Chapter 314

At this moment, DouDouyan's Xiao Qing also stood up, and the other two little girls with DouDouyan eyes came to her side.

Xiao Qing softly and sweetly said to Kanzaki Aoi: "Little Aoi, this gentleman didn't bully me—I just startled myself and fell down. I'm sorry."

24, morale high

"Is… that so."

After hearing Xiao Qing's words, Kanzaki Aoi came to her senses, quickly sheathed her Nichirin Blade, and bowed deeply to Luo En in apology: "I was mistaken—I truly apologize!"

Luo En smiled and waved his hand: "No matter."

He looked at Kanao: "Kanao, is there a place to stay here? I may be staying for a while."

"There is, but to reside here requires the approval of a Pillar…"

Luo En smiled: "That's no problem—I've already spoken with your lord."

Kanzaki Aoi and the three DouDouyan girls were stunned upon hearing this.

This man, who doesn't appear to be a Demon Slayer, actually met the Lord?!

"I understand. Then there's no issue."

Kanao nodded: "I'll take you there, Mr. Luo En."

Kanao and Luo En left Butterfly House.

The three girls gathered beside Kanzaki Aoi, whispering among themselves.

"Just who is Mr. Luo En? Have any of you seen him before?"

Kanzaki Aoi couldn't help asking.

"No, never seen him before."

"He said he met the Lord himself."

"If he's Lady Butterfly's guest and Kanao-sama treats him so respectfully, he must be incredibly powerful."

Xiao Qing nodded vigorously: "I think that gentleman is definitely powerful—he suddenly appeared and really scared me!"

…

Kanao led Luo En to a small detached house near Butterfly House; after Luo En nodded in satisfaction, she took her leave.

Luo En sat beneath a cherry tree in the courtyard corner, drinking wine, eyes closed, carefully sensing the current state of his body.

The Rinne Sharingan's power had recovered more than half.

The Gura Gura no Mi's ability was just one step away from breaking through its bottleneck and reaching Awakening.

His physical strength hadn't increased much, but his spiritual power had been steadily growing.

A breeze blew, scattering cherry petals; his black hair, tied high in a ponytail, fluttered gently behind him.

Luo En, holding the endless wine jug, opened his eyes, looked up at the sky—his azure eyes clear and deep, yet tinged with loneliness and nostalgia.

"It's been nearly twenty days since I arrived in this world—I wonder how things are going in the Pirate World… It must be a complete mess by now."

"Robin, Konis—they must be terrified by now, right?"

Sitting beneath the cherry tree, Luo En murmured to the clear blue sky: "I miss Konis's cooking…"

"Though this world has plenty of delicious food and interesting things, still… for me, it feels like no true home…"

"The system will finish upgrading in ten days—I hope it grants me a way back."

………………

Elsewhere.

After Luo En departed.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya, restored to health and vision, and the Pillars deeply shaken by Luo En's inexplicable divine power, held another Pillar Meeting.

Kanao told everyone what she had heard from Luo En about the Transparent World, the Demon Slayer Mark, the Nichirin Blade, the Sun Breathing Technique, and information regarding Kyojuro Rengoku and Tanjiro.

"If what Mr. Luo En says is true—if we can awaken the Demon Slayer Mark and the Nichirin Blade—our Pillars' strength will surge dramatically."

Ikkyu Shobun's eyes gleamed. "If we pick off the Twelve Kizuki one by one, by the final battle, we'll only face Muzan Kibutsuji and a few Upper Moons…"

"Then we'll have the numerical advantage!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions brightened.

"Tanjiro, as the inheritor of Sun Breathing, and Nezuko, as a special demon, will be the center of this plan."

Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at the Pillars: "Ensure their safety at all costs—Shobun, I entrust this to you."

Ikkyu Shobun nodded solemnly: "I'll locate them immediately and bring them back safely."

"Mr. Ikkyu, if possible, please don't appear before them or interfere in their battles."

Kanao spoke.

Everyone turned to her.

Ikkyu Shobun asked: "Why?"

Kanao whispered: "Mr. Luo En seems to have great faith in Tanjiro's potential as a swordsman—he even gave him sword instruction on the way here. He likely wants Tanjiro to grow stronger through countless life-or-death battles against demons… so…"

Ikkyu Shobun nodded: "Understood. If they face an opponent they absolutely cannot defeat, I won't show myself."

"Thank you."

Afterwards, the group discussed in detail the plan to use Nezuko as bait to lure Muzan Kibutsuji into the open; everyone was brimming with energy, for the first time truly seeing a glimmer of hope.

As the meeting neared its end,

Uzui Tengen asked a question: "Will that one… stand with us after the great battle begins, and fight alongside us against Muzan Kibutsuji?"

His tone carried profound respect.

After personally experiencing and feeling the incomprehensible, godlike power of that one, Uzui Tengen—who had always called himself the "God of Festivals"—felt true awe for the first time.

The others, upon hearing his question, remained silent.

They too wanted to know the answer.

If that one could assist them in confronting Kibutsuji Muzan, their chances of victory would undoubtedly increase dramatically.

"Probably not."

Butterfly Shinobu's words shattered the silence; everyone turned to look at her.

Butterfly Shinobu whispered softly: "In that man's eyes, Kibutsuji Muzan might not even amount to anything. Mr. Luo En wants us to grow stronger, to seek our own revenge, to kill Kibutsuji Muzan with our own hands."

"Indeed!"

Kyojuro Rengoku struck his palm with his fist and declared with bold cheer: "If we can resolve this millennia-old fate with our own hands, it could not be better!"

Inosuke Hashibira said coldly: "If we cannot kill that thing with our own hands, what meaning does all our training so far hold?"

"My sword was born for this purpose."

Muichiro said plainly.

Sanemi Shinazugawa clasped his hands together, tears streaming down his face: "Demons walk the world, and all beings suffer. The purpose of this life lies in exterminating every demon. If I may kill Kibutsuji Muzan with my own hands, even death would bring me no regret—Amitabha."

Butterfly Shinobu herself harbored boundless rage against demons that demanded release.

Gazing at the Pillars before her, each radiating murderous intent toward demons.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled: "My children—my swordsmen—let us kill Kibutsuji Muzan with our own hands and end this millennia-old fate."

"Yes!"

The Pillars answered in unison, their morale soaring.

Shinobu's body, broken and battered, bones shattered beyond count, lay supine, unconscious.

…………

Afterwards, Shinobu was taken to Butterfly House.

Upon seeing his condition, Kanao Tsuyuri and the three children were utterly stunned.

"Lord Wind Pillar?!"

"Seventeen bones broken, internal organs damaged, brain concussion—yet not a single external wound… Butterfly Lady, what on earth happened?!"

Kanao stared in shock at Butterfly Shinobu: "What kind of enemy could injure Lord Wind Pillar so severely?! Was it the Twelve Kizuki?"

"Um…"

Butterfly Shinobu's smile stiffened slightly.

Should she lie now?

25, the first thing done at the Village of Swordsmiths

From this day forward.

Luo En took up residence within the Demon Slayer Corps.