The surrounding wisteria provided cover for the mansion, but little sunlight could still pierce through the foliage, giving it a serene atmosphere.
Tanjuro saw an elegant and traditional roof over the white wall. Several trees are planted near the entrance, which consist of wisteria and bonsai trees.
He could already imagine the inside with a wide garden and fish pond. A river flowed by the side of the mansion, providing a stable and abundant source of water.
It is a perfect location for a headquarters of a massive organization that fights against the supernaturals. Hidden, isolated, and surrounded by natural protections against demons.
Knock, knock.
Giyu stood at the entrance and stretched out his hand to knock on the door.
"Excuse me, this is Tomioka Giyu, the Water Hashira."
Murata stood behind Tanjuro, a little nervous, but couldn't help but peer around since it was his first time here.
Creak...
The door of the mansion was slowly opened, its edge leaving a track on the pebbled ground.
Tanjuro looked over and saw a young girl with white shoulder-length hair styled into a blunt bob. There is also a sported red ribbon on the left side of her head.
This is Hinaki Ubuyashiki, the oldest daughter of the quintuplet twins of the Ubuyashiki family.
She doesn't seem to be older than 8 years old, but her gaze was already more empty than the most traumatic veterans.
The girl took a glance at Giyu, then at Tanjuro, and nodded.
"Nice to meet you."
She turned around and motioned for the trio to follow her inside. Her tone of voice seems much older than her belied age suggests, and she has a composure to match.
"All the Hashiras have arrived. Please, follow me."
Giyu and Tanjuro followed closely behind, while Murata was more timid.
---
---
Hinaki led them to the open courtyard at the other side of the mansion.
"Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu, Kanoe-rank Masashi Murata, and Kamado Tanjuro have arrived."
She announced to the people kneeling in two rows that the head position was to be filled in by her father.
Her statement seemed to open the pandemonium as the Hashiras took in the newcomers.
Murata was immediately frightened. In his bones, he knew he would just be prey under their gaze should he ever be on the opposite side, demon or not.
'So scary! And yet, such an amazing aura!'
As Murata was lost in his scaremaze feelings, Tanjuro took in his surroundings and unconsciously opened the Transparent World. Seeing so many formidable swordsmen cranked up his vigilance by a hundredfold.
"Hm?"
"Is that the guy?"
A white-haired man with a tall, broad-shouldered, and incredibly muscular body and an attractive face scrutinized Tanjuro.
He is carrying two curved cleavers on his back. Glittering gem ornaments and pendants on the man's headband swayed as he moved his head.
After he looked at Tanjuro up and down, his face showed disappointment.
"He looks... very weak."
"So different from what I imagined."
"Not flamboyant at all." He couldn't help but murmur softly.
This is the [Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen.]
"Hey!"
Another man wearing a white haori with the character "Kill" written in black on his back and a ferocious expression and a body full of scars, especially the crisscrossed shaped one on his chest, can be seen from his opened uniform.
"Is there some kind of mistake here!?"
He stood up and made his way to Tanjuro.
"The Corps don't need weaklings!"
"Not now and not in the future!"
His impulsiveness and rude, dismissive behavior instantly earn him a villain title as he provokes Tanjuro while drawing his blade from its scabbard.
The pale green blade was pointed straight at Tanjuro as he stopped just a few inches from stabbing him. His hand was clenched tightly as veins burst out along his arm.
"You're pissing me off!"
This is the [Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi.]
"Shinazugawa."
A large, tall, strong, muscular man wearing a monk's robe spoke.
He is holding his hands together in prayer with a string of red coral beads in his hands. His face was melancholy as he sat cross-legged, chanting the holy scriptures.
"Put your sword away; don't be rude."
"Oyakata-sama is coming soon."
His eyes were pure white, indicating his blindness, as well as a head full of hair, not unlike any traditional monk. A hideous scar ran across his forehead.
This is the [Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyomei.]
Sanemi heard the chastisement and narrowed his eyes. He keeps his gaze on Tanjuro, weighing whether he should continue or not. In the end, he snorted coldly and turned up his nose while sheathing his sword back.
He also gave Giyu a fierce glare as if he just noticed him.
Click.
"Sorry, Himejima-san."
A silence passed for a while until it was broken again.
"I remember Urokodaki-san said that Kamado Tanjuro had strength close to that of a Hashira."
The man wore a black and white striped haori, the lower half of his face was wrapped in bandages, a white snake coiled around his neck, and he had heterochromatic pupils.
He was taking shade under the pine tree. His tone of voice was indifferent to the antics of his fellow members.
"I don't know how Urokodaki-san came to that conclusion, but I believe he has reasons why this man has such strength."
This is the [Snake Hashira, Iguro Obanai.]
"Nee, Nee, Tomioka-san."
A head poked out from between Murata and Giyu, startling the former. She has a pretty smile, and her purple-tipped hair is held back in a ponytail with a butterfly hair clip.
"Tomioka-san, you're the last one to arrive this time."
She said as she poked Giyu's upper arm. Her clothes consist of a dark-purple-tinted variation of the Corps uniform with a special haori that reflected light with a thin black line running through it, resembling the folded wings of a butterfly.
She was smiling at Giyu, while the man didn't react to her at all. This made her pout as she increased her poke.
Tsun tsun. Tsun tsun.
This is the [Insect Hashira, Kocho Shinobu.]
Another member stepped up.
This kid wore the standard uniform for the Corps; his face was full of excitement and confidence.
"Umu!"
His golden hair with red edges shone in the sun, and under his thick black eyebrows were a pair of bright red irises and gold eyes.
He crossed his arms as he took in Tanjuro's full figure, radiating faith and trust. His voice was booming in the courtyard.
"You must be Kamado-san!"
This is [Tsuguko Rank, Rengoku Kyojuro.]
The future Flame Hashira.
As if burned by the positivity, Sanemi couldn't help but want to barf at the aura Kyojuro was emitting. Rage veins popped on his forehead. He was about to shout when he heard the soft tap from the veranda.
From the house, a boy with black hair and a girl with white hair walked out to meet this prestigious group of people.
They stood together as their ethereal voices sounded together.
"Oyakata-sama is here."