CHAPTER 15 - Hashira: Part 3
The meeting at the Ubuyashiki Residence was attended by only a handful of people who were around and concerned over the situation that they had heard.
"The Master is here." the daughters of Kagaya Ubuyashiki introduced the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. The man walked ahead and sat down.
"We are missing quite a number of people, and I was expecting so." Master Ubuyashiki began.
The door was slid open as Law and Kanao entered the meeting room at two minutes past nine.
"You are late." Iguro slithered.
"No one asked you to come, Hebi-ya*." Law retorted.
Oh my, Law is going toe-to-toe with Obanai. I'm flustered! Mitsuri blushed. It caught Law's glance. The Captain of the Hearts Pirates nodded to Master Ubuyashiki and sat down alongside Kanao.
"So, why did you bring Shinobu's Tsuguko?" Uzui asked.
"We'll get to that." Law mentioned. Uzui nodded, and both of them waited for Master Ubuyashiki to begin.
"I believe you've received Shinobu's report from her journey yesterday." he began, "I wouldn't be going into details regarding Roronoa Zoro's surprising decision, for that had been a decision taken by him alone." He took out papers from his coat attached with a string. Law understood who it was from.
"A letter has arrived from Shinobu a while back. The date at the end, mention that the events had taken place yesterday." Master Ubuyashiki detailed, "Now before I go into the content of these pages, most of you understand the significance of the crows and their travel speed. I've received reports from Kakushis regarding dead flocks through the way and can only expect Muzan Kibutsuji with his demons involved in this hindrance. In the end, the crows are ever faithful and delivered this letter to the Kakushis and thus, to us. This has piqued my interest over Kibutsuji's plans. The hindrance of information began with the arrival of the pirates ashore, and I'm afraid, Kibutsuji might be planning to make contact with the leader of these pirates."
Law wasn't expecting such news. It was a terrifying thought for the Beast Pirates and the Demons to ally on the latter's home turf.
"Damn!" Law slammed his right fist onto the Tatami mat, knowing full well that Ubuyashiki's predictions were very possible. Mitsuri and Kanao observed him with uneasy looks.
"I can only emphasise your situation right now, Captain Law." said Master Ubuyashiki.
"We might've made a mistake coming here." Law said with a tone of regret.
"That doesn't matter." Master Ubuyashiki replied, "I want you in the area. From what you had told us, Zoro was the one who had fought Kokushibo, and from that encounter itself, Kibutsuji must be interested in a man of his calibre. But your fighting ability and medical expertise are oblivious to Kibutsuji's eyes."
"If you are asking me to stay, there was no point in adding further. I had decided to wait out any form of discrepancies." Law said, "And I wouldn't be worried about Zoro-ya too much."
Master Ubuyashiki smiled to his conviction.
"You have high hopes for your comrade, and I'm glad we are in the same boat." he said, emphasising on the paper, "Shinobu has mentioned of the further events. Apparently, she was able to board a ship yesterday that was supposed to imprison Zoro. The confinements were vacant as she has mentioned."
"He must've escaped." Law believed.
"I'm impressed. Shinobu handled those pirates on her own? I thought they were vicious." Mitsuri said.
"There didn't seem to be much detail regarding the resistance." Master Ubuyashiki mentioned.
Law realised one thing that Master Ubuyashiki was avoiding the mention of Kanae Kocho, who accompanied Shinobu to the coast. The Pillars were kept away from the resurrected news of Shinobu's sister or Master Kuwajima, the latter who had gone along with Giyu Tomioka.
"Tomioka is heading her way to provide support. That's a wise choice." Master Ubuyashiki said, "And speaking of which, I believe Tengen is heading for his mission to the east?"
"I am." Uzui replied, "I'd like your permission to search for Zoro and assist Shinobu if I encounter her."
"Indeed."
"I'd like to give my support, Master." Kanao came ahead and bowed.
"She wants to head along with Uzu-ya." Law mentioned.
"And what must your intention be?" Master Ubuyashiki asked.
"To find and help Pillar Zoro." Kanao did not hesitate.
"What do you think, Captain Law?"
"I've agreed. The decision rests on you and Uzu-ya." Law said.
"Hmm…" Master Ubuyashiki had a peaceful smile, "I'll allow. What do you think, Tengen?"
"I'm fine with it. She's Shinobu's Tsuguko so I guess she'll be of help." Uzui agreed.
"Thank you." Kanao bowed.
"Very well then. I'd share the details regarding Shinobu's location to you." Master Ubuyashiki handed Uzui the papers. He got up and concluded the meeting.
"Alright, meet me on the southern end, no later than midnight." Uzui told Kanao, leaving the Headquarters.
"Are you going to be alright?" Mitsuri asked her in concern.
Kanao nodded.
"Let's go." Law mentioned.
"Uh, Captain Law, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to accompany you to the Butterfly Mansion." Mitsuri asked blushed.
"Did Kocho-ya send you a message?" Law asked.
