Gyomei listened to identify position. Nimbly avoided his deep bow. Turned sideways frowning.
"Lord Kuwajima, hearing what Kaigaku did in the past—do you still intend to shield this person?"
I roughly understood why this matter escalated to me.
Just that Kuwajima looked quite pitiful. I didn't speak for a moment. First gave him time to finish speaking.
"Yes, I understand how grave a mistake that child made in the past. But I hope you two can give him another chance."
This old man kept prostrating on the tatami. Never willing to rise. Insisted: "He was young then. Made mistakes in a moment of confusion. Now he already knows he was wrong. That child followed me diligently studying Breathing. Also worked hard to slay demons. Please give him a chance to reform."
His tone reminded me of Keizo. Once upon a time, he also said to me so firmly: "Hakuji has turned over a new leaf. I'll guarantee it with my life!"
Indeed. Though he'd been gone many years, Hakuji still hadn't disappointed his expectations. Lived upright and honorably.
Then what about this youth? Could he bear the expectations his teacher had for him?
I glanced at Gyomei. His expression seemed somewhat softened. But remained silent. Clearly still somewhat insistent.
However, if I insisted on keeping this youth, Gyomei wouldn't object further.
But the key issue—
"Expelling him from the Demon Slayer Corps now, I'll only cripple his meridians so he can't grip a sword again. But he'll still have the ability to make a living."
Usually expelling a Corps member wasn't this strict. But people with criminal records being driven out—I absolutely couldn't let them leave with swordsmanship inheriting Breathing.
However, I wasn't that cruel either. Wouldn't destroy their ability to care for themselves. Just made their dominant hand unable to grip swords.
This was my responsibility toward ordinary people. If Kaigaku were to be expelled from the Demon Slayer Corps, he couldn't escape this either.
"Kuwajima, I can agree to keep Kaigaku." I said. "But you should know—what price must you pay?"
"If one day he betrays his human position, turns toward demons, raises his blade against the weak and innocent—his fate will only be death."
And as Kaigaku's guarantor, Kuwajima must also bear responsibility. Atone with death.
Even so, would he still bet that youth would become better?
Kuwajima pressed his head against the back of his hands. Unwavering: "Yes, this old one is willing to guarantee with my life. If one day Kaigaku violates Corps regulations, I'm willing to commit seppuku in atonement."
He was so resolute. I scrutinized for a moment. Still slowly nodded. "Good. Remember your oath."
After resolving this matter, Kuwajima left.
But Gyomei still wasn't happy.
I brought out sweets to share with him. He wouldn't eat.
Sat there sighing deeply for a while. Then sighed: "If Kaigaku truly betrays the Demon Slayer Corps, harms the innocent—what use is punishing him?"
He was right too. More than punishing Kaigaku, Gyomei hoped those innocently slaughtered children could come back to life.
But Kuwajima, as a retired Thunder Hashira, staking his own life as guarantee—no one could flatly deny his request for an unknown future.
I grabbed a handful of roasted peas. Started crunching away.
"Does Kuwajima only have this one disciple?"
Gyomei shook his head slightly. "He has another young disciple. Recently passed the Final Selection."
"How's his character?"
"I don't know much. However, the Butterfly's letter didn't mention anything bad."
Meaning his character was basically acceptable. No major problems.
I continued crunching peas. "Ultimately this is Thunder Breathing's private matter. The duty of supervising his senior—naturally should be borne by his junior disciple."
I felt as a person—or rather as a demon—the most important thing was knowing how to use people well.
If you thought about doing everything yourself, you'd either die from exhaustion or stupidity.
But before handing this over, I still had to personally observe what kind of person Kuwajima's young disciple, Agatsuma Zenitsu, was.
This former Thunder Hashira's judgment couldn't be so poor that both successors he picked were unreliable, right?
Daifuku flew everywhere helping me gather information. Finally learned this young disciple of Kuwajima's had been traveling with Tanjiro recently.
Traveling with them was also Inosuke.
Sounded quite coincidental. But thinking they were from the same batch, didn't feel surprising.
Barring accidents, new recruits' missions were usually arranged in the same region.
Both to let them integrate into the group without barriers, and to let them gradually learn mutual assistance.
So Corps members from the same batch usually became good friends. Unless their social skills were truly abysmal.
After all, even Giyuu had two mischievous friends who loved bullying him.
Walking along the road, I still pondered—if Agatsuma Zenitsu couldn't do it, handing this to Ritsuka wasn't impossible either.
That child always had vigorous energy and amazing initiative. Monitoring a youth would be easy as pie for her.
Making this a backup plan, I began inquiring where Tanjiro and the others had run off to.
Daifuku flew away. After most of the day, came back. Chirped to me that they'd accepted a nearby support mission and entered the mountains.
But Daifuku also said the crows in that area seemed panicked. Messages were chaotic.
According to the information it obtained, what lurked in those mountains should be one of the Twelve Kizuki. Already lost quite a few Corps members. Originally shouldn't have sent three rookies for support.
Though Daifuku also said a Hashira for support was already en route, I still felt uneasy and went to check myself.
Setting aside Agatsuma Zenitsu for now—both Tanjiro and Inosuke had great potential... If they died so easily because of the Twelve Kizuki, my heart would ache.
I was relatively far from there. So the supporting Hashira would arrive before me.
The logistics Kakushi had already entered the mountains and started busying themselves. Rescuing victims one by one.
A Kakushi fairly familiar with me heard my purpose. Then pointed at a boy lying on a stretcher, both hands shriveled like an infant's.
"That's Corps Member Agatsuma."
Agatsuma Zenitsu wailed loudly. His piercing cries made my ears throb with pain.
The Kakushi beside me immediately considerately pulled out a pair of earplugs and handed them to me.
After putting them on, the noise finally diminished considerably.
Don't know how this child could burst out such shrill sounds. Too unfriendly to an old person's ears and heart.
I watched him cry on the stretcher, face covered in tears and snot. Still decided to postpone his matter.
Heard Inosuke was also injured. Already taken down the mountain.
The only one still missing in the mountains was Tanjiro.
Kagaya sent Giyuu and Shinobu. They'd already entered the mountains to search for demon traces and check for any overlooked survivors.
I continued walking into the mountains. Suddenly heard a pattering of footsteps. A small figure dragging loose clothing ran toward my direction in large strides.
Chasing relentlessly behind that figure was precisely Kanao.
Looking more carefully—wasn't the one she was hunting Nezuko!
Hm? Kagaya still hadn't told everyone about Nezuko?
Ah, right. Previously busy with various matters. Seemed indeed hadn't found a good opportunity to mention this to the Hashira.
I jumped in front of Nezuko. She couldn't stop in time. Crashed straight into my arms. Looked up confused. Blinked at me.
Seeing me, Kanao stopped. Expression still somewhat confused and puzzled.
"Put down your sword, Kanao." I picked up Nezuko. She nestled obediently in my arms. "Regarding these siblings, I'll give an explanation."
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