Chapter 51 51: Taking Turns in Teaching

Under the eyes of every Hashira present, Kagaya Ubuyashiki calmly announced his decision.

"Tanjiro Kamado will be promoted to the rank of Kinoe."

The Demon Slayer Corps' ranks rose in order from Mizunoto, Mizunoe, Kanoto, Kanoe, Tsuchinoto, Tsuchinoe, Hinoto, Hinoe, Kinoto, and finally Kinoe.

Above them stood only the Hashira.

Originally, Tanjiro had been a Mizunoto—the lowest rank in the Corps. With this decision, he had leaped almost to the very top in a single step.

As for why he was not promoted directly to Hashira…

Kagaya had naturally considered it.

There were two ways to become a Hashira. One was to slay fifty demons. The other was to defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki alone.

By that standard, Tanjiro had more than earned the right.

But standards were one thing. Reality was another.

The Hashira of this generation were exceptional, far beyond the ordinary measures of the past. Tanjiro had potential, and he had Asuramaru, but his own strength had not yet truly reached their level.

More importantly, the title of Hashira was not merely proof of power.

A Hashira was a pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps.

A symbol. A protector. Someone who could stand at the front and bear the weight of others without being crushed.

Tanjiro was still young.

He needed time, tempering, and experience.

When the promotion was announced, several Hashira showed brief surprise. They had expected the Master to raise Tanjiro directly into their ranks, especially after all that had happened.

Still, none of them questioned the decision.

If the Master chose this path, then he must have his reasons.

Tanjiro himself did not care much about rank. Neither did Alex, who remained inside the sword.

A title was only a title.

Whether it existed or not changed very little.

Even so, Tanjiro lowered his head respectfully.

"Thank you, Master. I'll work even harder from now on!"

Kagaya smiled gently.

"Yes. I believe you will."

Then he turned his attention to the rest of the gathered swordsmen.

"For now, the matter concerning Tanjiro Kamado is settled. He may withdraw."

As soon as those words fell, Shinobu Kocho raised one hand.

With her usual soft smile, she said, "In that case, allow Tanjiro Kamado to stay at my estate for the time being."

She clapped her hands lightly.

Two fully equipped Kakushi appeared almost at once. They carefully returned Nezuko to her wooden box, then escorted Tanjiro out of the courtyard without delay.

Kagaya watched them leave.

A sincere smile slowly touched his lips.

In his heart, a thought surfaced with quiet certainty.

Perhaps, in my generation, Muzan Kibutsuji truly will meet his end.

...

With Nezuko's box on his back, Tanjiro followed the two Kakushi down a country path.

They walked for a long time.

By the time they reached their destination, a beautiful estate stood before them, quiet and elegant beneath the daylight.

The moment they entered, Tanjiro noticed butterflies drifting through the courtyard.

They danced over the flowers, brushed past the eaves, and fluttered through the gentle air as though the entire estate had been built for them.

It was the Butterfly Mansion.

As they crossed the courtyard, Tanjiro noticed a quiet young girl nearby.

She stood silently, almost like a doll, with an unreadable expression and delicate features. Tanjiro could not help taking a second look.

She seemed familiar.

After a moment, he remembered.

She had been one of the survivors from Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane.

Before he could recall anything else, a voice suddenly sounded from behind them.

"Oh, Kakushi. More injured people?"

Tanjiro turned with the others.

A girl with twin tails stood there, her expression serious and businesslike.

"Follow me," she said.

The group obeyed and entered the mansion.

Before long, they arrived outside a room whose sliding door had been left open.

A familiar voice was already wailing from inside.

"This medicine is too bitter! Why do I have to take it so many times?! This is torture! Legal torture!"

Tanjiro did not even need to look.

That was definitely Zenitsu.

When they reached the doorway, he saw Zenitsu Agatsuma dressed in a patient gown, throwing a dramatic fit on his sickbed.

Beside him, Inosuke lay on another bed, unusually quiet.

Tanjiro hurried inside, relief brightening his face.

"Zenitsu! Inosuke! I'm so glad you're both alright!"

At the sound of his voice, Zenitsu turned sharply.

The moment he saw Tanjiro's harmless face, he lunged toward him with the desperation of a man greeting his last hope.

"Tanjiro! Hurry, let me touch Asuramaru! If he heals me, I won't have to drink that bitter medicine anymore! I'm terribly injured! Horribly injured! Possibly tragically injured!"

Inside the sword, Alex was silent.

I can hear your scheme from in here.

Tanjiro did feel a little sorry for him.

Then his nose twitched.

A lie.

Zenitsu's scent was full of it.

Tanjiro's expression shifted at once. Without hesitation, he walked past Zenitsu and headed straight toward Inosuke's bed.

Behind him, Zenitsu kept whining.

"Huh? Tanjiro? Don't leave! My wounds! My poor fragile body! Let Asuramaru comfort me!"

Tanjiro ignored him.

He approached Inosuke and was about to ask how he felt when a low, muffled voice came from the bed.

"Sorry."

Tanjiro paused.

Inosuke's boar mask was still on, so his expression could not be seen. But his voice sounded strangely flat.

"I was too weak. I couldn't help you back then."

Tanjiro's face softened immediately.

"Don't say that, Inosuke. It's not like you to be depressed. I'm already really happy that you wanted to help me."

Inosuke did not answer.

No one knew what he was thinking beneath that mask.

In truth, neither Zenitsu nor Inosuke was gravely injured anymore. They had been placed at the Butterfly Mansion less for treatment and more for training.

Both were promising swordsmen.

Naturally, the Demon Slayer Corps had no intention of letting them slack off.

Elsewhere, the Hashira Meeting had not yet fully ended.

Inside a room lit by candlelight, Kagaya sat before the Hashira and asked, "What are your thoughts regarding Tanjiro's training?"

As usual, Sanemi Shinazugawa was the first to speak.

He raised one scar-covered arm and said bluntly, "Combat is the fastest way to improve. With Asuramaru's healing ability, there's no need to worry about injuries. Beat him until he gets stronger."

The proposal received immediate approval.

Even Kagaya could not find fault with the logic.

The question was, who would train Tanjiro?

Sanemi stepped forward without hesitation.

"I'll do it. I'll raise his strength in the shortest time possible."

"Namu Amida Butsu." Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together, tears rolling from his blind eyes. "Perhaps I should be the one to guide him."

Tengen Uzui grinned. "The legendary Sun Breathing must be extremely flashy. I'd like to see it for myself."

Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes burned with enthusiasm. "Training that boy? I would gladly take part!"

One after another, the Hashira voiced interest.

For once, nearly everyone wanted the same thing.

Kagaya found himself in a rare dilemma.

After a moment, he offered a compromise.

"Since all of you wish to train Tanjiro, why not take turns? Each of you may teach him for one day."

The proposal was accepted unanimously.

And so, Tanjiro's training plan was decided.

The method was simple.

Extremely simple.

He would be beaten.

Again and again.

Until he grew stronger.

As for Zenitsu and Inosuke…

They were merely unfortunate bystanders caught in the blast zone.

.....

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