The Legend of the Sun Pillar

Chapter 09 - 4th Season

[09/14/1927]

The sun was already rising when the meeting finally came to an end. Although the last three hours had not been particularly productive from an executive standpoint, they served well to bring the officers closer to the newly chosen ones for the main political positions of the empire. Sitting on the steps leading into the palace, Tanjiro meditated and enjoyed the morning rays of light on his face when he felt someone approaching.

He didn't even need to turn to know who was beside him now.

— Hideki, what brings you here? I thought you would be sleeping like the others by now. - said Tanjiro, still with his eyes closed.

— Cut it out. You know very well why I'm here, Tanjiro. - grumbled Hideki. The lack of sleep was definitely not doing any good for his mood.

— Ah, yes. 'The crown prince must never distance himself from those who will be his prime minister, advisors, and family', not that Hiro is wrong, but... — Tanjiro finally opened his eyes and calmly turned to Hideki. — Tōjō-san, you know my work. Anyone who is by my side will be running serious risks.

— You have hundreds of friends by your side, and even two fiancées and future wives. - retorted Hideki with a slight ironic smile. — Wouldn't they all be running serious risks, just like me?In silence, Tanjiro just turned back to the sun and then replied: — They know how to take care of themselves, and if something happens, I will be there to protect them.

— Exactly. I may not know how to deal with a demonic creature, but like you, I am also a soldier, and I also have a family and friends to care for and protect. - Hideki placed a hand on Tanjiro's shoulder, took a brief pause to take a deep breath, and then continued: — I will let you handle all this demonic mess. In return, let me handle all the military matters. And together...

— We can take care of the citizens. - interrupted Tanjiro, completing the sentence with a smile on his face. — Alright, I won't stop you anymore. Do as you wish.

With a small and quick laugh, Hideki joined Tanjiro and enjoyed the rays of the rising sun on his face, feeling the cold air of the early morning gradually warm up to a pleasant and comforting temperature, enough to dissipate all the fatigue of having spent an entire night awake.

— However, don't count on me to explain to your friends. - said Hideki with a laugh. — I will have to visit my family, so that's on you.

— Oh... Right... - replied Tanjiro with a somewhat unfriendly face.

"Clown face", he thought as he got up and left.

[...]

The appointment of a new crown prince of Japan quickly spread across the continents like wildfire. Within hours, the name 'Tanjiro Kamado' became the dominant topic in the political arena, and when Hirohito's official announcement was made public by the end of the morning, there wasn't a single Japanese citizen who opposed his choice. With numerous notable and heroic deeds to his name, from saving thousands of families from demonic attacks, like the one in Tokyo years ago, to putting an end to World War II, the mere idea of someone more qualified for the position seemed distant and too surreal.

However, there were still many skeptics regarding Hirohito's choice. Of course, they would never doubt the Emperor's decision, but the concern about choosing someone outside the Imperial Family still lingered—after all, none of the civilians had any idea that Tanjiro was actually the one with the real right to the throne.

Around the world, there were also some political groups that questioned whether the emperor was right in his choice, but none of their manifestos mentioned any possibility of rejecting the emperor's decision.

Back at the corporation, Tanjiro was met with a barrage of questions from hunters, kakushis, and even some demons from the squad led by Nezuko, who were there for joint training with the hunters. Everyone was curious about how things had come to this point. After about forty minutes of answering some questions and avoiding others, Tanjiro was finally able to head to his mansion.

There, to his not-so-surprise, all the pillars of the first division were already waiting for him—especially a certain trio of butterfly sisters, who did not seem at all happy with the sudden news they had just received.