Chapter 322

I've never eaten anything so disgusting.

His mouth, spoiled by all kinds of delicious food, wanted to spit it out immediately.

But he forced himself to swallow it anyway.

Instantly.

A strange power surfaced within him.

【Twisted Fruit Ability, currently in first stage.】

Twisted Power — Lv1.

（Note: Lv1~Lv3 is Stage One, Lv4~Lv6 is Stage Two, Lv7 is Fruit Awakening, Lv8 is Second Fruit Awakening, Lv9 is Third Fruit Awakening, Lv10: Unknown）

"Devil Fruits have three awakenings? And even unknown realms beyond that?!"

Luo En was deeply shaken inside.

Imu's Second Fruit Awakening was already insane—so there are Third Awakenings and even higher?!

【Replying to Host: In the Pirate World, Devil Fruits can only reach Second Awakening. But in worlds with higher tiers, more complete rules, and more refined power systems, Devil Fruit powers can be developed to higher levels—especially Rule-based abilities, which have immense potential.】

"No way! Then why didn't you tell me this when we were in the Pirate World? If I'd known, I'd have sought out more Rule-based Devil Fruits!"

【Replying to Host: This is information the system only gained after upgrading.】

"..."

Whatever.

I can always return to the Pirate World anyway.

Having gained a higher-level Step and mastered Twisted Power, Luo En felt quite pleased and looked around at the surrounding mountains and forests.

Where should I sign in next?

The Infinite Train, or Kiyoshi Flower Street?

Better go back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters first.

Tanjiro and Nezuko should have arrived by now...

Luo En thought, took one step forward, and vanished from his spot instantly.

…………

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

Within the Butterfly House.

"So bitter! So bitter! This is absolutely disgusting! How can anyone eat after drinking this?!"

"I have to drink this crap for five days?! I'm gonna die! And can I even get my shortened hands and feet back just by drinking medicine?! Is that even real?!"

"No no no no no!!"

Agatsuma Zenitsu, whose hands and feet had been shortened by spider venom, screamed loudly from his bed.

"Someone explain this to me! What if I skip one dose? It won't matter, right?!"

One of the three small-eyed nurses stood beside him holding the medicine, looking extremely troubled: "U-um… please be quiet~"

"You're causing trouble again!"

Kanzaki Aoi marched toward him angrily.

"Please be quiet!!"

Zenitsu was startled by her sudden shout, staring at her in utter terror.

Kanzaki Aoi placed her hands on her hips and glared sternly at him: "You… stop disturbing others' rest. If you don't behave, I really will tie you up!"

"Y-yes, yes… sorry~"

Zenitsu shrank back under the covers, trembling.

What a terrifyingly strict girl...

On the next bed, Hashibira Inosuke, wearing his boar mask, lay completely still despite the noise around him.

But if you got close, you'd hear faint, hoarse whispers coming from beneath his mask.

"I'm sorry. I'm too weak. I'm sorry. I'm too weak..."

After huddling under the covers for a while, Zenitsu was called again to drink the medicine. After another outburst, he still swallowed it under Kanzaki Aoi's stern gaze.

"See? See?! I drank it! I drank the medicine!"

Zenitsu held up his shortened arms, proudly declaring to Kanzaki Aoi and Kiyoshi.

"Yes yes yes, very impressive."

Kanzaki Aoi replied absently as she gathered the medicine bowls.

"Still so bitter... If only there was sugar."

After sticking out his tongue, Zenitsu seemed to remember something and asked Kanzaki Aoi:

"By the way... where are Tanjiro and Nezuko? Are they okay?"

"You mean the red-haired boy who came here with you?"

"Yes!"

"Don't worry. His injuries are slightly better than yours—just several broken bones all over his body."

"Really...? Then where is he now?"

"He was taken away by Lady Butterfly."

"Lady Butterfly?"

Zenitsu recalled the woman who had appeared before him that night—wearing a butterfly-patterned haori, smiling like a night butterfly.

"She saved me. Is she strong?"

Kanzaki Aoi stared at him in disbelief.

"Butterfly my lord is the Insect Pillar, one of the Nine Pillars — of course she's incredibly powerful!"

"Pillar?"

Agatsuma Zenitsu froze for a moment, then exclaimed in shock: "She's a Pillar?! She looks even a little shorter than me…"

The door of the Butterfly Estate was shoved open.

Kakushi no Gotō lunged forward to his sickbed in a single bound, grabbed his face, and glared at him: "Shut it! No badmouthing the Pillars behind their backs!"

"D-d-duelist (sorry)!!"

……

Thirty-two, yo, long time no see~

The weather was clear, the sunlight bright.

Inside the courtyard of the Ubuyashiki estate.

The nine Pillars stood in a single row.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya knelt beneath the eaves; gazing ahead at Tanjiro, whose head was being pressed down by Iguro Obanai, he smiled gently and said: "You are Kamado Tanjiro, I presume?"

Such a gentle voice — it felt as if his mind were about to drift away…

Tanjiro couldn't help thinking.

"Hey! The Master is talking to you — why aren't you even answering?!"

Rengoku Kyojuro frowned and said.

"The Master…"

Hearing it put that way, Tanjiro couldn't help but freeze.

The thin, frail-looking man before him, with his gentle expression and gentle voice — was that really the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps?

Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled at Tanjiro and said: "Pay no mind to Kyojuro's words. Kamado Tanjiro, I have long wished to meet you."

Tanjiro blinked: "Meet me?"

"More precisely, to meet you and your sister."

Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze drifted to the other side. Tanjiro turned his head and saw that a Kakushi member was holding that box in his hands.

Tanjiro was instantly alarmed.

"Nezuko!"

Not good.

Right now, this place was full of the strongest demon-slaying swordsmen — if Nezuko's identity were exposed…

Thinking this far, Tanjiro's heart instantly panicked.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya seemed to read his thoughts, and smiled: "Regarding you and your sister, we already know everything. Rest assured, we will not lay a hand on your sister."