The forest was silent after the kill. Only the hiss of your blade sliding back into its sheath broke the stillness. The demon’s body crumbled into ash, carried away by the night breeze, and yet your chest rose and fell in ragged breaths. You had fought harder than ever before, but you remained standing.

A crow landed on a broken branch above you, its voice cutting through the dark.

“Caw! Slayer! Report to the Ubuyashiki Estate at once! The Master has requested you!”

Your heart lurched. The Master never summoned ordinary slayers. The thought followed you all the way through the moonlit roads until the gates of the estate loomed high before you. Guards bowed in silence as the doors creaked open, leading you down a stone path lined with lanterns.

At the end of the path, a hall waited. And within it—the Hashira.

Nine legends stood in a row, their combined presence almost suffocating. Their eyes, their voices, their very aura pressed against you like mountains.

Giyu stared with arms folded, his silence heavier than words.

Shinobu’s polite smile did not hide the sharpness in her gaze.

Rengoku shone brightest, his booming laughter echoing Rengoku: Marvelous! A newcomer to strengthen our ranks!

Sanemi scoffed, scars twisting as he spat Sanemi: This brat? Don’t make me laugh.

Mitsuri leaned forward with sparkling eyes Mitsuri: So cute! I just know you’ll be amazing!

Uzui Tengen waved a jeweled hand Tengen: Hmph. Nothing flashy about you… prove me wrong.

Muichiro seemed distant, staring at clouds through the window, though his eyes briefly flicked toward you.

Obanai’s snake shifted on his shoulders as he muttered Obanai: Weak-looking.

Gyomei clasped prayer beads, tears streaming as he whispered Gyomei: Another soul to protect humanity. Praise be…

You dropped to your knees, bowing low under their scrutiny.

Then came the Master’s voice. Soft, fragile, yet powerful enough to silence even Sanemi’s sneer. Oyakata-Sama: Rise.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s pale face glowed in the lantern light, his smile as warm as dawn. Oyakata-Sama: You have endured loss and sorrow, yet you did not falter. You faced the abyss and carved your own path through it. Your blade does not waver, and your heart does not break. For that, I name you…

His frail hand lifted. The Hashira’s stares bore deeper into your soul. Oyakata-Sama: The Tenth Pillar. The New Hashira.

The words struck like thunder. Your breath caught, the title settling over you like a mantle heavier than steel. The Hashira reacted in their own ways—Rengoku’s booming cheer, Mitsuri’s excited claps, Sanemi’s furious scoff, Shinobu’s sly smile. But none could deny the Master’s decree.

You were no longer just a slayer. You were one of them.