When Ubuyashiki asked him the question, Shion looked up, blinking in confusion.
It was a question he'd asked himself countless times on the way here with Sanemi.
Back then, he had thought long and hard.
What did he want to do, now that he was thrown into this world?
The answer, in the end, was simple.
He wanted to be involved with the main cast. To save them.
He wanted to create a better future for them. To prevent the tragedies he knew were coming.
And more than anything, Shion wanted to see everything with his own eyes.
Even if it meant putting his life on the line. Even if it meant facing near-certain death.
That was what Amakaze Shion wanted.
He bowed his head and spoke softly.
"I want to become a Demon Slayer."
Shion kept his head lowered, waiting for a response.
The silence stretched for a few moments.
And then—
"I am in favor, Oyakata-sama."
Shion's head snapped up in surprise.
"When I first met him, he'd already defeated a demon on his own," Sanemi continued, his head still bowed. "He avenged the Slayer who died protecting him. He's not the type to give up."
Sanemi's voice carried a grudging respect, though he grumbled the last part as if annoyed by his own words.
Shion's lips curled into a teasing smile.
"You like me, don't you?"
"Huh?"
Sanemi's face twisted in disgust. Veins bulged on his forehead as he snarled, "You want to eat rocks for the rest of your life?"
Shion laughed, though a flicker of unease passed through him. The threat didn't sound entirely empty.
"You must have potential if Sanemi himself recommends you," Ubuyashiki said, his tone calm and measured. "It seems the two of you have developed a healthy relationship. I'm happy for you, Sanemi. It's good to have a friend."
Sanemi looked away, grumbling under his breath.
"We're not friends."
'Oh, look. He's embarrassed,' Shion thought, amused.
Sanemi must have sensed his gaze because he turned to glare daggers at him. Shion quickly looked down, suppressing a shiver.
'Yep. He's going to kill me.'
Ubuyashiki spoke again, drawing their attention.
"Shion, with your knowledge of Muzan Kibutsuji, you are of great value to the Demon Slayer Corps. Normally, to become a Slayer, one must pass the Final Selection. However, we shall see what the future holds."
He turned to Sanemi.
"For now, Sanemi, I have a request. Can you escort Shion to the Butterfly Mansion? Once he recovers, I would like you to train him."
Both Shion and Sanemi froze, their expressions mirroring each other in shock.
Sanemi was the first to recover, his displeasure unmistakable.
"Oyakata-sama, I can't accept this request. My time is better spent hunting demons. I don't take disciples."
Ubuyashiki's serene smile didn't falter.
"Of course, I would never ask you to train someone at the expense of others' lives. I simply ask that you train him when you are free. You don't need to take him as your disciple unless you wish to. Still… you saw potential in him, did you not? Who knows? Perhaps the two of you could learn much from one another."
Sanemi's frown deepened, but he eventually bowed his head.
"If that is your wish, Oyakata-sama."
Shion stared at him, wide-eyed.
Ubuyashiki's gaze shifted to Shion, his smile curving slightly higher.
A nervous laugh almost escaped Shion's lips as he bowed in gratitude.
'He knew I wanted Sanemi to train me… For someone blind, he sees way too much.'
But his relief didn't last long. A frown replaced it as a troubling thought crossed his mind.
'Right now, my value lies in knowing about Muzan. But once Tanjiro joins the Corps and him knowing Muzan gets revealed during the Hashira meeting… won't I become irrelevant?'
The thought chilled him.
Even though Ubuyashiki was a kind man, Shion knew better than to mistake kindness for mercy. Ubuyashiki wasn't afraid to take hard measures for the sake of victory.
The conclusion was clear.
'The only way to stay valuable is to become stronger.'
Shion clenched his fists.
He had to be strong enough to make even the Final Selection feel like a mere formality.
There was no other option.