Wind Hashira nodded slightly, acknowledging the greeting.
Water Hashira then spoke, his voice steady.
"Is this the new Sound Hashira, Yasui Ryosuke? Indeed, heroes emerge young! I am Water Hashira, Mizukawa Shizuru."
"Wind Hashira, Shimada Tsuyoshi," Wind Hashira said concisely.
"Yasui Ryosuke, it's a pleasure to meet both of you."
Ryosuke bowed neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
At this moment, Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his wife Amane slowly emerged from behind the corridor.
All the Hashira present immediately restrained their presence and bowed respectfully.
"Master!"
"Everyone, there is no need for such formality."
Kagaya's voice remained gentle.
His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Ryosuke, a look of relief on his face.
"Everyone is here. This is Yasui Ryosuke, who single-handedly slayed the lower rank four Mukago in Yuepu Town half a month ago. From today onwards, he officially assumes the position of Sound Hashira."
Ryosuke stepped forward again, bowing solemnly to Kagaya and his colleagues.
"Yasui Ryosuke will do his utmost to eliminate all demons and protect the people!"
Kagaya smiled and nodded, then asked with concern, "Mr. Ryosuke, have your injuries fully healed?"
"Thank you for your concern, Master. I am fine now."
Ryosuke replied, his gaze unconsciously sweeping across the room, a look of confusion on his face.
"Master, may I ask why Mr. Rengoku Shinjuro is not present?"
At the mention of Shinjuro, the atmosphere in the courtyard froze for a moment.
Kagaya sighed softly, his voice low.
"Mr. Ryosuke doesn't know yet... Mr. Shinjuro's wife, Lady Ruka, passed away a few days ago..."
Ryosuke's heart sank upon hearing this.
What was bound to happen had happened.
Despite his earlier premonition, hearing the news firsthand still brought a tightness to his chest.
The medical standards of this era were, after all, limited. If not for the system, his own dilapidated body would have given out long ago.
For Lady Shinjuro's chronic illness, which had plagued her for many years, no one could do anything.
He just thought of that man, as fiery and unyielding as a flame, now enduring the pain of losing his wife.
Thinking of Kyoujurou and Senjuro losing their mother, Ryosuke's mood became exceptionally heavy.
He couldn't let Shinjuro wallow in despair... No matter what, he had to go see him!
Even if it was just for Kyoujurou, he had to try.
Ryosuke silently made up his mind.
Kagaya seemed to read his thoughts and said nothing more, continuing to preside over the meeting.
The meeting's agenda primarily involved summarizing the past year's mission status, Squad Member casualties, changes in demon activity areas, and a list of promising Squad Members.
Unsurprisingly, Mount Sagiri, a place of authority, produced many talented individuals.
Afterward, Kagaya began to reallocate the jurisdiction of each Hashira.
Yes, each Hashira had a corresponding territory that required patrols, investigations, and high-intensity missions to slay demons.
This was also the daily routine and responsibility of a Hashira.
Due to the current Water Hashira Mizukawa Shizuru's advanced age and declining energy.
A portion of Mount Sagiri, originally under his responsibility, was now assigned to Ryosuke and Himejima Gyomei for joint patrol.
Ryosuke had no objections to this arrangement.
Mount Sagiri was Urokodaki Sakonji's territory, and Sabito, Giyuu, Obanai, and the Kanae sisters were all there.
Both for public and private reasons, he would definitely need to visit frequently to supervise those future stars, and taking charge of the area was perfectly suitable.
Himejima also nodded silently.
As the meeting neared its end, Ryosuke recalled a proposal he had been contemplating for a while and spoke up.
"Master, everyone, I have a proposal."
Everyone's gaze focused on him.
"When I was carrying out Mr. Himejima's requested mission, I rescued a pair of sisters named Kochou Kanae and Kochou Shinobu. They come from a pharmacy and are skilled in pharmacology."
Everyone was momentarily stunned.
In this era, medical personnel were undoubtedly scarce talent!
Ryosuke continued, "Our Demon Slayer Corps Squad Members constantly battle demons, suffering heavy casualties."
