Chapter 108: Dream Prophecy

Seven days have passed since the Blacksmith Village incident; all residents of the village have been safely relocated to another position.

To prevent similar incidents from recurring, several more empty villages have been established.

Should any unexpected event arise again, they can immediately transfer to another position.

Yet this brief peace is merely the calm before the coming storm.

Afterward, Ubuyashiki Kagaya convened a Pillars’ Meeting.

Since many Upper Moon demons have been slain, and though Kibutsuji Muzan remains silent, this indirectly suggests a great storm may soon descend.

Therefore, before that, we hope to use this brief calm to train lower-rank swordsmen below the Pillar level.

Everyone agreed to this proposal.

The training content was simple.

Zero Pillar—Zero:

Weight training to enhance physical strength.

Sound Pillar—Uzui Tengen:

Brutal conditioning to enhance stamina.

Love Pillar—Kanroji Mitsuri:

Flexibility training to enhance suppleness.

Mist Pillar—Shinobu Kocho:

Speed training to enhance velocity.

Serpent Pillar—Iguro Obanai:

Sword technique training to correct form.

Wind Pillar—Fujibayashi Shinobu:

Offensive training to enhance aggressive power.

Rock Pillar—Munemiya Gyomei:

Strength training to enhance muscle density.

Former Flame Pillar Rengoku Makio, Flame Pillar Rengoku Kyojuro, and Water Pillar Tomioka Giyu were assigned to conduct sparring sessions among the Pillars.

Insect Pillar Shinobu Kocho and Flower Pillar Kanae Kocho were assigned to develop medicinal remedies.

After all, some swordsmen suffered injuries from the training and required treatment from the sisters.

Yet even at the first stage, many failed Zero Pillar’s weight training and were injured.

There was no choice; during training, Zero once again became a devilish instructor, making every participant in his weight drills groan in agony.

Basic requirements: 150 jin on each wrist and ankle, plus 100 jin on the back, then run five laps around Butterfly House.

This was only the beginning; after running, they had to perform 300 push-ups.

If they failed to meet Zero’s standards, did you see the cane in his hand?

He would strike them mercilessly with it, leaving them in unbearable pain.

Pssssht!!!

A whistle blew; Zero stood with his cane, supervising everyone present.

“You lot can’t even match Tanjiro and the other three! They can handle 1200 jin—you can’t even manage 700!”

“Hurry up! Whoever falls behind gets double the training—until it’s done!”

Hearing “double,” everyone immediately sped up, terrified of being last.

When Ubuyashiki Kagaya learned of this, he summoned Zero to the mansion for a talk.

“Zero, perhaps you should stop training them—I fear for my children…”

Zero sighed helplessly. “A drop of sweat in training saves a drop of blood on the battlefield. This is already the lightest regimen.”

Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled bitterly. “You’re right—but if they can’t even pass your test, how will they survive Pillar-level training?”

“Sigh… fine, I won’t train them anymore. I’ll spend more time with Kanae and Mitsuri, and patrol the region to check for any lingering demons.”

This relieved Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Yet the next words Zero spoke made the couple even more grateful they’d stopped him from training lower-rank swordsmen.

“I carry several thousand jin effortlessly—why can’t they handle even 1000 jin?”

Zero sipped tea, unconcerned.

Ubuyashiki couple: You’re the one who dares to punch Kibutsuji Muzan—how can you compare to them?

Far away in the Infinite Castle, Kibutsuji Muzan suddenly sneezed, a chill running down his spine.

Before Zero left, however, Ubuyashiki Kagaya handed him a letter.

“Zero, if you reach Asakusa, could you deliver this letter to Juuetsu?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Seeing this, the two exchanged a silent smile.

Butterfly House.

Tanjiro, injured in the Blacksmith Village battle with fractures in several places, now spent most of his time recovering in the ward.

After the Blacksmith Village incident, Fujibayashi Akemi became friends with Tanjiro.

They opened up to each other in conversation.

Kamado Kie, upon learning Tanjiro had awakened, prepared many delicacies for him, which Nezuko brought over.

