61. Coincidences Are Freaky!

Listen, Kyojuro. Only the Flame Hashira can wear that jacket. And you will be a great Flame Hashira like your father.

Whenever Kyojuro looked at his father, indifferent and rude, in contrast to his past self, he would recall his mother's words.

"It's all pointless! And worthless!"

His father's words about giving up on everything confused Kyojuro. He didn't understand where it was coming from. Did his mother's death change everything?

As much as he wished to get answers, Kyojuro didn't have the time to spare. With Shinjuro, his father, refusing to attend the Hashira Meeting, it was Kyojuro's responsibility to appear as a representative.

Now, he was at the Hashira Meeting, in front of the Ubuyashiki Mansion with the other Hashira, kneeling before the frail figure standing in front of them.

"Oyakata-sama, why is there a Non-Hashira here? Where is the Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku?"

Even though Kotaro wasn't here, Kyojuro could guess whose fuse had been lit. As usual, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, started his antics. He was the first to flare up, rebuking the absence of the Flame Hashira.

"Father—"

"Hey! Can you fill in for a Hashira?"

He cut Kyojuro off before he could answer. The scars on him, which had increased since last time, made him look even more intimidating.

Funny enough, most of the scars weren't inflicted by demons; they were the result of his own actions, as he cut himself to attract demons using his Marechi blood.

"Sanemi, don't bully Kyojuro. I invited him here to offer an explanation."

As usual, Oyakata-sama's words made Sanemi quiet down. If Kotaro were here, he would have incited Sanemi more, provoking him to rage while still unable to lash out in front of Kagaya.

"We are concerned about Shinjuro. What is his condition?"

"I don't fully understand, but…"

Kyojuro began to recount his father's story. His mother's death had made his father lose heart and start a drunken escapade. Even before and during missions, he would carry sake, drinking to escape the pain.

"Ahh… How sad. Shinjuro-san is a veteran Hashira. He should be working to pull everyone together."

Gyomei clasped his hands and shed tears, lamenting Shinjuro. After his remarks, how could Tengen remain quiet?

"It sets a bad example and has a dulling effect on morale. I recommend he retire flamboyantly."

While both of them had valid points, Sanemi, surprisingly enough, added a practical aspect to Shinjuro's retirement.

"We don't have enough Hashira… But Oyakata-sama can't send him on missions drunk."

Hashira are scarce in the Demon Slayer Corps. It isn't easy to become a Hashira. This generation was a Golden Generation, just like during the Sengoku Period when the Sun Breathing User – Yoriichi – was alive. Gyomei, Tengen, Sanemi, Giyu, and Shinobu… Five and more to come in the future. It's no wonder Kagaya hoped to eliminate the demon progenitor – Kibutsuji Muzan – in his generation.

But in the midst of these worries, a loud, energetic voice tore through the tension.

"Don't worry! If I become the Flame Hashira, he's sure to regain his motivation!"

And there he was, Kyojuro, as energetic and confident as ever.

…

Tokyo.

What began as an ordinary and pleasant day, perfect for Kotaro to laze around, became the day of his first fight against one of the Twelve Kizuki, alongside Mitsuri.

"Kyojuro, we'll be making pairs, right?"

Considering that Kyojuro had asked not only him but others as well, it showed that a large battle was about to take place. After all, a battle with a Ranked Demon—whether Lower or Upper—is bound to be significant.

So, instead of just eliminating the demon, it was also important to ensure there weren't any casualties.

Kyojuro, who had received the mission to eliminate the Lower Ranked Demon and earn his promotion to Hashira, brought Kotaro, Mitsuri, and some others for this purpose.

'And here I thought I would get to fight a Lower Ranked Demon.'

Considering that Kotaro knew some of the locations of the Ranked Demon's hideouts, he would have run off to fight them if he could. But he understood that haste makes waste.

'I can't even defeat Kyojuro. How can I fight an Upper Ranked Demon?'

The protagonist has a cheat and an overpowered demon sister, and he—what does he have? Wait! Kotaro began to ponder seriously.

Tanjiro has the Sun Breathing Style, and he has Hamon. Tanjiro has an overpowered demon sister, but he has a blessed, super-strengthened wife.

Tanjiro is the protagonist, a special person, but Kotaro is also a reincarnator, another special person.

'Isn't that almost equal?!'

Did he also have a standard protagonist template? The more he thought about it, the more scared he became.

Tanjiro joined the Demon Slayer Corps for his sister, and he had joined for his wife. Tanjiro's family died at the hands of a demon, and so did his.

Aren't there too many coincidences? Now, Kotaro began to suspect that he might also defeat an Upper Ranked Demon.

But still…

'I better stay cautious.'

Even if he had a protagonist template, there was nothing wrong with being cautious. There was a protagonist who was too cautious.

Compared to that, he was still mediocre.

'If I can't defeat Kyojuro, then I won't face an Upper Ranked Demon.'

"That's right, Kotaro! Everyone, we'll operate in pairs!"

And soon, the pairs were decided. This would be the first collaboration between Kotaro and Mitsuri as a pair.

"If you discover a demon, send for help via Kasugai Crow and prioritize evacuating civilians!"

The word Kasugai Crow made Kotaro remember the morning scene, and his eyebrows twitched.

Damn, that crow…

Realizing he couldn't vent his anger on Kyojuro and at the actual culprit, he decided to punish the same species: the innocent Kasugai Crow, Haru.

"Haru, come here."

And the fear Haru felt for Kotaro deepened once again.