Chapter 111: Trial of Kaigaku - Death Penalty!

On the way back to the Demon Slayer Corps, Zero instructed his Kasugai Crow, Snow, to go to Mount Taoshan.

"Snow, go to Mount Taoshan and notify the former Sound Pillar, Kuwajima Jigoro."

"Yes, Master!"

The Kasugai Crow, Snow, had already felt the anger on Zero's body; it understood that something big was about to happen next.

It was the first time it had seen its master so angry.

Before, Snow had never seen Zero angry; he was especially friendly to people or animals.

(Black Bear: Roar! 【You're talking nonsense!】)

After the Kasugai Crow, Snow, left, Zero looked at Kaigaku, whom he was carrying, and really wanted to execute him on the spot!

But thinking about it, he still held it back for the time being.

He took out a piece of cloth, wrapped Kaigaku's head, held him by his pants waistband, and walked slowly back to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

Early the next morning, Zero returned to the Demon Slayer Corps.

Only, his mood was very bad at this time.

Other passing swordsmen, seeing this, didn't dare to step forward to ask what was going on.

But, it definitely had to do with the swordsman being carried by Pillar Zero!

They really couldn't understand what had happened to make Zero, who had always been kind to others, so angry?!

Passing by the Butterfly Mansion, he happened to meet Kochou Shinobu.

Kochou Shinobu saw that Zero had become very different today, a familiar sense of strangeness.

"Brother-in-law, you... what happened to you?" Kochou Shinobu asked.

Zero calmed his heart and said gently: "Shinobu, can you go and let all the Pillar-level swordsmen come to the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion? Including the former Flame Pillar. By the way, notify the Master as well."

Although she didn't understand what had happened, Kochou Shinobu still nodded and agreed: "I understand, Brother-in-law."

Waiting for Kochou Shinobu to leave and notify the others, Zero came to the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion alone.

He threw Kaigaku to the ground, took out paper and pen, and recorded everything he learned about Kaigaku through the 【Analysis Glasses】!

As a result, the more he wrote, the angrier he became!

He didn't expect this Kaigaku to have done so many things that made people and gods angry!

And fortunately, everything that happened last night was recorded by drones.

Now the evidence was sufficient, let's see how he would quibble then!?

Enduring the discomfort in his heart, he continued to record everything about Kaigaku...

A moment later.

Kanae and Mitsuri arrived at the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion first.

They wanted to step forward to say hello, but saw him recording something with a calm face.

Plus the swordsman tied up on the side, they didn't dare to step forward to disturb him.

They understood Zero; the calmer he was, the greater his anger!

"Zero..."

"Shh, Mitsuri, don't disturb him, he must have his reasons for doing this, believe in him."

"Mm, I know, Kanae... but seeing him like that, I'm also very sad..."

"It's okay, Mitsuri, everything will be fine."

Not long after, the remaining Pillar-level swordsmen had all arrived at the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion.

Kanae had explained the situation in advance, so they didn't go to disturb Zero.

"What on earth happened to make him so angry?"

Shinazugawa Sanemi was also feeling the anger exuding from Zero for the first time, as well as the killing intent hidden within it!

Himejima Gyomei, who was in the field, saw the swordsman who was tied up and had his palm cut off, feeling somewhat familiar.

Although his head was wrapped, that sense of familiarity definitely couldn't be wrong!

This person, he must have seen him too!

Just like this, the eleven Pillars stood in a row silently.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his wife also came to the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion together.

They didn't go up to ask, sitting silently under the eaves waiting.

During the wait, outside the Butterfly Mansion door, Kuwajima Jigoro ran in, leaning on a cane, in a hurry.

Early this morning, he received the notification from the Kasugai Crow, Snow, and Zero asked him to come to the Butterfly Mansion.

Although he wasn't very clear about what had happened, there was always a bad premonition in his heart!

"Master!" Kuwajima Jigoro saw Ubuyashiki Kagaya and bowed to show respect.

And then he also stood silently on the side.

Snap!

Zero seemed unable to write anymore, the pen in his hand was crushed, and he threw those papers away, flying all over the sky, a full seven or eight sheets.

Finally, he drew the 【Dark Alloy Paralysis Gun】 hanging on his leg and aimed it at Kaigaku.

Kanae and Mitsuri, seeing this, immediately rushed forward to hug him, preventing what was about to happen next.

Mitsuri: "Zero, don't be impulsive!"

