23. Master of the Mansion

"Exactly what kind of stunt are you trying to pull here?" Sanemi demanded.

"Shinazugawa, please don't act out of line," Shinobu said calmly.

"What did you say about that demon, kid? That she can fight as a Demon Slayer to protect humans? You know what we call that?" Sanemi gripped his sword.

"A total delusion, you morons!" he spat, stabbing his sword into the box. Blood oozed out as Nezuko grunted in pain.

Hana darted forward, taking a defensive stance as her eyes locked with Sanemi's.

"Hashira or not, I won't let anyone hurt my younger siblings!" Hana warned.

Sanemi laughed and swung his sword, another grunt from Nezuko echoing inside the box. "Is that so? Good for you," he taunted, spinning the blade to clear the blood.

Hana sprinted towards him.

"Stop! The Master will arrive soon!" Giyuu called, but she didn't stop. Sanemi slashed at her, and Hana ducked, narrowly avoiding the blade.

She countered, leaping and striking his face with a kick. Blood sprayed from his nose as he fell, the box toppling with him.

Tanjiro rushed to the box protectively.

"If you can't tell the difference between a good demon and a bad one, you shouldn't be a Hashira!" he spat coldly.

"You little-" Sanemi lunged at Tanjiro, but Hana intercepted, stepping in front of him.

"You dare lay a hand on him!" Hana snarled.

"I'll destroy you!" Sanemi growled, pressing his sword to Hana's neck. She only glared back.

Suddenly, two voices called out in unison "The Master has arrived."

Hana glanced up to see a man with short black hair walking through the screen door. His presence alone was calming.

"So good of you to come, my beloved children," he said.

"Good morning, my children. The weather is splendid today," he continued. "It pleases me that we've made it to our Hashira meeting with no changes."

Distracted by the Master, Hana didn't react fast enough. Sanemi pressed her and Tanjiro's heads to the ground, forcing them to bow.

'So quick! I couldn't even react!' She grunted in pain.

"I am pleased to see you in good health, Master. I fervently pray for your continued fortune," Sanemi said, his voice calmer, formal.

Hana looked at him in sheer disbelief.

"Thank you, Sanemi," the Master replied.

"If I may, Master, before we begin the meeting, could you enlighten us about these Demon Slayers accompanied by a demon?" Sanemi asked.

"Right. I apologize for startling everyone," the Master began. "Regarding Hana, Tanjiro, and Nezuko, I've sanctioned their actions and request that you accept it."

Even so, Gyomei pressed his hands together in prayer. "Even if it's what you desire, Master, I cannot agree to it..."

"I'm flamboyantly opposed as well! A Demon Slayer traveling with a demon is unacceptable!" the Sound Hashira declared.

"I shall do whatever it is you wish, Master!" Mitsuri chirped.

"I'm fine either way... since I'm going to forget anyway," Muichiro said indifferently.

"I won't trust them. I won't trust them. In the first place, I loathe demons," Obanai muttered.

Giyuu and Shinobu didn't say anything

"Although I respect you with all my heart, that's an incomprehensible notion, Master! I oppose it with everything I've got!" Rengoku stated.

Hana quietly memorized the faces of those who stood against her and her siblings.

Sanemi spoke firmly, "The Demon Slayer Corps' mission is to annihilate demons. The Kamados and Tomioka should be punished!"

"The letter," the Master gestured to one of his attendants. She produced a letter from former Hashira Urokodaki Sakonji.

"Please allow Hana and Tanjiro to be accompanied by their little sister, a demon. Because of her resilient mental strength, she has not lost her human emotions. Even while starving, she has never devoured humans, and this has held true more than two years later.
Although the situation seems somewhat far-fetched, it is an indisputable fact. In the event that Nezuko does assault a human, Hana Kamado and Tanjiro Kamado, as well as... Sakonji Urokodaki and Giyuu Tomioka, will atone by committing seppuku."

Hana glanced at Giyuu, her eyes filled with tears, while his expression remained stoic.

"So what if they commit seppuku? If you want to die, then rot to death for all I care! That doesn't guarantee anything!" Sanemi spat.

"Shinazugawa is right! If she kills and devours a human, there's no coming back from that! It won't bring back the people who were killed!" Kyojuro agreed.

The Master calmly responded, "We cannot guarantee she will attack humans, but neither can we prove that she will. Nezuko has refrained from devouring humans for over two years. Moreover, four people are willing to risk their lives for her. Those who reject this must offer stronger reasoning. Do you have it?"

He continued, "Also, Hana and Tanjiro have met Muzan Kibutsuji."

They all gasped, looking at Hana and Tanjiro with disbelief and shock. Questions flew at them.

The Master held up a finger, silencing them. "Kibutsuji has sent pursuers after them, likely to silence them. This presents an opportunity. I believe something is happening to Nezuko that Kibutsuji did not anticipate. Can you understand this?"

"No, I can't understand, Master! If it were a human, I'd be okay with letting it live. But not after all that we Demon Slayers have gone through in battle! It's unacceptable!" Sanemi cut his forearm, blood dripping.

