Mid-January 1911.
It was a day when a bone-chilling winter wind blew, but in the garden of the Ubuyashiki estate, an oddly warm current flowed.
That was likely due to the aura of the master who would soon appear.
Guided by crows in black uniforms, Okita and Kanao entered the neatly decorated garden.
"Oh! You must be the prodigies who caught a Lower Moon this time! Truly flashy!"
The first to greet them was a large man adorned with flashy jewels and a headband, the Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen.
He looked at them with gleaming eyes, scanning them up and down as if intrigued.
"Namuanmitabutsu… For such young girls to slay a Lower Moon, it's pitiful yet truly an amazing talent."
The large monk, Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei, rolled his prayer beads and shed tears endlessly.
Beside him stood the Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu with a stern expression gazing into the distance, and the Wind Hashira Shinazugawa Sanemi staring sharply at the two newcomers as if scrutinizing them.
And then, a man with fiery red hair reminiscent of flames approached energetically.
"Welcome! I am Rengoku Kyojuro! I recently slew Lower Moon Six and became the Flame Hashira in place of my retired father! I've heard all about your exploits! Absolutely splendid!"
It was Rengoku Kyojuro, who had caught a Lower Moon about two months ago and succeeded Shinjuro as the Flame Hashira.
"Pleased to meet you, Rengoku-san. I am Okita Souji."
"I am Tsuyuri Kanao."
As the two bowed politely, the sliding doors inside the estate opened softly.
""The master is coming out.""
Supported by two white-haired girls, Ubuyashiki Kagaya appeared, his face half discolored by illness but wearing a smile gentler than anyone else in the world.
The Hashiras simultaneously knelt on one knee and bowed their heads as if by agreement. Okita and Kanao naturally blended into the flow.
"Come now, my dear children."
Ubuyashiki's voice was as soft as a spring breeze brushing the ears, with a mysterious power that untangled the knots in the listener's heart.
"The weather is truly good today. With two new family members added, what could be more joyous than this?"
He warmly gazed at the two as if piercing through them with his unseen eyes.
"Okita Souji, and Tsuyuri Kanao. You have each achieved great merit by singly defeating Lower Moon Three and Lower Moon Four. Therefore, I wish to appoint you as pillars supporting the Demon Slayer Corps, as Hashiras."
Ubuyashiki called out each name with a gentle smile.
"Tsuyuri Kanao. You have honed Flower Breathing to its limits and bloomed splendidly, so from today, I appoint you as the Flower Hashira."
"...Thank you, Master."
Kanao bowed her head. His voice seeped deep into her heart.
"And Okita Souji. I heard your Nichirin Blade shines yellow like lightning, and your movements are so fast even thunder cannot keep up. Thus, I grant you the currently vacant position of Sound Hashira."
"An overly generous title, I gratefully accept."
Okita inwardly admired.
'So this is what a captivating voice is like. It makes even an enemy feel no hostility. Is this the innate trait of that clan? No wonder this messed-up organization has been well-run for hundreds of years.'
"Now, let us begin the Hashira meeting."
The first agenda was the unresolved case that had been troubling the Demon Slayer Corps leadership for years, concerning demons of unknown origin.
"Based on information gathered up to recently, it seems certain that there are demons following an independent path different from Kibutsuji Muzan."
Uzui Tengen spoke seriously, setting aside his usual playfulness.
"A few years ago, a female demon I encountered near Ginza. She had power above an Upper Moon yet did not kill me and retreated. And then, the unidentified boy demon who handled the former Flame Hashira Shinjuro like a child."
"Hmm! It is indeed a strange matter! Before my father retired, he investigated traces of that, but in that area, no traces or stray demons were found!"
Rengoku Kyojuro added, crossing his arms.
"Face, name, purpose all unknown. But their strength is beyond imagination. If they join hands with Muzan, it would certainly be a great threat."
Sanemi growled, wrinkling his scar-covered face.
Knowing the strength of Shinjuro and Tengen, he could not deny that they were threatening existences.
"Master, do you perhaps sense anything?"
At Giyu's question, Ubuyashiki fell silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
"It is not yet certain. But… if they are not on the same side as Muzan, perhaps it could be an opportunity for us. Let us continue to monitor them, but avoid unnecessary provocation."
During the meeting, Okita and Kanao perfectly managed their expressions and remained silent.
Because the monsters they were chasing were their own father and master, Akira and Shuten.
'Father, and Shuten-san… as expected, they are fear itself to the Demon Slayer Corps.'
