Takeo remained calm as he answered.
His response immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya turned his dim yet gentle eyes toward Takeo. Despite his deteriorating vision, he could still see certain things clearly in this moment. His voice was soft but carried undeniable weight as he spoke:
"Yoshizuru Asato… I know he was a very brave man. When he was possessed by a member of the Twelve Kizuki, he willingly sacrificed himself to create an opportunity for you… I recognize his courage and his contribution. But, Takeo… I can still tell who truly killed the Lower Moon Three."
His gaze deepened.
"Are you certain... you wish to share this credit with Asato?"
After all, Asato was already gone. No matter how much recognition was added to his name, it could no longer benefit him personally.
On the other hand, if Takeo chose to accept full credit, he would become the youngest Hashira in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps—a monumental achievement.
Besides, it had been Yoshizuru Asato's wish for Takeo to rise to the rank of Hashira. By that logic, Takeo had every reason to accept the promotion without hesitation.
Yet, despite that, Takeo stood firm:
"Yes. The defeat of Lower Rank Three was achieved by both Senior Asato and me together. It wasn't my victory alone."
In truth, even with Takeo's modesty, his qualifications wouldn't be denied. History within the Demon Slayer Corps had seen other instances where the Twelve Kizuki were slain through the combined effort of multiple swordsmen, yet only one was ultimately elevated to Hashira.
For example, the current Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, had once slain a Lower Moon demon with the help of a close companion. Without that support, Sanemi likely would not have survived that battle.
This was neither unprecedented nor unreasonable.
The same applied to Takeo.
No—in fact, Takeo's situation was even more remarkable than Sanemi's back then.
Because in this battle, he was the one pursuing the Twelve Kizuki. It was the demon who had been forced to flee.
The Hidden Corps reconstructed the entire battle by comparing the physical traces left at the scene with the testimonies of the survivors who had previously been controlled by the demon.
All the evidence pointed to one fact:
It was Takeo who relentlessly hunted down the Lower Rank Three, forcing the demon to continuously switch hosts in a desperate attempt to survive.
Yoshizuru Asato played an important role—a crucial role—but not the decisive one.
Even without Asato's help, the Shadow Demon would have inevitably died at Takeo's hands.
That was the very reason Ubuyashiki Kagaya had proposed elevating Takeo to the rank of Hashira.
However, becoming a Hashira wasn't something that could be forced upon someone.
If a swordsman adamantly refused, not even Ubuyashiki Kagaya could compel them to accept the title.
Besides, Kagaya could clearly see it:
Since the death of Yoshizuru Asato, a deep, unhealable scar had formed in Takeo's heart.
A wound that first appeared after the death of Sakoma Iori… then tore open wider with Asato's sacrifice… and now sat heavy upon Takeo's soul, refusing to heal.
Anyone could see it—especially Kagaya.
In the three days Takeo had stayed at the Butterfly Estate, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had never once seen him smile.
And yet, Kyojuro had clearly described him as a lively, spirited boy.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya gazed deeply at Takeo for a long moment. Finally, he let out a soft sigh and stopped pressing the matter. Turning his head slightly, he looked toward Tokito Muichiro and then back at Takeo.
"In that case… Takeo-kun, please continue serving as an ordinary swordsman for the time being."
Kagaya's tone was gentle, but his words carried the weight of a decision made.
Takeo didn't respond. Silently, he rose to his feet, picked up his Nichirin swords, and turned to leave.
What followed next was the Pillar Meeting. And since he was not a Hashira, he had no right to participate.
He quietly made his way outside.
No one stopped him.
Still, many eyes followed his figure as he left—especially one person who had remained silent the entire time. The Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka.
His gaze lingered on Takeo, heavy and unreadable… but he said nothing and made no move to intervene.
Standing outside, Takeo walked toward the courtyard. Bathed in the noonday sunlight, he stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the river flowing in the distance, watching it in silence.
Time passed—how much, he didn't know.
Then, the sliding doors opened, signaling the end of the Pillar Meeting.
Rengoku Kyojuro was the first to step out. He immediately spotted Takeo.
Flashing his trademark fiery, exuberant grin, Kyojuro strode over and gave Takeo a long, thoughtful look. His burning, determined eyes scanned Takeo up and down—then, as if deciding something, he suddenly declared with unwavering enthusiasm:
"I have news! There's a demon near Nagano suspected to be one of the Twelve Kizuki! I'll take this mission for you!"
Even though Takeo hadn't told him a single thing… somehow, Kyojuro understood.
He knew exactly what Takeo wanted to do.
It wasn't that Takeo refused to become a Hashira. He just couldn't accept doing it by taking the 100% credit and taking some credit that belonged to Yoshizuru Asato.
If another of the Twelve Kizuki truly appeared, then—without question—Takeo would go.
He had to go.
Kyojuro understood perfectly—so he took the initiative to claim the mission involving the Twelve Kizuki.
This time, Takeo would be the one leading the team.
"Thank you."
Takeo offered his thanks sincerely.
He truly meant it. Since the day they'd met, Kyojuro—Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps—had helped him more than anyone else.
He had taught Takeo the correct way to breathe, helped him familiarize himself with his own power, gifted him a haori, and now… he was giving him another chance. A chance to hunt down a member of the Twelve Kizuki and rightfully claim the title of Hashira.
Takeo didn't know how to properly express his gratitude. All he could do now… was not disappoint. He had to live up to Kyojuro's expectations. He had to eliminate the Twelve Kizuki and step forward as a Pillar.
It was also the final wish of the late Yoshizuru Asato.
