Kamanue's death was still vivid, the blood not yet dry.
The scene was dead silent; all the Lower Ranks composed themselves, not daring to speak or think too much, fearing they would be next.
However… "My Lord, please calm your anger."
Rui looked up, his voice devoid of much fear, his tone flat.
All the Lower Ranks felt their hearts in their throats.
Not cool, bro!
If you're going to resign, don't drag me into it!
But strangely, Muzan's ferocious anger diminished considerably with the young boy's single sentence.
Muzan did not respond to Rui, but the pressure on the demons clearly lessened.
Immediately after, the sound of a biwa rang out, and space fluctuated again.
Two new figures were teleported in by Nakime.
One demon was meticulously dressed, with a strange, intoxicated expression, his eyes fanatical and hollow.
The other demon wore a worn military uniform, a cruel and excited grin on his face, forged by the smoke of battle.
"From today onwards, Enmu will replace Mukago, taking the position of lower rank four."
Muzan announced coldly, "Perro, you will fill that idiot's vacant spot."
"Yes, My Lord!"
The two demons knelt in unison.
Muzan raised his hand, and two invisible forces were etched into the demons' eyes.
"Lower Four" appeared in Enmu's left eye, while "Lower Six" was carved into Perro's left eye.
Immediately after, Muzan, unwilling to waste time, issued his orders directly.
"The blue spider lily, and the location of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters! I don't want to hear any more useless information!"
"Yes, My Lord!"
All the demons responded in unison, their voices trembling slightly from fear.
With the mission given and the pressure slightly eased, the surviving demons felt as if they had received a great pardon.
"There's one more thing…"
Muzan stopped them, seemingly recalling an unpleasant memory, his lips twitching involuntarily.
After a moment, he pointed to his ear and spoke sinisterly.
"If you encounter someone wearing Hanafuda earrings."
Muzan gritted his teeth, enunciating each word.
"Kill him at all costs!"
Though the demons didn't understand why, they immediately accepted the command.
"Yes!"
Zheng!
The sound of the biwa rang out, space shifted, and all the Lower Rank Demons vanished from the Infinity Castle.
Muzan's aura gradually calmed, replaced by an 陰鬱 and apprehension that had accumulated over centuries.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni!!!
You're a dead man, can't you just be quiet?!
I will kill all your successors!
…The morning air in Mount Taoshan always invigorated people.
The day after Ryosuke woke up, a Kasugai Crow delivered Ryosuke's "letter of appointment."
The document was stamped with the unique mark of the Ubuyashiki Family.
It clearly recorded Ryosuke's mission experiences, from joining the Demon Slayer Corps to slaying the lower rank four.
However, his official assumption of duty still required a public announcement by Kagaya at the Hashira Meeting half a month later.
Ryosuke did not show much emotional fluctuation regarding this promotion.
After all, his goal was to defeat Muzan; becoming a Hashira was just the beginning.
In contrast, others were much happier, especially Jigoro.
The old man held the document with trembling hands, reading it repeatedly, his face beaming with relief and pride.
"Good! Good boy! Good!"
He clapped Ryosuke's shoulder vigorously, grinning from ear to ear.
At the same time, he took out the haori he wore when he was the Sound Hashira and handed it to Ryosuke.
The color and style were not much different from Ryosuke's, but it had more lightning patterns.
"You haven't disgraced this old man! Hahaha!"
For this old man, the Breathing Technique and sword skills he had learned throughout his life were passed down.
His disciple even surpassed him, slaying a Lower Rank Demon and joining the ranks of the Hashira; this was undoubtedly the greatest recognition and honor.
The old man smiled all day, and his tone when urging Shota and Uzui Tengen to train softened considerably.
In contrast, Shota's reaction was much more complex.
He was happy that Mount Taoshan had produced a Hashira and admired Ryosuke's strength.
However, the young boy's competitive spirit was once again ignited.
"Hmph! Don't get cocky! I'll become a Hashira sooner or later too!"
He grumbled defiantly, training even harder than before.
However, this also inadvertently made him Uzui Tengen's new sparring partner and punching bag.
Uzui Tengen expressed great satisfaction.
"Though it's not flashy enough yet, this fighting spirit is commendable! Come on, Shota! Let my Breathing Technique shine even brighter!"
In the following days, with Rika's meticulous care and Ryosuke's own Constant Concentration state, his injuries healed rapidly.
Rika was attentive to every detail, always smiling.
However, every time Ryosuke saw her, he would subconsciously glance at his fingers, then complexly shift his gaze away.
The girl's cheeks were slightly flushed, but she said nothing.
The peaceful and warm time flowed by; Mount Taoshan seemed to return to its former state, yet it was also subtly different.
Until just before the Hashira Meeting, two hummingbirds arrived almost simultaneously.
Rika's hummingbird brought new mission orders.
Ryosuke was notified to attend the Hashira Meeting.
"Oh dear! This time we're not going the same way…"
Rika tidied Ryosuke's haori, her eyes full of reluctance.
"The Hashira Meeting is mandatory; there's no helping it."
Ryosuke nodded and smiled, "Be careful on your own mission. If you encounter a demon you can't handle, prioritize your safety and learn to call for help."
"I know!"
Rika nodded vigorously, her face red as she waved, "Ryosuke-nii-san, you be careful too! I'm off!"
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Ryosuke smiled and shook his head.
After seeing Rika off, he packed up, bid farewell to Jigoro, and embarked on his journey.
The Ubuyashiki main residence was secluded and tranquil, exuding a peacefulness that transcended the mundane world.
Led by a clan member, Ryosuke entered the courtyard, where several figures were already waiting.
The most striking was Himejima Gyomei, who stood like a giant rock tower.
Every time he thought of him crying while cosplaying a helicopter, swinging his flail to smash demons, Ryosuke found it hard to keep a straight face.
This man's damned sense of security!
Besides him, there were two other swordsmen with strong auras in the courtyard.
One was a middle-aged man who appeared to be nearly forty, with a steady demeanor. The scabbard of his nichirin blade at his waist was covered in blue patterns; he was likely the current Wind Hashira.
The other was slightly younger, around thirty years old, with a subtle flow of water vapor around him; he was the current Water Hashira.
These were probably the current core strength of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Ryosuke sighed.
The Demon Slayer Corps was severely lacking in talent; Hashira positions were often vacant, and the death rate was extremely high.
The older generation of Hashira either retired due to injuries or illness, or died in battle.
Those who could still stand here now were survivors who had endured countless bloody battles.
And new blood, like Sabito, Giyuu, Tengen, Obanai, and even the Kanae sisters, still needed time to grow.
"Namu Amida Butsu… Mr. Yasui, your aura has become even more profound. It's good that your injuries are alright."
Himejima turned and said to him.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Himejima, I am fine now," Ryosuke replied with a bow.
The Wind Hashira and Water Hashira also looked at Ryosuke, their gazes filled with scrutiny and curiosity.