A thousand years ago, the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji was born.
As the first Demon to emerge in the world, Muzan Kibutsuji not only slaughtered countless lives but also created numerous brutal and murderous Demons.
The number of humans who died because of Muzan was beyond count and these countless wronged souls became the curse of the Ubuyashiki family, as they shared a direct blood relation with Muzan Kibutsuji.
From that moment on, every male descendant of the Ubuyashiki family was born weak and sickly, prone to early death.
In a very short time, the Ubuyashiki clan was nearly wiped out, only barely surviving through marriages with priestly families.
Even so, the male descendants of the Ubuyashiki family could not live past thirty.
To ensure their survival, the boys of the clan were raised as girls from childhood, even dressed in female clothing.
Yet despite this, as they aged, every Ubuyashiki male would gradually lose their appearance and ultimately die young.
The women of the Ubuyashiki family were also affected by the curse—they had to marry and take their husband surname before the age of thirteen, or they too faced a high likelihood of early death.
Under this curse, the ancestors of the Ubuyashiki family founded the Demon Slayer Corps to destroy Muzan and lift the curse, as well as to atone for their sins.
By the time of the current head, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Demon Slayer Corps had been passed down through 97 generations.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki lost his father to suicide at the age of four, unable to bear the pressure and thus the four-year-old Kagaya took on the role of the Demon Slayer Corps' leader.
But the Ubuyashiki family curse did not end with short lifespans and illness—almost every generation, only one male descendant survived to adulthood.
Kagaya had two younger brothers, but after their father death, they too soon succumbed to despair.
By the time Kagaya was nine, his brothers burned down their home and took their own lives.
His mother, who tried to save them, was severely burned in the fire and passed away not long after.
At four, Kagaya lost his father.
At nine, he lost his entire family.
Such was the curse the Ubuyashiki clan had borne for centuries.
Kagaya recounted all this calmly, as if telling a story, but Shinichi, sitting beside him, felt as though a magnitude ten earthquake had struck his heart.
Shinichi had never imagined that this gentle young man before him carried such a tragic and heavy fate.
Hearing Kagaya story, Shinichi suddenly felt that everything he had said earlier was incredibly rude.
No wonder Goto had scolded him—Shinichi now wanted to slap himself.
From this moment on, a deep respect for the young leader took root in Shinichi heart.
So Shinichi stood up without hesitation, walked up to Kagaya, and bowed deeply in apology.
"I'm sorry. I apologize for my earlier disrespectful words, O-O-Oyakata-sama."
Though Shinichi was filled with remorse, his past life experiences and personality still made the title feel slightly awkward to say.
Perhaps sensing Shinichi discomfort, Kagaya spoke gently.
"There's no need to be so reserved, Shinichi. As you said, we're close in age. If possible, I'd like you to call me by my name too. The Demon Slayer Corps is one big family—please consider this place your home. Shinichi, we're all your family now."
"Home... family?" Shinichi peach-pink and emerald-green eyes trembled simultaneously.
Such unfamiliar yet familiar words.
In this world, apart from Elder Moriki, this black-haired young man he met less than an hour ago was giving him a sense of familial warmth.
The last trace of reservation Shinichi held toward the Demon Slayer Corps completely dissipated. Rarely, a smile appeared on his face.
"I understand. Thank you, Kagaya—no, Oyakata-sama."
Kagaya responded with a nod of his own.
With his reservations gone, Shinichi prepared to take his leave, having noticed the young man visibly poor health.
Through he secretly activated Whispering Forest Eyes, Shinichi saw Kagaya life force—like bamboo, seemingly vigorous on the surface but hollow at its core.
That terrible curse seemed to already be affecting the young man.
"Shinichi" Kagaya called out just as he turned to leave.
"Don't be troubled by your identity. You are Shinichi—Shinichi Moriki, inheritor of Forest Breathing, a Demon Slayer who vanquishes demons, a brave swordsman protecting humanity. Now, always, and forever."
Shinichi gaze sharpened.
Kagaya knew—knew about his other identity.
Though reluctant to acknowledge it, Shinichi carried another existence: a demon.
A powerful demon who could walk in sunlight.
'Had the old man told Kagaya?'
The thought occurred instinctively, but Kagaya soon handed Shinichi a letter written by Elder Moriki himself.
The letter was straightforward—beyond encouragement, the elder frankly admitted having disclosed Shinichi identity to Kagaya Ubuyashiki long ago.
When Shinichi defeated Lower Moon Four, the elder had immediately informed Kagaya via Kasugai crow, vowing to commit seppuku should Shinichi ever succumb to demonic urges.
And the young leader had chosen to trust this elder—not just because of the Moriki family centuries of bloodshed in demon slaying.
Though Kagaya had never witnessed it personally, the Corps' historical records showed every generation of Moriki sacrificing members in battles against demons, an unbroken tradition spanning hundreds of years.
After reading the letter, Shinichi realized he must act—not just for himself, for the elder, or for Forest Breathing legacy, but for the Demon Slayer Corps and this leader who believed in him so deeply.
As the elder letter reminded him:
"Forest Breathing isn't just for slaying demons. Sometimes, it's the Breath of Life that brings people hope."
'Old Man, I truly understand now. Don't worry, I won't let you down. I won't just bear the title of 'Forest Hashira'—I'll become a swordsman truly worthy of that name.'
Shinichi carefully folded the letter and placed it inside the silver mirror at his waist.
Arf!
The excited cries of Maru-ni came from behind.
Looking back, Shinichi saw a plump goldfish that Maru-ni had somehow scooped from the pond, now futilely flopping on a pile of stones.
Holding Maru-ni, who had been smacked by the fish, Shinichi stepped through the gates of the Ubuyashiki estate with unprecedented determination in his eyes.
Outside, the Kakushi member Goto stood with arms crossed, still fuming.
Spotting Shinichi, he rolled his eyes.
Despite his anger, he came forward to guide Shinichi, who was still unfamiliar with the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Hey, I was wrong earlier. I shouldn't have spoken so rudely. Sorry about that" Shinichi scratched his head and apologized after seeing Goto irritation.
Goto stopped walking and said seriously "I don't care about your attitude toward me. The problem is how disrespectful you were to Oyakata-sama! But seeing you now, I guess you've realized your mistake. That's how Oyakata-sama always is—everyone who speaks with him ends up deeply moved by his grace."
"That's true..."
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