After Takeo expressed his thanks, Kyojuro didn't leave immediately. He continued to look at Takeo for a long moment. Then, lowering his voice slightly, he spoke—his tone firm but filled with warmth:
"Don't dwell too much on the sacrifice of your comrades. In the Demon Slayer Corps… the loss of companions is an everyday reality. If it truly weighs on you…"
Kyojuro's fiery eyes burned with resolve. "Then make sure. From now on… don't let anyone die in front of you."
"…"
Takeo tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist.
He didn't respond with words—just a small, firm nod.
A vow.
After joining the Demon Slayer Corps, everyone had to be prepared to die at any moment—even the Hashira.
It didn't matter if you survived this fight. There was always the next one… and the one after that… and the one after that.
Death and blood were the daily reality for the Demon Slayer Corps. It was normal to grieve… but you couldn't let yourself be trapped by it.
If you truly didn't want to see any of your comrades fall—there was only one way.
Become stronger.
Stronger than anyone. Strong enough to protect everyone.
Just as Kyojuro had once told Takeo back at the Rengoku household: "Become stronger. Stronger… strong enough to protect everyone."
As Kyojuro spoke to Takeo, another unexpected figure approached.
Both Takeo and Kyojuro turned to look.
It was Tomioka Giyu—the Water Hashira. He wore his usual stoic expression, quietly walking up to them without a word.
The moment he arrived, his gaze landed on Takeo.
"…"
"…"
Tomioka Giyu stared at him in silence. Takeo wasn't sure what the man wanted, so all he could do was meet his gaze.
The two locked eyes for what felt like an eternity.
Neither spoke. Neither looked away.
Eventually, Takeo couldn't stand the oppressive silence anymore. Giyu's cold, wordless presence felt almost like a form of psychological torture.
"…Master Tomioka," Takeo finally asked, his tone bordering on exasperation, "is there… something I can help you with?"
Kyojuro chimed in loudly, "That's right, Tomioka! If you don't say anything, how are we supposed to know what you're thinking?"
"…" Tomioka Giyu glanced at Kyojuro, his ever-loud companion, and finally turned his eyes back to Takeo.
"You…"
He paused mid-sentence.
Takeo stared at him, exasperated. "What about me?"
"Do you know… Tanjiro Kamado?" Giyu finally asked.
The moment the words left his mouth, Takeo froze.
A familiar figure flashed through his mind—the boy he'd seen in his memories.
Tanjiro Kamado… Nezuko Kamado.
They were the only two blood relatives he had left in this world.
For someone like Takeo, who had been an orphan in his previous life, there was no one who longed for the warmth of family more than him.
So when he first learned that his siblings still existed in this world, his young body—and his heart—had little resistance. It didn't take much for him to fully accept the bond of family with Tanjiro and Nezuko.
But that… was before.
Now, Takeo no longer held the same eagerness to meet Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado as he once did.
In fact, he didn't want to see them at all.
Why?
Because meeting them here—within the Demon Slayer Corps—likely signified the beginning of this world's story.
And Takeo hadn't forgotten what his old roommate once called this world:
"Hashira Slayer."
Once the story truly began, the pillars he knew—the ones he respected and cared for—were all destined to die.
He didn't want that to happen.
He didn't want to witness Kyojuro's death. He didn't want to see Mitsuri fall.
Even Muichiro, though not particularly close to him, was someone he had sparred with—someone he could call a friend. Takeo didn't want to watch him sacrifice himself either.
In Takeo's eyes now, the name Tanjiro Kamado was no longer just the name of a brother or a blood relative.
It was a harbinger of death.
The death of the Hashira.
Should I say I don't know him? Takeo briefly considered.
But no—that was impossible. Giyu had already seen Tanjiro, and Takeo's appearance bore too much resemblance to him. Both had crimson hair, crimson eyes.
If he claimed not to know him… no one would believe it.
Why should I lie?
After thinking it over, Takeo asked Tomioka Giyuu quietly, "…Where is he now?"
He didn't answer whether he knew Tanjiro or not. He simply asked where the other party was.
Tomioka Giyuu replied without hesitation, "Training under Master Urokodaki."
"Master Urokodaki…" Takeo hadn't expected to hear that name again at this moment.
"So… you two…" Tomioka seemed about to ask something further.
But Takeo interrupted him and said directly, "When he attends the Final Selection, please let me know, Master Tomioka. Thank you."
"...Understood."
This time, Tomioka Giyuu didn't press further. Even he could understand the relationship between Takeo and Tanjiro after hearing those words.
There was no need to ask anything more. It was better to write a letter right away and inform Tanjiro of this news—something that would surely bring him joy.
Takeo didn't stay any longer. He turned and left, no longer looking back at Tomioka. Whatever relationship Tomioka and Tanjiro shared didn't matter to him.
At this moment, there was only one person ahead of him.
Coincidentally, that person was walking toward him as well.
It was Tokito Muichiro.
Having just become the Mist Hashira, Tokito Muichiro had already adapted to his new identity. His face remained calm, devoid of any particular emotion.
Among the four present, aside from Kyojuro, the other three wore equally expressionless faces, making Kyojuro seem almost out of place.
But Kyojuro didn't mind at all. He glanced at Muichiro, then at the wooden sword in his hand, and asked cheerfully:
"Hmm? You two planning to spar?"
Muichiro didn't answer Kyojuro. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Takeo and asked directly:
"Want to have a match?"
"Yeah… I was thinking the same."
Looking straight into Muichiro's calm, unblinking eyes, Takeo replied softly.
_________
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