Demon Slayer : The Silent Journey Chapter 90: A new Hashira

[Seiji's POV]

(A week later)

I allowed myself to heal for a week longer.

I would spend most of my ti beside Kanae and caring for her, but at other tis, I would take care of the garden and do so soft training regarding my Demon Slayer mark and Sun Breathing.

With the conscious use of constant Sun Breathing, I was able to heal better than expected. It seed after a while, I would suffer no permanent injuries - no limp, no weakened organs, muscle deformation etc.

The only reminder of the battle would be the nurous scars that now marred my body. And when I said nurous, I was really pushing the quantitative definition of the word.

The scars I had, especially on my body were almost freaky rather than being hot. They were a result of the ice shards that cut my body during the fight. I also had two scars on my face, one was on my forehead where Doma missed my eyes and another was down the middle of my eye, running across my nose.

The scars bothered more than I would've liked. After all, I was a perfectionist especially when it ca to appearance and the scars were permanent flaws.

They stole my perfect Chinese protagonist's looks with jade-like skin and sword eyebrows.

The horror.

Wait till I find another demon. It won't have a good ti.

If Mitsuri had not assured that they looked cool - I would've worn a mask to cover them while they were still prominent. Bless her sweet heart.

In the passing week, Kanae also recovered well with no trouble whatsoever. Shinobu told she was hopeful that Kanae would wake up next month.

So, that's about what happened in the past week since I woke up.

Now, Shinobu and I were standing in front of the entrance to the Demon Slayer headquarters. It was still early in the morning and the scent of grass and dew filled the air. I imagined there to be birds greeting the sunrise with a song as well.

"Are you ready?" I asked the girl beside .

"Absolutely not," she replied but her words did not match her chirpy face.

"Shibi?"

"I feel like I am not ready yet. I don't deserve this title and the only reason I got it is because of the state my sister is in," she answered without missing a beat.

"That's true," I agreed with a nod and she gave the stink eyes.

The reason we were standing in front of the Demon Slayer Headquarters was that a Hashira eting was called and because we would have a new Hashira today.

Shinobu Kocho.

She was going to beco a Hashira today. She had not completed the requirents to beco one but more manpower was needed after the fall of one Hashira. Plus, her skills and qualifications were approved so it was decided that she would beco a Hashira.

Kanae was likely to never fully recover her abilities so a new Hashira was needed. That was where Shinobu stepped in, she was the perfect replacent with similar skills.

It was similar to Rengoku's situation where he was given the chance to beco a Hashira on a silver platter after his father quit.

"You don't need to be nervous, trust , you are more than ready to be amongst us," I said and tried to give a smile.

My statent seed to release the tension in her body a little. After all, if the strongest Hashira who was able to slay an Upper Moon said that you were qualified, then you better believe that you were qualified.

We entered the headquarters and since it was her first ti being there, Shinobu looked around curiously. I led her to the main house where Ubuyashiki stayed and we saw other Hashiras in the courtyard.

"Seiji!!!" I did not need ears to know whose voice that was.

Rengoku launched himself at with the speed of a teorite and gave a bro hug. He wrapped his arms around the midsection of my body and he raised up like a child.

"Hahahaha!! And the hero lives to fight another day!!" He exclaid and spun around in joy.

"Put down right the fuck now Rengoku!!" I scread but he chose to ignore my words in a very Kyojiro way and started running around while holding up.

It was only after he was satisfied that he put down on the ground. He released a hearty laugh once more seeing glare at him.

"You really showed those demons who the boss is!!" he said with fiery passion.

In the end, I couldn't be mad and my frown flipped into a small smile. "I really did, he died shitting himself,"

"He was an Upper Moon, truly he did not?" Rengoku said.

"He did, he died like a dog," I said, quoting man.

Rengoku just gave a laughter filled with amusent.

"You guys seem to be having fun," Giyu suddenly pat my shoulder and said. I did not see him coming.

"Don't include , he is the one having too much fun," I replied.

"Regardless, he is right to be happy. What you did was incredible Seiji, you are an inspiration to us all," Giyu said in his usual soft-spoken/polite way.

In tis like these, I try to stay humble.

"Hahaha, of course, it's incredible. Did you expect anything less from this generational genius?" I said while rubbing my upper lips.

And I usually fail to be humble in tis like these.

Giyu smiled with a nod.

"Oye, flashy guy!!" Tengen yelled as he ca close to . He was the type of person to scream louder when the deaf man didn't hear him.

"Let see," he said and suddenly undid the white Yukata I wore to reveal my scared torso with bandages.

At that mont, the place got a little quiet as they stared at my scars. It clicked in their mind that although I won, it was not an easy fight. It ca with a lot of hardships and sacrifices.

And they were a little surprised to know that there was an entity that could inflict such scars on . Finally, a sense of dread settled as they were reminded that there were even stronger demons.

"Auuuuu. Maiii. Gawwdooo!!" Tengen exclaid in English, "That's so rad,"

"It's only been three weeks, are you really okay?" Giyu asked in concern.

"I can see the proof of your blazing heart! Respect!!" Rengoku comnted.

Their respective response perfectly sums up their personality. I shook my head with a sigh and covered my body again.

"It's not nice to strip people suddenly like that Tengen. Although you are handso, not everyone is interested," I said.

