On the mountain path leading out of Sagiri Mountain, Urokodaki Sakonji, accompanied by a large group of Demon Slayer Corps trainees, saw Haku off as he departed for the Hashira Meeting.
Urokodaki Sakonji, still wearing his tengu mask, stood alone at the back of the crowd, silently watching Haku's retreating figure. The trainees, meanwhile, waved enthusiastically at him.
To them, Haku's appearance was like a fleeting dream—arriving swiftly and leaving just as quickly.
Before they could even form any meaningful bonds, Haku had already donned the official Demon Slayer Corps uniform, equipped with a Nichirin Blade, and set off to compete for a position among the new nine Hashira.
"That guy Haku should be able to become the Water Hashira, right?"
"He's got to! He's practically a monster!"
"We need to step up too. We can't let him leave us too far behind!"
The trainees reignited their determination.
They had joined the Demon Slayer Corps' trials long before Haku. If he became a Hashira while they still hadn't even become official members, it would be utterly embarrassing.
Urokodaki Sakonji, hands clasped behind his back, felt lighter than he ever had when sending off disciples in the past.
He knew Haku's strength far surpassed his own. Even the previous Water Hashira likely couldn't match him. Thus, he was brimming with confidence in Haku's participation in the Hashira Meeting.
After traveling a few miles, Haku glanced back one last time at Sagiri Mountain.
Truthfully, he had grown fond of the simple life there.
Sigh.
With a soft exhale, Haku donned the dog-faced mask he had prepared.
Demon Slayer Corps members were allowed to wear masks—Urokodaki Sakonji himself always appeared with a tengu mask—so before descending the mountain, Haku had acquired a dog-faced one.
In just two days, Haku arrived at the site of the Hashira Meeting: Mount Fujikasane.
At the mountain's base, he was awestruck by the dreamlike sea of wisteria flowers, murmuring to himself, "So these are the wisteria flowers Teacher Urokodaki said could repel demons?"
At that moment, a figure perched cross-legged on a tree poked their head out. "You here for the Hashira Meeting too?"
Haku looked over and nodded.
The figure leapt down from the tree, sizing Haku up before extending a hand. "I'm Agatsuma Zenitsu, a Demon Slayer Corps member. Like you, I'm here for the Hashira Meeting."
Haku cautiously shook his hand. "I'm Haku."
Zenitsu asked curiously, "Why the mask? Oh, and what Breathing Style do you practice?"
After a brief chat, Haku found the yellow-haired Demon Slayer to be friendly and talkative.
The two walked together, arriving at the torii gate at the foot of Mount Fujikasane, where seven or eight swordsmen had already gathered sporadically.
Zenitsu grinned. "Looks like these guys all showed up!"
Haku casually asked, "You know them?"
"Yeah, most of them," Zenitsu nodded, pointing them out one by one. "That one under the tree is Kanao, she practices Flower Breathing. The guy sitting cross-legged on the steps is Genya Shinazugawa—he's a bit of a nutcase, let's not talk about him. The one lying on the ground sleeping, with the boar head, that's Inosuke. He uses Beast Breathing. Looks like an idiot, but he's surprisingly reliable."
Based on Zenitsu's introductions, Haku mentally noted each of the Demon Slayer swordsmen gathered under the torii gate.
Those attending the Hashira Meeting were essentially elite swordsmen recommended by their trainers to become Hashira. To secure one of the nine Hashira positions, Haku would have to compete with them.
Soon, Zenitsu enthusiastically went to greet the others, while Haku stayed back, finding a quiet corner to lean against a tree and rest with his eyes closed.
The Hashira Meeting could be a trap set for him, so he didn't dare let his guard down.
Over the next half-day, more swordsmen gradually arrived at Mount Fujikasane.
After exploring the area, Haku understood why the Hashira Meeting was being held here. The entire mountain was enveloped in layers of wisteria flowers, forming a natural barrier that made it safe from demon attacks.
When Haku returned to the torii gate at the mountain's entrance, eighteen swordsmen had gathered.
Zenitsu approached him, asking, "Haku, where'd you go?"
Haku replied, "Just wandered around a bit."
Zenitsu hurriedly said, "Don't go roaming now—the meeting's about to start!"
Nodding, Haku surveyed the newly arrived swordsmen, his gaze suddenly landing on a young girl.
Noticing this, Zenitsu followed his line of sight and said, "That's Nezuko. She practices the strongest Breathing Style, Sun Breathing. She's the most likely among us to become a Hashira!"
"Sun Breathing?" Haku was surprised.
He had heard of this Breathing Style, known as the "original Breathing Style," but hadn't expected to encounter its practitioner at the Hashira Meeting.
At that moment, a group approached the gathered swordsmen.
With the Ubuyashiki family extinct and the previous nine Hashira having betrayed the Corps, the Demon Slayer Corps was leaderless. Thus, a temporary council of veteran trainers and swordsmiths had been formed to oversee the selection of the new nine Hashira.
Ahem.
After a light cough, an elderly man wearing a mask stepped forward. "You are the elite of the Demon Slayer Corps. The new nine Hashira will be chosen from among you. The rules are simple."
Pointing to Mount Fujikasane behind him, he continued, "You're no strangers to this mountain. For three days, the nine swordsmen who slay the most demons will become the new Hashira!"
"Tch, what a boring selection!" Genya Shinazugawa spat, his expression dripping with disdain.
Swish.
At that moment, a swordsman let out a wild "Awoo!" and charged into Mount Fujikasane like a bolt of lightning.
Haku glanced over, recognizing the figure as Inosuke, the boar-headed swordsman Zenitsu had mentioned earlier.
Spurred by Inosuke's actions, the other swordsmen, without pausing to voice opinions, rushed into the mountain.
The air was filled with the sound of rustling wind, and Kasugai Crows flapped chaotically overhead.
Zenitsu grew anxious. "Haku, this is bad! They're cheating! Let's hurry into the mountain, or they'll wipe out all the demons!"
Haku, a bit speechless, followed Zenitsu.
Once all eighteen swordsmen had charged into Mount Fujikasane, the trainers and swordsmiths acting as judges began to discuss.
"Nezuko is probably the strongest swordsman in the Corps right now."
"Yeah, but I heard from that old geezer Urokodaki that his new disciple is incredibly strong!"
"You mean the kid with the dog mask trailing at the back? I don't think I've seen him before."
"Maybe Urokodaki's just bragging!"