Chapter 19: Upper Rank
"This is the newly appointed..."
Tamura wanted to introduce him further.
"I know. The Stone Hashira, Brother Himejima Gyomei."
Ryuji wasn't wrong to call him that; Himejima Gyomei was nineteen at the time and had just become a Hashira. Being five years older than Ryuji, calling him 'Brother' was appropriate.
"namu amida butsu. My Lord has been waiting for you for a long time, Ryuji..."
Himejima Gyomei recited the Buddha's name again, then turned his pale eyes toward Tamura and bowed slightly. "Thank you for bringing Ryuji here. I will now guide him to see My Lord."
"Yes!"
Tamura responded immediately, his face filled with excitement!
This was a Hashira, one of the Demon Slayer Corps' strongest combatants, and he had actually bowed and thanked him. He could brag about this for the rest of his life!
The two walked side-by-side on the gravel path. Himejima Gyomei led the way in silence. Sensing the atmosphere was a bit stiff, he said softly, "Your record is excellent. My Lord is very pleased..."
Ryuji was somewhat surprised. A record? What record did he have? He had only just finished his first mission.
Before he could ask the question in his mind, Himejima Gyomei continued, "That demon who manipulated sound had eaten fifty-five people..."
Oh, so it was that.
"Yes, the mechanism of its Blood Demon Art was very strong. If I didn't use Stone Breathing like Brother Himejima..."
Ryuji didn't say the rest out loud, but added in his heart:
"Without the One piece Physique, I would have died long ago; Akinasa wouldn't have stood a chance."
"namu amida butsu."
Himejima Gyomei recited the Buddha's name and began to rotate the prayer beads in his hand, softly chanting sutras while two lines of clear tears began to flow from his white eyes.
"Hey, hey, I say, Mr. Himejima, don't always cry the moment we meet. You'll scare the newcomer. It's not flashy at all!"
A flamboyant and magnetic voice came from beside them.
Hearing that flashy catchphrase, Ryuji knew instantly who it was.
It was the Sound Hashira!
Uzui Tengen.
Ryuji looked to the side and saw a similarly tall man standing quietly on a tree branch next to them.
His arms were crossed, and he wore a flashy smile.
He had dazzling short silver hair, unique red markings painted on his face, and wore a flashy headpiece encrusted with gems. Even his fingernails were painted vibrantly.
From head to toe, he exuded a flamboyant aura that screamed, "I am the flashiest in the world."
Whoosh.
So fast!
Ryuji suppressed his subconscious urge to strike.
Uzui Tengen narrowed his eyes, circled Ryuji, sizing him up with a scrutinizing gaze, and finally stroked his chin to evaluate:
"Your reactions are quite fast. No wonder you could slay such a powerful demon! Your muscles are fairly flashy, but this outfit is a bit too plain, isn't it?"
Ryuji: "..."
He looked down at the ordinary Demon Slayer uniform he had changed into for travel convenience; it truly had nothing to do with the word "flashy."
Himejima Gyomei ignored Uzui Tengen, simply pressing his palms together as tears continued to flow:
"namu amida butsu. Let's go. My Lord is waiting."
"True, being late wouldn't be flashy at all!"
Uzui Tengen nodded heavily, then looked at Ryuji. "Is it really related to an Upper Rank?"
Ryuji said seriously, "It still needs investigation, but I think there's a high probability it's related to an Upper Rank."
He added in his heart: Not only is it related to an Upper Rank, but it's specifically upper rank two, Doma!
The three soon arrived at the center of the headquarters, the Ubuyashiki Residence surrounded by a vast amount of wisteria flowers.
"My Lord."
After paying their respects, the three entered the room and sat down properly.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya was sitting in the seat of honor. Watching the three pay their respects, he said softly, "It is wonderful that you have returned safely."
His voice was still like a spring breeze. He looked at Ryuji and nodded slightly. "This is our second meeting, Ryuji."
Beside him sat a white-haired woman in a kimono, with two infants lying in swaddling clothes next to her.
It was his wife, Ubuyashiki Amane.
The two children should be Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Nichika, the two older sisters of the future young lord.
"Yes, it is our second meeting. Thank you, My Lord, for speaking on my behalf with the swordsmith."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya shook his head with a faint smile. "I only said a few words. It was Mr. Tetsugane Iwao himself who brought out his treasured tamahagane to forge that sword for you."
"Now, tell me about your information."
He gently brought the conversation back on track.
"Yes!"
Ryuji nodded and began to report concisely, "As I initially conveyed through the crows..."
He reported the information in its entirety to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
After reporting the objective facts, he paused slightly to organize his phrasing, ensuring he didn't reveal his foreknowledge, and continued:
"The key point is that before Akinasa dissipated upon death, it cast a curse on me. It explicitly stated that the Eternal Paradise Cult would avenge it, and that Doma would avenge it..."
At this point, Ryuji paused and said very seriously, "I suspect that this Doma is the leader of the Paradise Cult and possibly an Upper Rank."
Of course, the aforementioned last words of Akinasa were entirely made up by Ryuji; he was simply relaying information he had obtained from the manga.
But as soon as the words 'Upper Rank' were spoken, the air in the room froze for a moment, and everyone's expressions varied.
Ryuji glanced around and continued, "When Akinasa mentioned the name 'Doma,' its tone was filled with a nearly instinctive awe and reverence."
"With its level of strength and cunning nature, to show such an attitude toward another demon can only mean that this Doma either possesses overwhelming power or holds a very high status! Or perhaps..."
He didn't continue, but everyone understood what Ryuji meant.
Perhaps even both: immensely powerful and high-ranking.
The room fell into silence.
"Your information is very important, Ryuji."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice broke the silence.
The gentle smile on his face did not vanish, but his pale purple eyes held an unprecedented gravity.
He leaned forward slightly. "Thank you for your hard work. This information is vital to me and the entire Demon Slayer Corps—it could even be called a Breakthrough."
His voice was low and clear. "For over a hundred years, the Demon Slayer Corps has sacrificed hundreds of Hashira, yet we have never truly captured a definitive trace of an Upper Rank."
"We couldn't even obtain a shred of information... You have done well. I will arrange for personnel to investigate this Eternal Paradise Cult."
Hearing this, Ryuji's heart suddenly tightened.
Wait! That's Doma! upper rank two! If you just arrange for anyone to go, people will die!
Almost without thinking, he immediately raised his head, his voice slightly higher than usual due to urgency. "My Lord! Regarding the investigation, please let me join!"
Quickly calming down, Ryuji realized he couldn't rely on passion alone; he had to provide a solid reason.
He took a deep breath and spoke quickly and clearly, "I have had close contact with the lower-level members of the Eternal Paradise Cult and have had indirect dealings with its offshoot, the Paradise Troupe."
He paused for a moment and continued:
"I have a more direct understanding of its surface operational methods and deceptive tactics than members who haven't encountered it. With my involvement, we can identify valuable leads more quickly."
Mainly, if we encounter Doma, I can tell everyone about the characteristics of its Blood Demon Art to avoid being killed upon first contact.
"And..."
Flames ignited in Ryuji's eyes. "Furthermore... I yearn to slay more demons! I need to accumulate combat experience and hone myself through real challenges to become stronger! My Lord, please give me this opportunity!"
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