DS Hashira Meeting

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The **Hashira meeting** was a gathering that immediately followed after the events at Mount Natagumo.

## General information

A Hashira meeting is held once every six months at Demon Slayer Headquarters and will be led by the leader. Its current leader is Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

## History

* Meeting after killing Ubume, Lower Rank 1 and death of Masachika Kumeno, Sanemi Shinazugawa promoted to Hashira, his first meeting:

Present: Gyomei, Kanae, Tengen, Sanemi ... Giyu?

During his first meeting as a member of the Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa harshly insulted Kagaya for sending Demon Slayers under his command to die with an unconcerned smile on his face, angering Gyomei and Tengen, and worrying the Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho. Despite their concerns, Kagaya allowed the Wind Hashira to continue speaking his mind. When Sanemi accused him of being a weak leader to the Demon Slayers, Kagaya apologized to him, shocking the angered young man. He explains that due to his condition, he cannot even swing a blade ten times without his blood pressure becoming dangerous, and if he wanted to become strong, he would but cannot. He apologizes to Sanemi for making him do what is difficult, the once furious Hashira calmed by his voice and gentle expression.

Kagaya would go on to tell Sanemi that if he believed the Demon Slayers were pawns to him, that he too was one as well since his replacement is already set. Additionally, he explains that he is not above anyone; the Demon Slayers simple treat him with respect but he does not have to. He apologizes for summoning him soon after the death of his partner Masachika Kumeno. In disbelief in hearing his name, Sanemi would be told by Kanae that Kagaya remembers the names of every single Demon Slayer under his command. The Corps leader gives him Masachika's will to read, causing him to tear up. Since seeing his genuine dedication to the Demon Slayer Corps, Sanemi has also become extremely loyal to Kagaya.

Kagaya giving Masachika's letter to Sanemi CH168.png
Kagaya giving Sanemi Masachika's will.

## Prologue

Tanjiro's Trial
Tanjiro is put on trial by the Hashira for violating Corps rules by protecting a demon

Nezuko's trial.png
Nezuko is tested before the Master and Hashiras.

Chapter 45
Tanjiro wakes up confused on the ground before the Hashira after being knocked unconscious. Shinobu is the first to speak and informs Tanjiro that he has arrived at the Demon Slayer Headquarters and is being put on trial.
With the majority of the Hashira agreeing to decapitate Nezuko, Tanjiro is left rattled and desperately looks around for his sister.
Obanai points at Giyu Tomioka and demands to know what his punishment will be for violating the Demon Slayer conduct. Shinobu mentions that they can think of Giyu’s punishment after they hear Tanjiro's reasoning for protecting a Demon.
Tanjiro begins to explain his reasons for travelling with a Demon, however the pain from his injuries prove to be to great for him to ignore. Shinobu approaches him and gives Tanjiro some water laced with painkillers to ease his pain. After drinking some water given to him, Tanjiro proceeds to explain that his sister was turned into a Demon, but has never eaten someone before, vowing that she would never hurt a living person. Despite his pleas, Obanai and Gyomei do not sympathize with his reasoning and Tanjiro continues to try to appeal to them.

Not long after this, the last Hashira arrives holding Nezuko’s box. A swordsman with white hair and covered in scars is introduced as the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. He mocks Tanjiro for carrying a Demon around with him and proceeds to draw his blade before stabbing the box. Enraged, Tanjiro charges at Sanemi and manages to headbutt him. However, before they could continue the fight, the leader of the Demon Slayers arrives to begin the trial.

Chapter 46
The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps has just arrived, and he begins by greeting everyone thats present. His arrival initiates the Hashira meeting, which is held once every six months.

he gets knocked down to his knees by Sanemi to forcefully bow and show his respect to the leader.

Sanemi’s tone immediately changes as he greets the leader politely, and introduces Tanjiro who is being put on trial for travelling with a Demon. To everyone's surprise, the leader explains that he had already accepted the Kamado siblings, and wanted everyone to accept them as well. Gyomei, Tengen, Obanai, Kyojuro and Sanemi immediately refuse to accept the decision and only Mitsuri complies with the decision. Muichiro nonchalantly goes along with the decision, mentioning that he will forget it anyway while Shinobu and Giyu remain silent.

In order to reassure the Hashira, the leader instructs one of his daughters to read aloud the the letter that he received from the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki. In the letter, Sakonji asks for forgiveness on Tanjiro's behalf for breaking the rules, and explains that Nezuko doesn’t eat humans. In case Nezuko were to end up killing a human, Sakonji promises that he, along with Tanjiro and Giyu would commit seppuku to atone for the lives she's taken. Upon hearing the contents of his master’s letter, Tanjiro begins to cry and looks at Giyu, amazed by their loyalty. However, the Hashira still remain unconvinced.

