Chapter 50 – The Invisible Blade, Water-Splitting Slash
What Hikaru had suggested wasn't impossible.
In fact, once the Hashira thought about it seriously, they realized the possibility was… alarmingly high.
If an intelligent demon had infiltrated and hidden itself within Mount Fujikasane, then for the Final Selection candidates—most of whom were beginners—it would be nothing less than a death sentence.
Even if, on rare occasions, a Tsuchinoto or an exceptional trainee joined the trial, such a demon would be cunning enough to avoid them entirely… and hunt only the weak. That way, it could survive and grow stronger over time.
In the past, the Hashira might not have thought much of it.
After all, the Final Selection was meant to be harsh. There had even been years where an entire group of candidates perished.
But this time was different.
Even with the candidates having undergone the Hikaru-Style training—something recognized by every Hashira—the casualties remained high.
That fact alone was proof enough that something was wrong.
"…This will be a troublesome matter indeed," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said quietly. His voice was calm, but the weight in it was unmistakable.
"What's so troublesome about it?" boomed Kyojuro Rengoku, his tone fiery as ever. "Just let me enter Mount Fujikasane and burn everything in there to ash!"
"You seem to have forgotten the Corps' most basic rule, Rengoku-san," Obanai Iguro replied flatly. "No official member is allowed to set foot in Mount Fujikasane under any circumstances."
Mitsuri Kanroji tilted her head, worry written all over her face. "But… if that's the case…"
Yes. That was the heart of the problem.
The Final Selection grounds weren't just any location—they were a sacred testing ground for prospective members. And for hundreds of years, the Demon Slayer Corps had upheld one unshakable rule:
No official member may enter Mount Fujikasane. No exceptions.
It was a tradition passed down since the Corps' founding, meant to preserve the integrity of the trial and ensure that those who survived had truly earned their place. No outside help. No rescue. Those who made it out were those worthy of the title Demon Slayer.
From Kagaya himself down to the lowest-ranked slayer, everyone followed that rule without question.
The courtyard fell silent. The Hashira exchanged glances, each lost in thought.
Hikaru said nothing.
In truth, one thought had crossed his mind—
In times of crisis, even rules should be broken.
Coming from another world, he understood that logic better than anyone.
But he chose to keep it to himself.
It wasn't that he couldn't argue the point.
He simply didn't want to.
He understood how this nation thought—its loyalty to tradition, its faith in principles preserved over a thousand years. This was no longer the chaotic Sengoku era. The Ubuyashiki family had kept stability for centuries, and such rules were pillars holding the Corps together.
If those pillars were toppled once for the sake of convenience, others might use that as an excuse to tear down the system entirely.
Besides… the Hashira trusted him.
That trust wasn't something to cast aside for his own ego.
"…Ah, now I get it! This really is tricky!" Rengoku exclaimed, slapping his right fist into his left palm in exaggerated realization.
"Rengoku-san… honestly," Shinobu Kocho said with a soft laugh. Then she glanced toward Hikaru.
But her smile faded.
What she saw… was a serious, almost stern look on his face.
Sensing her gaze, Hikaru slowly returned from his thoughts.
"Are you thinking of something, Hikaru-san?" Shinobu asked gently.
At the same moment, Kagaya spoke as well.
"If you have something to share, please do, Hikaru-san."
"Tch… you're supposed to be clever, aren't you?" Sanemi Shinazugawa growled. "If you're that clever, hurry up and give us a solution!"
Hikaru let out a slow breath, his eyes sweeping across each of the Hashira in turn.
"At this point, there's only one solution left."
"If official members can't enter… then the only option is—"
"…To train the next group of strong candidates, and during the next Final Selection, target that demon directly."
"Ah! Of course!" Rengoku declared, clapping his hands again.
"That strategy… does make sense," Kagaya murmured. "The question is—who shall we choose?"
"I already have candidates in mind," Hikaru replied.
"Giyu-san, what do you think?"
Giyu Tomioka—silent until now—slowly raised his head.
"What does this have to do with me?"
"…So there is someone even less self-aware than me," Muichiro Tokito mumbled under his breath.
"It has everything to do with you," Hikaru said with a sigh.
"My picks are—Kamado Tanjiro."
"Kamado…" Kagaya tilted his head slightly. "The boy Shinobu mentioned before?"
Shinobu smiled and nodded. "Yes. That's him."
Giyu's eyes widened.
"My other candidates are—Kanao Tsuyuri, the Insect Hashira's Tsuguko.
Zenitsu Agatsuma, the former Thunder Hashira's successor.
And Kamado Tanjiro, student of the previous Water Hashira."
"Those three."
Once he finished speaking, silence returned.
"…They are suitable," Kagaya said at last. "In both background and ability, they meet the requirements."
"No. I refuse."
The voice came from Giyu—firm and unyielding.
Every head turned toward him. Even Shinobu looked surprised; she had never seen Giyu speak with such force.
"Why, Giyu-san?" Kagaya asked, genuinely curious.
"Tanjiro's only trained for a year. He's not ready for something like this."
"That's exactly why this is the right time," Hikaru answered calmly.
He raised a hand and continued:
"Right now, the Final Selection has just ended. The demon in Mount Fujikasane will be at its most complacent."
"They've just feasted, just fought. Their guard will be down."
"And as for strength…"
"I believe those three are almost ready."
Hikaru stood.
"Even if they're not… I'll make sure they are."
A light breeze drifted through the courtyard.
Sunlight slipped between the clouds, its glow faintly bending in the air.
In the next heartbeat, Hikaru was standing at the edge of a garden pond.
He reached out, fingers wrapping around his sword's hilt.
The blade never fully left its sheath.
And yet—
A formless edge tore through the air.
A cold gleam flashed—then vanished.
The sword slid back into place without a sound.
"…What the hell did you just—" Sanemi began, but his words died in his throat.
His eyes widened. His breath caught.
The pond's surface rippled softly.
Then, as if by magic, the water split.
A clean line ran straight down the middle, revealing the mud and stones at the bottom.
"…Such purity of pressure…" Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, finally lifted his head. His stone-like face glistened with tears.
They fell silently, forming a small pool at his feet.
He spoke for the first time since greeting the Head of the Family at the start of the meeting.
In the quiet that followed… every Hashira stared at Hikaru in disbelief.
—One breath. One motion.
And the invisible blade had parted the water.
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