Inei's POV. Butterfly Mansion.
I let out a sigh and quietly drank my tea as I finish my story.
Shinobu: So, what Himejima-san said was true..........
I put down the tea cup, quietly swallowed the tea before I began talking.
Inei: Yes. After all, he was already a pillar during that time.
Inei: Not only him.
Inei: Uzui-san was a demon slayer during that time.
Inei: I met him when I joined him on a mission.
Inei: Then, after a month, I was being offered to become a Hashira, but I respectfully decline, all because I wanted to have some experience first.
Inei: "You wouldn't want to have an inexperienced Hashira among you, right?"
Inei: That was my reasoning.
Inei: After a year, that is where I became a pillar.
Inei: But before that, I managed to slay all the Lower Rank Moons of the Twelve Kizuki.
Shinobu: I don't know if I'll believe that story when Himejima-san told your story but........
Shinobu: How did he know?
Inei: Kagaya-sama and Gyomei-san are the only ones whom I can trust with delivering my reports.
Inei: And it was always backed up with Kagaya-sama's crow as Kagaya-sama himself that his crow be paired with mine so that there will be backing evidence.
Shinobu: So, Oyakata-sama knew it all along.
Inei: I wouldn't be surprised if Kagaya-sama knows.
I slowly stood up, grabbed my haori that was hanging on a haori rack.
Inei: I'll be going for a walk for the meantime.
Shinobu: Hm, you don't really have any injuries, you're just exhausted and all.......
Shinobu: How long have you been travelling ever since Oyakata-sama gave you those orders?
Inei: Let's see........
Inei: After two years, I met the family that Kagaya-sama wanted me to protect.
Inei: I lived with them for a year.
Inei: Then I bid my farewell to them.......
Inei: Another couple of years passed........
Inei: I went back to the family and found them dead, while the two remaining members are missing.
Shinobu: .............
Inei: That's why, after I rest, I will find them.
Shinobu: ..........
Shinobu: You're going away once more?
Inei: Yes.
Shinobu: ..............
Inei: Don't worry, I'll need to go somewhere.
Shinobu: Somewhere?
Inei: The Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Inei: I will visit the Emperor, it's been a while since I last saw him.
Shinobu: His Majesty was the one who recommended you to be a Demon Slayer, right?
Inei: Yes.
Inei: That's why, I want to see the Emperor for a while.
Inei: And then afterwards, I will go search for the remaining members of the family that I was supposed to protect.
Inei: Don't worry, Shinobu.
Inei: I'll come back here as soon as I can.
I smiled at her, as she clasped her hands over her chest, her lips pursed.......
Inei: Come on........
Inei: Despite the hardships that we went through, we must always smile for the future will always be bright ahead.
With that, I left the Butterfly Mansion and travelled on a few days........to the Imperial Capital, Tokyo.
Specifically, to the place, where the Emperor resides, Emperor Yoshihito or known as Emperor Taisho.
When I stepped inside the Palace, I still couldn't believe that the Imperial Guards still recognized me.
Imperial Guard 1: Wait, is that you, Inei!?
Inei: Hello, how are you guys doing?
Imperial Guard 2: That's our line you brickhead! How are you doing!?
Imperial Guard 2: You are a demon hunter now, right!?
I stick my index finger to my lips to quiet him down.
Inei: ...........
Imperial Guard 2: R-Right, sorry. Anyways, I'll lead you to his chamber.
He lead me to the chamber of His Majesty and he is delighted to see me once more.
Yoshihito: Inei, it's been nine years since I last saw you.
I bowed to the Emperor.
Inei: I am glad that you are in good health, Yoshihito-sama. I pray that good health and fortune will come to your way.
Yoshihito: Thank you, Inei.
Yoshihito: Did you come here just to visit me? If that's so, then I'm thankful.
Yoshihito: How is your life as a Demon Hunter?
I then narrated what happened to me after I left the Imperial Palace to be a Demon Slayer.
I told him everything, from me killing the Lower Rank Moons of the Twelve Kizuki, cornering the Upper Ranks One, Two, and Three of the Twelve Kizuki, becoming a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, my meeting with the Kamado Family, and my encounter with Muzan Kibutsuji.
Yoshihito: I see, you've been through a lot.......
Inei: ........
Yoshihito: Also, about the Kamado Family, I will have some of my men look for them. Can you describe the appearance of at least one of them.
Inei: Okay, then I'll go for Tanjiro, since his earrings is eye catching.
Inei: A boy with black and dark red hair, wearing a checkered haori that is color black and sea foam green haori, hanafuda earrings with the sun design, and a scar on his forehead.
Yoshihito: All right. Got it. I'll have my men look into this boy, what is his name by the way?
Inei: Tanjiro Kamado.
Yoshihito: Got it.
After a few minutes of catching up with the Imperial Staff that I worked with in the past, I decided to begin my journey to search for Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Since they won't be in the city, I decided to start at the rural areas.
Inei: Wait, that reminds me.........
I looked into the sky.
Inei: It's that time of the year again........
Inei: The Final Selection.........
I whistled three small blasts and summoned my kasugai crow, Kage.
Inei: Kage, would you mind to observe this year's Final Selection for me.
Inei: Also, if possible, if you see a boy with the hanafuda earrings and a scar on his forehead.
Kage: As you wish.
Kage flies away in a fast speed.
Inei: The fact that Muzan was the one behind the Kamado Family massacre, it would be natural for Tanjiro to hold the one responsible for his family's demise.
Inei: My gut is telling me that Tanjiro is one of this year's Demon Hunter aspirants for this year.
Inei: If my intuition turns out to be true.......then........
Inei: I pray, that Tanjiro survives the Final Selection.
A week had passed and Kage returned to me with the news.
Kage: There are five people who passed this year's Final Selection.
Inei: Five, huh? Who are they?
Kage: Genya Shinazugawa, Kanao Tsuyuri, Inosuke Hashibira, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Tanjiro Kamado.
Inei: !?
Inei: Did you say Tanjiro Kamado!?
Kage: Yes, I have confirmed the identity of the boy you were looking for and as of now, he finally received his first mission.
Inei: I see.......
Inei: All right, Kage. You're dismissed. Continue to watch Muzan's movements. He could be anywhere in Japan.
Inei: And whatever is he going to pull, we mustn't let him execute his plans.
Inei: And if possible, if one of the Twelve Kizuki is involved in one of the attacks, inform Kagaya-sama firsthand and then, I'll wait for my orders.
Kage: As you wish.
Kage flies once more, and when my crow vanished into the horizon, I smiled.
Inei: Tanjiro.......you became a Demon Slayer, huh........
Inei: All right, once I found you and Nezuko.
Inei: Tanjiro, I'll make you my Tsugoko. Not as the Shadow Hashira........
But.....
As "Hinokami Hashira."