Chapter Text
PAST HASHIRA
1907
The hashira pillars in 1907, consisted of 8 hashira.
Tanjuro Kamado, the sun hashira, age 27, has been hashira for 10 years, Tanjiro and Nezuko’s father.
Gyomei, age 14, the stone hashira, just became a hashira.
Shozen Kocho, the water hashira, age 37, has been a hashira for 21 years.
Shinjuro Rengoku, flame hashira, age 28, has been a hashira for 12 years.
Haruto Unagi, thunder hashira, age 36, has been a hashira for 18 years.
Kaito Kumeno, wind hashira, age 64, has been a hashira for 47 years.
Daichi Ito, mist hashira, age 68. Has been a hashira for 52 years.
Aina Kocho, flower hashira, age 35, has been the flower hashira for 19 years.
They’re all descendents of the major samurai clans that founded the demon slayers. The Kocho clan invented water and flower breathing, they can access the vermilion eyes which grants the user to determine a demon blood art and counter it. They can also turn invisible for short periods of time.
The Rengoku clan has a large reserve of physical strength that matches that of an upper moon.
The Kumeno clan were masters of wind breathing and had unnatural durability. For example, only members of the 12 kikisake can hurt them.
The Ito clan were the creators of demon slayer swords and mostly focused on blacksmithing. Mist breathing was the most common position for hashira’s of non noble blood.
The Unagi clan mastered thunder breathing, they could faze through attacks by overspeeding their molecular structure.
The monks in the wisteria mountains can harness nature energy which increases the energy in their bodies by 100.
The Kamado clan were the only people who could use sun breathing but Tanjuro’s wife and children lived in the isolated northern mountains to protect them from demon attacks. The rest of the clan lived in the port towns loyal to the slayers.
Many towns in Japan served under these samurai clans making those area’s corps bases.
Gyomei meet the other hashira after being selected by his elders to be the next stone hashira.
The major samurai clans decide who should represent them as a hashira by holding a vote among the clan on who they think is best suited. Votes can last up to 3 years at max and 2 weeks at minimum. It is possible to have a hashira of the 5 primary forms that's a non noble member such as Urokodaki, but it is very rare.
That night Gyomei is approached by Tanjuro Kamado.
“Lord Kamado.” Gyomei bowed after sensing the sun hashira approach.
“You're a hashira now Gyomei, there’s no need for you to feel like an apprentice.” Kamado said with a soft voice.
“Gyomei, it’s time you should know something about the first breathers. The corps got their power from the blue spider lily, a herb flower infused with the blood of the gods which is brought upon our realm whenever they deem it necessary. 5 years ago I received a vision from the first breathers who said that the blue spider lily will grow in a northern mountain and that my children will rid the land of demons. I feed the herb flower of the gods to my pregnant wife who gave birth to two twins with a powerful aura. When they come of age, I will bring them to Hq to be trained in sun breathing. For now I plan to bring them to the northern mountains to keep them out of Muzan’s view.” Tanjuro explained to the stone hashira.
“When they arrive, can I count on you to guide them to their true potential?” Kamado asked, with Gyomei immediately agreeing. That was 13 years ago. Now as Gyomei meets the Kamado twins for the first time, memories of the past fill his mind as he smiles.
Early 1915
Yusuke Kocho was the first water hashira who created the 10 original forms of water breathing and taught it to his children and servants. 100 years later the first flower hashira Yuri Kocho created the 7 original forms of flower breathing. The Kocho’s blood gives them the greatest natural talent for flower and water breathing. Before Urokodaki all water hashira’s came from the legendary Kocho clan
Shozen Kocho was the last water hashira before Giyu Tomika. 5 years ago Giyu, Kanae and Sanemi were assigned to escort Shozen on a mission to hunt down a large hive of bee demons. After succeeding, Doma attacked the group forcing them to draw straws for a sacrifice.
“I stall the freak while you report to HQ lord Kocho!” Sanemi said abruptly as he didn’t want any of his friends to die.
“Your loyalty to the corps is admirable, Sanemi, but you still are too young to die.” The water hashira said as he cut his arm to cause bleeding.
“This demon is attracted to the Kocho bloodline and has made it’s personal goal to kill as many Kocho’s as possible even if it loses in the process. Therefore I will stay behind to give you all the opportunity to survive, besides my tuberculosis will just be a burden for the corps if I can’t activate the proper breathing styles.” Shozen told everyone as he coughed up blood.
“Lord Kocho please don’t do this! Think about your children, they need you as a sensi of breathing styles and we need a water hashira!” Giyu pleaded with Kocho in hopes of convincing him to change his mind as Giyu cried in front of everyone.
“Tomioka, I will send a message by crow to make you my successor as the next water hashira. I saw you create a new form of water breathing on your own, even without the Kocho blood you have signs of becoming the strongest water hashira. Kanae stay strong for your sisters, they will need you more than ever after tonight. Good luck everyone.” Shozen said as he dashed towards Doma while everyone escaped.
“Ahh. What joy, Lord Muzan has truly blessed me to confront another Kocho, and a water hashira of all, this will surely be very entertaining.” Doma said as he licked his blades and began forming ice projectiles.
“Water breathing 10th form modified, Hydra constant fluiex.” Shozen used 3 swords (Like Zoro) to attack with 3 water dragons. Then the two exchanged blow after blow for 5 hours at which Shozen planned for a final strike.
“Water breathing 2nd form modified, 3 shuriken water wheels barrage.” Shozen threw his swords at Doma causing the demon to take the fight seriously after Shozen broke through the ice armor and damaged Doma’s composure.
“Demon blood art, unknowing icicle frostbite.” This caused the surrounding area to grow hundreds of ice arrows that overwhelmed and killed Shozen.
“You know, you Kocho’s bring me close to death's door every time I fight one of you. Your eyes' ability to see demon blood arts forming and how to counter them has keeped me entertained for centuries. Your wife and 3 sons gave me quite the battle last year and yet you Kocho’s die all the same. Well at least your rare blood will be a good feast.” Doma said to Kocho's corpse as he began to eat.
Late 1914
As Katio returned from a mission a doctor told him that his old age has made him unable to serve as a slayer. Katio accepted the fact that he can’t fight forever even to his displeasem*nt of the fact he summoned Sanemi to his home.
“Lord Kumeno, is there anything you need?” Sanemi said as he bowed to the wind hashira.
“So you're my great grandson’s friend, I see why he talked so highly of you. Your skills and hard work exceed that of my clan and under the rough exterior I sense a soul who deeply cares about others. Boy, soon I must retire, have the wind hashira and I want you to be my successor.” Katio said as Sanemi stood in a frozen shock.
“Lord Kumeno, I am not worthy of such a title, I failed Masachika Kumeno when we killed the lower moon 1,it should have been me that died that day.” Sanemi’s rant was stopped by Kaito as he placed his hand on the boy’s head.
“Your iron will and motivation to save others no matter the cost is why I want you as the next wind hashira.” Kaito said to Sanemi as the boy began to cry.
1919
Daichi Ito sat on a large rock in the swordsmith village as he talked to his student Muichrio. Daichi had been suffering from tuberculosis for the past year which was slowly killing him. He decided his successor after he died.
“Muichrio, many hardships will soon be forced upon you, but you must keep your will strong and fill the void in your heart with others that you can trust. Never forget who you truly are and never let anyone influence negative thoughts, for the pure soul can survive in this cruel world.” Daichi said to Muichrio before he passed on to the afterlife 3 days later.
TO BE CONTINUED!
