"Big brother, there's no hurry about becoming sworn brothers. We'll have plenty of opportunities in the future," Tendo said with a laugh, slinging an arm over Kyojuro's shoulder.
"Then come to my house. I've already prepared a room for you."
"My mother keeps talking about you. Please allow me to thank you again for curing her illness!"
In recent years, Ruka Rengoku's condition had worsened, and the Demon Slayer Corps' medical division had been powerless to help—until Kyojuro brought back that bottle of medicine, which stabilized her condition.
For the Rengoku family, this had been like a heavy stone pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe.
It was no exaggeration to say that Tendo had swept away the gloom hanging over the Rengoku family. His status in their hearts had skyrocketed, almost rivaling that of the Master himself.
"Big brother, forget it. If you really see me as a brother, don't act like this."
"Rengoku, that glutton just loves meddling in other people's business. You'll get used to it!" Obanai's voice suddenly cut in. He was perched on a wooden fence as if floating in midair.
"Long time no see!"
"Mhm." Obanai nodded curtly, the epitome of an aloof male lead. "I'm off to train."
He had come just to see Tendo and had no other purpose.
Tendo and Kyojuro walked ahead with their arms around each other's shoulders, while Shinobu Kocho followed behind.
Boys' relationships are so strange. They've only just met, after all.
Shinobu couldn't make sense of their behavior.
Shinobu's destination was the medical division, while Tendo had been summoned by the Master.
After parting ways with Kyojuro, a member of the Kakushi led him toward the Master's residence.
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, the highest level of secrecy was reserved for the Swordsmith Village, while the Master's residence was the second-most confidential location.
After winding through a labyrinth of forest paths, the Kakushi member brought Tendo to a clearing.
The clearing was square, with trees trimmed identically on all sides. Standing at its center, one could hardly tell north from south.
Even the Kakushi guide only remembered the section of the path he was responsible for—getting lost here was all too easy.
"Tendo-sensei, please wait here. A Kasugai Crow will guide you the rest of the way."
The black-uniformed, masked Kakushi member spoke warmly, bowing slightly. It was his first time seeing the Master summon such a young swordsman.
He couldn't help but feel a measure of respect—after all, every swordsman who fought on the front lines deserved reverence.
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you in the future!"
Tendo smiled gratefully as he watched the Kakushi member leave.
A short while later, a Kasugai Crow burst through the dense foliage, carrying a black blindfold in its beak.
"Please cover your eyes. Only the Hashira are permitted to know the location of Oyakata-sama's residence." The crow spoke with an oddly refined tone, exceedingly polite.
"Got it!" Tendo complied.
"Now, take three steps to your left, then walk straight ahead!"
"Follow my instructions from here!"
The crow flew ahead while Tendo followed behind, not a single leaf brushing against him the entire way.
Blindfolding himself actually helped sharpen his senses—why not take advantage of it?
About an hour later, the crow commanded him to stop. Tendo removed the blindfold and found himself facing a towering "wall."To be precise, it was a man as towering as a mountain, his muscles so perfectly sculpted they seemed to gleam—impossible to achieve even with a decade's worth of gym membership.
Those were superhuman muscles, polished to perfection.
Sensing Tendo's unusual presence, Himejima Gyomei turned around.
Tendo looked up and met those sightless white eyes. Despite the man's blindness, he felt an uncanny sensation of being watched.
This was the future eldest brother of the Nine Hashira, the Stone Hashira whose physical prowess had been honed to its limits—Himejima Gyomei.
At this time, Gyomei was only nineteen years old. Aside from his slightly youthful appearance, his attire was much the same as Tendo remembered.
A giant in monk's garb, with an extremely long scar running across his forehead. Over his black-brown Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he wore a brown kesa inscribed with the words "Namu Amida Butsu."
"Sir, what brings you here?"
"Namu Amida Butsu!"
Without thinking, Tendo clasped his hands together and replied with a smile, "Hello, I am Tendo Kazama, summoned by the Master to pay my respects."
"You are quite extraordinary!"
Gyomei blurted it out almost immediately. Being blind, he relied entirely on his perception to understand the world, and this was the first time he had encountered someone who resonated on the same wavelength as him.
He could sense that the person before him wasn't particularly strong—at least not yet. But in the future, he might surpass him.
"You flatter me. We are all born to slay the demons of this world!"
Though Tendo's voice was youthful, the conviction in his words was anything but weak.
"Slay the demons!"
Hearing this, Gyomei couldn't help but shed tears.
"Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyomei!" he introduced himself directly.
Thus, the two future strongest warriors of the Demon Slayer Corps met for the first time.
Just then, the mansion's gates swung open, and Amane Ubuyashiki stood at the entrance with a gentle smile.
"You two, please come into the courtyard!"
"Lady Amane, congratulations!"
"It's the scent of new life—sniff, sniff!"
Gyomei clasped his hands together, moved to tears.
"Hello, I am—"
Amane's eyes flashed with surprise and delight, but she quickly interrupted Tendo, her smile widening.
"Tendo, may I call you that?"
"Senior Shinazugawa said so!"
"Oh my!"
"So you already know each other? Then I won't say more, hehe!"
So the old man had already paved the way. Not bad.
Amane gestured for them to enter, and the two followed her into the courtyard.
The moment they stepped inside, a soothing voice reached them.
"Ah, it's Gyomei and Tendo!"
The instant he heard that voice, Tendo felt his mind grow light, an inexplicable urge to submit rising within him.
But it lasted only a moment before he suppressed the strange sensation.
Looking up toward the pavilion not far away, he saw a young man in white sitting quietly, a calico cat cradled in his arms.
Without a doubt, this was the Demon Slayer Corps' sole charmer, the Master who had everyone's unwavering loyalty—Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Tendo had to admit, Kagaya truly possessed the aura of a leader.
"Oyakata-sama!"
Gyomei knelt on one knee, his tone filled with reverence.
Tendo gave a slight bow and said with a smile, "Master, I am Tendo—"
"Tendo Kazama. I've been looking forward to meeting you."
"Meeting you in person is even better than hearing about you. Hello, I am the 97th head of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.""Senior Kuwajima said you're quite free-spirited, so please just act as you like!"
If Tendo hadn't known the story well, he might have truly been won over by Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
As the head of the Ubuyashiki family and the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, his status was noble, yet he carried himself without arrogance—gentle and kind to all, completely devoid of the haughtiness typical of those in high positions.
"Since the boss has spoken, I'll just go with the flow!"
"May I ask why you summoned me?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled faintly and replied, "I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time. That's all!"
Tendo: "???"
Just to meet me? What on earth did my old man tell him?
Is it because I'm too handsome?
Or because I'm too much of a genius?
As Tendo's thoughts ran wild, Kagaya Ubuyashiki walked toward him.