The morning sun stretched its golden rays across the horizon, casting a soft glow over the land. The night before had been grueling—Yoriichi had faced and defeated Lower Moon Five, Rui, in a fierce battle. Now, as dawn broke, he and Giyu Tomioka made their way toward the Ubuyashiki Mansion for the Hashira meeting.
The journey was quiet, Yoriichi walking with his usual serene composure, while Giyu remained reserved. The fresh scent of morning dew clung to the air, and the distant calls of birds filled the silence between them. Soon, they arrived at the grand estate, where the other Hashira had already gathered, each standing in their designated positions.
However, the moment Giyu and Yoriichi stepped forward, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Oi, Giyu! Who the hell is this guy with you?"
The voice belonged to none other than the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. His sharp gaze locked onto Yoriichi with suspicion.
Giyu, unfazed by Sanemi's hostility, responded calmly, "This is Yoriichi. He is a new member of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Sanemi scoffed, his brows furrowing. "This is a Hashira meeting! What the hell is a mere Corps member doing here?"
Before Giyu could respond, another voice joined in.
"Allowing an unknown figure into a Hashira meeting makes the Corps vulnerable."
The cold, analytical words came from the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, his mismatched eyes narrowing as he assessed Yoriichi with caution.
Giyu, true to his nature, chose to ignore Sanemi's aggressive tone, which only fueled the Wind Hashira's anger further.
"You dare ignore me, Tomioka?!" Sanemi growled, stepping forward in a heated rage, his hand instinctively reaching for Giyu."
Just as he was about to close the distance, his advance was halted. A single hand gripped Sanemi's wrist, stopping him effortlessly in his tracks.
Sanemi's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't move. The grip was so firm, so unwavering, that for a moment, he felt as though he had been restrained by an unbreakable force. The one holding him still was none other than Yoriichi. His expression remained neutral, his gaze calm yet commanding.
Sanemi gritted his teeth, yanking his arm free with force. "Tch! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Before tensions could escalate further, Obanai stepped forward, aligning himself beside Sanemi. His presence signaled his support for the Wind Hashira's suspicions.
"Enough! There's no need to fight among ourselves," came a warm, gentle voice. The Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, stepped between them, her presence radiating a soothing energy. "We should hear things out properly before jumping to conclusions."
Despite her attempt to mediate, Sanemi remained on edge, glaring at Yoriichi with barely contained frustration. Meanwhile, the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, seemed entirely indifferent to the confrontation, his mind lost in his own world, uninterested in the quarrel.
"We should not resort to conflict amongst ourselves," the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, stated firmly, his deep voice resonating with conviction. "A Hashira meeting is a sacred gathering for the betterment of our Corps. We must not let discord taint its purpose."
Standing silently in the background, the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, merely observed the scene unfold, his sharp eyes watching with interest. Meanwhile, the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, had his hands clasped together in silent prayer, tears streaming down his face, as though mourning the internal strife among his fellow Hashira.
At that moment, the air shifted. The doors at the far end of the hall opened, and the presence of one man commanded the attention of all. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, had arrived.
Instantly, the tension dissipated. Every Hashira—and Yoriichi—bowed in deep respect before him.
With a gentle smile, Kagaya spoke, his voice calm and reassuring. "There is no need for hostility. Yoriichi Tsugikuni has fulfilled the requirements to become a Hashira."
A wave of murmurs spread across the room, the name 'Tsugikuni' lingering in the air.
"Yoriichi has defeated Lower Moon Five, Rui, on his own," Kagaya continued. "His strength is undeniable, and his dedication is unwavering. As of today, he will be recognized as a Hashira and will contribute to the Demon Slayer Corps alongside all of you."
Silence followed his words. Sanemi clicked his tongue in annoyance but said nothing further. Obanai narrowed his eyes, clearly still skeptical but refraining from voicing further objections.
Yoriichi stepped forward and spoke for the first time, his voice calm yet resolute. "My sole purpose is to bring an end to Kibutsuji Muzan."
Kagaya's serene smile remained. "Then you shall stand alongside your fellow Hashira and aid in there mission. I have no doubt that you will be an great ally to them."
With those words, the meeting was formally got to be start in conference room . The Hashira, though some still wary, accepted Yoriichi's presence. As they departed, one thing was clear—Yoriichi Tsugikuni was now one of them, and the tides of fate had shifted once more.