"The Devour Hashira—Aoki"
"Instantaneous movement! Is this guy a ninja?" Tengen Uzui, a former ninja, quickly recognized the technique Aoki used to teleport behind Sanemi Shinazugawa.
"Mr. Shinazugawa lost? Incredible!" Mitsuri Kanroji gasped, her eyes wide with astonishment at the sight of Sanemi Shinazugawa defeated.
Shinobu Kocho and Obanai Iguro also showed immense surprise. The others, except for Muichiro Tokito, who remained staring at the ceiling, displayed varying degrees of shock.
"What happened?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked the girls beside him.
"Mr. Shinazugawa was defeated by Aoki," one of the girls replied.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki showed little surprise. He calmly addressed the scene of the fight. "Sanemi, do you accept the outcome?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa struggled to accept his defeat, his face a mixture of red and green. He had not used his full strength, yet he had lost, a blow to his pride as a Hashira.
As he tried to rise, a hand extended before him. It was Aoki, his face bearing several cuts.
"What's this?" Sanemi Shinazugawa scowled.
"Nothing," Aoki said. "You're strong. If you hadn't underestimated me in that final attack, I might have lost. I'm not petty. I know you're not as cold as you appear; otherwise, you wouldn't be so humble before the Master."
"Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Aoki, a disciple of Urokodaki Sakonji," Aoki said, glancing at Giyu Tomioka. "I'm… Giyu-senpai's junior brother."
Sanemi Shinazugawa hesitated before taking Aoki's hand.
"I acknowledge you. But that doesn't mean I want to be friends. You're as annoying as Tomioka," he said, his earlier ferocity gone.
Giyu Tomioka: "I wasn't disliked."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke from the eaves. "Sanemi has accepted Aoki as a Hashira. What are your opinions?"
"We have no objections," the eight Hashira replied. They had initially opposed Aoki due to his perceived weakness, but his fight with Sanemi Shinazugawa proved his worth.
"Then," Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued, "I officially declare Aoki a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, known as the Devour Hashira."
Aoki liked the name, though he didn't particularly care.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host, on becoming a Hashira! A reward is now being issued!"
Aoki perked up. The same three options appeared.
He chose to evolve his Susanoo to its third form.
"Let's upgrade Susanoo. The second form is as fragile as paper. Danzo could probably pierce it with a kunai."
Afterward, Shinobu Kocho took Aoki to the Butterfly Mansion for treatment.
Aoki initially resisted, but his injuries made it necessary. He didn't want to risk tetanus.
"Aoki-kun is truly impressive, defeating Mr. Shinazugawa. Quite remarkable," Shinobu Kocho said with a smile.
"Y-yes," Aoki stammered, his lack of experience with female interaction making him awkward.
Noticing his nervousness, Shinobu Kocho smiled. "Have you heard of the Twelve Kizuki?"
"Yes. Master Urokodaki—no, Master Urokodaki told me they are demons granted powerful blood by Muzan Kibutsuji, the strongest demons, divided into Upper and Lower Moons."
"I see," Shinobu Kocho said. "Let me remind you: we Hashira have all slain Lower Moons. Without slaying a member of the Twelve Kizuki, it will be difficult to gain full acceptance."
Aoki looked at Shinobu Kocho. "Do you accept me?"
Shinobu Kocho paused. "I believe in you, Aoki-kun. You may be the weakest Hashira now, but you may one day become the strongest."
"Thank you."
Aoki's initial shyness vanished under Shinobu Kocho's friendly demeanor. They arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.
A girl named Kanao took Aoki to the infirmary for treatment. His treatment lasted three days. With his Nichirin Sword broken and the new one not arriving for fifteen days, Aoki spent over a week at the Butterfly Mansion.
No one dared disrespect him, making him uncomfortable. He occasionally chatted with Shinobu Kocho.
Eventually, the swordsmith delivered his new Nichirin Sword.
Aoki was examining it when the door opened, and a figure entered. Aoki froze, recognizing the figure.
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