The leader further deliberates with the Hashira about the situation and mentions that Tanjiro has come into contact with Muzan Kibutsuji, shocking the Hashira. They immediately bombard Tanjiro with questions of his whereabouts and abilities since no one has encountered him. Tanjiro is left overwhelmed, and unable to answer the questions. As a result, the leader silences the Hashira and explains that Muzan’s encounter with Tanjiro must have something to do with Nezuko.
He proceeds to question that something unexpected must have happened to Muzan, but Sanemi refuses to understand. He pulls out his blade and cuts his arm, causing his blood to drip. Sanemi proudly proclaims that he will prove their leader wrong and proceeds to pour his blood onto Nezuko’s box, trying to entice her to attack him.

Chapter 47
Obanai reminds Sanemi that the Demon won't come out in the sunlight, so he quickly moves into the building behind his leader. He draws his sword, prompting Tanjiro to attempt to come to his sister's aid, only to be pinned to the ground by Obanai.

Sanemi stabs Nezuko's box multiple times, prompting her to leave it. Seeing the Hashira's wounded arm, she is transfixed by the sight of his blood. Obanai is then told to lessen his hold of Tanjiro, but refuses. Shinobu warns Tanjiro not to use any of his breath techniques, as his lungs are under pressure and thus his blood vessels might burst from the stress. As the other Hashira react to this, Tanjiro begins struggling in earnest. Before anything escalates any further, Giyu Tomioka grabs Obanai's arm, releasing Tanjiro from his clutches.

The worried Demon Slayer calls out to his sister. Distracted from the temptation before her, Nezuko remembers her order not to hurt humans, as well as her family. With much effort, she turns away from a shocked Sanemi, prompting Kagaya to ask what had transpired.

Hearing of Nezuko's perseverance from one of his aides, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps says that this is proof of the girl's loyalty. He then warns Tanjiro that not everyone will agree with his decision, and that he will have to prove Nezuko's usefulness to their order, suggesting he start by defeating one of the Twelve Kizuki.

Encouraged by his leader's words, Tanjiro vows that he and his sister will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, but is told that he cannot in his current state, and should focus on the Twelve Kizuki instead. Kagaya then tells his young subordinate about the Hashira and their dedication to the cause, and that is this dedication that makes them worthy of Tanjiro's respect, and that he should be careful of the way he addresses them. Kagaya then reprimands Obanai and Sanemi, and informs everybody present that the issue of Tanjiro and Nezuko is over, and that the Hashira Meeting can finally begin.

Tanjiro interupts the Hashira meeting.png
Tanjiro interupts the Hashira meeting.

Chapter 48
Shinobu suggests that Tanjiro be taken care of at her place (Butterfly Mansion) and instructs two of the Kakushi to take him there. Kagaya attempts to start the Hashira Meeting, but Tanjiro interrupts him, still wanting to butt heads with Sanemi for hurting his sister. As the Kakushi members struggle to deal with the irate youth, Muichiro throws a pebble at Tanjiro for interrupting his leader, ordering them to leave. As they do so, Kagaya asks Tanjiro to give Tamayo his regards, much to the young Demon Slayer's confusion. He is then rushed to the Butterfly Mansion, despite his numerous questions, by his enraged escort.

Episode 23
Kagaya speaking with the Hashira during their meeting.png
Kagaya Ubuyashiki speaks with the Hashira.

That night, during the meeting at the Headquarters, the Master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, meets with the Hashira to discuss the threat of demons; as they have reported, increasing damage caused by them will inevitably lead to human life under threat more than ever. Sanemi comments that the incident on Mount Natagumo has shown that the skill of Demon Slayers has plummeted greatly, deeming most of them useless.

When he wonders whether the trainers could tell if someone could at least be competent, Tengen jokingly reminds him that Tanjiro landed “that flamboyant blow on you”, earning his ire. Shinobu adds that as the human population grows, it would become harder to unify them all. Gyomei states that since only those whose loved ones were killed by demons choose to join the Corps, or have done so through generations, they can’t simply have people without the drive or resolve to do so join them and would be cruel to ask such of laymen.

Kyojuro chimes in that Tanjiro encountering a Twelve Kizuki only months after joining could mean he has the power to draw them, envious since even they rarely get to face them. Kagaya notes that Lower Five’s drastic actions mean that Muzan isn’t near Mount Natagumo, referring to the incident in Asakusa and how he draws attention to cover his tracks.

Though frustrated at how demons continue to freely devour humans and get stronger, Kagaya expressed his faith in them, believing he has assembled the strongest Hashiras since the feudal era. One by one, he says the names of all the Hashiras and states he looks forward to their success, addressing the swordsmen as his “children”.

## Aftermath

After the meeting, left alone to himself, Kagaya swears that he will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, even if it’s the last thing he’ll do, and that they will bring him down without fail.

Kagaya after the meeting.png
Kagaya vows to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.

## Trivia

* In the anime, the events which transpire during the Hashira meeting are shown whereas the manga alludes that the meeting began after Tanjiro left, without mentioning what was discussed.

## Navigation

1. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Pages 8-16).