"Takema-kun, Kanae and Shinobu sent a message back about you. I apologize for holding this meeting now."
After Kagaya sincerely apologized, he looked carefully and said:
"Do you know the breathing techniques and swordsmanship that you use?"
"Sun Breathing was created by Yoriichi Tsukiguni, and it is the ancestor and foundation of all Breathing Techniques, right?"
Seeing Shun accurately say these words, Kagaya nodded.
"Yes, during the Warring States Period, a genius samurai emerged – Yoriichi Tsukiguni."
"At the recommendation of the head of the Rengoku family, he joined the Demon Slayer Corps. Based on the principles of the Breathing Techniques he mastered, he created his own Sun Breathing and shared it with other members of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"However, since others could not withstand the power of the sun and could not learn Sun Breathing, Yoriichi Tsukiguni guided them to develop other breathing styles based on Sun Breathing, including Water, Thunder, Fire, Stone, and Wind."
"After that, the members of the Demon Slayer Corps created various derivative Breathing Techniques based on these five basic Breathing Techniques. The emergence of Breathing Techniques provided the Demon Slayer Corps with weapons to face Demons, and in battles with Demons, they gradually gained an advantage in the war."
"With the gradual improvement of Breathing Techniques, Sun Breathing has faded, but other Breathing Techniques have always developed rapidly, and their successors continue to create new forms based on their ancestors."
Kagaya appeared very enthusiastic today, and he said a lot in one breath.
"And now, the Demon Slayer Corps has grown to an unprecedented scale in history, with seven existing Hashira. Furthermore, perhaps it is God's will for you, Takema-kun, to appear at this time! ... Cough..."
"Oyakata-sama, please take care of yourself."
"Oyakata-sama, please don't get too excited."
The Hashira in the courtyard hurriedly spoke with concern, clearly showing their deep respect for the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Kagaya smiled gratefully at them in response, then coughed a few more times before feeling better.
"I apologize, Takema-kun, I got too excited. When I think that the tragic fate endured by our family for thousands of years might be resolved in this generation, I cannot contain my feelings."
"If you don't mind, may I tell you a story?"
"Of course."
Although Shun already knew about Kibutsuji Muzan and the Ubuyashiki clan, he pretended to be interested and listened attentively.
Kagaya explained in detail the origins of the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan, the bloody battles his family fought against Muzan for thousands of years, as well as the history and mission of the Demon Slayer Corps.
During the Heian period, Muzan was just an ordinary person suffering from an illness. To prolong his life, an apothecary prepared a special medicine for him. He killed the apothecary, but afterward, he found that his health had recovered, gaining unmatched strength and immortality!
However, Muzan also began to crave human blood and flesh. Although this was not a problem for him, having gained great power, being unable to walk under the sun became his most fatal weakness. Not being able to walk in sunlight for his entire life made him feel deeply humiliated and angry.
Muzan began to create Demons to seek the Blue Spider Lily. Due to the rebellion of the Demons and the curse on the family, the Ubuyashiki clan formed the Demon Slayer Corps and began hunting Demons.
In the Demon Slayer Corps, swordsmen are divided into ten ranks: Mizunoto, Mizunoe, Kanoto, Kanoe, Tsuchinoto, Tsuchinoe, Hinoto, Hinoe, Kinoto, and Kinoe. When a Kinoe-ranked swordsman kills the last Demon in the Twelve Moons of Demons, he can become a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Takema-kun has proven your ability to defeat a Lower Rank of the Twelve Moons of Demons. You can easily defeat the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Moons of Demons to the point of destruction, and you also inherit Sun Breathing."
"If you join the Demon Slayer Corps, we will have a strength that surpasses all eras. Perhaps in our generation, we can truly defeat Muzan!"
Seeing Kagaya becoming more enthusiastic, the other Hashira seemed hesitant to speak.
"Oyakata-sama, I can understand your feelings, and I admire the tenacity of the Ubuyashiki clan and the life-and-death sacrifices of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Shun felt it was better to clarify a few things first.
"However, I do not have the habit of being someone's subordinate. To be honest, with my abilities and personality, I hate being ruled and ordered to do something anywhere."
"So, I do not wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
Given his current abilities, if he didn't want to dominate the world and cause chaos, he had already graduated from nine years of compulsory education. Did he still want to work as a breadwinner in the Ubuyashiki clan?
"So rather than asking me to join you, you should come to me for help."
Shun said this very calmly, which immediately made the courtyard Hashira frown.
Promotions to Hashira were all based on killing Lower Ranks. In their opinion, Shun had just killed one of the Lower Rank Twelve Moons of Demons.
"I'm not short on money, and I have no desire to gain power in this world."
"So, my conditions are simple."
"During this period, the Ubuyashiki clan and the Demon Slayer Corps come to support me and provide me with the five basic Breathing Techniques, as well as training experience."
"And I will look for the right opportunity to kill the Twelve Moons of Demons and slay the Demon King to understand the bloody battles that have caused problems for thousands of years."
"By the way, regarding matters related to the Twelve Moons of Demons and Muzan, I have full authority to make decisions. Even Hashira, listen to me or leave."
After Shun finished speaking, the atmosphere in the entire courtyard froze.
It was exactly like the moment of calm before a storm; the present Hashira erupted with a terrifying momentum, glaring at the arrogant young man with fiery eyes.
Seeing this situation, Shun couldn't help but remain completely unyielding; instead, he raised the corners of his mouth and smiled, saying:
"I guess the Hashira must be very angry."
"But that's fine. If you don't accept it, please take action."
"If you can defeat me, I'm willing to join. If you lose, fulfill what I just said, how about that?"
All the Hashira looked toward Kagaya, wanting to get his permission.
After pondering for a moment, Kagaya nodded.
In an instant, the entire courtyard was illuminated by countless sword lights waving simultaneously!