DS Chapter 79: A Meeting! Conversations with the Trio and the Hashira!
Ren nodded.
"Shinobu mentioned the three of you before."
"So Lady Shinobu really cares about us!"
"Mm! Let's exchange pointers on Breathing Techniques sometime!"
"Hehehe! Kon ! I want to become your disciple!"
With a boar-like charge, Inosuke rushed toward Ren and performed an exaggerated bow.
Ren was caught completely off guard, and the two immediately ended up in an awkward stalemate.
Fortunately, Kanao stepped in.
With a single use of Flower Breathing, Second Form: Honorable Shadow Plum, she subdued Inosuke on the spot.
As Zenitsu and Tanjiro dragged the struggling boar-headed boy away, Inosuke continued shouting stubbornly,
"Hehehe! Konkon!"
"This great me will definitely become your disciple!"
"You can't escape!"
"We're really sorry, Ren-san!"
"He's always been... well..."
Tanjiro and Zenitsu repeatedly apologized while pulling Inosuke farther away.
Ren simply waved his hand, indicating that it wasn't a problem.
After the three left, he stroked his chin thoughtfully as he watched their retreating figures.
Judging from their reactions, Inosuke must have told them quite a few stories about him.
That explained the respect hidden in their attitudes.
Ren also figured out why they had come today.
Simply put...
They were here to watch his match.
Tanjiro's Nichirin Blade still wasn't finished, so, eager to return to demon slaying, he had originally planned to visit the Swordsmith Village to ask about it.
Zenitsu and Inosuke had volunteered to accompany him.
Unfortunately...
The blade they were looking for was currently in Ren's possession.
After learning the truth, Tanjiro, being his usual good-natured self, simply accepted it.
For the time being...
He would just have to train empty-handed with Nezuko.
Putting those thoughts aside, Ren continued forward with Kanao.
Not long after parting with the trio...
They encountered another group.
The Hashira.
Aside from Kyojuro, who was away on a mission, and Shinobu, who was still sleeping at the Butterfly Mansion...
Every other Hashira was present.
A group of figures with distinct appearances stood before Ren.
Each possessed an even more imposing presence than the last.
Ren smiled naturally and raised a hand in greeting.
"Good morning, everyone."
The first to respond was Tengen Uzui.
Touching his jeweled forehead protector, he struck an impossibly flashy pose.
"Yo!"
"If it isn't the Butterfly Mansion's miracle doctor!"
"It's been a while."
"You've become even flashier than before!"
Next, Muichiro Tokito tilted his head.
"Ren."
"I heard you created a brand-new Breathing Style."
"How did you manage that?"
Then came Mitsuri Kanroji.
"Ahhh!"
"It's Ren!"
"Ren looks so handsome today!"
Before she could say anything else, Obanai Iguro interrupted coldly.
"What's so handsome about him?"
"Ren."
"Stay away from Mitsuri."
Nearby, Gyomei Himejima lowered his head as tears streamed from his closed eyes.
"Ren..."
"You possess a pure heart."
"But..."
"Why isn't Shinobu here?"
Finally...
Giyu Tomioka slowly lifted his head.
With his usual indifferent expression, he quietly murmured,
"The wind is noisy today."
"But the weather is nice."
"Since Kochou isn't here..."
"No one will tell me they hate me."
"I wish every day could be like this."
Every Hashira displayed a different reaction.
Ren quietly took them all in.
However...
One familiar face was missing.
After a moment's thought, he turned toward Mitsuri.
She seemed like the easiest person to ask.
"Kanroji."
"May I ask where Kyojuro is?"
Mitsuri blinked in surprise before pointing at herself.
"...Me?"
Ren nodded.
"Yes."
"I'm asking you."
The moment she realized he had specifically addressed her...
Mitsuri's heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
"Ahhh!"
"Ren actually chose me!"
"There are so many people here..."
"So why did he ask me?"
"Does he think I'm cute?"
"Oh no..."
"My heart is beating so fast!"
"I feel like dancing!"
"Ahhh~!"
Puff!
Steam practically rose from Mitsuri's body.
Tiny sparkles seemed to float around her.
Whenever the Love Hashira became extremely embarrassed...
Her body temperature naturally increased.
Standing beside her, Obanai's expression darkened even further.
"I know where Rengoku went."
"I'll tell you."
"Oh."
"Thank you."
Ren nodded calmly.
He only wanted to know where Kyojuro had gone.
It didn't matter who answered.
Soon...
Obanai explained everything.
Kyojuro had accepted a mission.
A demon had reportedly appeared aboard a famous train, causing widespread panic among nearby civilians.
The Demon Slayer Corps had dispatched the Flame Hashira to investigate.
The moment Ren heard that...
His eyes narrowed.
Having knowledge of the original story...
He instantly understood what was about to happen.
The Mugen Train.
Lower Rank One.
Upper Rank Three.
And...
Kyojuro Rengoku's destined sacrifice.
Ren's thoughts raced.
He hadn't expected the Mugen Train incident to arrive this soon.
As Kyojuro's friend...
There was no way he wanted to watch him die.
Fortunately...
Ren had just met Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
Judging from their conversation...
The story hadn't reached that point yet.
According to the original timeline...
Kyojuro would first investigate the incident.
Only afterward would the trio receive their mission.
Then...
They would board the train together.
But the three clearly hadn't received any orders yet.
Otherwise...
They wouldn't have come to watch today's match.
Ren stroked his chin thoughtfully.
There were only two ways to save Kyojuro.
The first...
Intervene personally.
The second...
Help Kyojuro grow stronger.
At this point, Kyojuro had only mastered the First Form to a truly exceptional level.
Although that was enough to fight until sunrise...
It still wasn't sufficient to defeat Upper Rank Three.
The Hashira still needed to awaken their Demon Slayer Marks.
Ren's eyes flickered.
Soon...
He had already reached a conclusion.
Fortunately...
He had already taught Kyojuro two additional techniques.
At the very least...
His chances of surviving had increased considerably.
So there was no immediate need to worry.
The priority now...
Was defeating Sanemi.
Only after proving he truly possessed Hashira-level strength...
Could Ren confidently challenge the Upper Ranks.
Only then...
Would he have the power to save his sworn brother from Akaza.
Ren understood one thing very clearly.
The official Demon Slayer Corps ranking system was largely superficial.
Ranks such as Mizunoto, Mizunoe, Kanoto, Kanoe, Tsuchinoto, Tsuchinoe, Hinoto, Hinoe, Kinoto, and Kinoe only measured ordinary Corps members like Murata.
The true hierarchy of strength was far simpler:
Tanjiro's trio → Lower Ranks → Ordinary Hashira → Upper Ranks Four, Five, and Six → Elite Hashira → Upper Ranks One, Two, and Three → Muzan Kibutsuji → Yoriichi Tsugikuni.