"Sorry, sorry, I saw the scars running along your arm and I couldn't help myself from checking it out." he said, "Although I wonder why you hide it with those baggy clothes, you should show them off proudly like mine,"

He showed off the scars on his arms and chest which was visible in his sleeveless uniform.

"They are proof of the hardships you have overco as a man and a badge of survival," he said and flashed a smile.

I contemplated his words for a few monts before I shook my head in disagreent. Although scars were cool, having no scars was cooler with a job like ours.

To , they were imperfections, proof that I was not able to dodge an attack, they were marks of my mistakes. Like how a teacher circled your mistake with a red pen, it brought sha.

"Though if you are truly insecure, don't worry, they fade over ti," Tengen said in the end.

I gave a nod.

Gyoi ca as well and he towered over all of us. He prayed with one hand and used the other to pat on the head.

"Amitabha, I should've been there, you shouldn't have to fight such tough battles," he said and his giant hand on my head seed to transfer warmth.

"But thank you for protecting little Kanae," he said sincerely.

"Of course, she is important to just as she is to you. I'd have fought stronger foes," I said.

Then tears started flowing out of his eyes and he looked to the sky. "How beautiful, love truly is victory."

I couldn't read his lips properly since he was so frickin tall and looking at the sky. But I read sothing about how love shoulders all storms and ship sailing.

Gyoi is hella weird sotis.

We continued chatting for a few more minutes but as that went on, I noticed the absence of soone. I looked around at the courtyard and I saw Sanemi at a distance.

He seed to be brooding in the corner.

A smile instinctively appeared on my face and I snuck up on him.

"Aren't you gonna congratulate ?" I whispered suddenly in his ear. He jumped up like a surprised cat before he turned around angrily.

"What the hell are you doing!! I didn't hear you coming!!"

"I didn't hear it either," I joked.

"Hey!! Don't try to act like a smartass just because you slay an upper moon. If I encountered one, I could do it too!"

So that's what it was about. His competitive nature was stopping him from recognizing my achievent.

"Sure you can," I smiled.

"You smug bastard just watch !!" he said and stord away.

"Haaaa, sa old Sanemi," I said with a shake of my head.

"Regardless of what he said, he was the first one to reach you after the battle and he was also the one to carry you to the Butterfly Mansion," Giyu said when he reached beside .

"He is just too competitive to admit you did well. He trained very hard after he heard the news," he added.

"I can see that," I said and it was true, I could literally see how his body was injured from all the training.

...

"Good morning everyone," Ubuyashiki's voice rang out in the surroundings softly like a gentle sumr breeze. But sothing about that voice made everyone stop what they were doing and we assembled in front of him.

"Good Morning Lord Ubuyashiki!" We said in unison while kneeling on one leg.

"Thank you all for gathering today," Ubuyashiki said, "I'd like to spend ti and hear your stories but we must start the eting quickly before the dication wears off and I beco a vegetable again."

That actually got a chuckle out of while the rest remained serious.

Ubuyashiki seed to appreciate that I laughed at his joke and that I was not as formal and uptight around him as the rest of the Hashiras.

"First things first, Seiji," he started.

"I offer you my deepest gratitude for your bravery and accomplishnt. You have given a new hope to the Demon Slayers. From the first ti you beca a Demon Slayer, to becoming the most efficient Hashira and finally to slaying the Upper Mooin 2, you are an irreplaceable child. This generation is fortunate to have you,"

In tis like these, I always try to be humble.

"What can I say except, you're welco,"

But usually, I fail.

In the corner of my eyes, I saw veins pop on Sanemi's forehead.

Ubuyashiki just smiled at my antics.

"Although it is tragic that all the villagers lost their lives at the hands of the demon,"

That froze on the spot as mories of how I mowed down the cult mbers appeared in my mind.

Yeah, there was that as well.

Although as much as I would like to pretend that it bothered to the core, I was fine. I did what I had to do, I had no regrets.

Well, except I would occasionally have nightmares about it but nightmares were normal to at this point. I'd feel weird if I didn't have nightmares.

I also had the demons to bla everything on. They were good outlets for negative emotions.

"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't save them," I said without having the courage to et his eyes.

I think he knew I killed them all but was understanding of my situation. He just gave this gentle smile.

"I'm sure you did everything you could,"

...

"And now, onto the next topic. We are welcoming a new comrade today, a new Hashira," Ubuyashiki said and everyone turned to Shinobu.

"Rise, Shinobu Kocho,"

The crowning of the title Hashira proceeded like always. The only difference was that Shinobu was imdiately given the title of Insect Hashira.

After the short ceremony was done, it was ti to get into business.

"After the battle of an Upper Moon and Seiji Shigan, the activities of the demons had spiked like never before. Lower Moon who usually stays hidden erged as if given the order to cause chaos and many Demon Slayers are being hunted,"

"It is easy to deduce that the demons are trying to get back at us for the massive defeat they experienced,"

"We need to find a way to counter all these attacks or we will have at our hands, the largest casualty ever seen in the last five centuries,"

...

...

...

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Author : What do you think of the scars? Is it cool? Patreons were in the support of scars but I want to know what you guys think. I can always let the scars heal with the explanation of Sun Breathing if you guys really hate it.

And no one visted our boi because as is stated, they were busy as hell with the new activity.

This was a long Chapter so don't forget the stones.