2 Vol. III Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

"Alright! Let's give it our all!"

With just one line, the room fell silent as everyone turned to look at Kyojuro Rengoku. The young swordsman's face was radiant with confidence, practically glowing with enthusiasm.

"Pfft… Hahaha!"

Uzui Tengen couldn't hold back his laughter. "Hey, do you even know how long it takes to become a Hashira?"

Shinazugawa Sanemi's sharp eyes narrowed. "Confidence? Sure, I see it. But where are the results? Do you think becoming a Hashira is as easy as running your mouth?"

"Of course not!" Kyojuro stood his ground, unfazed by Sanemi's icy glare. "That's why I'm giving everything I have to slay demons!"

"Everything? Funny, I don't see it." Sanemi stood abruptly, his fists clenching audibly. "Oyakata-sama, forgive me… I just need to teach this cocky brat a lesson."

"Sanemi," Himejima Gyomei's deep voice interjected, calm but firm.

"Sanemi-san…" Kocho Kanae cast a worried glance at both Kyojuro and Haruto. She was uneasy—not just about Kyojuro's boldness but also Haruto's seemingly indifferent attitude, as though he hadn't noticed Sanemi's rising anger.

Sanemi paused for a moment, his scowl tightening.

"Don't worry. I won't kill him."

Kyojuro took a deep breath, his eyes wide with determination.

What overwhelming pressure… So this is the strength of the Hashira! Though Haruto is also a Pillar, he doesn't carry this same bloodthirsty aura.

Sanemi cast Kyojuro a cold glance before lunging with a lightning-fast kick aimed at the young swordsman's neck, his movement leaving a faint blur in the air.

Bam! Kyojuro swiftly raised his arm, deflecting the attack.

Sanemi blinked, surprised that his initial strike didn't knock the boy out. Without missing a beat, he twisted and launched a flurry of punches, his fists raining down like hailstones.

"What makes you think you're worthy of becoming a Hashira?" Sanemi roared as his blows landed.

"The title goes to the capable, not those born into it! Just because your name is Rengoku and you've got that flaming hair doesn't mean you can inherit the Flame Hashira's seat! Get out there and slay demons! Hunt them relentlessly! Stop spouting ideals and prove your worth with action!"

Kyojuro, shielding his head from the barrage, didn't show a hint of anger. Instead, he remained calm under Sanemi's assault.

"Why aren't you fighting back?!" Sanemi snarled. "If all you do is dodge, you'll just end up as demon fodder!"

With one final, heavy elbow strike aimed at Kyojuro's face, Sanemi found his attack stopped mid-air, caught firmly in Kyojuro's large hand.

"I could never raise a hand against you, Shinazugawa-san," Kyojuro said, his expression as bright as ever, his voice unwavering. "It's wrong to fight a comrade. And besides, isn't it forbidden for Demon Slayer Corps members to engage in personal duels?"

"You little… Are you lecturing me?!" Sanemi's voice faltered with disbelief.

"Shinazugawa, your strikes are heavy, but I can feel the care and sincerity behind them!" Kyojuro declared with unshakable enthusiasm. "Though your words may be sharp, I know you have a kind heart. You want to ignite my fighting spirit so that I face demons with the same fervor you do, don't you? Rest assured! I will do my best not to end up as demon fodder! Thank you, Shinazugawa-san!"

"Thank you, Shinazugawa-san."

Sanemi stood frozen, dumbstruck.

"You… You're thanking me? I just beat the crap out of you, and you're thanking me?!"

"What a weirdo," Uzui Tengen muttered, smirking as he turned his head. "But surprisingly flamboyant, don't you think?"

"Weirdo," Giyu murmured quietly.

Sabito snickered under his breath. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd call someone else weird."

Haruto chuckled softly, his voice low. "Doesn't this kind of personality suit the Demon Slayer Corps perfectly? Always passionate, always brimming with energy and kindness—that's what it means to be a wielder of Flame Breathing."

"Oh, so that's why your Flame Breathing technique is so terrible."

"…Sabito!"

Eventually, it was Oyakata-sama's gentle voice that calmed the confrontation. He spoke with the soothing tone of a spring breeze, reminding the two of their duties and turning his attention to Kyojuro.

"A demon, possibly one of the Twelve Kizuki, has been spotted in the Imperial Capital. I want to assign this mission to you, Kyojuro."

"The Twelve Kizuki?"

"Oyakata-sama," Kanae spoke up, concern evident in her voice. "Kyojuro is still too young. If this truly involves one of the Twelve Kizuki, shouldn't we handle it instead?"

"I believe Kyojuro understands my reasoning. The Imperial Capital was once Rengoku Shinjuro's jurisdiction."

"Yes, Oyakata-sama!" Kyojuro answered firmly, his voice full of conviction. "I will do everything I can to protect the area under my father's care!"

As they left Oyakata-sama's residence, Sanemi stormed ahead, visibly irritated. Haruto couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

Throwing an arm around Kyojuro's shoulder, he asked, "So, do you have any close comrades? The Imperial Capital is huge. You'll need more than just yourself to find this demon."

Sabito chimed in, raising his voice slightly so Kyojuro could hear.

"Not to mention, the city's crowded. You'll have to evacuate civilians while dealing with a Twelve Kizuki. You'll need a solid team."

"I've already got some swordsmen stationed near the capital. We'll work together!" Kyojuro replied confidently.

"Alright, then. Let's eat first," Haruto said, patting his shoulder. "No matter how tough the mission gets, it's best to tackle it on a full stomach. Besides, Oyakata-sama seems to have high hopes for you."

The Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters cafeteria was unusually lively that day. The moment Haruto pushed the curtain aside, the aroma of sweet red bean paste filled the air. Swordsmen bustled around, carrying plates stacked high with various treats, their faces lit with cheerful smiles.

Haruto grinned. "Ah, so Oyakata-sama wasn't joking about this!"

Among the crowd, he spotted familiar faces: Murata passionately telling a story, and Iguro Obanai—wrapped in his usual bandages—standing stiffly with his personal meal box, staring at a table.

At that table sat a girl with long, cherry-blossom pink hair, wearing a revealing uniform and a short skirt. Her striking green eyes sparkled like spring water, exuding warmth and charm.

Surrounded by male swordsmen, she seemed oblivious to their noisy chatter. Haruto frowned slightly at the scene.

"Ah, that's Kanroji," Kyojuro said with a smile. "It seems she's quite popular."

"Kanroji?" Haruto recalled a mention of her in Senjuro's letters. "Isn't she your disciple?"

"She was," Kyojuro replied. "But after passing the selection and joining the Demon Slayer Corps, we're no longer master and student."

"I see. Since Senjuro likes her, then…" Haruto stepped forward and tapped Sanemi's shoulder. "Hey, Sanemi. Clear the way."

Already annoyed by the noise, Sanemi's expression darkened. He glared at the table, his voice cold and cutting.

"Don't you idiots have anything better to do?!"

The room fell silent instantly, the oppressive chill in Sanemi's tone scattering the crowd like leaves in a storm. Within seconds, the swordsmen surrounding Kanroji fled.

Haruto smirked. Shinazugawa crowd disperser—as effective as ever.