Chapter 26

A few days go by after the fight in Tokyo. The two demons that partnered up with Tanjiro and Nezuko had to relocate since their position was exposed.

After leaving Tokyo with a healed body and a few of Tamayo's healing serums, he and Nezuko started back on their travels.

Nezuko didn't receive another muzzle as Tanjiro decided to trust her without it. After seeing her without a muzzle, Kyoshi's words appeared in his mind and so he naturally wanted to prove him wrong.

For the time being he'd been going on a few missions from village to village killing demons while asking all that he could about Kyoshi and Muzan.

The curse didn't kill the demons when they spoke about Muzan and Kyoshi alone, but in the presence of a Demon Slayer the curse activated and they would die in a very gruesome way.

Seikichi has been training harder than he ever has before along with Kanao. Almost every hour of the day you could see them training together while doing different things.

Seikichi could be pulling a boulder with his hands tied behind his back and you could see Kanao sitting somewhere away from his training area blowing into a gourd.

It was a rather different sight, but some could tell they were on rather good terms with each other. It wasn't so much as them fawning over one and other, but more like them hanging out from time to time.

In Koga village, Yui, the chiefs daughter has also been training exceedingly hard with Masako. While she didn't say it outright, being so easily killable bothered her.

In fact, I'm sure it would bother anyone. She was fidgety and very self aware about everything that happened around her from that point on. Training day in and day out, her father got worried, but in the end they kept it a secret.

Masako, because she didn't want the chief to know she let her daughter be put in a situation like that and Yui, because she didn't want her dad worrying about her more than he already does.

She and Masako sparred daily and fighting someone like Masako helped her sharpen her skills a lot more than she thought. Overall, she was happy she could continuously get stronger and could see the improvements.

Although both her and Masako shared one worry. Kyoshi. They didn't know if he would return, if he was actively working with Muzan, how strong he truly was or if he would attack someday.

While they were worried about this aspect, Yui could vividly remember how she felt that day. Her heart racing, a shiver down her spine and Kyoshi's grip on wrist.

It sounded like he would do something bad to her, yet she kept getting mesmerized by that feeling.

Always thinking of it and brcoming bashful at the thought of Kyoshi actually "kissing" her neck.

Of course she tried her best to remove the thoughts from her head and remember that he was a human eating monster, but naturally her heart would try to get the best of her mind.

Still though, she kinda yearned to feel pike that again, but she had common sense and didn't go try that with some other man. After all, what if something did happen?

She knew she was strong, but not only was that embarrassing, she's also not dumb enough to put herself if dangerous situations.

Then again, she did have thoughts that he could turn out like Masako with a bit of persuasion. She still held some hope that he has a human side.

In truth, she wanted to see him again.

Finally, as for Kyoshi, he hadn't had a single thought about her or the village after that incident.

After returning home from Koga village, he unpacked his stuff and chatted with Keiko and Habuki who of course, didn't tell him about Seikichi. They themselves were having conflicted thoughts on weather they should tell him or not.

With his usual attitude, he might be surprised and then just want to hear about their encounter, but if his impulsive side came out, then he might just head out to find him.

It was a gamble and they chose not to take it.

After seeing that they were obviously keeping a secret from him, Kyoshi did some investigating.

Well tried.

He asked all the demons he knew Keiko and Habuki spoke to, but none budged. Some even seemed like they were genuinely confused.

He could hypnotize them into telling him the secret, but he didn't like the idea of putting his relatives under hypnosis. After not being able to get an answer he gave up.

If it was something so important that he couldn't hear it then he just wouldn't hear it. Then again, he had the thought that they may not trust him with such a big secret.

Either way, he gave up and dropped the matter completely.

Seeing as he had nothing to do, he's been helping with some experiments from time to time, but nothing interesting has happened since he got back home.

He's sparred with Akaza sometimes and of course he lost in all of them, not because he was lacking in skill, but because he had less physical abilities than Akaza.

He took a mental note of that, but never really went on some rampage to increase his strength and still only ate when he was hungry.

Lately he's been out of it. Kinda like mood swings, but it's like he's only been feeling negative.

Maybe it's his boredom or something else.

…

May 4th,

—Demon Slayer HQ—

Sitting in a big room were 17 people.

The 12 Hashira all were sitting in their assigned position along with Kagaya Ubyushiki. The leader of the DSC.

Along with him were his two attendents.

Sitting on the opposite side of him were Masako and Yui. They sat on the floor in a circle each with a small cup of tea in front of them.

"Tch, he even skipped out on a meeting?! That arrogant bastard!!" Sanemi, the Wind Hashira said.

Sanemi is a tall and muscular man with spiky long white hair and large pale purple eyes. His face and body are covered with scars, accrued over his many years of fighting demons.

He wears a green-tinted version of the standard Demon Slayer uniform, unbuttoned to expose his chest and abs with a white long sleeved shirt over it with the kanji for kill etched on the back, white buckles around his shins and tabi socks with a pair of white zōri with green straps.

"He's most disrespectful!!" Rengoku added.

The Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro.

Kyojuro was a young adult of tall stature and athletic build. He is known to have an air of great optimism about him, having an enthusiastic smile plastered on his face nearly all the time.

He had long bright yellow hair with red streaks akin to flames along with two shoulder-length bangs and two chin-length bangs on the side of his head, black forked eyebrows, and golden eyes that fade to red with white pupils.

As the two of them spoke that glanced towards and gap in the circle. On the floor in the gap was an "X" which was put there in case Toshiro ever decided to peak his head in.