Kanae: "Zero, don't do anything stupid! Tell us all what's going on, can you?"

Several other Pillars picked up the papers on the ground, looking at the things recorded on them, and the more they looked, the darker their faces became.

The irritable Shinazugawa Sanemi was even more blue-veined, his eyes filled with bloodshot eyes!

Zero calmed his heart, constantly warning himself that this kind of guy was not worth him being so angry.

He stepped forward and removed the black cloth on Kaigaku's head, revealing his true face.

"Kaigaku!"

Himejima Gyomei and Kuwajima Jigoro shouted at the same time.

Now, Himejima Gyomei understood why he had that sense of familiarity; it turned out to be like this!

In that case, everything made sense.

"Pillar Zero, can you tell this old man what happened? If possible, I am willing to replace him..."

Before the words fell, Zero stared into his eyes and said: "If you knew what happened last night, you wouldn't say that, Mr. Kuwajima."

"I..."

Zero didn't care what Kuwajima Jigoro was going to say next, kicked Kaigaku in the stomach, and kicked him awake.

"Pfft! Cough, cough... ahhhhh!! My hand! Why did my hand become like this?! Bastard, who is it?! I'm going to kill him!"

Kaigaku, who woke up, felt a burst of pain and wanted to see who was treating him like this.

He looked up and met Zero's gaze, instantly speechless, not daring to have any complaints.

Yet the ferocity and gloom hidden in his eyes deeply betrayed him.

Everyone present could see it.

"Why? Did you forget what you did last night?" Zero asked coldly.

Kaigaku didn't dare to answer, his face buried deep into his chest.

"Amitabha... Kaigaku, I didn't expect you to become a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman, but you are still the same, repeatedly failing to change!"

Seeing Kaigaku's face, deep in Himejima Gyomei's heart, that unbearable memory once again emerged in his mind.

"Kaigaku, why... why are you like this..."

Kuwajima Jigoro was very heartbroken; seeing the things Zero recorded, he understood what kind of person Kaigaku was.

But thinking that it was just his past, he hurriedly came to Zero and begged: "Zero, this old man knows that no matter what I say, you won't forgive Kaigaku, but that was all his past, look at whether you can..."

"Mr. Kuwajima, I'll say it one last time, if you knew what happened last night, you wouldn't talk to me like that!"

Everyone was confused, not understanding what on earth happened last night.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya, seeing this, opened his mouth: "Zero, look..."

"Kagaya!!!"

Zero's roar scared everyone.

They were also hearing Zero call the Master's name directly for the first time.

"I know you treat everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps as your own children, and can't bear to see such things happen."

"But if you change your perspective and think, if one day, everyone is in a bitter battle with Kibutsuji Muzan, and Kaigaku suddenly betrays, causing everyone to die, and letting Kibutsuji Muzan escape, then would you still think so?!"

This remark, although unpleasant, was indeed reasonable.

Finally, Kaigaku couldn't take it anymore and shouted: "Enough! I didn't do anything wrong at all! Is it wrong for me to want to live? And you, Pillar Zero, what are you? What right do you have to manage me?! What right do you have to get other people's affection?!"

"You, a Pillar who doesn't even know Breathing Technique, have no right to talk about me! Even less right to be a Pillar! If you have the ability..."

Boom!

Zero, furious to the extreme, stomped on the ground, dust flying!

A crack extended to Kaigaku's side before stopping.

Kaigaku was so scared that he didn't dare to continue speaking, but in his heart, he hated

Everyone was shocked by Zero's strength once again!

How immense must his power be to be able to stomp a crack into the ground?!

But very quickly, the words Kaigaku had just spoken stirred up even more fury, earning him the wrath of all the Pillars.

Not to mention Zero's status as a Pillar, the things Zero has done alone are enough to earn everyone's respect!

If not for Zero, the Demon Slayer Corps could never have gathered so much intelligence on evil demons, reducing the Demon Slayer Corps' mortality rate to the absolute minimum!

If not for Zero serving as the examiner at Mount Fujikasane, the Demon Slayer Corps would never have achieved such massive reforms!

If not for Zero, the curse on the head of the Demon Slayer Corps would not have been cleared.

If not for Zero slaying the Upper Rank demons...

It can be said that Zero's status in the Demon Slayer Corps is second only to the Master.

Moreover, Kanae and Mitsuri are Zero's fiancées; if not for them, Zero might not have appeared in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Kanae and Mitsuri also felt very uncomfortable inside; Kaigaku's words were clearly disparaging their husband.