"Kocho-ya? Ah, yes. You've read my mind. I'm surprised." Mitsuri was turning red, and Iguro wasn't pleased.
"Of course." Kanao replied, "Please join us."
"In that case, I'll be joining as well." Iguro said.
"Why? The meeting's over. I don't want you to be hostile to Kocho-ya's attendants." Law mocked.
"I have no such intention. I'm interested to hear what Shinobu has to say."
"Whatever." Law sighed, leading the group.
Once they arrived upon the Butterfly Estate, Law asked the girls to get Kanao ready for her journey. Law himself sat down at the living room, with a square table in between. Mitsuri and Iguro sat opposing each other.
"What has Kocho-ya have to say?" Law asked.
"Well, she asked me to help you out in the Estate. I heard you were involved with your research and she thought that you might need some help." Mitsuri said.
"You are a Pillar, you shouldn't be involved here." Law emphasised her status, "Things are going pretty fine, and besides, Kocho-ya was 'kind' enough to leave me with her responsibilities. That woman is devious."
Mitsuri chuckled, "I never knew Shinobu would trust a man to look after her home."
"He's right, Mitsuri. The Master needs you to handle a Demon sector." Iguro said.
"Well, there was something the Master mentioned to me after the meeting, and that coincided with Shinobu's thoughts." Mitsuri said grasping Shinobu's letter.
"Let me see that." Law said, taking the letter. He made a quick read and understood Shinobu's concern. He passed the letter to Iguro.
"So she believes I'm not up to the job." Law looked upon Mitsuri.
"No, no." Mitsuri tried to clarify.
"She believes the demons might attack the Headquarters." Iguro said.
Mitsuri nodded.
"I believe she mentioned the same to Master Ubuyashiki in his version of the letter. I'd say that should be an expected thought. Kibutsuji must have something in mind for sending Upper Demon Moon No. 1 beforehand." Iguro added, folding the letter, "Two Pillars employed to defend the Headquarters."
"The Master put me in-charge along with Captain Law. It's better to play safe." Mitsuri said.
"I won't argue further if Ubuyashiki and Kocho-ya mention so. I have rare doubt over their concerns." Law said, agreeing to Mitsuri's request.
"But before that, I have my own demands." Mitsuri replied, "I'm glad Obanai's here with us, so I'd say this straight. I ask you, Captain Law, for a duel."
"What?" Law was surprised.
"What are you blabbering about, Mitsuri. This is hardly the time." Iguro rebuked.
"I have heard of your exploits along with Pillar Zoro, having faced Moon-level Demons. I don't doubt the Master's words, and but I want to see for myself what you are capable of." Mitsuri told Law.
"No." the latter replied.
Mitsuri could not be stopped. She stood up, drawing out her blade, whilst displaying its weird shape of a whip.
"Mitsuri!" Iguro objected.
"I will not trust the defence of the Headquarters to a man, who wouldn't draw his blade against a woman. I'd rather have Obanai to help me out if you are not capable." Mitsuri was serious. She aimed her blade upon Law.
"I'll need to leave for my sector tonight." Iguro objected to Mitsuri's wild ideas, "Stop this pointless banter, Mitsuri. You yourself should be capable for the job alone."
"Fine." Law said, holding his Nodachi, getting himself up to his feet, "But I'd ask you to wait for a while."
Mitsuri and Iguro were surprised to find Kanao and the girls observing the tensed situation. Law turned around and walked out. The girls followed him.
"What was that about?" Aoi asked shocked.
"That lady wants a fight." Law said.
"A fight between two pillars?" Sumi was afraid.
"Are you going to accept it?" Naho asked.
"I have." Law replied, "I guess, no one trusts the new guy around here unless they show some finesse with good old elbow grease." he clutched his sword.
"I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, the whole fighting thing." Kanao objected.
"You should be concerned on your own end, kid." Law said, as they arrived at the front gate, "Let me know of your situation once you are out there. Damn, Shinobu will be furious for letting you go."
"I will, and thank you for your support." Kanao bowed.
"Yeah, sure thing." Law replied with his smile.
"Take care!" the girl wished, as Kanao made her way. She was gone from their sights before long.
"Alright, back to the business." Law turned around.
"I don't like this." Kiyo said.
"You can tell that to the lady in the living room. Her idea. I doubt she's willing to back off." Law said.
The fight was inevitable. It was a challenge where Iguro stood at the sidelines, with Mitsuri and Law facing each other at the courtyard.
"I don't want you to go easy on me, for I won't." Mitsuri mentioned.
"Very well." Law drew out his blade.
Iguro knew better than to let a fight happen between Pillars during a situation when the demons might've been plotting to overthrow the Demon Slayer system. Pirates were on the loose and Obanai Iguro had his concerns. He knew too well of Mitsuri's abilities but was somehow curious over Law's own skills. He stood watch to avoid an unneeded bloodbath.
"Let's do this." Law said with a devious grin.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Footnotes:
*Hebi = Snake, in English.