[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong-":3,"chapter-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-41":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Pillar in Demon Slayer Is Extremely Strong but Overly Cautious",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2335967,4566,"Chapter 41: Confession","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>(There’s a hint of dog food here.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, can you come with me somewhere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the birthday party ended, Butterfly Kanae helped Zero and Kamado Kotoha tidy up the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped Zero alone as they were leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll find out when you get there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Kanae’s guidance, they arrived at a dense forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the forest, they reached a cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From here, the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters could be seen—it was quite vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a scenic spot I discovered by chance. Sometimes after missions, I come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero looked down from here too; under the moonlight, the view was uniquely beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evening breeze stirred Kanae’s hair and the butterfly-patterned haori on her body, and with the bright moon and scattered stars hanging high above, she looked utterly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “It really is beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Kanae: “Zero… do you think demons and humans can truly coexist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words plunged Zero into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coexistence between humans and demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero had never believed such a thing possible—just like the monstrous beasts in the stars, which killed humans on sight and even slaughtered their own kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he wasn’t so sure—could demons and humans truly coexist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Juu Shi , Yuushirou, and Nezuko, he suddenly felt it wasn’t entirely impossible… but would it really happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, demons were once human. If their willpower was strong enough to suppress the urge to devour people, then why not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in reality, those who became demons always ended up on an irreversible path…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Zero planned to find a way back home and leave Xiao Yue behind, regardless of this world’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he felt he had changed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Butterfly Kanae turned her head to look at Zero beside her and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned and placed one hand on Zero’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero was startled by Kanae’s action but did not resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Kanae: “Zero, can you answer me a few questions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “What questions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Kanae: “Is there someone you love in your heart?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “Yes. Her name is Luo Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Kanae: “Luo Li… that’s a beautiful name. Where is she now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero turned and pointed to the sky: “Far away, among the stars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Kanae: “Is that so… Zero, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “Kanae, I’m not from this world. I’m not even called Zero—I’ve forgotten my real name and my past. And I… have lived for over two thousand five hundred years, perhaps even longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you believe it or not, I’m not an ordinary person—but I am still human!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Kanae showed no great shock; she looked into Zero’s eyes and answered seriously: “I believe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, I…” Butterfly Kanae struggled inwardly. After hearing Zero’s words, she finally made up her mind and spoke the words she had long wanted to say: “Zero, I love you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zero could speak, Kanae pressed her finger against his lips, feeling the coolness of her skin and Kanae’s closeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to answer me right away. From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were different. I just wanted to tell you my true feelings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only hope you’ll leave a place for me in your heart, and that when you leave, you’ll remember me—that once, in this world, a girl loved you, and wasn’t just a passing shadow in your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, Zero, will you stay with me and walk through the rest of my life in this world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae’s words stirred a chord deep within Zero, leaving him Jiujiubunengpingjing .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zero motionless, she thought he had rejected her, and her heart ached with sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she still pretended nothing was wrong, keeping her gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned close and kissed him lightly on the lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That kiss brought many hazy memories to Zero’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In those memories, a girl had once said nearly the same words to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bai Yue, I only hope you remember: in this world, there is still a girl who loves you. Please don’t lose yourself in the darkness…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the softness of Kanae’s lips and the lingering fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart remained un Pingjing .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the kiss, Kanae regained her composure and said: “Ah, Mr. Zero, we should head back… ah～”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished, Zero grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae’s mind went blank, yet her heart overflowed with sweetness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tear of happiness slipped from her eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wrapped her arms around Zero’s waist and let him kiss her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero had never kissed a girl before, and his movements were clumsy—but wasn’t Kanae just as inexperienced?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long moments passed before their lips parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glistening strand of saliva stretched between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae’s eyes were hazy, her cheeks flushed red, her ears burning hot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both their lips were slightly swollen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Zero spoke first: “Kanae, if one day I leave… will you come with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know what you’re worried about—it’s your sister, Shinobu, right? I can take her with us, or I can bring you back to visit her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae could no longer hold back her joy: “I will!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She embraced Zero again, resting her head on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They felt each other’s warmth, heartbeats, and body scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they shared this tender moment, a branch snapped nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned to see a figure fleeing in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both recognized that silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji Mitsuri!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did Mitsuri end up here? Did she see everything just now?” Kanae looked as if caught in the act, flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. This isn’t something shameful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae snapped out of it, realizing she had been overly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right… hehe～”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Kanae act like this again, Zero couldn’t help but smile wryly as he gently wiped the tear from her eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. We should return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hand in hand, they left the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji Mitsuri fled the scene in disarray, her heart in turmoil—she had seen everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, after Kanae’s birthday party ended, she had returned, intending to speak to Zero alone, and happened upon Kanae and Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Driven by curiosity, she quietly followed them, wanting to find out what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She overheard their conversation and learned some of Zero’s secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never imagined Zero had lived so long!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his appearance gave no hint of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Mitsuri desperately wanted to know how Zero felt about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she saw Kanae kiss Zero—of her own accord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she prepared to slip away quietly, she accidentally stepped on a dry branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back and seeing they had noticed her, she panicked and fled the forest as if chased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mitsuri returned to the Demon Slayer Corps, she went alone to her quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression was like that of someone heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Zero…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri joined the Demon Slayer Corps to find a husband stronger than herself who wouldn’t despise her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Kanae and Zero together, she felt something she couldn’t name—as if she had lost something precious…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero delivered Butterfly Shinobu to the Butterfly House, then returned to his residence under her lingering gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes never left Zero’s receding figure, not even noticing the two standing behind her: Butterfly Shinobu and Kanao Tsuyuri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? …Shinobu? Kanao? When did you get here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Shinobu gave her sister a weary glance, sensing she had changed—as if her heart had just stirred with first love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it seemed something joyful had happened to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, Kanao and I have been standing here for a long time. We called you several times and you didn’t respond.