"Many Squad Members sacrifice their lives because they don't receive timely and effective treatment, or they are left with irreparable sequelae, leading to a reduction in combat power."
Ryosuke looked around at everyone, his tone solemn.
"I believe we urgently need to establish a dedicated medical institution, centralizing excellent physicians and medicinal resources, to ensure that injured Squad Members can receive the best treatment as soon as possible."
"This is crucial for maintaining our combat strength."
Himejima, hearing this, recited a Buddhist chant.
"Namu Amida Butsu... Mr. Yasui is absolutely right. If timely treatment can be provided, many tragedies could perhaps be avoided."
Wind Hashira Shimada Tsuyoshi and Water Hashira Mizukawa Shizuru also nodded thoughtfully.
They had experienced too many helpless situations where comrades died from untreated injuries, and they deeply understood this.
"Mr. Ryosuke's suggestion is very timely and useful."
A glimmer of appreciation flashed in Kagaya's eyes, and he said gently.
"Since the Butterfly Sisters were rescued by you and are familiar with you, I will have to trouble Mr. Ryosuke to make another trip to Mount Sagiri to discuss with Mr. Urokodaki and the Butterfly Sisters."
"If they agree, the Ubuyashiki Family will fully support it and implement it as soon as possible."
Ryosuke secretly clicked his tongue.
Well, I just got back, and now I'm being assigned territories and missions, and now I have to be a lobbyist... Even a donkey on a production team shouldn't be worked this hard!
From today onwards! My name is not Yasui Ryosuke!
My name is Yasui Beast of Burden!
Although he grumbled internally, Ryosuke also understood the importance of this matter.
Furthermore, he was indeed the most suitable person to persuade the Butterfly Sisters to establish the Butterfly Mansion.
Ryosuke nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Master."
The Hashira Meeting concluded.
As everyone was about to leave, Kagaya called out to Ryosuke.
"Mr. Ryosuke, if you're not in a hurry, would you mind accompanying me for a walk?"
Ryosuke gave a wry smile.
I, Yasui Beast of Burden, am very busy right now, big brother!
He thought this, but still had to show respect to his superior.
"It would be my honor, Master."
The afterglow of the setting sun painted the courtyard in a warm golden hue.
Kagaya, accompanied by Ryosuke, strolled along the long corridor.
"Mr. Ryosuke, are you going to the Rengoku Family later?"
"Yes."
Ryosuke nodded: "Mr. Shinjuro is both my mentor and friend, and he saved my life. I must go."
"That's good..."
Kagaya nodded: "I didn't want you to take on so much work, but you can see the current situation."
Ryosuke rubbed his chin, giving an awkward smile.
In short, it meant there was no one else to use, right?
The two walked past the long corridor and arrived at the back garden villa.
Surprisingly, it was a graveyard here.
"This is..." Ryosuke was startled.
"These are all the fallen Squad Members of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Kagaya lowered his gaze and said softly, "They served the Demon Slayer Corps in life, and they deserve a place of rest in death."
Ryosuke fell silent.
Kagaya remembered the name of every fallen Squad Member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
After seeing this graveyard, Ryosuke understood that this was by no means false modesty.
The wisteria flowers around were blooming beautifully.
Kagaya said nothing, took a piece of coarse cloth, and personally swept the graves of these Squad Members.
Ryosuke sighed and stepped forward to help.
Whether out of humanitarianism or something else, he couldn't just stand by and watch.
After all, the leader was already working, could you really just sit there and drink tea?
Things like 'when the leader serves food, I spin the table,' 'when the leader opens the door, I get in the car first,' 'when the leader speaks, I speak first.'
These were just jokes; in a real workplace, few people would actually do that.
Of course, cute little idiots are an exception ~
Ryosuke also understood that as peers, Kagaya bore far more than he did.
The family's expectations, the curse of not living past thirty, the daily management of the Demon Slayer Corps, and having children with Amane... Kagaya wanted to defeat Muzan, to end his destiny there.
No one wants to die before thirty, no one wants to die with regrets and unwillingness.
Kagaya stopped his movements, clenched his fists, and his eyes revealed hope.
"Mr. Ryosuke... everything, I entrust to you."