One day later.
At the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps,
the sickly leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, sat quietly in the courtyard, feeling the warmth of the sun on his frail skin.
Due to his curse, his body was weak, his face scarred and pale, and even his sight had faded into permanent darkness.
Still, he listened attentively as his wife, Amane Ubuyashiki, unfolded a newly arrived letter and began to read it aloud.
"It's from Sakonji Urokodaki," Amane said softly.
"'Greetings to our honored leader.
I bring joyous news.
The boy named Tanjirou Kamado, whom I had once recommended, has received the blessing of a god.
His strength has risen unimaginably — in a single exchange, he defeated me, a former Water Hashira, without effort.'"
The courtyard fell silent.
Amane continued:
"'The Eternal God bestows power upon any believer with a kind heart.
There are no strict requirements — only sincere faith is needed to receive His strength.
Moreover, injuries that would normally require months to heal can recover fully in mere moments through the meditation He grants.
I have personally witnessed and experienced it myself.
I am escorting Tanjirou to headquarters to demonstrate this power.
Please summon all the Hashira.
The age of struggling in darkness may finally be over.'"
Amane's voice trembled slightly as she finished reading.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat frozen for a long time.
Then, tears slid silently down his cheeks.
"At last..." he whispered hoarsely.
"After all the sacrifices... all the despair... we might finally have a future..."
He turned his scarred face toward his wife and smiled faintly.
"Tianyin, please help me... summon the Pillars with an emergency order.
We must prepare."
"Yes, my lord."
Amane wiped her own tears and immediately began writing the urgent summons.
Within two days, the nine current Hashira gathered at headquarters.
Tension filled the air.
After being assembled, the Pillars were shocked to find there was no battle plan, no mission briefing.
Instead...
their leader calmly explained the reason for their gathering:
to witness the power of the Eternal God.
According to Urokodaki's letter, if they believed in this deity, they could achieve strength surpassing even the marked ones.
For a moment, there was only stunned silence.
Then, displeasure.
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, let out a cold laugh.
"Hah. What a joke," he said, sneering openly.
"Since when do we throw our swords away and start praying to gods?"
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, frowned but said nothing.
Meanwhile, the Snake Hashira, Obanai Iguro, narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, looked disinterested, as always.
But it was the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, who voiced everyone's growing skepticism.
"Master," he said respectfully, though his tone was firm,
"I mean no offense, but divine blessings sound... a little too convenient, don't they?
If gods exist, why have they ignored our suffering for centuries?
Where were they when countless innocent people were eaten alive?"
Some of the Pillars nodded in agreement.
Only the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, remained thoughtful, stroking his chin.
"...Facts speak louder than words," Rengoku declared loudly.
"Rather than arguing, why not witness this boy's power directly?"
"Agreed," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with a faint smile.
"Indeed, he has already arrived."
"Huh?"
The Pillars all looked around — but saw nothing.
Until—
Ripples shimmered in the air beside Ubuyashiki.
A figure stepped forward, as if emerging from thin air.
It was Tanjirou Kamado.
He had been standing invisibly at the master's side all along, cloaked perfectly with his water magic and divine concealment.
The Hashira gasped.
To think that all nine of them, the finest warriors of the Demon Slayer Corps, hadn't even noticed him!
Not a single breath.
Not a single movement betrayed his presence.
The Wind Hashira's smirk vanished.
The Sound Hashira's playful grin froze.
Tanjirou bowed respectfully, then looked up with clear, unflinching eyes.
"I heard some of you doubt the Eternal God's power," he said quietly.
"I don't blame you.
But words alone are meaningless.
Let's settle it with action."
He reached for the wooden sword at his waist.
"I challenge you," Tanjirou said calmly.
"All of you, together if you wish.
One against nine."
The courtyard plunged into stunned silence.
The Pillars exchanged glances.
Was this child insane?
Sanemi snorted.
"This brat's got a death wish."
Uzui chuckled loudly.
"Fine! I'll play along with your little fantasy."
He swaggered forward, drawing his own blade with a flourish.
"Come on, kid. Let's see you touch—"
FLASH.
A streak of light crossed the courtyard.
CRACK.
A loud thud echoed as Uzui Tengen was hurled backward like a ragdoll, crashing through three trees before skidding to a stop.
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
Everyone stood frozen.
It had taken less than a blink.
They hadn't even seen the attack.
Only the aftermath remained — a smoking crater where Tanjirou had moved, and Uzui groaning weakly on the ground.
"Impossible..." murmured Iguro, his face pale.
"The Sound Hashira... defeated instantly?" Tokito muttered, his usual detached demeanor cracking.
Sanemi's mouth worked soundlessly, fists clenching at his sides.
"That..." Kyojuro Rengoku finally said, voice shaking with awe,
"...was not human strength."
Tanjirou calmly sheathed his wooden sword.
He bowed toward the shocked Pillars.
"This is the mercy of the Eternal God," he said.
"If you still doubt His existence...
you are welcome to test your strength against me again."
He straightened up, his youthful face radiant with divine confidence.