32. Broken Soul

Two days passed by. Leo made a full recovery shocking his friends and the medical personnels.

Kanae and even the annoying Shinobu was solemn and serious when they witnessed this spectacular sight.

They both examined him from top to bottom trying to find out how he did it. The look they both gave him send a shiver down his spine.

One interesting thing happened in these past two days, Leo and the gang met the last member of Shinobu's family.

Kanao Tsuyuri.

She was an adopted child. Kanae accidentally found her when she was a slave and decided to adopt her. However both of them soon came to realise that Kanao wouldn't do anything without being told to do so. This was quite a headache for Shinobu.

Good thing that Kanae had a good head on her shoulders, she taught Kanao a method to decide when she was confused or hesitating. It's to simply toss a coin and decide.

When Leo saw Kanao he was startled, her soul was surrounded by a dull mist. Usually this mist would have different colours representing different emotions however Kanao's was dull and devoid of any colour.

He didn't know what she went through to be so indifferent towards life, towards herself. Sabito and the rest felt sad when they heard about her condition from Leo.

"Don't worry, my Kanao is so cute, when she falls in love with someone she will definitely change. And there would be lot of suitors after her, no one can resist my cute little Kanao."

Leo didn't have any particular intention when he asked about Kanao however Kanae's response left him twitching. It seems that Kanae loved cute stuffs, be it living or not.

Since Leo had made a full recovery he was called in by the highest power within the Demon Slayer Corps to report what happened.

Walking through the corridors Leo came across a small yard. A pond with clear water with some colourful fish swimming across greeted his eyes, a wisteria tree bloomed near it, across the whole yard were smaller plants brimming with life.

Leo's eyes scanned through the place and settled on six figures kneeling before a man. The man was in his mid twenties and had a serene aura to him, his being seems to have merged with nature. If not for Leo's special ability he would surely miss his existence.

"Pleasure to meet you, Leo Heart. My name is Ubuyashiki Kagaya."

Leo's thoughts were broken by his serene voice. He kneeled down and offered his sincerest respect to this person before him.

In his eyes this man's soul was covered by a myriad of colours, it shined brightly within the darkness, full of hope, care, compassion, kindness...

He had heard from the Kanae that Ubuyashiki family has been fighting against the demons for over a thousand year. They were the backbone holding up the Demon Slayer Corps. And he had heard especially about Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

The Ubuyashiki family had a curse and because of that no descendant of this family would live beyond thirty. Throughout generations the leader of Ubuyashiki took over his predecessor's position when they were young.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya also followed that same path, he had a calm demeanor and showed genuine care towards the members of the Slayers Corps, even considering them as his children.

His inability to become a Demon Slayer despite being their leader had always waited on his mind. In order to make up for his weakness, he memorized the name of every single member of the corps since he took over as their leader.

And he would visit the cemetary everyday, to offer incense and pray for those who died for their cause.

Kagaya spoke, "Congratulations on your recovery. Let me introduce you to your seniors. This is the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku."

Kyojuro was a young adult of tall stature with bright yellow hair with red streaks, black forked eyebrows, and golden eyes. His outfit consisted of the regular Demon Slayer uniform along with a white-yellow gradient pattern haori with red flame-like ridges at the end.

"Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui."

Tengen was a very tall, bulky, muscular, light skinned man. His hair was white and of uneven length, he was well built and had maroon eyes that appear to slant inwards, his long eyelashes flowed to the far side of his face.

"You already know the Flower Hashira, Kocho Kanae."

Kanae showed a mesmerising smile towards Leo.

"The Snake Hashira, Obanai Iguro."

Obanai was a young man of short stature and a pale complexion. He had straight-edged black hair, which he wore down with two shorter strands hanging between his eyes. His eyes were almond-shaped and were unusual due to Obanai possessing heterochromia—his right eye was yellow and his left eye was turquoise.

"The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinozugawa."

Sanemi was a tall, muscular, slender man with spiky white hair and large eyes. His face and body were covered with scars.

"This is the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima."

Gyomei had a hulking fugure. He was the tallest among the Hashiras, he had a strong and extremely muscular body. His hair was short, black and spiky, a prominent scar ran horizontally across his forehead.

Leo bowed his head towards the six in respect.

"Leo, could you recount what happened that day."

Leo collected his thoughts and explained what happened without missing anything. The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku laughed out loud and said loudly.

"Well done, Leo! It's been over a century since an Upper Moon fell!"

The others also nodded their head in approval for what Leo did.

Leo bowed and said humbly, "Me and my friends simply fulfilled our duties."

"Still you guys flamboyantly took out an Upper Moon. It's a miracle no one died."

Tengen Uzui, the sound pillar exclaimed. Leo shook his head in denial and said seriously.

"Major part of that success can be attributed to luck. Upper Moon Six underestimated us, that gave us an edge to surprise him."

Rengoku said with a wide smile, "A victory is victory. Be a man and accept it! You and your friends ability to analyse the situation and capitalise on his contempt towards you is what brought you victory. And luck is also part of one's strength."

"I agree."

The others also agreed with him.

Leo smiled in embarrassment. Ubuyashiki smiled lightly and said.

"Now that an Upper Moon fell Muzan won't sit still. Be extremely careful on your future assignments."

They all bowed and acknowledged his command.

"As per your wish, Oyakata-sama."