Perfect Welcome
[Seiji's POV]
I followed the crow for half a day. It proved to be quite a fun challenge as it flew over rivers, mountains and valleys while I had to do everything I could to catch up.
But in the end, I never lost the crow and right at noon, I reached the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
"This place is nice." I said while looking at the huge mansion and compound. The place was hidden between a range of mountains with barely any forest.
The trees surrounding the place were all cut down. I assumed it was to get easier view of anyone who approached the headquarters. A demon would be spotted before he got too close.
There were also many Kusagai crows who acted as security. There were walls surrounding the compound and they perched on top of that.
Raven flew off my head and decided to join her fellow she Kusagai crows. I shrugged and entered the headquarters through the main gate.
I head inside and before long, I noticed six people who were kneeling down in front of a house from afar.
My eyes could easily tell who they were so I immediately went there.
"You are finally here Seiji, we were waiting for you." I stopped when the master addressed me.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
He was sitting on the narrow wooden strip that ran along the Japanese traditional house that served as a transition between the interior and the compound.
He was much younger than I remembered and the scar on his face extended only to one eye. He looked quite healthy as well.
But my eyes saw the true condition his body was in.
He was....he was very ugly.
Like a demon.
"What are you doing dumbass!! Greet the master!!" screamed someone. It had no effect on me as I was deaf but his angry body language made me do as I was told.
I got on one knee and greeted Ubuyashiki.
"It's fine. I'm happy to see you my boy." he said. I looked up and observed the six people who were also kneeling in front of Kagaya.
Gyomei, the Stone Hashira.
Kanae, the Flower Hashira.
Giyu, the Water Hashira.
Uzui, the Sound Hashira.
Shinjuro, the Flame Hashira and father of Rengoku.
And finally, the person who just screamed at me.
Sanemi, the Wind Hashira.
These people were the existing Hashira today.
The first thing I noticed about them was the sheer aura of strength oozing off them. Just one glance and I could tell that no one was inferior to me.
I guess things were quite different at the top eh. I'm getting excited.
"Okay, so now that everyone is here, shall we begin our meeting? It has been only three months since the last Hashira meeting so you must all be confused why I had summoned you again. I'm sure you are curious." Ubuyashiki said.
I could not hear his voice but I assumed it must be quite lovely and charismatic because every single Hashira present listened very closely.
"We, the Demon Slayer Corps finally gained a new pillar today." he said and all of the Hashira were caught by surprise.
They all turned to look at me.
"Allow me to introduce you to the new Hashira, Seiji Shigan." Ubuyashiki said with a gentle smile that held unveiled wisdom.
The Hashiras present eyed me up and down. I could feel their analytic eyes as they tried to gauge my strength. The more experienced ones like Shinjuro and Uzui nodded, acknowledging my stregth while the young ones continued to be incredulous.
Especially the weakest of the bunch.
"Him? Master, are you sure he is qualified?" Sanemi asked while glaring holes at me. The guy got serious anger issues but he looked fun.
"I am sure Sanemi. If anything, Seiji here could not have been more qualified. After all, he succeeded in killing 50 demons while also slaying one of the lower moons." Ubuyashiki declared, eliciting gasps from them.
The Wind Hashira shook in his place for a while before he looked up, eyes even angrier. "I'm sorry master but I don't believe that. Please grant me permission to test his strength."
The others looked at him with wide eyes. They were surprised at how daring Sanemi was to say such things in front of thier master. Does he mean to accuse the master of lying?
Respect has always been a major virtue for Japanese people. So they all had ultimate respect to Ubuyashiki, who was thier benefactor and thier master. Especially since they were basically samurai and Ubuyashiki was thier lord.
Ubuyashiki had a small frown on his face. "Sanemi, i-"
That was when I cut in, "I accept."
They all turned to me again. "I accept his challenge to test my strength."
"Are you sure Seiji, you just fought a lower moon last night." he asked me, his face concerned.
"Yes, it will be fine Lord Ubuyashiki." I said and turned towards Sanemi with my eyes releasing a purple hue.
"Besides, I am not the only one who had a tough fight last night." I said. I could see fresh wounds, broken bones and a few other internal injuries on Sanemi.
It seemed he had a tough fight just recently as well. But after hearing the summon, he came to the headquarters immediately.
"Huh? Why do you accept? Are you looking down on me boy?!" Sanemi said, veins popped on his face to show his anger and agitation.
He stood up and walked towards me with slow intimidating steps. I could almost see fire and volcano behind him.
He stood in front of me. He was around two years older so he towered over me. While I stood at an impressive 5'5 feet, he was 5'10 feet.
"I said, are you looking down on me?!" He repeated as he towered over me.
I ignored him and moved my head to the side. I gave a look to Ubuyashiki and after a while, he gave a helpless smile and nodded.
'Yes, so it is decided.'
I alwasy wanted to fight against a Hashira. This will be a good time to test them, especially Sanemi who was one of the strongest character in Demon Slayer.
Lets see the level of my future allies.
"I can't let you get close!!" I said and pushed Sanemi as hard as I could. Perfect movement allowed me to push him with perfect technique so he fell on his butt.
I created distance between us and I heard the sound of something cracking. Sanemi's face was stiff with anger and I saw steam coming out his nose.
"You bastard!!" he yelled and pulled out his katana.
I replied to his action by pulling out my long sword, odachi.
"Let's reselolve this through talking." I said and Sanemi exploded out. His body easily cut through the air, as if the atmosphere was making way from him.
"Not a chance!!"
Wind coated his body and he exploded out like a hurricane. Since he was only using constant breathing, I did the same.
'Steroid Breathing.'
Power flowed through my muscle, boosting the overall performance of my body. Then my eyes read every little details about my opponent.
I learned a lot from one attack but one thing was certain, he was likely the waeknest amongst the Hashiras present and I suspect that it wasn't even long since he became a Hashira.
I swung my sword at him.
Our swords clashed and created saprks.
I smiled
A perfect welcome does exist.
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[IMAGE]
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Author : Thank you for all the stones. Here's your third chapter.
Did anyone get the reference?
Patreon : Emmanuel_Capricorn