The scene was silent. Even Tanjirou, who had been extremely nervous moments ago, was now speechless with shock at the sight.
Among the Hashira, some looked surprised, some indifferent, and some had complicated thoughts.
Iguro Obanai's gold and green heterochromatic eyes scrutinized the two people back and forth, filled with doubt and surprise.
Unbelievable... Although he hadn't used a Sword Form, Shinazugawa definitely hadn't held back just now.
Watching the fight from his perspective, it was clear that Shinazugawa had been completely suppressed from start to finish, unable to pose any threat to the opponent.
In other words, this woman... possesses the strength to absolutely crush a Hashira.
At the very least, he wasn't confident he could suppress Shinazugawa this easily. There was even doubt about whether Mr. Gyoumei could suppress Shinazugawa this easily.
Iguro Obanai looked down and asked, "Kochou, who is this woman?"
Kochou Shinobu smiled and said, "She is the Master's honored guest."
Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward her.
Uzui Tengen, the Sound Hashira, shifted his eyes slightly: "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Rengoku Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira, stated bluntly, "Even if she is the Master's honored guest, she shouldn't be protecting a demon!"
Kochou Kanae defended, "But if it's truly as this child says, perhaps there are good, kind demons."
"If we act indiscriminately like this, won't it damage the reputation of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Iguro Obanai looked down: "You truly are as naive as ever."
Kochou Shinobu smiled and looked up: "Mr. Iguro~"
"Hmm?"
"Heh!" Kochou Shinobu slowly extended her leg and kicked the tree.
The large tree shook violently for a moment. Iguro Obanai felt the intense jostling and had no choice but to flip off the tree, looking at Kochou Shinobu with some surprise.
Was that his illusion?
Does that girl Kochou have that much strength?
Kochou Shinobu ignored him, turned to face the crowd, and pointed smilingly at the two people in the standoff: "Speaking of which, aren't any of you worried about Mr. Shinazugawa? He's about to be killed, you know."
Everyone froze for a moment and looked over.
Thank goodness you finally noticed.
Mizuki, who was being fiercely glared at by the grim-faced Sanemi Shinazugawa, felt her eyelid twitch. She was starting to wonder whose face the sword was actually pointed at.
Shinazugawa's arm trembled slightly, and the veins on his forehead bulged, clearly locked in a contest of strength with Mizuki.
Mizuki had no doubt that if she released her foot, this guy would immediately swing his sword at her.
Just as the situation grew more rigid, a tender young girl's voice came from afar.
"The Master has arrived!"
That Ubuyashiki guy must have been eavesdropping for a long time.
Mizuki twitched her lips, released her foot, and sheathed the Nichirin Blade.
"Tch." Sanemi Shinazugawa ground his teeth, clicked his tongue in displeasure, then obediently sheathed his Nichirin Blade and flashed to the side of the others.
The Master?
Tanjirou looked up in surprise.
"Good morning, everyone. The weather is truly lovely today."
"Is the sky blue?"
"I am truly pleased that all of you could gather here to attend the semi-annual Hashira Meeting."
Supported by two doll-like young girls, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, whose face was marked by strange scars, came before the crowd.
Before Tanjirou could carefully examine the scars on his face, he was pinned to the ground by the arriving Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Mizuki's eyelid twitched. She suspected this guy was using his position to settle a personal score.
Swish!
The ten Hashira-level fighters, the highest combat power within the Demon Slayer Corps, simultaneously dropped to one knee.
Quite synchronized.
Mizuki was about to applaud them internally when she noticed them all staring at her simultaneously.
"?
Why were they looking at her like that?
Mizuki looked at them, then at herself, and immediately realized.
She said expressionlessly, "I am a guest."
Guests do not need to kneel on one knee; that is common sense.
Upon hearing this, the Hashira retracted their gazes.
"We are greatly relieved that the Master is in good health, and we wish you continued well-being in the future." Sanemi Shinazugawa, who moments ago looked like a villain with a grim expression, instantly softened his face.
Mizuki: "..."
Who is this guy? Where did the previous one go?
Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat down with the children's support: "Thank you, Sanemi."
Sanemi Shinazugawa: "Pardon my bluntness, but before the Hashira Meeting begins, could you please explain this matter concerning the sheltering of a demon?"
Unexpectedly straightforward.
Mizuki took the opportunity to observe the Hashira whom she hadn't had a chance to scrutinize earlier.
You wouldn't know until you looked, and when you looked, you were shocked.
Mizuki's gaze narrowed upon the blind man who stood over two meters tall and remained robust even while kneeling on one knee.
Is that the Stone Hashira?
That physique is simply unbelievable.
His foundation is solid, bordering on the human limit.
In terms of pure physical strength, perhaps even Michikatsu during his human years couldn't compare.
As expected, they truly are the strongest generation.
Among the First Generation Hashira, there was definitely no one this strong.
Mizuki continued her scrutiny.
Hmm? Is this girl really a girl?
What is with this muscle density?
She felt like if this person punched Nezuko, Nezuko would cry for a long time.
The more Mizuki looked, the happier she became. Although they weren't as striking as the Stone Hashira, they were indeed rare swordsmen.
Not everything gets stronger the older it is.
Most of the First Generation Hashira were only able to activate the Demon Slayer Mark thanks to Yoriichi. In terms of talent and combat power, at the same skill level, this generation of Hashira is truly not inferior to them.
That is... Mizuki's gaze locked onto the boy with long black hair and mint green tips, who currently wore a blank expression, his mind drifting.
Just seeing him, she understood.
He is a descendant of Michikatsu.
Mizuki recalled the news she had inquired about concerning the Tsugikuni Family when she returned home with Yoriichi.
Is it Tokito?
A branch that hid in the mountains to avoid disaster.
Just as Mizuki was lost in recollection, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice reached her ears.
"Regarding this topic, I believe Miss Mizuki can provide an answer that satisfies you."
"Huh? Me?"
Mizuki was stunned. Before she could react, she felt the crowd's intense gazes once more.
Sanemi Shinazugawa gritted his teeth: "Satisfied? By this woman?"
Mizuki twitched her lip and took a deep breath: "Then I shall provide the explanation."
"As the young girl just said, kind demons are not..."
Uzui Tengen interrupted with a cold tone: "Stop talking nonsense."
"It's not nonsense. Although rare, there truly are demons who have broken free from Muzan's control and act according to their own will."
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked over with a fierce glare: "Broken free from Muzan's control? Acting according to their own will?"
Mizuki nodded slightly: "That's right. Both Miss Yae's father and Nezuko regained their sanity through the call of their loved ones."
"Mr. Tomioka can vouch for this point."
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Sanemi Shinazugawa suddenly erupted, clenching his jaw and unconsciously tightening his hands, his voice filled with unprecedented rage. "You say they regained their sanity?"
"Do you think I would believe such a thing?!"
Mizuki frowned slightly. This guy's tone was completely different from before. Had she accidentally touched a nerve?
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