33. Hashiras Are Insufferable

'So, she doesn't like demons.' 

Kotaro looked at Mitsuri sleeping beside him, having insisted on staying to care for him. The moon was up, and tomorrow was the day of the meeting. 

In a way, Kotaro understood why he had been called by Kagaya. He was someone with a newfound power that could kill demons even at night without the use of any tools—something too unbelievable for them to ignore. 

And the determined Kagaya, who would do anything to take down the demon progenitor, wouldn't miss the chance to observe and possibly recruit this power. 

Recruit… This was what lingered in Kotaro's mind. When he asked Mitsuri about her attitude toward demons, he was thinking about this. 

What does she think of demons? 

Truthfully, even though Kotaro had killed the demon responsible for Aiko's death, the anger in him hadn't completely subsided. With Hamon in his hands, his anger was flaring, driving him to seek revenge by killing demons. 

At that moment, he wanted to join the demon slayers and eliminate the demons. But that's when he heard Mitsuri's voice, calling him with deep concern.

"Kotaro-sama."

And he realized that revenge was a path of no return. Even if he accomplished his goal and defeated the demon progenitor, Aiko wouldn't come back. 

Moreover, in this quest for revenge, he would have to risk a lot—himself and even Mitsuri. That's when he understood that he couldn't make decisions in a fit of rage. 

He discarded his anger, his need for revenge, and decided to stay as he was before, with Mitsuri. He hated the demons; he wanted to kill them all, but none of that compared to his life with Mitsuri. 

And Kotaro was sure that even Aiko would have wanted that. 

So… 

Kotaro was determined. If, in the meeting, Kagaya invited him to become a demon slayer, he would reject the offer. 

"I won't become a demon slayer." 

… 

"Good morning, everyone." 

A soft yet strong voice came from the frail man, soothing everyone present before him. 

"Oyakata-sama!" 

At the sight of the man, all the people bowed, leaving Kotaro feeling like the odd one out. Mitsuri, who had come to the headquarters to support Kotaro, was flustered, unsure if she should bow as well. 

She wanted to, but seeing Kotaro standing there, paying no heed to the rest, made her stay upright as well. Sensitive to the stares, she turned her head to find all the so-called Hashiras looking at them with sharp gazes. 

'It's scary!' 

But then she felt warmth—Kotaro holding her hand, which calmed her down. That's right, she had Kotaro-sama with her! She blushed a bit at his intimate action in front of others but still snuggled closer to him. 

"Sorry for interrupting, Oyakata-sama. But why are ordinary people here in the Hashira meeting?" 

With a face and body full of scars that suited his ferocious personality, the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, pointed at Kotaro and Mitsuri as he spoke. He was already enraged by their presence, and their failure to bow before Kagaya only fueled his anger. 

Looking at him, Kotaro wondered if this was really the same Sanemi Shinazugawa. You know, when Sanemi first met Kagaya, he too—no, he was even more rude to Kagaya, and now… 

Look at his loyalty! What a twist! 

Despite all his flaws, Kotaro had to admit that Kagaya Ubayashiki was indeed a great leader, capable of commanding such people. Now, Kotaro was on guard, making sure not to fall victim to this man's ire. 

"He is Kotaro Kenshin. Kyojuro told me about him, mentioning that he used some different technique to kill a demon at night with his bare fists. I invited him to learn more about this new technique. After all, if we want to defeat the demons, we should know all the ways to do so." 

Listening to Kagaya's words, Sanemi bowed again in agreement, before speaking up once more. 

"As you wish, Oyakata-sama. But I find it hard to believe that this man killed a demon with his bare fists—especially at night. It's impossible!" 

Killing a demon using nothing but bare fists? That's impossible! Demons can only be killed by sunlight or sunlight-infused weapons. Poison is another alternative, but fists? Even the Stone Hashira, who once punched a demon until morning, agreed with Sanemi's skepticism. 

"Namu Amida Butsu. Even though Oyakata-sama is telling us this, I still find it hard to believe." 

Another Hashira – the Sound one joined in, pointing at himself as he too expressed disbelief that such a new technique could kill demons at night, especially when used by this injured man. 

"I also don't believe it flamboyantly."

The Snake and Mist Hashira had yet to be appointed, and the remaining Water and Insect Hashira hadn't voiced their opinions yet. But before they could, Kotaro spoke up. 

"I don't care about your opinions. I'm not here to win your trust or beg you to let me show my technique. I'm here because Kagaya-san asked me to come." 

Listening to their opinions only made Kotaro angrier. What is this? He's not even part of their so-called Demon Slayer Corps, yet they're deciding whether what he did is true or not. 

'Damn! They were so likable in the anime, how come they're so insufferable in real life?!' 

These guys don't know that Kotaro Kenshin is not a man bound by the norms of this time. He's a man of modern times. And in modern times, authority is something people just spit on. If not in person, then on the internet. 

"You…!" 

Sanemi, who heard him, fumed with rage and drew his green blade, ready to strike him down. What did he just hear? This man not only disrespected Oyakata-sama but also called him by name? 

He was going to kill him!

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A/N:

There's nothing much to say except to ask: How is the chapter? I'd love some feedback on how to improve it further!

And yes, I've seen many suggesting that Mitsuri should continue on her original path of using the Breathing Technique instead of Hamon. Thanks a lot! This will make it much easier for me to write the story—and for Kotaro to spend his nights peacefully. If he had taught Mitsuri Hamon... Poor guy.