The Master’s estate was hushed, the garden trees swaying faintly, the distant caws of crows breaking the morning calm. Inside the meeting hall, the Hashira gathered, kneeling in two neat lines before Ubayashiki.
The Master’s soft voice carried easily across the polished wooden floor. “Hashira, I have called you here not to discuss demons today… but a problem within our own Corps.”
A ripple of confusion passed through the Hashira. Tengen raised a single brow as he idly flicked open a jeweled fan, the feathers catching the light. Sanemi’s fingers twitched as he cracked his knuckles against his thighs, eyes already narrowed like he was preparing for a fight. Muichiro, meanwhile, was busy staring blankly at a sunbeam cutting across the floorboards, as if the dust motes drifting through it were more interesting than anything else.
Ubayashiki tilted his head slightly, his expression gentle. “Many of our young slayers have been abandoning their posts. Some have… run away with girls. Leaving their duties behind.”
The silence shattered instantly.
Sanemi shot to his feet, fists balled, his voice a guttural snarl. “WHAT? You’re telling me these brats are skipping missions just to roll around with some woman?!” He was pacing like a wolf in a cage, shoulders tight, barely restrained fury radiating off him.
Mitsuri gasped, pressing both hands to her cheeks, her pink-green hair bouncing as she leaned forward. “Oh no! But— but isn’t that kind of sweet?” Her eyes sparkled, torn between horror and delight. “Like a little love story in the middle of all this sadness?”
Obanai hissed under his breath, coiling Kaburamaru tighter around his shoulders. His visible eye burned with irritation. “It’s a scandal,” he spat, his voice sharp. “Shameful! Irresponsible! Disgraceful to the Corps.”
Before anyone could agree or argue, Rengoku threw his head back with a laugh that rattled the rafters. He slapped his knee, the motion so forceful the floorboards thudded. “AH! YOUTHFUL PASSION!” His eyes blazed like twin suns as he leaned forward, teeth flashing in a grin. “BURNING BRIGHT ENOUGH TO DEFY DUTY ITSELF! MAGNIFICENT!”
“Magnificent?!” Sanemi whipped around on him, practically foaming at the mouth. “You think this is magnificent?! You’re insane!”
“HAH-HAH-HAH! PERHAPS!” Rengoku boomed, undeterred, his whole body vibrating with joy.
Shinobu let out a soft, airy laugh, but the curve of her lips was razor sharp. She tipped her head just slightly, her hands folded politely in her lap. “My, my… seems some of our boys are finding different ways to die early. How reckless.”
Tengen flicked his fan closed with a snap, tilting his head dramatically. “Honestly, it’s flamboyant in its own way. Throwing away your duty for love? That’s tragedy, that’s drama! …Also incredibly stupid.” He smirked, leaning back with one hand braced lazily against the floor.
“Mm.” Muichiro finally blinked, head tilting as though waking from a nap. “What’s a responsibility again?”
Sanemi nearly combusted on the spot, veins bulging at his temple. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME—?!”
The Master lifted a hand slightly, and instantly the storm quieted. His voice was as calm as running water. “I understand these are difficult times. The heart is fragile, and love can be a powerful distraction.”
All eyes flicked to Giyu, who had sat in complete stillness until now. He finally shifted, his dark eyes flat, his voice even. “…They should be expelled.”
Everyone turned to look at him.
“…I’m just saying,” he added quietly, shoulders barely shrugging.
Rengoku slammed a hand onto Giyu’s shoulder, the impact making the Water Hashira’s body jolt. “HAH! SUCH DECISIVE JUDGMENT, TOMIOKA! YOUR FLAME OF RESPONSIBILITY BURNS BRIGHT!”
“…Stop touching me,” Giyu muttered, deadpan as ever, though his hand twitched like he might cut the arm off if it stayed there.
The Master chuckled softly. “Perhaps there is balance to be found. Love is not a sin, but abandoning one’s comrades is unforgivable. I ask you all to consider ways to… discourage this behavior, without extinguishing the hearts of those under us.”