffer serious injuries during the battle," the Master continued.
That, in itself, caused quite a bit of surprise.
To remain uninjured in a fight against a Lower Rank was the privilege of someone who had already fought one before, in other words, an already promoted and experienced Hashira.
They looked around, but no one new appeared. Sanemi turned to question the Master, but he had already begun speaking.
"Usan Hayashi..." Ubuyashiki's gaze fixed on an empty spot beside Tengen.
Then, in the blink of an eye, a shadowy silhouette emerged from the previously empty space, causing the Hashira's eyes to widen in confusion.
That confusion only deepened when the shadow softly burst apart, revealing a fifteen-year-old boy, wearing a black haori with faint purple clouds patterned across the fabric.
All of it happened very quickly.
"It is an honor to have you as the Shadow Hashira."
Tlim~
The bell chimed softly.
Tengen narrowed his eyes and instinctively placed a hand on his blade, but relaxed upon noticing the haori and the gold-buttoned uniform beneath it.
The others stared intensely, also recognizing the uniform, yet completely lost at what they had just witnessed.
Gyomei was the only one who seemed at ease, aside from Kanae.
He turned his head toward Usan, rubbing his prayer beads, as if giving thanks for something.
"The honor is mine, Master." Usan knelt beside Tengen, casually ignoring the attention.
A wide smile appeared on Tengen's face.
"Interesting… Very extravagant," he said.
"Now then, let us continue."
"We'll leave introductions and questions for later."
The meeting proceeded.
─── ◆ ───
Some time earlier.
Usan's POV
I arrived at the Ubuyashiki residence after a few minutes of walking.
I stepped down from the shoulder of the support member who had brought me there.
I would probably be coming here on my own from now on.
"Thank you."
He bowed and left.
Before I could advance much through the courtyard, a familiar figure appeared.
My swordsmith.
Wearing the same strange mask as always.
"Congratulations on your promotion to Hashira." His voice sounded genuinely pleased.
"I came to retrieve your katana."
"We need to complete the Demon Slayer kanji."
"And also to know if you have any additional preferences for weapons."
I handed over the katana, then the kusarigama.
"Just be careful with the kusarigama's handle and the cloth on the katana's sheath…"
He nodded immediately.
I mentioned a few other weapons, mainly throwing ones, and took some written ideas out of my pocket.
"I'll need these weapons as well, but this last project can wait.'
"I still need to make a few modifications."
"Interesting… I've never seen any slayer use anything like this."
He looked over the notes and handed them back to me, telling me to give them to him as soon as they were finished.
He turned to leave, but I remembered something.
"What's your name?"
He seemed slightly surprised.
"Sujiro Kimimame."
"..."
"Thank you… Kimimame-san."
He gave a deep bow and left with my weapons.
"..."
'There's something wrong with that guy's name, I just can't remember what…'
The Lower Rank Six's name had also left me with that doubt.
'It's probably nothing.' I shrugged.
Then I went to the front of the mansion.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was already there, watching me with a smile.
He gestured for me to come to the covered area where he was, the sun was indeed a bit strong, and I knelt.
"Master."
"Usan…"
"Congratulations on defeating the Lower Rank. And above all… on achieving the title of Hashira."
I nodded, and we talked for a bit.
He asked how much I would like to receive as a salary.
I stayed silent for a few seconds, processing the information.
"I… can choose?" I tilted my head slightly.
He laughed softly and gestured in confirmation.
I decided to take what should be enough to support a family, which I plan to have in the future.
I mentioned this matter of family to Ubuyashiki, and he said he was already planning to assign a residence for me.
He also said the place needed some renovations before being handed over, but that he would inform me when it was ready.
We continued talking until Amane appeared, bringing a uniform.
It was practically identical to the standard one… but the buttons were gold. And the kanji on the back was different.
I took it carefully.
"Thank you, Lady Amane."
She gave a small bow to both me and the Master.
Kagaya thanked his wife with the same gentleness.
When we were alone again, he said:
"When you present yourself to the other Hashira… show them a bit of your power."
I frowned in confusion.
"My power? Why?"
His smile widened slightly.
"It will give them motivation to become stronger…"
A pause.
His face seemed slightly melancholic.
"Well… at least for most of them."
He sighed and adjusted his expression.
"It will also be a good introduction."
"Some of them are… closed off to new faces."
'That makes sense…'
I nodded.
"What would you like me to do?"
He nodded in satisfaction and began to explain.
─── ◆ ───
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