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, I’m so sorry! Hehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her sister once again try to dodge the question with childish cuteness, Butterfly Shinobu rolled her eyes and said: “Sister, don’t think you can sweet-talk your way out of this! I’m not a child anymore. Tell me honestly—what happened to make you so distracted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing at all, little sister. I’ve always been like this. You’re imagining things~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~ Sister, you’re still refusing to confess, huh? I know your weakness, you know~ Hehe…” Butterfly Shinobu, seeing her sister still wouldn’t speak, slowly extended her “evil” hands toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Butterfly Shinobu immediately crossed her arms over her chest to shield herself, then turned and sprinted into her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you won’t escape tonight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Butterfly Shinobu quickly chased after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Kanao Tsuyuri standing at the door, bewildered in the wind…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, sounds emanating from Butterfly Shinobu’s room stirred vivid imaginations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?~ Little sister… Hahaha… You… you’re too gentle…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you tell me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I won’t tell… Hahaha… Don’t… don’t tickle there… It’s… it’s too ticklish…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t tell me, I won’t stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… Hahaha… It’s too ticklish… Ahahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~ Sister, I didn’t know you were this sensitive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t… don’t tickle me… Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then tell me the truth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… I won’t tell… Hahaha… Where are you putting your hand… Ah~?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I didn’t know you were this… well-endowed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nooo~…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, some patients in the Butterfly House heard those sounds and endured a torturous night…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero rose early, preparing to patrol his assigned territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, along a bamboo grove, he encountered Shinobu’s brother, Mitsuri Kanroji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hands were two wooden swords—as if he had been waiting there for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mitsuri, what do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with me. I have something to say to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for Zero’s response, he led him straight to an open clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fight me! Pillars are allowed to spar!” He tossed one of the wooden swords to Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero caught it instinctively, puzzled by his intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could ask why, Mitsuri’s attack came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind Breathing. First Form: Dust Whirlwind Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Mitsuri closed the distance at high speed, leaving behind rotating wind blades capable of slicing the ground clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very moment Mitsuri’s strike neared, Zero stepped back a fraction and sidestepped the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then swung his wooden sword horizontally, striking directly at Mitsuri’s waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri’s face twisted in fury, instantly shifting his stance, twisting his body low to the ground to evade the blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then pushed off with one hand, launching a spinning kick straight at Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a master of Wind Breathing, Mitsuri could wrap the wind blades generated by his technique around his limbs as martial arts, and even a graze could cut the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Zero, this meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mechanical left hand shot out, gripping Mitsuri’s ankle and blocking the kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a sudden surge of force, he flung Mitsuri away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero followed immediately, swinging his wooden sword upward in a direct strike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind Breathing. Second Form: Claw Claws: Kōkufū!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After landing, Mitsuri swung his wooden sword, unleashing four claw-shaped wind blades capable of slicing through blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero’s figure vanished before his eyes, leaving only four claw marks on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a powerful sword aura appeared behind him—Mitsuri had no time to dodge and activated another technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind Breathing. Fourth Form: Rising Sandstorm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri spun around, swinging his wooden sword upward to release five wind blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero bent his body backward ninety degrees to evade, but Mitsuri’s attacks came in relentless succession, leaving no opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind Breathing. Eighth Form: First Blazing Wind Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With blinding speed, he rushed forward, spinning his blade in a full circle around himself, summoning a powerful spiral of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique was formidable—but his opponent was Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the instant Mitsuri was about to unleash the technique, Zero leaped backward, creating a small gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a powerful push from his legs, he charged forward again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Mitsuri could activate another technique, Zero was already before him, striking the back of his knee, elbow, and shoulder blade three times with the tip of his wooden sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three impacts rendered half of Mitsuri’s body numb, as if paralyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could process it, Zero’s next attack came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knee strike sent Mitsuri flying into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, Mitsuri forced himself to drag his body, using his other hand to activate another technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind Breathing. Fifth Form: Autumn Wind Descending the Mountain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a wide-area technique: Mitsuri swung his free hand overhead, summoning a massive rotating wind blade around himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But due to the temporary paralysis of half his body, the technique’s power was drastically reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zero slid along the ground, executing a low sweep to reach Mitsuri’s landing point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He planted his hands on the ground, pushed up, then wrapped his legs around Mitsuri’s waist and slammed him hard onto the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri, now incapacitated, could no longer continue the sparring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The numbness in half his body had already begun to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the battle, Mitsuri could not believe he had lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, he had pushed himself through brutal training—not just physical conditioning, but also relentless practice of his Breathing Style and sword techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All to one day defeat Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he couldn’t win, he at least wanted to fight him to a draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he had been utterly defeated, with no chance to counter. He couldn’t understand—how could Zero possess such vast combat experience and skill?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. I lost.” Mitsuri, though hot-tempered, was honest—he admitted defeat when he lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he had clearly felt that Zero hadn’t even used his full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero said nothing, only walked up to him and extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri took Zero’s hand and stood up. “Take good care of Shinobu. She’s a wonderful girl. Don’t betray her—or I’ll kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zero understood why Mitsuri had challenged him—it was because of Butterfly Shinobu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Mitsuri deeply cared for her, though it was clearly one-sided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need you to tell me. I swear on my life—I will treat her well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. Get lost! Annoying bastard, don’t interfere with my training anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zero could tell—he simply wanted to be alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he left, he patted Mitsuri’s shoulder, then walked away without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zero’s retreating figure, then gazing at the sky, Mitsuri thought: Shinobu, I wish you happiness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, one day, I will defeat you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",2358,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e730e041008335bb6f02d35c30708167885b0df33b62b4f25f0c0cc771f531e0","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-42","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-40",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]