Tanjuro looked up at the sound of footsteps on the tatami mats beyond the door.
A figure in a black yukata with a white undershirt that was tied with a woven brown obi emerges. He also wore a white kimono with a flame-like pattern, like Minato Hokage's robe, over his yukata.
As if to welcome this man, the birds sang their songs, and the flowing river joined the symphony that echoed in the mountains.
"Everyone."
"It's been half a year since we last met."
His voice, soft and gentle as a spring breeze, reached every member in the meeting.
His black hair swayed gently, but his face was obscured by a purple rot that stretched from his forehead.
The rot covered his left drooped eye, and its pupil was gray and white. While the right eye is still able to see from its deep purple pupil that scanned the crowd in the courtyard, though it seems only a matter of time before the rot covers the right eye too.
His two children closed the sliding door and walked to his side as they reached out their hands to support him as they sat down.
"My lovely children." He smiles.
"How have you all been during this time?"
This is the [Head of the Demon Slayer Corps, Ubuyashiki Kagaya].
Thump! x6
As soon as Kagaya finished speaking, the six Hashira of the Corps immediately paid respect to their great leader.
They bent one of their knees while using the other one to rest their hands, similar to how a ninja kneels.
Even Obanai, who had been relaxing under the shades, quickly jumped into action and knelt before the master of the mansion.
"We are well."
Sanemi's tone of voice changes from rude and dismissive to more respectful. He raised his eyes to look at Kagaya.
"But it is most relieving to see you in excellent health, Oyakata-sama."
"We sincerely pray for your increased happiness!" x6
'So, this is... Oyakata-sama?'
Murata's stomach gurgled as he knelt down beside Giyu; nervousness broke him into a cold sweat.
After realizing that the meeting of the Hashira was about to start, Murata didn't dare to look up to observe his master.
Thus, he lowered his head and focused on the ants on the ground and calmed his breathing.
"..."
Kyojuro was sitting in a dogeza position since he was startled by the other Hashira; his expression was serious and solemn as he placed his hands on his knees.
Today is the first time Kyojuro had ever attended the Hashira's meeting in place of his father, so he was a little lost on what to do.
He didn't have to switch his posture as he felt the faint gaze of the other Hashiras, so he straightened his back, staring ahead with a confident gaze.
His red flame-like hair shone brightly in the sun.
Thump.
Tanjuro sat down next to Kyojuro in a cross-legged position.
As a woodcutter from the mountains who was weak and sickly, he couldn't kneel for long like these kids.
Tanjuro smiled at Kyojuro, seeing how clumsily he handled himself in these meetings. He thought that if he had a "companion" who was clumsy like himself, it wouldn't sting as much.
Kyojuro is an honest guy. Seeing a stranger willingly share themself in a sheepish situation like Tanjuro makes him emotional.
'Kamado-san! You're a good man!'
Tanjuro shifted his eyes and focused on Kagaya on the veranda.
Kagaya's appearance is exactly like the Demon Slayer work media in his previous life, albeit with a few differences.
Since they are still three years from the original timeline, the Ubuyashiki family curse hasn't consumed Kagaya's sight.
In fact, the original nine Hashira was still missing three of its members.
Mist, Love, and Flame.
Even if the last one sends in an interim to act in his stead.
Thus, the strength of the Demon Slayer Corps is far from as powerful as it was in his memory.
Though, Tanjuro could roughly guess as to why Kagaya wanted him to attend the Hashira's meeting.
"Thank you, Sanemi."
Kagaya's undamaged eye stares at Sanemi, and he smiles, happy to see them in good health too.
But there is some guilt in it, as he knew what he explained in this meeting would increase the additional workload of everyone involved.
"You have all performed admirably in every task I asked of you."
"However, the situation has become more precarious."
"So please forgive me in advance."
Kagaya lowered his head slightly as he expressed his apology and helplessness.
"Oyakata-sama!"
"You don't have to do that!"
"This is our duty as protectors of humanity!"
"That's right!"
The Hashiras were anxious with Kagaya's apology.
Only Shinobu didn't express her voice, but her expression changed slowly from smiling to poker-faced. The hand on her haori clenched tight.
Sanemi frowned as he took in his master's distress and thought it was better to move the topic of the conversation along.
"Oyakata-sama."
"Forgive me for being so bold, but..."
His gaze turned in the direction of Kyojuro, fierce and angry.
"Why is there an unknown swordsman here instead of the Flame Hashira himself, Rengoku Shinjuro?"
"What happened?"
Hearing his anticipated question, Kyojuro raised his head and answered firmly.
"My father—"
"Silence!"
Sanemi interrupted. His eyes narrowed on this perceived insolence.
"Who told you to speak!"
"Don't make things difficult for him, Sanemi." Kagaya gestured with his hand to calm down.
"Today's topic also includes the situation with Shinjuro and what decision we should make regarding it."
Then, with effortless charisma, Kagaya smiles at Kyojuro and encourages him to share his report.
"You must be worried about your father." His voice was gentle and invoked soothing feelings in those who heard him.
"Please, can you tell us what he was like at home?"
Kyojuro had to take a moment to collect himself. His head was buzzing with dizziness, and his heart was filled with giddiness.
'Oyakata-sama…! His reputation precedes him!'
The special timbre is called the 1/f fluctuation in modern terms.
The ability only the charismatic people have and are capable of moving the mass public.
Kyojuro quickly snapped himself back to his senses and explained.
"My father..."
"Since the death of my mother, Father has lost all his fighting spirit."
"At first, he would bring alcohol with us when we went on missions."
"But now, he often locks himself in his room, drinks heavily all day, and no longer goes out."
There was a moment of silence as everyone processed this information.
"Aaahh... what a pity... Namu Amidha Butsu."
Gyomei held up his Buddhist beads as he put his hands together in a prayer. Tears of sorrow flowed from the corners of his eyes.
"In that case, Shinjuro-san might not be able to continue as the Flame Hashira."
Tengen said in a controlled voice, the sparkling gemstone ornaments swaying with his head movement.
"I think he should retire now."
"There's no benefit to keeping a guy like that around, and it's going to hurt our morale."