The smell of grilled meat and rice hung in the air like a blessing.
The grand dining hall stretched wide beneath the night sky, the upper terrace open to the moonlight and stars. Dozens of Kakushi bustled about, serving hot dishes with trembling hands and whispered reverence. A long dining table — seemingly endless — hosted a gathering the world would never have believed possible.
Hashiras on one side, their uniforms loosened, their blades resting beside them.Upper Moons on the other, with cloaks undone, eyes bright with an unfamiliar calm.Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat at the head, regal and peaceful.Muzan, opposite him, wore a calm smirk, sipping sake with eerie elegance.And standing, back against a pillar, as silent as death itself — the Slayer.
Then — a voice boomed at the entrance.
"Flames never flicker! Even when late!"
All eyes turned.
Kyojuro Rengoku strode into the hall, his coat flaring behind him, hair radiant like fire in the torchlight. He exhaled loudly, grinning wide as always.
Rengoku:"Forgive me, everyone! My father arrived unexpectedly to witness the Slayer's training! I stayed behind to see him off."
Tengen (grinning):"And here I thought the flame had fizzled!"
Rengoku (laughs):"Impossible, Sound Hashira! Flames roar brightest before battle!"
He took his seat with the elegance of a warrior and the volume of a festival announcer.
Sanemi (muttering):"Great. Now it's louder."
Mitsuri (beaming):"Kyojuro! I saved you sweet potatoes!"
Rengoku (slamming his fists together):"Mitsuri! Truly, your kindness is unmatched!"
The tension cracked, and the table shifted back into a warm chaos of voices and fire.
Kokushibo & Muichiro
Kokushibo (to Muichiro):"You are Tsugikuni blood. That I am sure of now."
Muichiro (nods):"Yes. I confirmed it too… after my memories returned."
Kokushibo (softly, a flicker of humanity):"You carry our legacy. You're stronger than I was at your age."
Muichiro:"You're still stronger. For now."
Kokushibo (smirking faintly):"Hm. Good."
Obanai leaned closer to Shinobu, keeping his tone hushed.
Obanai:"I don't trust Doma. He hasn't blinked in ten minutes."
Shinobu (smiling):"He does that. Sociopathy comes with better eye moisture control."
Doma (grinning suddenly):"I heard that! No offense taken. I do moisturize."
Giyu (to Doma):"Do you ever stop smiling?"
Doma:"Not really. It's how I cope with existential emptiness!"
Across the Table: Akaza & Sanemi
Sanemi:"Why did you become a demon?"
Akaza (eyes narrowing):"To protect someone. Didn't work."
Sanemi (pauses):"...That's messed up."
Akaza:"You hate me less now?"
Sanemi:"No. Still wanna punch you."
Sanemi:"You used to be human. Still think like one?"
Akaza:"Sometimes. Not often. Only when I'm angry or sad."
Sanemi:"...Relatable."
Akaza (mock surprise):"You have feelings?"
Sanemi:"Try me."
Akaza (grinning):"Maybe later."
Doma, Giyu, and Shinobu
Doma (to Giyu):"So quiet~! You must be the brooding romantic."
Giyu:"You talk too much."
Shinobu (smirking):"He means you're annoying."
Doma (laughs):"Oh! You wound me. But also... yes."
Gyomei and Kagaya
Gyomei:"Even in silence, that man… Slayer… commands everything."
Kagaya (nodding):"He is the storm before the flood. Yet tonight… he is the wall that holds the tide."
Muzan (casually):"He doesn't eat. He doesn't rest. He simply is."
The Slayer didn't even look their way. He remained behind Kagaya, arms crossed, visor catching firelight. A sentinel of pure war.
Rengoku (raising a cup):"To the future — forged not only in flame, but in unity!"
Tengen (sighing):"There he goes again...."
Mitsuri:"Yes! Isn't it wonderful?"
Sanemi (groans):"One more toast and I'll impale myself."
Akaza (to Kokushibo):"So… which one of them are we punching first in training tomorrow?"
Kokushibo:"Whoever moves slowest."
Doma:"I vote we punch each other emotionally first."