Su Chen nodded. "Ah, yes. Lady Shinobu has mentioned you all before."
"Wow, I'm glad Lady Shinobu thinks of us!" Tanjiro said, beaming.
"We should exchange notes on our Breathing Styles sometime!" Su Chen offered.
"Su Geng!" Inosuke suddenly shouted, charging forward in a Boar Rush. "I want to be your disciple! Teach me!" He slammed into a deep, grand bow right in front of Su Chen.
Su Chen was completely caught off guard and didn't know how to handle the sudden bow. Before he could react, Kanao stepped in. With a single, fluid motion—what looked like a move from her Flower Breathing —she subdued Inosuke.
Zenitsu and Tanjiro rushed over and started dragging Inosuke away.
"Hee-hee-hee-hee!" Inosuke yelled, still struggling. "Su Geng! This great me will definitely become your disciple! You can't escape!"
"We're so sorry, Mister Su Chen!" Tanjiro said, bowing repeatedly while Zenitsu clasped his hands in apology. "This guy has always been... well, like this!"
Su Chen just waved his hand, smiling to show it was fine.
After the trio left, Su Chen stroked his chin, watching them go. They must have heard stories about me from Inosuke, he thought. Judging by their reactions, especially from Tanjiro and Zenitsu, their words carried a hint of respect.
He also figured out why they were here. They had come to watch his match. The main reason was that Tanjiro's Nichirin Sword wasn't ready yet. The impatient Kamado youth, eager to slay demons, had planned to go to the Swordsmith Village to ask about it. Zenitsu and Inosuke had just decided to accompany him.
And the result is... I have his Nichirin Sword, Su Chen mused. When Tanjiro heard the news, being the good-natured person he was, he could only accept it. For now, he'd have to wait.
His thoughts concluded. Su Chen took Kanao's hand again and continued forward.
They had just said goodbye to the trio when they ran into the second group of people: the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Except for the Flame Hashira, who was on a mission, and the Insect Hashira, who was still sleeping at home, all the others were present.
A group of people with colorful hair and powerful auras stood before him. Su Chen's expression remained natural. He waved his hand generously in greeting. "Hello, everyone! Good morning, Hashira!"
The first to reply was the Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen. He flamboyantly stroked his forehead protector and struck a cool pose. "Yo! If it isn't the Butterfly Mansion's new divine doctor, Su Chen! Long time no see. Your aura is looking even more flamboyant than before!"
The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, spoke next, tilting his head. "Su Chen. I heard your talent is excellent. You even developed a new Breathing Style. That's strange. How did you do that?"
Next was the Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri, who blushed and clasped her hands. "Ah! It's Lord Su Chen! You look so handsome today!"
The Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, hissed from beside her. "What's so handsome about him? Su Chen, I advise you to stay away from Mitsuri."
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, bowed his head, tears streaming as he clasped his beads. "Su Chen... such a child with a pure heart... but why isn't Kochou with you?"
Finally, the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, just stared blankly ahead with his usual expression of indifference. "The wind is noisy today," he said to no one in particular. "The weather is nice. Since Kochou isn't here, no one will say they hate me. I wish it could always be like this."
The Hashira all had their own distinct reactions, and Su Chen took them all in.
He noticed the Flame Hashira was missing. Su Chen thought for a moment and decided to ask the Love Hashira, who seemed the easiest to talk to. "Miss Kanroji, may I ask where Kyoujurou is?"
Mitsuri, suddenly put on the spot, didn't seem to react at first. Then she pointed at herself in surprise. "Eh? Me? You're asking me?"
Su Chen nodded calmly. "Yes, I'm asking you, Miss Kanroji."
As soon as he confirmed it, Mitsuri's heart began to pound wildly. Ahhh! Lord Su Chen actually chose me! she thought, her face flushing bright red. Out of all these people, he chose me! Does he think I'm cuter? Oh my! My heart is pounding so much! Ahhh~!
Puff!
A small cloud of steam seemed to rise from her head as her body temperature shot up from nervousness.
The Serpent Hashira cut in, his face gloomy and his gaze dark. "Su Chen. I know where Rengoku went. I'll tell you."
"Oh, thank you," Su Chen said, remaining calm. He just wanted to know where Rengoku was; it didn't matter who told him.
Soon, Su Chen learned the news from Iguro. Rengoku had gone on a mission. Apparently, a demon had appeared on a famous train, and the surrounding residents were panicking, so the Demon Slayer Corps had dispatched the Flame Hashira to investigate.
Upon hearing this, Su Chen narrowed his eyes. He was familiar with this. He immediately knew what was coming.
The Mugen Train! he thought. The battle against Lower Moon One... and Upper Rank Three! And Kyoujurou... he's supposed to die on this mission!
Su Chen's mind began to race. He hadn't expected the Mugen Train arc to begin so soon. As Rengoku's good friend, he naturally didn't want to see him die.
But wait, he thought, I just met Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. Presumably, the main plot still had some time before it started. According to the original story, the Flame Hashira would investigate first, and then the three of them would receive their mission and meet him there.
Based on his conversation with them, they hadn't received any such mission. If they had, they wouldn't be here waiting to watch his match.
Su Chen stroked his chin. There were two ways to save his "big brother." One was for him to personally intervene. The other was for Rengoku to get a power-up. He still needs to awaken his Mark. Su Chen knew that Rengoku, as he was now, was still no match for Upper Rank Three.
Su Chen's eyes flickered as an answer formed in his mind. Thankfully, I taught Kyoujurou those two extra moves in advance. With those, his life should be saved, at least.
He decided the matter wasn't urgent for this exact moment. The immediate priority was to win the match against Shinazugawa. Only when he confirmed he possessed true Hashira-level strength could he be confident in dealing with the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. Only then could he be sure he could save his big brother from Akaza.
Su Chen knew that the official ranking system of the Demon Slayer Corps was superficial. The ten ranks—Kinoe, Kinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, Tsuchinoe, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoto, Mizunoe, and Mizunoto —were just for ordinary members like Murata.
The true power ranking in the Demon Slayer world was different. He saw it clearly: The trio... Lower Moons... ordinary Hashira ... Upper Ranks Four, Five, and Six ... elite Hashira... Upper Ranks One, Two, and Three ... Muzan... and at the very top, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.