"Alright, that's enough. I'll have a report of this message sent out after the meetings over. Although it is troublesome." Kagaya mumbled with a wry smile.

"Anyways, we have guests from the Koga village." He added as he looked ahead of him.

Yui and Masako bowed politely with their head to the ground before rising again.

"Now then, let's hear about your concerns."

"Yes sir. About a week or so ago, there was a demon that visited the village. He looked relatively young and claimed to be 15, but with his strength, I'm sure he can alter his whole body.

We brought him into the investigation room and he claimed to kill demons and while I was still suspicious, we believed him because he was carrying a sword on his hip. Along with that, his ability to hide his aura lead me to believe he was properly trained.

After letting him stay at the inn for the night, the next morning he caused a ruckus and the village went on lockdown looking for him. Ultimately he was in the forest and one of our men were go e which lead me to believe he ate him.

This is the scary part. After I followed his scent and the sound of trees falling into the forest, I witnessed a technique like one I've never seen.

Along with that, the precision, the motion of the blade and the swordsmans form was extremely remarkable. With a single slash, he wiped nearly a kilometer of trees."

Hearing this, the Hashira raised their eyebrows.

"A demon swordsman? How did he look?" Kagaya asked calmly.

"His name was Kyoshi, we didn't get a surname. He has long black hair, really silky and long. Stops around his shoulder blades. Slightly pale skin, smokey grey eyes, black nails, and fairly long bangs." Masako explained.

'Kyoshi…perhaps…'

Kagaya had a thought once he heard the name of the demon from Koga village. In fact, not only him, but all the Hashira remember that name.

The bane if Seikichi's supposedly dead best friend and the older brother of Hinā. Once Seikichi was recovered, he was depressed for weeks. He spike of him often and had many nightmares of the destruction of the village.

"I see. For now, we can assume everything he's told you so far is true. He matches the description of a certain person. Along with the fact that he's a strong swordsman now, we should also take into consideration his power as a demon. Go on high alert and-"

"May I speak?"

Before Kagaya could finish his statement, Yui spoke up. Sanemi prepared to yell at her, but Kagaya raised his hand and he sat back down.

"Thank you. I wanted to say that while Kyoshi is a demon, I don't think he's a bad guy." She spoke with a worried look on her face.

"On what bases do you make this claim?" Kagaya asked.

"One night, I snuck out if my manor and into the nearby forest for some air. After a while, Kyoshi also came to the forest and we spoke for a while, but he suddenly was about to bite me on the neck, but he stopped. He even apologized!" Yui replied.

He face was reddened with a blush as she told the Hashira and the DSC leader her experience with Kyoshi.

They weren't too shocked, but they did seem to be contemplating something.

"I see. So you believe he could be like Masako. Correct?" Kagaya asked.

Yui nodded her head as she gained an anxious expression.

"I see. What do you guys think?" Kagaya asked as he turned to the Hashira.

"I pray he finds rest in his deserved realm." Gyomei said with tears flowing from his face.

"We've already allied with enough demons as it is. Even making one a Hashira." Sanemi scoffed.

"I say we find and exterminate it immediately!!" Rengoku added with his usual enthusiasm.

"Meh, do whatever." Tokito, the Mist Hashira said.

"Obviously we should kill it." Iguro, the Serpent Hashira commented with a calm voice.

"Seikichi's gonna be mad, but shouldn't we see how his body looks first~" The love Hashira, Kanroji, said.

"Hmm, I see. Then what about you three? What do you think?" Kagaya asked.

Tengen, Shinobu, and Giyu hadn't said a word.

"I believe we should wait and see what he's like. We've already made a demon a Hashira along with working with a half demon. I don't see why we can't negotiate with this one. Tengen answered.

His tone and demeanor at this moment was something different than they've ever heard. He was serious about this matter and anyone could tell why.

It's Seikichi's best friend and he thought, Seikichi deserved to know his friend is alive, but most likely a demon.

"I say we try to negotiate with him as well. Assuming we can find him. Having another demon with that type of strength on our side is extremely beneficial. But I also think we should keep this a secret from Seikichi." Shinobu added.

"Hm. I don't see the harm in trying to contain and form a connection with the demon like we've done thus far. I also agree with keeping this from Seikichi." Giyu said.

He didn't say this just for them to feel better nor for Seikichi. It was a selfish thought when he rembered that demon girl protecting her brother 2 years ago.

He held some hope that demons could be changing. Then again, he couldn't be sure the demon was like that girl completely.

Hearing his answer, the other were quite surprised. He's usually ready to kill a demon at any moment, but he seemed forgiving in a sense.

"I see. As there's a clear majority in this matter we'll have to go with the majority."

"Huh?!"

Yui was completely surprised. Even if they didn't want to work with a demon, they can't deny the fact that he could be a huge asset to the DSC.

"But…I'll say this. If Yui is able to make contact with him and set up a meeting between me and him, then I'll offer him a position in the DSC. If he's found by one of the Hashira that believe we should end him, then they're allowed to do so.

You three will help Yui in her endeavors since you seem to be on the same side. Regarding Seikichi…we keep this a secret. From what I hear hear he seemed stressed out lately. This news will surly push him into the deep end so keep you lips sealed." Kagaya said with a calm smile.

Everyone present bowed their heads and they were all dismissed. Shinobu, Tengen, Giyu, Masako and Yui all went together to discuss some topics while Rengoku, Sanemi, Gyomei, Kanroji, Iguro, and Tokito went their separate ways.

As all of this was happening everything would soon start to go into full swing. As most know, this current situation would be "the calm before the storm."

The pieces were gathered and now it's just a matter of who wins the game.