Seeing everyone look at him, Kaito didn't show the slightest nervousness, observing Kagaya Ubuyashiki with a calm smile.
'Is this Kagaya Ubuyashiki? The curse has really left its mark on him.'
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat before Kaito with neat, medium-length black hair. His face, wrapped in bandages, was severely disfigured, and he was blind. Yet even so, a gentle smile still lingered on his lips, with not a trace of pain on his face.
'What a resilient leader. No wonder the Demon Slayer Corps members respect him so much. His charisma is truly something else.'
"Hehe, Kaito-san, this is your first visit, and I am already being discourteous. Unfortunately, I am blind and cannot see your face. Please, have a seat!"
At Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words, a nearby servant brought a cushion, placed it before Kaito, bowed slightly, and withdrew.
Kaito sat down cross-legged without ceremony.
"Anata, Kaito-san has taken his seat."
Amane Ubuyashiki, with her white hair and delicate features, whispered a quiet reminder into her husband's ear.
"Hehe, then let us get straight to the point. Kaito-san, what do you say?"
"Of course. The guest follows the host's lead."
Kaito replied directly.
"I read Kanae's letter. She said you could help the Demon Slayer Corps kill Kibutsuji Muzan. Is that true?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki went straight to what mattered most.
"Yes, it is true. Kibutsuji Muzan is nothing to me. No matter how deeply he hides, I can find him and kill him."
"But I would like to know what I receive in return for helping you eliminate him."
Kaito was no selfless saint. He had agreed to Kanae Kocho's request and come here to meet Kagaya Ubuyashiki, but helping for nothing would make him seem cheap. Besides, he already had something in mind.
"Then, Kaito-san, what is it that you want? As long as Kibutsuji Muzan can be killed, I will give you my life if you ask for it."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki replied with complete composure.
"Oyakata-sama!" x9
Every Hashira in the room drew a sharp breath.
"Oyakata-sama! If it requires your life, I would rather go and fight Muzan myself!"
Rengoku Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira, called out anxiously.
"Yes, Oyakata-sama! Such a victory would not be flamboyant at all!"
Uzui Tengen, the Sound Hashira, followed immediately.
The remaining Hashira all voiced the same — they would rather face Muzan themselves than allow Kagaya Ubuyashiki to trade his life for the outcome.
"I don't want your life. What I want is the Demon Slayer Corps itself, every member included, yourself among them."
"What?! You bastard!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi, the Wind Hashira, couldn't contain himself. He shot to his feet and moved to strike Kaito for his audacity.
Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly.
A crushing pressure instantly swept through the entire room.
Everyone except the Ubuyashiki couple and Kanae Kocho, whom Kaito deliberately spared, was pushed down by the force, unable to move. Those who had been kneeling were now flat against the floor.
"I can't breathe!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi ground out the words from where he was pinned.
"So heavy… I cannot move at all."
Tomioka Giyuu, the Water Hashira, was equally immobilised.
"Kaito-sama, please calm down!"
Kanae Kocho quickly spoke up.
"Are you taking yourselves too seriously, and me not seriously enough? I am speaking with your Oyakata-sama. Is it your place to interrupt?"
His meaning was plain: their Master had not yet spoken, and already his subordinates were shouting to fight and kill. If he did not make a point of it now, they would never understand what they were dealing with.
In truth, Kaito hadn't fully noticed how commanding his own behaviour had become. It was, perhaps, an inevitable shift that came with power.
"Kaito-san, please calm your anger first. I apologise to you on their behalf."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, supported by his wife, rose and bowed deeply.
Seeing this, Kaito withdrew his pressure. He held a quiet respect for someone who could regard his own life and death so lightly.
The air in the room instantly eased, and everyone drew long, gasping breaths.
"I will show some consideration for Kagaya-dono. You are unwell, so please, sit back down."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki settled back into his seat with his wife's help and said:
"Kaito-san, do you mean you wish to gain the loyalty of the entire Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Yes. You can understand it that way."
"If Kibutsuji Muzan is eliminated, there will be no more demons in this world, and the Demon Slayer Corps will have no further reason to exist. What use would their loyalty be to you then?"
"It is like this…"
Kaito explained the Slime World and why he needed the Demon Slayer Corps in terms they could follow.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki listened, then said:
"So you intend to establish a nation in that world, but currently lack the people to do it, which is why you need our Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Exactly. And if you come to that world, you will find a new kind of life waiting for you. That world has no shortage of enemies far worse than Muzan."
"I can also cure the curse that has ravaged your body. What do you think?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was quiet for a moment. Then he addressed the Hashira:
"How do all of you feel? I will not force anyone who does not wish to go."
"Oyakata-sama, your decision is my decision!"
"I swear to follow Master wherever he leads!"
Every Hashira present expressed their willingness to follow Kagaya Ubuyashiki to the Slime World without hesitation.
Kaito, reading the room, asked:
"It seems you have made up your mind?"
"Yes. I have decided. Perhaps stepping into a new world is itself a new beginning."
Kaito stood, walked to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and extended his right hand with a smile:
"Then, please take care of me from now on, Kagaya!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki rose with his wife's support, extended his right hand, and clasped Kaito's warmly:
"Please take care of me as well, Kaito-san!"
At this, every Hashira rose, knelt on one knee, bowed their heads, and called out together:
"Please take care of us from now on, Kaito-sama!" x9
"Hahahaha! Everyone, stand up. I am not one for formalities; there is no need to constantly kneel and bow!"
To put it plainly, Kaito could crush his enemies without a second thought, but toward his own people he was genuinely warm, a little chuunibyou in spirit, and very much the otaku he had always been.
The Hashira had just witnessed his display of overwhelming pressure and assumed he was a deeply stern man. Discovering that his personality was this approachable left everyone visibly relaxed, and more than a few smiles appeared.
Among them, Shinazugawa Sanemi stepped forward and lowered himself into a dogeza:
"I am deeply sorry, Kaito-sama. I was out of line earlier. Please forgive my disrespect."
Kaito crouched down and gave his shoulder a light pat:
"Hey, I have already forgotten about that. You are forgiven. Now stand up!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Laughter broke out across the room.
After a while, the mood settled. Everyone returned to their seats, and Kaito spoke:
"Then, let us discuss how to take down Kibutsuji Muzan."
Every person in the room straightened up and fixed their eyes on Kaito.