Chapter 51 – Choice
Hikaru's blade hadn't even been fully unsheathed—at least, that's how it looked to the naked eye. But with just the faint glint of steel slipping past the edge of the scabbard, he silently sliced through the water flowing across the courtyard.
It was a breathtaking sight, almost dreamlike.
To an ordinary person, it might've seemed like magic.
But for the Hashira—who stood at the peak of humanity in both strength and perception—it was clear that the blade had already been fully drawn and returned to its sheath.
The illusion stemmed purely from Hikaru's extraordinary speed.
Adding to the effect was his signature technique: Mirror Flower, Water Moon—a move that blurred the boundary between what was real and what was illusion. Even among the Hashira, few could fully decipher it.
What made it even more shocking was that this technique had evolved.
No longer just a move chained to the Breath of the Void, Mirror Flower, Water Moon had become a permanent state, a passive effect Hikaru could layer over any sword technique—amplifying their power and disorienting perception to an almost supernatural degree.
As his sword swung, the air itself trembled.
Wind carved through the garden, joining the direction of the stream and shape of the stone-lined pond, splitting the water cleanly into two curved walls before it came together again—gracefully, like a drawn bow, as if nothing had happened.
It was as though the blade had never left the sheath.
But the evidence was undeniable: a scar of perfect symmetry remained on the water's surface.
Of course, this wasn't just the result of Hikaru's strength alone.
The layout of the courtyard, the curve of the pond, the flow of water—all of it played a part.
And only someone with deep mastery of swordsmanship could instinctively use the terrain and surrounding elements as part of their technique.
The Hashira knew this well.
Sure, any of them could cleave the pond in two—or obliterate it entirely. But to create such natural beauty in motion, to blend seamlessly into the landscape... that was a mark of artistry, not just power.
This was what it meant to walk the line between technique and transcendence.
"Whoa… That was straight-up a swordsmanship performance!"
The Sound Hashira let out a loud whistle, his eyes glittering with excitement as he rocked back and forth like he couldn't stay still.
"I knew it! The guy who created the Hikaru-Style isn't your average swordsman!"
"Uuugh… so cool…"
The Love Hashira covered her blushing face with both hands, peeking through her fingers with sparkling eyes.
"A strong and handsome guy like that… who wouldn't fall for him?"
The Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, simply tilted her head slightly. She said nothing.
The rest of the Hashira remained silent.
Their silence, however, spoke volumes.
— — —
Hikaru turned and bowed respectfully toward Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Forgive me for acting without permission."
The soft-spoken leader smiled gently.
"No apology necessary. Your swordsmanship was enlightening for us all. Though I can't see it with my eyes… I could feel it, clearly."
Then, Hikaru's eyes shifted toward Giyu Tomioka.
"Since this was my suggestion… I'll take full responsibility."
"I'll make sure they grow strong enough to carry out that mission."
"So… does that answer satisfy you, Tomioka-san?"
Giyu opened his mouth to speak—but no words came out.
Mere strength wouldn't have been enough to convince him. But a technique honed this sharply, with understanding this deep, was more than enough to dispel any doubts.
Power could be gained with time.
But technique—that took dedication, comprehension, and discipline.
And so, the matter was settled—without any further resistance.
— — —
After that, under the watchful eyes of the Hashira, Hikaru began sharing everything he knew about Kibutsuji Muzan—including details about his subordinates.
"Thank you so much, Hikaru-san. This information… it will be invaluable to our plans moving forward."
Ubuyashiki's expression was visibly touched.
Even more so than the Hashira around him.
Because to him—to the Ubuyashiki Family—defeating Muzan wasn't just a mission.
It was a curse, a destiny that had been passed down for generations, spanning over a thousand years.
"Think of it as my small way of giving back," Hikaru replied calmly.
— — —
The sun had started to dip below the horizon, casting blood-red light across the stone courtyard by the time the Hashira meeting came to a close.
Just then, a messenger crow swooped down from the skies.
Hikaru raised his arm, and the crow landed gently on his forearm.
"By the way, Hikaru-san…"
Ubuyashiki called out before he could leave.
"If I recall correctly, you don't have a private residence within the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, do you?"
Hikaru shook his head.
"I don't need one. For now, I'll continue staying at the Butterfly Mansion. I've gotten used to it."
"I see… Very well."
Ubuyashiki nodded, maintaining his calm smile.
Though beneath the wide sleeve of his robe, his hand clenched silently, as if trying to suppress a quiet ache.
— — —
Leaving the courtyard, Hikaru made his way back toward the Butterfly Mansion.
Beneath the dangling wisteria flowers swaying gently in the evening breeze, a girl stood waiting.
The moment she spotted him, she jogged over with light steps.
"Looks like things went really well today, huh~ Hikaru-san~?"
Shinobu greeted him with a radiant smile. Her white dress fluttered like butterfly wings.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Kocho-san."
Hikaru replied with a playful grin.
"Y'know… you're kinda like my half-teacher now."
Shinobu blinked at him with an amused look.
"Wasn't I the one who first taught you Total Concentration Breathing: Constant?"
Under the rising moonlight, her violet-blue eyes sparkled faintly.
"But now… you've already surpassed me."
The night breeze danced, loosening a few wisteria petals.
Her eyes still held a smile—but deep within, there was something else.
A quiet, sinking feeling.
It was the same feeling she once had when she was younger—watching her older sister, Kanae, grow stronger and stronger, drawing nearer to the edge of danger… while she remained weak and powerless.
Shinobu hated that feeling.
— — —
"Oh, right. Almost forgot."
Sensing her emotional shift, Hikaru quickly pulled something from his pocket.
"This is a gift. I got it from a female doctor I met during my travels—she's insanely talented."
It was a medical journal, passed on to him by Tamayo.
Even while focusing on his swordsmanship, Hikaru had made time to study medicine over the past few days.
Thanks to his system, he had now reached F+ in Medical Knowledge.
"…A medical book?"
Shinobu looked surprised, then gently took it with both hands.
"I added lots of personal notes inside," Hikaru explained.
But before he could finish, Shinobu raised the book to her nose… and took a slow sniff.
In the dim twilight, her elegant face shifted.
Her expression turned… suspicious.
"…This smells like another woman."
Her eyes narrowed.
Still smiling.
Still serene.
Yet, the atmosphere turned ice-cold in an instant.
Hikaru swallowed hard and scrambled to explain the situation.
He might've added a few embellishments here and there to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
"So… a Demon who doesn't eat humans, huh?"
Shinobu tilted her head again, casually flipping through the pages of the book with a delicate smile.
"This book really is impressive. Thorough and insightful."
"I'm happy. Truly."
She closed the book and smiled sweetly, lips pressed together like a well-wrapped secret.
She really did appreciate the gift.
...Or at the very least, she enjoyed watching Hikaru squirm like that.
Either way—
Crisis averted.
Hikaru let out a long sigh of relief.
Though deep down… he still didn't really understand how things turned out like this.
— — —
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