Oyakata-sama

Oyakata-sama (お) is a respectful term for the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Traditionally, the Oyakata-sama has been a male member of the Ubuyashiki Family.

Overview
The Oyakata-sama serves as the head of the Demon Slayer Corps. The position of leadership is inherited by the eldest son of the Ubuyashiki family upon the death of the previous leader. However, due to the curse that afflicts the leaders, their lives are tragically cut short, and none of them have lived beyond the age of thirty. Consequently, most leaders assume their role at a very young age. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, for instance, took on the mantle at the tender age of four following his father's suicide, while his son Kiriya Ubuyashiki assumed the responsibility at the age of eight.

Aware of their limited lifespan, each leader of the Corps adopts a sense of urgency in raising their children, instilling strict discipline and guidance to expedite their growth into capable individuals. The purpose behind such a rigorous upbringing is to ensure the preparedness of their successors, who will be tasked with assuming the crucial responsibility of leading the Demon Slayers upon the his inevitable death.

In the day-to-day operations of the Corps, the Oyakata-sama receives essential support from their family members. Together, they undertake crucial responsibilities such as organizing and coordinating the deployment of Demon Slayers to areas plagued by demon activity, overseeing the entrance exam known as Final Selection for aspiring Demon Slayers, and conducting meetings with the elite Hashira, the second highest-ranked members of the organization after himself.

Throughout its history, the Corps' leaders have never had the presence of a bodyguard, despite the dangers they face. This tradition persisted even after one of them was killed by a treacherous Demon Slayer who turned into a demon.

History
Around a thousand years ago, a distant relative of the current Ubuyashiki family named Muzan Kibutsuji underwent a transformation, becoming the very first demon. This event marked the beginning of a curse that would plague the Ubuyashiki bloodline. Each subsequent generation would be afflicted with sickness and weakness, succumbing to an untimely demise before reaching adulthood. Faced with the imminent extinction of their family, the Ubuyashiki sought the guidance of a priest who offered a solution: they must dedicate their souls to the eradication of the Demon Progenitor and the purification of the world from demons, thus breaking the curse that bound them.

Inspired by this counsel, the Ubuyashiki family established the Demon Slayer Corps and assumed the responsibility of leading the battle against Muzan for nearly a millennium. Though the curse persisted, the resilience of those born into the clan seemed to strengthen over time, granting them a greater resistance to death. However, the shadow of mortality still loomed, as the members of the family would ultimately meet their end before reaching the age of thirty. Driven by their ancestral duty and fueled by the hope of one day overcoming the curse, the Ubuyashiki family continued to persevere, their unwavering commitment to the cause propelling them forward in the fight against Muzan and his demonic horde.

During the Sengoku period, a Demon Slayer, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, was persuaded by Muzan to become a demon. Soon after transforming, he killed the Oyakata-sama that led his era of Demon Slayers and brought his head to Muzan. The leader's young son was left to lead the Demon Slayer Corps afterwards. Michikatsu's younger twin brother, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, took responsibility for Michikatsu's betrayal and his inability to kill Muzan. The other Hashira demanded he commit seppuku as penance, but the newly appointed Oyakata-sama ordered he be spared and allowed him to leave in banishment.

Ultimately, during the Taishō era, after a millennium of relentless battles between the Corps and the demons, spanning many generations of Oyakata-samas, the Corps achieved their ultimate goal by finally defeating Muzan and eradicating all his demons. Kiriya Ubuyashiki, the last Oyakata-sama, officially disbands the corps and his own position was also abolished. Kiriya not only freed his family from the curse that had haunted them for generations but also attained the extraordinary distinction of becoming the oldest living person in Japan.

Equipment
Attire: The Oyakata-sama wears a black kimono and a white, calf-length haori with a unique design of gradient flames of the colors purple and salmon pink rising from the hem up to the half of the sleeves.

 Kasugai Crow: To stay well-informed and maintain effective communication with Corps members, the Oyakata-sama utilizes the crows to receive updates on situations, send letters and inform members about missions.

Abilities
Foresight: Each of the Oyakata-sama possesses a heightened level of foresight that helps him avoid disastrous situations and amass a great amount of wealth and fortune. Due to this instinct, he can accurately made several guesses about multiple things that were eventually proven to be true and accurate without him knowing any prior information.