Yet Nezuko seemed afraid to come to Butterfly House…

Tanjiro ate the food his mother made while chatting with Goto, a member of the Hidden Division.

He felt—if only this life could last forever.

Unfortunately, as long as Kibutsuji Muzan lived, there would be no peace.

“By the way, you’ve been unconscious for seven days—aren’t you worried eating this much now?”

Goto watched Tanjiro devouring food with concern.

“No problem! (chew chew) Kanroji-san said (chew chew) to eat more (chew chew)—it’s good for the body.”

Goto felt Tanjiro was starting to develop strange habits.

“Cough… water… water!” Tanjiro nearly choked from overeating.

“You really ate too much!” Goto hurriedly brought him water to soothe his throat.

At that moment, the ward door opened; Koyoharu Gotouji entered holding a brand-new Nichirin Blade.

“Mr. Gotouji! You’re here! You’re alright… uh…” Tanjiro fell silent the moment he saw Gotouji’s expression.

He saw ghostly spirits swirling around Gotouji.

They glared at Tanjiro with furious eyes.

Gotouji approached Tanjiro; Goto brought him a chair to sit.

The silence was terrifying.

After a long while, Gotouji handed the blade to Tanjiro. “This… is the fifth blade. If I see you break it, I’ll kill you.”

Tanjiro, terrified by Gotouji’s aura, immediately swore: “I’ll protect this blade—I won’t break it again!”

Gotouji didn’t believe him—if oaths worked, the first four blades wouldn’t have been lost or broken.

He jabbed Tanjiro’s face with a furious finger. “Remember what you just said! That man never broke my blades—even once—yet you broke four!”

And remember this forever: from now on, you must bring me mitarashi dango—until you die.

Tanjiro quickly replied: “Yes, Mr. Gotouji—I’ll bring them!”

Finally, Gotouji calmed down. “Draw the blade.”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Gotouji.”

Tanjiro sat on the bed and slowly drew the Nichirin Blade.

In his hand, the entire blade turned black—just as before, but the blackness was deeper.

On the tsuba was engraved a single character: 【Destroy】.

The character “Destroy”…

“The swordsmith who forged this blade intended to destroy all demons. He didn’t engrave his name or any other inscription—only this one character.”

“Before the Pillar system was established, only Pillars’ Nichirin Blades bore the inscription ‘Demon Extermination.’”

Gotouji explained.

“So that’s it… what an incredible blade…”

Before leaving, Gotouji warned Tanjiro once more: don’t break the blade again.

Nightfall. Asakusa, Tokyo.

Zero stared at the scene before him; memories flooded his mind.

Time had passed—three years had slipped by so quickly.

He found Juuetsu’s villa, slipped through the wall unseen, and entered the backyard.

Juuetsu, on the second floor, saw Zero through the window—her eyes brightened; she hurried downstairs to greet him.

“Zero, it’s been so long!”

“Yes, it has.”

“Come to my room and talk.”

“Then I’ll be taking your time.”

Yu Shiro sensed his Blood Demon Art being triggered and rushed downstairs to the backyard—only to find Zhu Shi had already arrived there ahead of him.

The visitor was someone who made him both fearful and helpless.

Finally, he turned away silently to prepare tea and snacks for him.

He arrived at Zhu Shi’s room.

Zero sat on the sofa, and Cha Cha Wan ran over at the same time and curled up on Zero’s lap.

Zhu Shi sat across from him and smiled. “What brings you here this time?”

“There is indeed something.” Zero took an envelope from his chest and handed it to Zhu Shi. “This is from the Head of the Demon Slayer Corps, meant for you.”

Zhu Shi took the envelope and pulled out the letter to read.

【Dear Miss Zhu Shi,】

【I am Ubuyashiki Yoriyuki, the 97th Head of the Demon Slayer Corps. I have entrusted Zero as my emissary to sincerely invite you, and earnestly request that you come to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters to help us devise a strategy against Muzan Kibutsuji.】

【There are children within the Demon Slayer Corps who specialize in the biology and medicine of demons—please consider joining us.】

【Zero will accompany and protect you. His rank within the Demon Slayer Corps is second only to mine; I am certain he will ensure no one harms you.】

【Signed, Ubuyashiki Yoriyuki.】

Yu Shiro placed the tea and snacks before Zero, then obediently stood behind Zhu Shi.