"Master, I'll prove it myself!" Sanemi shouted, stepping on Nezuko's box and letting his blood seep through the hole he made.

"Hey demon, it's time to eat. Sink your teeth into this!"

"Nezuko!!" Tanjiro and Hana shouted.

"Shinazugawa, there's no reason to do it out in the sun. The demon won't show its face unless it's in the shadows," Obanai said.

"Master, please forgive this discourtesy."

Sanemi jumped with the box behind the Master. "It's time for breakfast, demon!" he hissed, sinking the knife into the box.

"Nezuko!" Hana exclaimed.

Obanai pinned Hana down harshly, pressing his elbow into her back, while a Kakushi grabbed Tanjiro.

I can't move...I can't... Hana thought, struggling to breathe.

"Nezuko...!" Hana managed to choke out. Obanai pushed harder into her back, and she strained to move.

"Iguro, you're digging into her too hard. Ease up a bit, please," Shinobu said.

"I'm only holding her down because she's trying to move," Obanai replied simply.

"Hana, if you use any breathing techniques while your lungs are being squeezed, your veins will burst," Shinobu warned.

"Her veins will burst! I like it! Sounds flamboyant! Come on, start bursting!" Tengen exclaimed, making Mitsuri gasp.

"Poor soul. Such a weak, pathetic child," Gyomei prayed.

"Stop it! She's already injured! You're hurting her! Please, stop!" Tanjiro cried.

Obanai ignored him and tightened his grip on Hana.

"No need to hold back. Show us your true colors and let me kill you right here!" Sanemi sneered at Nezuko.

Suddenly, Hana broke free from Obanai's restraints. Before he could strike again, Giyuu grabbed his hand.

Hana glared at the Kakushi who had pinned Tanjiro, and the man immediately let go, trembling under her gaze.

"Nezuko," she called. At her voice, Nezuko growled, then turned her head away in disgust. Sanemi froze, taken aback. Hana and Tanjiro sighed in relief, their shoulders relaxing.

"What just happened?" the Master asked.

"The demon girl turned her head away in disgust. Although Shinazugawa stabbed her three times and flaunted his bloody arm in her face, she restrained herself and did not bite," one of the girls explained.

The Master asked, "So, it's been proven Nezuko won't harm humans?"

Tanjiro exhaled in relief.

"Hana, Tanjiro," the Master addressed them. "Even now, some will still doubt Nezuko. You must prove yourselves and show you can serve as Demon Slayers."

Hana and Tanjiro bowed deeply.

"Go out and defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki. That will earn acceptance and weight to your words," the Master instructed.

"Hana, Nezuko, and I will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji! We'll give it our best and protect everyone!" Tanjiro declared.

"As you and your sister are not fully equipped, so start with a Twelve Kizuki," the Master said.

Tanjiro flushed but nodded. "Yes, sir."

Hana smiled softly at her brother and patted his head.

Most of the Hashira giggled or chuckled, masking it behind their hands.

"It goes without saying that the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps are phenomenally skilled. They have trained to the point of coughing up blood, stared death in the face, and claimed the lives of Upper Moons," the Master continued.

"A good attitude to have!" Kyojuro chirped.

"That is why the Hashira are respected and receive preferential treatment. So, Tanjiro, mind your manners when you speak. You too, Hana," the Master said.

"Yes, sir," she nodded.

"And one more thing. Sanemi. Obanai. Don't be so harsh on the young," the Master ordered gently.

"As you wish," Obanai said. Sanemi bowed. "As you wish."

Hana gave Sanemi a dirty look, still unhappy about him hurting her sister.

"Hana, Tanjiro, we have concluded our business with you. You both may step back," the Master said.

Shinobu raised her hand. "In that case, allow me to take the Kamados into my house," she offered.

"Eh?" Tanjiro said.

Shinobu clapped, and three Kakushi came forward. "All right, then! Take them away, please!" she ordered kindly.

"Pardon me for cutting in front of you!" the loud Kakushi apologized. Another crouched before Hana, turning his back.

"Get on," he said quietly. Hana climbed onto his back.

Another Kakushi pulled Tanjiro forcefully onto him, running off. But Tanjiro suddenly jumped off and ran back. Hana's carrier also turned back with the others.

"Please allow me to headbutt that man covered in scars! He hurt my sisters!" Tanjiro muttered.

As he ranted, three pebbles struck him, shutting him up.

"You're not allowed to interrupt the Master," Muichiro calmly said, tossing a pebble up and down.

"We beg your pardon, Master Tokito!" the Kakushi bowed repeatedly.

"Just get out of our sight," Muichiro ordered.

"Yes, sir!" the Kakushi said, running away with Tanjiro. Another carried Hana.

As they turned the corner, the Master said one last thing. "Give Miss Tamayo my regards."

Hana's eyes widened, and she gasped. How did he know Miss Tamayo?

---

Seppuku - A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment.