"The prerequisite to becoming a Hashira is to kill fifty demons, or to kill one of the Twelve Kizuki. Mr. Suzuki has already met this condition, you know."
The girl explained proactively, which made Suzuki Makoto look at her a couple more times with curiosity. After all, it was the first time he had ever seen someone with cherry-pink hair that faded to green at the tips.
Somehow, the gaze of that weirdo in bandages with a snake around his neck felt even more unsettling.
"Although I don't like Giyu Tomioka, I acknowledge his strength. If he says you truly have the power to kill Lower Rank Six, then I can reluctantly believe it."
The man covered in scars stared at Suzuki Makoto and said.
"But until I witness with my own eyes the strength of someone without a Breathing Style and without a Nichirin Blade, I still won't believe you are qualified to be a Hashira."
Suzuki Makoto didn't speak, instead turning his gaze back to Kagaya Ubuyashiki. The man with terrifying scars on his face maintained a constant smile, his eyes never leaving Suzuki Makoto from beginning to end.
"Mr. Suzuki, Hashira is the highest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps. It means you will have to face the strongest demons and confront opponents that ordinary corps members cannot handle. Becoming a Hashira is not a privilege, but a responsibility."
As Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke, the man whose veins were bulging from being ignored by Suzuki Makoto instantly restrained himself. Although he still stared intently at Suzuki Makoto, he made no further moves.
"I am happy to accept this responsibility, Lord Ubuyashiki. However, I also agree with this... Mr. Hashira. Rather than relying on hearsay, perhaps a little spar right here would be better to quell some of the rumors."
"You bastard, you know who I am and you still dare to speak like that—as expected of someone who can get along with that guy!"
The man's anger flared, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.
Suzuki Makoto was stunned for a moment.
What's going on? What did I say?
"I am the Wind Hashira—Sanemi Shinazugawa. I'll be your opponent. You won't refuse, will you?"
Uh... I really just meant 'rumors' in a general sense...
The man felt a little guilty, as his words could indeed be taken the wrong way by the other party, but the situation was still developing as he desired.
Giyu had mentioned before that the Hashira are always busy. An occasion where they are all gathered together like this only happens during the Hashira meetings at the Ubuyashiki Estate—this was the perfect opportunity.
Therefore, upon seeing this scene unfold, Suzuki Makoto was already prepared to display his strength in front of everyone. It was the most efficient way to shut them up, resolving everyone's doubts in one fell swoop.
He currently had no interest in all sorts of messy infighting, probing, or playing the wolf in sheep's clothing. He was just eager to properly study these techniques and Breathing Styles he had never seen before.
He turned his head to look at Giyu Tomioka.
"Mr. Giyu, do you have a spare sword?"
Giyu didn't answer Suzuki Makoto directly. Instead, he turned to look at the Master, waiting for his stance on this challenge.
"Amane, fetch a sword for Mr. Suzuki."
Ubuyashiki straightforwardly permitted the challenge.
"Master, your health is paramount. Let the Hashira observe this sparring match. As long as Mr. Suzuki displays his strength, we will all acknowledge your decision and respect Mr. Suzuki's promotion to Hashira."
The blind man put his hands together in prayer and advised Ubuyashiki.
For the first time, the Master let out a soft sigh.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Gyomei."
"There's no need, Master. Your health is the cornerstone that supports the Demon Slayer Corps."
As the man spoke, tears streamed down his face.
During the conversation, Lady Amane had already brought a Nichirin Blade, walked over to Suzuki Makoto, and handed it to him.
"Thank you, my lady."
Suzuki Makoto took the sword and looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"Please."
"Hmph!"
The man bowed to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, then headed towards the dojo. Suzuki Makoto followed behind him, and the other Hashira also followed after bowing to the Master.
Inside the dojo, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Suzuki Makoto stood facing each other. The other Hashira stood to one side.
"Do you need me to give you a three-move handicap?"
"No need. Please, Mr. Shinazugawa, come at me with everything you've got. You wouldn't want Lord Ubuyashiki's prestige to be damaged because of me, would you?"
Suzuki Makoto used Taunt—
It's super effective!
Veins bulged on Shinazugawa's face, and his lips curled into a dangerous grin.
"Wind Breathing, Ninth Form—Idaten Typhoon!"
All the spectators, except for the Mist Hashira and the Water Hashira, were shocked. They were stunned that the Wind Hashira was showing no mercy.
Of the two who were unfazed, the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, didn't care about anything other than slaying demons and the Master. The Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, on the other hand, already knew that this technique would have no effect on Suzuki Makoto.
But soon, both of their hearts began to stir.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form—Lull."
You can learn that move just by seeing it once?!
Giyu Tomioka's face remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was roaring.
And Muichiro Tokito, whose own Breathing Style was derived from Wind Breathing, also watched Suzuki Makoto's move in shock, wondering how to break through this defensive technique he had never seen before.
The clash within the training grounds was so intense that even the spectating Hashira had to draw their own swords to block the occasional stray sword-wind. The entire area began to fall into ruin amidst the hurricane-like collision.
"That's enough."
The blind man struck his flail and axe together. The instantaneous vibration caused a slight falter in the techniques of the two combatants, and they both retreated.
Suzuki Makoto immediately focused on the man with the scar on his forehead. His move just now hadn't been timed to exploit an opening in his and Shinazugawa's techniques—he had simply interrupted their combo with a sonic shockwave.
Such a burst of pure physical strength... It seems this guy is also someone with exceptional physical prowess.
Shinazugawa stood panting, his eyes no longer filled with anger, but with frustration.
He knew that the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, had interrupted the fight to spare him. He had already pushed his Wind Breathing techniques to their absolute limit, yet even so, he couldn't break through his opponent's defense. In fact, one could say the opponent was handling his onslaught with ease.
"Didn't you say you don't know any Breathing Styles?"
"Not knowing Breathing Styles doesn't mean I can't know the moves that go with them. From what I've seen, ordinary corps members also learn the moves first to fight enemies, and only then do they gradually figure out the breathing method, right?"
Suzuki Makoto said lightly.
Shinazugawa's gaze shifted to Giyu Tomioka. Had that annoying guy really taught someone the moves of Water Breathing before they even joined the Demon Slayer Corps?
_____
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