One Piece: With Sign-in System

Shinobu glanced at Ron quietly.

Though she couldn't be sure what exactly happened to Muichiro just now, her instincts told her—it had to be because of him.

There was simply too much mystery surrounding this man.

"Muichiro, what happened?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked softly, turning to face him.

Muichiro stared blankly at his still-trembling hands, then shook his head slowly. "…It's nothing."

"I see…"

Kagaya gave a gentle nod before shifting his attention to Ron.

"Mr. Ron, thank you for accepting my apology. Although they are all like children to me, and they indeed have their flaws in temperament and conduct… they are also the very pillars holding up the Demon Slayer Corps. Brave warriors who stand tall against the darkness. If you don't mind, would you be willing to talk further somewhere more appropriate?"

His tone remained calm and polite. Every word, every movement, exuded grace and dignity. Even the pacing of his speech seemed to ease the hearts of those around him.

From the way he personally bowed in apology earlier, to now—deliberately suggesting a change in location to preserve the dignity of his subordinates—every act revealed the breadth of his heart, his care for his people, and the unmistakable air of a true leader.

Men like him were exceedingly rare—anywhere in the world.

Ron looked at him for a moment and then gave a faint nod. "Alright, let's move. I don't exactly enjoy being stared at like some zoo animal."

Kagaya smiled softly. "Then allow me to welcome you into my estate."

None of the Hashira voiced any objection.

So the group followed their master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, disappearing from sight, leaving behind only the devastated battlefield—its center a massive crater that still radiated an ominous chill.

"The Sound Hashira was subdued in one move. Even Flame, Wind, and Serpent Hashira were forced back. And the Master himself came to greet him personally…"

A Demon Slayer Corps member stood at the edge of the shattered ground, sweat trailing down his temple as he stared, stunned.

"Just… who is that man…?"

Word of the incident spread like wildfire within the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps. Witnesses—both regular members and masked—retold the story with barely-contained awe.

…

Meanwhile, deep in a forest clearing…

Two swordsmen were sparring intensely, their blades clashing and ringing through the trees.

Beneath a nearby tree, another swordsman sat observing them. He spoke up, casually:

"Hey, by the way—did you guys hear about it yet?"

"Hear what?"

"What's going on?"

The swordsman under the tree raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Wait, seriously? You two haven't heard yet? It's already spread through half the Corps!"

The two stopped mid-duel, turning toward him with interest. "What happened?!"

The seated swordsman proceeded to recount the entire event.

"A mysterious guy appears—then bam! One move, and Tengen, the Sound Hashira, is down! Then Flame, Wind, and Serpent Hashira all jump in—and even they get forced back!"

"…Pfft! What nonsense, Yamada! Did you hit your head or just not get enough sleep?!"

"Yeah, right! We're talking about the Hashira! The strongest swordsmen in the entire Corps! No way some random human could take them all on like that. No way. Impossible."

"…"

"…Wait, are you serious?"

Yamada gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Their faces went stiff.

"Just who the hell is that guy…?"

"Dunno. But from what I heard—he came with Lady Shinobu. And apparently, he's a personal guest of the Master himself…"

…

As the news spread like wildfire throughout the Demon Slayer Corps…

Inside the serene, elegant residence of Kagaya Ubuyashiki—

The master of the mansion, dressed in a white kimono, sat calmly on a tatami mat laid across the polished wooden floor.

Roughly five meters in front of him, Ron sat with his legs lazily stretched out, completely at ease.

To Ubuyashiki's right, seated in a neat row on their knees, were eight of the nine Hashira: the Stone Hashira – Gyomei Himejima, the Wind Hashira – Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Love Hashira – Mitsuri Kanroji, the Sound Hashira – Tengen Uzui, the Serpent Hashira – Obanai Iguro, the Mist Hashira – Muichiro Tokito, the Flame Hashira – Kyojuro Rengoku, and the Insect Hashira – Shinobu Kocho. The only one absent was the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka.

Gyomei sat closest to Ubuyashiki, while Shinobu was seated closest to Ron.

Despite the disfigurement scarring the upper half of his face, Ubuyashiki's expression remained gentle as he faced forward and spoke warmly:

"Mr. Ron, ever since I read Shinobu's letter about you, I've wanted to meet you in person. When I heard you were coming to our headquarters as a guest, I was genuinely pleased."

"Oh, and I must thank you for saving Yukita and the others in that small town. If you hadn't intervened when that demon suddenly evolved, I doubt any of them would've made it back alive."

Ron responded nonchalantly, "I had my reasons. It wasn't exactly an act of charity."

Ubuyashiki smiled softly. "Life is precious. Regardless of your reasons, I believe saving them was something worthy of gratitude."

Ron glanced at him, but remained silent.

Then Ubuyashiki continued, his tone unchanging but the question weighty: "Mr. Ron, I heard you and Shinobu encountered demons in Asakusa, Tokyo, and even traced the movements of Muzan Kibutsuji. Could you tell us more about what happened?"

His words dropped like a stone into still water.

All eyes turned instantly to Ron.

"You saw Muzan Kibutsuji?!"

"Did you find his base? Did you fight him?!"

Sanemi and Obanai spoke up at once, their earlier tension forgotten in the wake of something far more important.

In the middle of their stares, Ron casually answered, "No, I didn't meet Muzan Kibutsuji, nor did I fight him. But… a young swordsman from your corps named Tanjiro Kamado did catch a glimpse of him. They even crossed paths briefly."

"Tanjiro Kamado?"

Several of the Hashira looked puzzled.

Shinobu explained, "He's one of the five swordsmen who passed the Final Selection this year."

"A rookie? A newly selected swordsman managed to find Muzan's trail when even we Hashira couldn't?" Sanemi echoed incredulously, eyes narrowing.

Tengen couldn't hide his disbelief. "He came face to face with Kibutsuji and survived? That brat must be something else."

"They didn't fight," Shinobu clarified. "Muzan had disguised himself to blend in among humans. I suppose he didn't attack to avoid drawing attention."

Kyojuro leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Then that means… Muzan is still in Asakusa?!"

Ubuyashiki shook his head slowly. "Unlikely. That man is unbelievably cautious. Now that his location has been compromised, he'll definitely move again—probably already has."

Disappointment swept across the Hashira.

"Damn it! We finally had a lead, and now it's gone!"

Sanemi slammed his fist against the floor, veins bulging as his eyes reddened with fury.

Then Ron spoke, calm and quiet, yet somehow more striking than a shout.

"Even if the Demon Slayer Corps found him… with your current strength, you probably still wouldn't be able to kill him."

He looked directly at Ubuyashiki and the eight seated Hashira and added, without emotion:

"In fact… it wouldn't be surprising if Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki wiped you all out instead."