Next Morning.
It took Ishida the whole night, but he finally got back at the Demon Slayer Corps, after defeating some more weakling demons in his way, and gaining some more exp. in the process.
"Now is the most important moment of all, how will they react of me returning after so long and how much has everything changed," Ishida thought as he approached the main entrance.
"Oi! Is that... wait, ISHIDA!?" A familiar voice called out. Ishida turned to see Kazuki jogging toward him, a broad grin on his face. "You're finally back! Man, do you have any idea how boring it's been around here without you?"
"Kazuki," Ishida acknowledged with a slight nod, his expression calm and composed.
"Well, someone has to keep things lively around here," Kazuki laughed, slapping Ishida's shoulder. "That special training mission must have been something else, huh? You look... different somehow."
"Different?" Ishida raised an eyebrow.
Kazuki stepped back, his expression shifting from joy to surprise as he really looked at Ishida for the first time. His eyes widened as he took in the changes. "Wait a minute..." He straightened up to his full height, then looked up slightly to meet Ishida's eyes. "When did you... you're taller than me now!"
"Oh?" Ishida glanced down at their height difference with mild interest, as if noting something as mundane as the weather. "I suppose I am." His tone was casual, almost indifferent, though internally he was somewhat amused by this unexpected development. Standing next to Kazuki, who had always been the taller one, made it clear just how much he'd physically changed during his time in the quest.
"You suppose? That's all you have to say?" Kazuki exclaimed, measuring their height difference with his hand. "You grew like a bamboo shoot! What kind of training were you doing?"
"Training is training," Ishida replied with a slight shrug, his tone remaining neutral. "More importantly, how have things been here?"
"Oh man, where do I even start?" Kazuki crossed his arms, his excitement momentarily dampened by thought. "Well, demon activity has increased in the northern regions, and we've had to adjust our patrol routes. Plus, Sakura's gotten even stronger - you wouldn't believe how much she's improved with her..."
"I see you're still as talkative as ever," Ishida interrupted with a faint smile. "I should report to the headquarters first. We can catch up properly later."
"Ah, right, right! Of course," Kazuki nodded, grinning again. "But don't think you're getting away without telling me about your training later!"
Ishida gave a noncommittal hum as he walked past him. He had only taken a few steps down the corridor when he sensed a familiar presence. As he turned the corner, he came face to face with Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira.
"Tomioka-san," Ishida greeted with a respectful bow.
Giyu observed him quietly, his expression as composed as ever. "You've returned today, just as anticipated," he commented calmly.
Ishida thought to himself, 'Anticipated? The system must have informed them...' He responded aloud, "Yes, it's been quite a while."
Giyu's eyes subtly noted Ishida's increased stature. "You've grown taller," he remarked, acknowledging the physical change.
Ishida offered a small smile, nodding slightly. "It seems I have. I'm curious about how much has changed here."
"You'll understand more today," Giyu replied, a hint of something almost imperceptible in his tone.
"Today?" Ishida questioned, sensing there was more to the statement. "What's special about today?"
"The Hashira special Meeting is scheduled," Giyu explained. "Your arrival coincides with it, and you are expected to attend."
Ishida was momentarily taken aback. "The Hashira meeting? I didn't realize..."
"Yes. Your presence was specifically requested," Giyu continued, his expression unchanging. "The meeting begins at noon. You should prepare yourself."
Ishida's mind quickly processed this information. A Hashira meeting on his first day back couldn't be coincidence. "I understand. Should I-"
"Ishida!" A new voice cut through their conversation. Both men turned to see Sakura running towards them. She immediately bowed deeply to Giyu. "Good morning, Tomioka-sama!"
Giyu acknowledged her greeting with a slight nod before turning back to Ishida. "Remember, noon. Don't be late." With that, he walked away, his haori fluttering behind him.
Sakura watched him leave before turning to Ishida, her eyes widening. "You're back! And... you got taller!"
"So I've been told," Ishida replied. As he looked at her, something caught his attention - the subtle shift in her stance as she moved, the rhythm of her breathing, even the way her muscles tensed and relaxed. Every detail was crystal clear, like reading an open book. The sheer amount of information his mind was processing made him pause internally.
"Nine months of training must have been intense," she said, eyes bright with curiosity. "I've been working hard too! My Water Breathing techniques-"
"I can tell," Ishida said. "Your form has improved." He glanced down the corridor. "I need to prepare for the meeting."
"The Hashira meeting, right?" Sakura beamed. "Everyone's been talking about it since morning."
"Is that so?" Ishida started walking. "We'll talk later."
"Of course! It's good to have you back!"
Ishida raised a hand in acknowledgment as he headed toward his quarters, his mind already shifting to thoughts of the upcoming meeting.
'A Hashira meeting immediately upon my return... interesting timing.'
...
Few Hours Later - At Ubuyashiki Residence,
All Hashiras gathered outside the residence, just as Ishida had been here last time. However, the atmosphere felt different somehow, and Ishida could sense this with just a quick glance around.
"You were gone for quite some time," remarked Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, who stood beside Ishida.
Ishida gave a slight, respectful nod, his face remaining expressionless.
Before their conversation could continue, the house door slid open. "The Master of the Mansion has arrived," announced a young girl as Kagaya Ubuyashiki emerged, guided by his two young daughters. Every Hashira immediately dropped to the floor, bowing deeply out of respect for the man before them—the master and leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Welcome, my dear children. Good morning to you all," he greeted them in his warm, graceful voice as he took small steps forward.
Questions and anticipation swirled in Ishida's mind. What was the purpose of this meeting? Or perhaps he already knew the reason but was simply waiting for the official announcement, just like everyone else.