Chapter 47 – The Hashira Council
— Hashira Council.
The moment Hikaru heard those words, he paused for a beat.
"You mean… the meeting of the Hashira?"
He asked this just after wrapping up his daily training and returning to his room—only to find Kocho Shinobu, the Insect Hashira, waiting there with the news.
"That's right!"
Shinobu lifted a pale finger, tilting her head slightly with that sweet smile of hers.
"It's the annual gathering of all the Hashira. Usually held within two months after the Final Selection."
She narrowed her eyes in thought.
"Now that I think about it… this will be your first time attending, won't it?"
"I suppose so. I haven't been in service for very long," Hikaru replied calmly.
"True. I've been here longer, so that makes me your senpai~"
She suddenly leaned in closer, her faint fragrance drifting between them, her warm breath brushing against his ear. Her voice was soft, almost teasing.
"So as my kohai… you should treat your senpai with respect, right?"
"…Don't mess around."
Hikaru pushed her back with a flat expression. After spending the week recovering, he'd gotten used to her "teasing," enough to keep a straight face even without any tricks.
"Well, that's the gist of it," Shinobu said as she stretched and glanced at the late-afternoon sun spilling through the window.
"I've given you the message. As for today's story… let's save it for another time. The meeting starts tomorrow morning."
"So, get a good rest."
With light steps, she left the room.
Hikaru watched her retreating back. There was always something graceful—like a butterfly's dance—in the way Shinobu moved. Lately, she'd seemed unusually… serene. Even the incident from a while back felt like nothing more than a fading illusion.
But there was no point dwelling on it. Shaking his head, he turned his mind to the more pressing matter.
"The Hashira Council… looks like I'll finally meet them all tomorrow."
Outside, the sun was sinking, the horizon dyed a deep, blood-red hue. Tonight—he would rest well.
In his mind, the system's familiar interface flickered.
[Void Breathing – Ten Forms (Incomplete – Progress: 7/10 · ???)]
In the past few days, he had completed most of the opening forms of Void Breathing—one opening move and six transition techniques.
Reaching this stage hadn't been too difficult. Compared to the skill level he'd once achieved, this was still the beginning—merely the fusion of concepts and movement.
They were only techniques, not yet the kind of profound mastery where mind and body moved in perfect harmony.
Still… it was enough.
Even if he couldn't yet wield them with perfect fluidity, if he ever crossed blades with Kokushibo again…
He'd have a surprise waiting for him.
"…To create the next secret form, I'll probably need to reach the Transparent World—or something close to it."
With that conclusion, the night passed in silence.
— — —
The next morning.
As soon as Hikaru slid his door open, a black Kasugai crow landed on the wooden post outside. Sunlight poured into the courtyard, spilling over the distant mountains.
He rested a hand on the tsuba of his Nichirin Blade hanging at his waist. The morning breeze tugged gently at his black haori.
"It's time to go."
At the edge of the courtyard, beneath swaying wisteria blooms, Shinobu was already waiting. The blue-purple butterfly ornament still adorned her hair, its tips catching the light. Her hair, just long enough to stir in the wind, shimmered faintly at the ends.
When their eyes met, she smiled softly.
"Ready?"
She gave a small wave.
"…Yeah."
Hikaru walked toward her.
"This is your first meeting as a Hashira," Shinobu said cheerfully. "I'll guide you there."
Her voice was gentle, her smile elegant—but for some reason, she seemed almost excited.
Hikaru brushed aside a lock of hair that had grown long enough to block his vision but didn't complain. He simply listened to the shorter girl—her head barely reaching his chest—as she began explaining the rules of the council and the personalities of the other Hashira.
Truthfully, Hikaru already knew most of it. But seeing her so enthusiastic, he couldn't bring himself to interrupt.
"The Flame Hashira is loud and eats with incredible enthusiasm," Shinobu explained. "The Wind Hashira is cold and rough around the edges—hard to talk to sometimes, but he's not a bad person. You've already met the Love and Serpent Hashira. The Water Hashira is Giyu Tomioka, so no need to explain him. Oh, and the one who brought you back that time was the Stone Hashira…"
Flame, Wind, Serpent, Love, Stone, Water, Sound, Mist, Insect—
And now, the tenth…
The Void Hashira—himself.
By the time she finished, Hikaru could easily match the names to faces in his mind.
Eventually, they arrived at the main garden. Water trickled between carefully placed stones, tree shadows swaying in the morning light.
Eight figures stood there, each with a presence that was impossible to ignore.
The Hashira.
The strongest swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"…You've finally arrived!"
A booming voice broke the stillness as Hikaru stepped into the courtyard. There was an unmistakable note of excitement in the tone.
"You're the one? The new Hashira who drove back Upper Moon One?!"
The words might have sounded blunt, but they carried no malice—only warmth and vigor.
Standing before him was a tall man with wild golden hair streaked red at the tips, like roaring flames. The morning sun at his back cast a towering shadow across the ground. His white cloak swayed in the wind.
Kyojuro Rengoku—the Flame Hashira.
His broad smile radiated energy, and his thick black eyebrows looked as sharp as drawn blades. The style of his hair reminded Hikaru of a certain spiky-haired rodent mascot from another world.
"Yes. That's me."
Hikaru gave a slight bow.
"It's an honor to meet you again, Flame Hashira—Kyojuro Rengoku, and all the esteemed Hashira here."
He looked around, meeting the gazes of the eight already assembled.
To them, the name Hikaru was nothing new. They had been aware of him since the introduction of the Hikaru-Style.
When he was first promoted to Hashira, some accepted it without fuss. Others… not so much.
Back then, aside from Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu, no one truly considered him their equal.
But in just six months, he had defeated two Lower Moon demons.
And according to the Stone Hashira himself, he had once forced Upper Moon One to retreat.
Those feats—
That strength—
Were more than enough to change their views.
Now, standing calmly before them, Hikaru carried himself with a relaxed yet dignified air.
Not arrogant.
But undeniably confident.
The Hashira were starting to understand—
The rumors weren't exaggerated.
This man was strong.
Perhaps… stronger than some of them.
Even with each Hashira holding pride in their own strength, many instinctively sensed it.
At the side, Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei stood quietly, prayer beads in hand, tears rolling from his closed eyes as always.
"Rengoku-san, you startled him," Shinobu teased lightly from beside Hikaru.
"Ah, my apologies!" Rengoku replied with a hearty laugh.
He hadn't meant to test the newcomer. This was simply his way of welcoming him—
With fiery enthusiasm.
It had been years since the Demon Slayer Corps had gained a new Hashira.
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