They wanted to take action, but still forced themselves to hold back.

Subsequently, Zero spoke slowly: "Last night, I encountered Upper Rank One, and he has already been exterminated by me!"

"What?!"

This was undoubtedly a heavy bomb dropped into water, exploding and stirring up a massive wave.

If what Zero said was true, wouldn't that mean all the Upper Rank demons have already been eliminated by Zero?!

Thinking of the things Zero had done, everyone quickly calmed down again.

"However, before slaying Upper Rank One, Kaigaku defected to the evil demons..."

"I know none of you may believe it, but I have already recorded everything that happened last night."

These words caused Kaigaku's heart to sink into an abyss.

Originally, he had been gambling that even if Zero spoke out, as long as there was no evidence, Zero could do nothing to him!

But he never expected...

No, this must be fake! It must be that he wants to make me confess, so he's lying to everyone!

Kaigaku comforted himself internally, still clinging to that faint, glimmering hope.

Immediately, Zero entered the inner room, activated the projection mode of his 【Analysis Glasses】, and played what he had encountered last night for everyone to see.

About half an hour passed.

After watching this projection, everyone felt heavy-hearted, and their inner turmoil could not be calmed for a long time.

Following that came the desire to tear Kaigaku into eight pieces.

Sangdao Ciwu Lang, heartbroken, could only silently turn to the side, shedding tears.

"I know the rules of your Demon Slayer Corps, so leave the rest to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zero walked toward Kaigaku.

"No... no... you can't kill me! Master! I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I beg you... I beg you to save me! Master, I will... I will never commit such an act again!" Kaigaku cried out.

Just then, five or six swordsmen rushed in from outside the Butterfly Mansion gate and knelt before everyone.

"Master! Pillar!"

The five or six swordsmen knelt on one knee in unison and pleaded: "Lord Zero Pillar, please let us personally finish off this scum Kaigaku; we will accept any punishment afterward!"

Those five or six swordsmen looked at Kaigaku, revealing nothing but killing intent!

"Sigh..." Ubuyashiki Yaoya sighed in disappointment, his heart equally pained.

Afterward, supported by Ubuyashiki Tianyin, they left the Butterfly Mansion together.

As for what follows...

Everything is left to Zero to handle.

"For the various sins committed by Kaigaku, the verdict is—death penalty!!!"

Just as Zero prepared to execute Kaigaku with his gun, Sangdao Ciwu Lang came before Zero and grabbed the gun to stop him.

"Old Mr. Sangdao, do you still intend to plead for Kaigaku?!"

"Zero... no, Lord Zero Pillar, please let this old man do it himself; having taught such a disciple, I, this trainer, am also guilty!"

"Very well!"

Zero slowly stepped aside and nodded toward the five or six swordsmen.

The swordsmen understood what Zero meant and stepped forward to drag Kaigaku out.

When Sangdao Ciwu Lang prepared to follow them out, Zero blocked him and said: "Old Mr. Sangdao, a person like Kaigaku is not worth you doing that! Don't forget, you still have that good disciple, Zenitsu."

Having his thoughts laid bare by Zero, Sangdao Ciwu Lang lowered his head in shame and said: "Sigh... this old man understands."

Originally, Sangdao Ciwu Lang had intended to commit seppuku to apologize after resolving this matter with Kaigaku.

But now it seems nothing could escape Zero's eyes.

"Hahaha..." Sangdao Ciwu Lang laughed loudly, his laughter filled with guilt, helplessness, and regret.

A tear flowed from the corner of his eye involuntarily.

Crack!

The cane in his hand struck the ground, and he exerted force, shaking it violently.

The cane turned into wood shavings, revealing the Nichirin Sword hidden inside, and he slowly walked out of the Butterfly Mansion.

Soon, thunderous explosions and Kaigaku's miserable screams echoed from the forest.

The Kaigaku affair thus came to an end.

Zero looked at the sky and let out a long sigh.

He felt that he had truly changed a lot.

If it were before, he wouldn't have cared about such matters at all.

It seems he... is becoming more and more human...

The others left the scene one after another.

Kanae and Mitsuri stepped forward to hug Zero, comforting him: "Zero, it's okay, no one will blame you for this."

"Zero, don't be sad, let's go home."

"Mm..." Zero nodded silently and, accompanied by his two girlfriends, returned to his mansion.