Demon Slayer : Breath of The Forest

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Butterfly Mansion.

By the pristine white bed, Sanemi Shinazugawa sat like a wooden puppet, his bloodshot eyes staring blankly at the figure lying motionless with closed eyes.

"Masachika-san injuries are severe, but thankfully Shinichi-san arrived in time to save his life. However... he lost an arm. I'm afraid Masachika-san will never..."

Kanae Kocho regretful voice echoed relentlessly in Sanemi mind.

The thought of his closest friend never being able to wield a sword again made his fists clench with a sharp crack of knuckles.

Just then, a member of the Kakushi Corps arrived at the Butterfly Mansion to find Sanemi.

"Sanemi Shinazugawa-san? The Master has summoned you to the estate. Please come with me!" The Kakushi member spoke respectfully—Sanemi's feat of slaying Lower Rank One had already spread throughout the Demon Slayer Corps.

This time, the Master would likely announce Sanemi's appointment as a Hashira.

Indeed, the past two years had shown signs of the Demon Slayer Corps' revival.

First came The Forest Hashira, followed by the Water Hashira and the Flower Hashira.

Now, barring any surprises, another Hashira would join their ranks.

With so many powerful Demon slayers at the Hashira level, it truly brought a sense of security.

While the Kakushi member was lost in thought, Sanemi abruptly stood up, veins bulging on his forehead as an unnamed fury surged within him at the sight of his unconscious friend.

 ***

At the Ubuyashiki estate...

The Kakushi member might have guessed wrong.

Today, the Master would indeed announce new Hashira—but not one.

Two.

On the white pebble-covered grounds, Sabito, clad in a checkered haori, pulled a somewhat awkward Giyu Tomioka toward Shinichi.

"Shinichi-san, I—no, we—owe you an apology. Giyu has misunderstood you all this time, constantly challenging you and causing you trouble. We're truly sorry." Sabito bowed sincerely as he spoke.

Giyu recalled everything that had happened and a pang of guilt welled up in his chest.

He followed Sabito's lead and bowed as well.

"I apologize."

However, years of icy demeanor had left their mark—his tone remained as detached as ever, devoid of emotion.

Shinichi didn't dwell on their apology.

In fact, he never cared much about being misunderstood.

Instead, he turned to Sabito. "Have you made up your mind? Giyu told Oyakata-sama before that you are the most deserving of the Water Hashira title. Are you sure you won't accept it?"

Sabito shook his head with a smile. "No, Giyu is far more suited to be the Water Hashira than me. Under your arrangements, Shinichi-san, I've seen many things these past months. You were right—the Demon Slayer Corps isn't a place for heroics."

"Often, even a Hashira must work alongside their comrades. Blindly protecting or being protected is unacceptable. Thank you for helping me realize this. My Water Breathing is too abstract—it doesn't compare to Giyu's."

Shinichi nodded, seemingly understanding Sabito reasoning.

In truth, aside from special cases like his own title as The Forest Hashira, most Hashira titles were tied to the Breathing Style they practiced.

However, a situation like today, where two users of Water Breathing appear among the Hashira simultaneously, is unprecedented in history.

That's right.

Today, more than just Sanemi is being promoted to Hashira—Sabito, who has slain fifty demons, is also ascending.

But Giyu is already the Water Hashira, which complicates matters.

Could there possibly be two Water Hashira?

Prior to this, Giyu had privately approached Oyakata-sama, offering to relinquish the title of Water Hashira to Sabito.

However, Oyakata-sama did not agree and instead spoke with Sabito alone.

What they discussed remains unknown.

"Namu Amida Butsu. To witness the ranks of the Hashira grow and flourish brings me great joy" Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima remarked with deep emotion.

Beside him, Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui scrutinized Sabito and Giyu from a distance with a critical eye.

"I recall those rather unremarkable swordsmen were from the same Final Selection as him. Can the newly promoted Hashira really be reliable?"

Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho, radiant as a blooming flower, smiled gently and said to Tengen.

"Tomioka-san skills are outstanding and as his senior, Sabito-san must surely be formidable as well. And Sanemi—though he can be temperamental at times—is a man worthy of trust."

Unlike the other Hashira engaged in lively conversation, a tall figure sat alone atop a massive boulder nearby.

His yellow-red hair was disheveled, his beard unkempt and the strong scent of alcohol clung to him.

Flame Hashira Shinjuro Rengoku.

Since his wife passing, his condition had deteriorated further.

It was said he drowned himself in alcohol daily and whenever Shinichi or the other Hashira tried to speak with him out of concern, Shinjuro would dismiss them impatiently.

The once cheerful and passionate Flame Hashira seemed to have vanished entirely.

Setting that aside, after some time, Sanemi Shinazugawa arrived at the master's estate with a grim expression.

"Ara ara, Sanemi-kun, you've finally arrived! Everyone's been waiting for you. Now that you've become a Hashira, you must strive even harder" Kanae greeted him warmly with a smile.

However, Sanemi did not respond.

He merely walked past with a dark expression, found a rock and sat down heavily.

Prompted by Kanae, the other Hashira turned their attention to the soon-to-be-promoted Demon slayer.

'He seems to harbor some resentment. I wonder what he's been through' was Stone Hashira Gyomei first impression of Sanemi.

'He looks dangerous' was Sound Hashira Tengen first impression.

'Has he still not let go of what happened to Kumeno?' Shinichi thought to himself as he observed Sanemi.

'A comrade who slew Lower Rank One? Truly admirable. I should learn from him' Sabito regarded Sanemi with respect.

'....' That was Giyu.

He hadn't even noticed Sanemi's arrival.

As for Flame Hashira Shinjuro Rengoku, like Giyu, he paid no attention to Sanemi either.

It was at this moment that two clear, youthful voices drew the attention of all the Hashira present.

"Oyakata-sama has arrived."

With the wooden door sliding open gently, Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly stepped beneath the eaves, supported by Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki.

The purple scar had spread to Kagaya left eye, dimming one of his once gentle violet irises forever.

'The curse has grown stronger again?' Shinichi felt a heaviness in his heart.

In such a short time, it had already progressed to this extent.

"Oyakata-sama!"

With a rustling sound, all the Hashira simultaneously knelt on one knee in salute to their leader.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm delighted to meet you all again on such a beautiful day" Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently.

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