Kanao thought to herself and quietly kept her place.
Afterwards, the meeting continued with several other agendas.
When the meeting neared its end, Ubuyashiki turned toward the two new Hashiras.
"I want to ask you, newly appointed Hashiras. If there is anything you need to act as Hashiras, say it without hesitation. I will grant anything, be it an estate or financial support."
Okita lightly tapped Kanao's back. It was Kanao's turn to step forward. Kanao took a deep breath and opened her mouth with a clear voice.
"Master, I have two requests."
"Ah, say it, whatever it is."
"First, I want to build the personal estate I will receive as a medical facility. Please permit me to establish a so-called Butterfly Mansion to treat injured members and provide rehabilitation training."
The Hashiras' gazes focused on Kanao. Usually, one would request a training ground for a personal estate, but a medical facility for all members.
"Splendid mindset! Caring for the wounded has always been our task! The Flower Hashira's intention is truly admirable!"
Rengoku nodded in admiration. Ubuyashiki also smiled as if pleased.
"You are really a kind child, Kanao. Of course. I will support you fully. And what is the second?"
Kanao fell silent for a moment. Then she abruptly stood up. At her sudden action, Sanemi's eyebrow twitched.
"This is in front of the Master. Mind your manners, Flower Hashira."
Ignoring Sanemi's reproach, Kanao stared straight at Ubuyashiki.
"The second is… I propose a comprehensive reform of the Final Selection method."
The room stirred. The Final Selection was a tradition and sanctuary of the Demon Slayer Corps that had continued for hundreds of years.
"Reform? What do you mean?"
Ubuyashiki gently asked back. Kanao clenched her fist tightly.
"The current Final Selection… is not selection, but merely sending children to their deaths, a slaughter."
"What did you say?!"
Sanemi growled with killing intent.
But Kanao did not back down.
"Throwing children who haven't received proper training into a mountain swarming with demons and telling them to survive is not a test. It's just a gamble where you live if lucky, die if unlucky. Their efforts and accumulated skills up to that point are irrelevant."
Kanao's voice gradually rose.
"Every year, countless children die meaninglessly there. Among them, there must have been talents who could become excellent swordsmen. Isn't it the role of adults to protect and nurture them?"
She looked directly at Ubuyashiki, and her eyes held feelings of contempt and disgust.
"I dare say. You, who have left this cruel method untouched for years, decades in this generation under the name of tradition… are a bystander and a murderer who drove children to their deaths."
"You brat!!! How dare you wag your tongue here!!"
Sanemi couldn't bear it and sprang from his seat. The moment he tried to grab Kanao by the collar.
"Stop, Sanemi."
Ubuyashiki's voice was small, but sufficient to halt Sanemi's movement.
"But Master! This brat has insulted you now!"
"No. Kanao's words… are not wrong at all."
Ubuyashiki's face held not anger, but deep sorrow and benevolence.
"I too… every morning and evening, call the names of the children I sent to their deaths and repent. Our Demon Slayer Corps' way has crushed those young sprouts."
Ubuyashiki bowed his head toward where Kanao stood with his unseen eyes. The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps apologized to a mere member, a girl who had criticized him.
"I am sorry. And thank you, Kanao. Your courageous outcry has brought a new wind to the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Ma, Master…."
Kanao was rather flustered.
She thought he would get angry, but she didn't expect him to accept it so sincerely. Is this the capacity of a great adult?
"Your words are right."
Ubuyashiki raised his head and looked around at the Hashiras.
"From today, let's gradually change the method of the selection exam. Kanao, and Souji. If you have alternatives in mind, say them without reserve. And other Hashiras, please put your heads together too. This will be the path for our future."
Kanao nodded with a faint smile.
"Yes. Thank you, Master."
Okita, who had been watching from the side, inwardly clicked his tongue while looking at Ubuyashiki.
'Heh, he's no ordinary person. Turning criticism into acceptance to soften Kanao-san's hostility. Is this the embodiment of gaslighting I've only heard of? I'm worried Kanao-san might be influenced. If even Kanao-san becomes a loyal soldier, it won't do, so I must tell Master when we return. Then Kanao-san will come to her senses too.'
Why the Demon Slayer Corps is maintained, why Hashiras, humans, remain loyal to him despite such foolish methods. Okita felt it keenly and considered him a dangerous figure.
Worried that Kanao might also be influenced like others, Okita thought he must conduct mental education again upon returning today.