Chapter 20: The Ice Hashira?, Allow Me to Refuse!

The headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps—a place shrouded in mystery.

Getting there required the guidance of the Kakushi Corps.

Blindfolded and carried on their backs, they were moved repeatedly until they lost all sense of direction, finally arriving at the right location.

"Here we are; you can get down now."

Kondo carefully removed Zhou Yi's blindfold.

After expressing their thanks, Kondo and another female member stepped away.

"Lord Oyakata-sama is inside," Kondo said as a parting remark.

"This feels unreal," Makomo said, looking at the orderly architecture surrounding her. She instinctively patted her cheeks.

"Ouch! It's real! I actually made it here!"

Makomo, usually calm and composed, couldn't contain her excitement.

"Master always said only the most outstanding demon slayer qualify to come here. I never thought I could do it!"

Thump!

Zhou Yi flicked her forehead lightly.

"You managed to defeat a former Lower Moon Rank Demon on your own. Doesn't that count as outstanding? Stop undervaluing yourself!"

"Come on, let's go inside!"

Makomo stuck out her tongue, finally accepting her newfound strength.

"To think I've become this strong..."

"Thank you, junior brother.

"Without you, I wouldn't have improved so quickly..."

Her voice was soft, and Zhou Yi, walking ahead, didn't catch her words.

The two passed through a corridor and reached their destination, where three figures awaited them.

A muscular man, blind in both eyes, with prayer beads draped around his neck, giving the appearance of a monk.

A man dressed in extravagant attire, wearing a headband inlaid with diamonds, with the look of a ninja.

The last person appeared somewhat more normal—sporting long golden hair with fiery red tips, his expression radiating a burning passion.

They were none other than the Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyōmei; the Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen; and the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjurō.

Zhou Yi recognized all three but had to pretend he didn't know them at all.

"How audacious for a mere Rank Mizunoto demon slayer to arrive last in such a flashy manner. Absolutely unacceptable!"

"You two should flashily commit seppuku(suicide by disembowelment) right here!"

Typical Uzui Tengen—a man of flair and bold declarations, the ninja of a fading era.

The other two had already heard about Zhou Yi and had a good impression of him, so they refrained from commenting.

"Everyone's here now, so let's begin."

A calm and friendly voice came from behind the closed shoji door, immediately easing the tension in the room.

The door slid open to reveal a boy, no more than fourteen, his face now marked with faint brown patterns—evidence of the curse still plaguing the Ubuyashiki family.

"Master!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya continued:

"Zhou Yi hails from a distant land, so there's no need to adhere to our kneeling etiquette. Everyone, please relax."

There was a natural charisma in his tone that immediately earned Zhou Yi's admiration.

"Makomo and Zhou Yi, welcome to the Demon Slayer Corps family.

"Urokodaki-sensei praised you highly in his letter, and you've certainly lived up to expectations, achieving great feats in just a few days."

"Makomo defeated the former Lower Moon Five and even mastered Ice Breathing."

This achievement stunned the three nearby.

While the Corps had slain many Lower Moon demons before, the girl before them had been part of the Corps for less than half a month!

To reach this level immediately after completing her training—it was something they couldn't imagine for themselves.

"Amitabha... truly remarkable for one so young!" Himejima Gyōmei's blind eyes filled with tears as he spoke.

"So you've got some skill after all! I'll flashily take back what I said earlier—you're better off alive!" Uzui Tengen quickly reversed his stance.

"Our team is growing stronger every day!" Rengoku Shinjurō remarked with a touch of emotion.

Kagaya smiled warmly, clearly pleased. "Given Makomo's age and ability, I've decided to promote her to the rank of Ice Hashira. Does anyone object?"

"No objections."

"Flashily agreed!"

"Of course not!"

The unanimous agreement left no room for doubt.

I've become a Hashira?

Makomo felt overwhelmed. The recent developments were truly a lot to take in.

First, she was "kicked out" of her master's house. Then, she arrived at the long-dreamed-of Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. And now, she had become the Ice Hashira of the Corps!

In just a flash, Makomo had gone from a lowly Mizunoto demon slayer to one of the Corps' core members. She felt a bit dazed.

"L-let me calm down for a moment..."

"Did... did Master mean that... I'm the Ice Hashira now?"

Makomo asked cautiously.

"There's no need to be nervous. It's well-deserved. You must believe in yourself," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said with a smile, his gentle words immediately easing Makomo's nerves.

"You should flashily accept being the Ice Hashira!" Uzui Tengen encouraged her.

The other two Hashiras nearby nodded in agreement.

Makomo took a deep breath and then made a shocking response.

"Sorry, but I must decline."

"I believe my junior is more deserving of becoming a Hashira!"

Uzui Tengen: ???

What's wrong with this girl? Turning down the position of Ice Hashira?!

And that guy next to her! Living off someone else to this extent?! Even if you're good-looking, that's no excuse!

Uzui Tengen completely missed the reactions of his two fellow Hashira nearby.

The Flame Hashira and Stone Hashira exchanged thoughtful glances before nodding in agreement.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------