After reading the letter, Zhu Shi fell into deep thought.

Zero did not disturb her. He stroked the cat quietly, waiting for her reply.

After a long while, Zhu Shi finally spoke: “To invite a demon like me to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters—is that truly appropriate?”

“There’s no ‘appropriate’ or ‘inappropriate’ anymore. Times have changed. Don’t judge the present with old thinking—rigid, outdated ideas only hold you back.”

“Ah… give me some time. I need to think carefully.”

“Mm. I’ll wait right here.”

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

Ubuyashiki Yoriyuki, who had been resting, suddenly woke from his sleep.

Ubuyashiki Tane saw this and asked anxiously: “Yoriyuki, what’s wrong? Did you dream again?”

Ubuyashiki Yoriyuki wiped sweat from his brow. “A force stronger than Muzan Kibutsuji is descending upon the Demon Slayer Corps…”

Then he told Ubuyashiki Tane of his prophetic dream.

He had seen a colossal, never-before-seen iron bird descend from the sky and land over the Demon Slayer Corps.

From its body emerged seven fully armed individuals, each as powerful as Zero—five men, two women.

All of them radiated the same aura and battle-hardened killing intent as Zero!

Their chilling presence—even seen only in a dream—sent shivers down the spine!

Even countless Muzan Kibutsuji could not stand against them!

The dream ended there. Ubuyashiki Yoriyuki did not know whether those seven were friend or foe.

Ubuyashiki Tane grew worried. If they weren’t enemies, fine—but if they were…

“Don’t worry, Tane. I believe these outsiders are not enemies.”

“Mm, I understand. I trust you.”

After hours of deliberation, Zhu Shi finally made up her mind: she would go to the Demon Slayer Corps.

Not for any other reason—her only goal, the sole purpose she had clung to all this time, was to destroy Muzan.

“I accept. I’ll go with you to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.”

“Really? Then I’ll escort you.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. I should be thanking you—for turning Nezuko back into a human.”

“Wasn’t that our original agreement? A fair exchange.”

“Yes. A fair exchange.”

“Zero, may I ask you something?”

“Ask.”

Zhu Shi glanced at Yu Shiro.

Yu Shiro understood at once and left Zhu Shi’s room, waiting outside the door.

Zhu Shi calmed her racing heart and asked: “Zero… I was wondering… do you… have…”

“Have what?” Zero frowned. He had never seen Zhu Shi like this.

How to put it?

Like a girl experiencing first love—blushing, shy, trembling.

“I… I just… do you…” She stammered for a long time, unable to finish.

One hand gripped her collar tightly.

Zero: ???

So what exactly?

Her expression now was almost identical to when Kanae had confessed to him…

Could it be…

No. Impossible. Surely not…

He and Zhu Shi were merely collaborators and pen pals.

There had been no emotional connection between them at all.

So Zero dismissed the idea that Zhu Shi liked him.

Though she was beautiful—like a warm, sunny neighborly older sister.

In his own world, suitors would have lined up for miles—or perhaps across several dimensions.

But she was married, even if her husband was no longer alive.

Still, she had her own unique charm, undeniably attractive.

Combined with her tragic past, she evoked a desire to protect her.

But it wasn’t her fault—Zero himself carried a special aura, one that gave people an overwhelming sense of safety.

Not just humans—even female demons were inexplicably drawn to him.

Didn’t even Kanao—Inosuke—get excited just being near him?

(Zero: I deal with demons, but I don’t date them.)

“Miss Zhu Shi, if there’s nothing else, please prepare quickly. I’ll escort you to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.”

“Ah… yes… yes…”

Zhu Shi sighed and left silently to make preparations.

Watching her retreating back, Zero exhaled in relief.

He’d overthought it again—and thank goodness he had. Otherwise, the consequences might have been unbearable.