Chapter 46: Awkward funeral

【Name: Kuwajima Jigoro—Male】

【Age: 70-something】

【Identity: Former Sound Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps】

【Old friend: Urokodaki Sakonji】

【Disciples: Kaigaku, Agatsuma Zenitsu】

【Breathing Technique: Thunder Breathing】

【Personal Profile: Kuwajima Jigoro was the former Sound Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. At the age of 35, he fought a powerful evil demon and broke one of his legs to save his life. Later, he retired to the second line and lived in seclusion on Peach Mountain as a Thunder Breathing trainer.

First, he took Kaigaku as a disciple, and later met Zenitsu, who was cheated by a woman and owed debt, on the street, so he spent money to buy Zenitsu and brought him to Peach Mountain to take him as a disciple.】

"Hmm... so this old doll is Kuwajima Jigoro... former Sound Pillar..." Zero thought to himself.

Afterwards, he scanned the information of the yellow-haired boy again.

【Name: Agatsuma Zenitsu—Male】

【Age: 15】

【Identity: Demon Slayer swordsman (not examined)】

【Trainer: Kuwajima Jigoro】

【Senior brother: Kaigaku】

【Breathing Technique: Thunder Breathing, First Form】

【Special Ability: Hearing】

【Personal Profile: Agatsuma Zenitsu was abandoned by his parents and lived alone in the city for fifteen years. At the age of fifteen, the girl he secretly loved cheated him out of a lot of money in order to elope with another man, making Zenitsu owe a huge debt.

The former Sound Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kuwajima Jigoro, appeared by accident once, took a fancy to Agatsuma Zenitsu's talent at a glance, paid off the debt for Agatsuma Zenitsu, and brought him to Peach Mountain to take him as a disciple.

He is very timid and cowardly, thinking every moment that he is about to die, so in order not to die in a single state, he often pesters girls to marry him.

But he is kind-hearted and will stand up for friends and girls! Possesses excellent "hearing", able to hear heartbeats and distinguish the sounds of humans and demons.】

"Oh? This little doll... how should I put it... why does it feel that his personality is somewhat biased towards perverted behavior..."

The 【Analysis Glasses】 displayed the information of the yellow-haired boy, which made Zero a bit stunned.

If he passed the examination and went to the Demon Slayer Corps, and met those girls in the Demon Slayer Corps, wouldn't that be a wolf entering a sheep's den?

But it was just a thought. If he really did that, he would probably be chased and slashed. After all, any girl in the Demon Slayer Corps was not simple.

Let's take Tsuyuri Kanao as an example. Don't look at her as always silent, but if she really wants to do it, except for the Pillar-level swordsmen, she is not weaker than anyone.

And there is Kanzaki Aoi of the Butterfly Mansion. Don't look at her as just a nursing staff, the patients in the ward of the Butterfly Mansion are also very afraid of her.

If Agatsuma Zenitsu met Kanzaki Aoi, that scene... tsk tsk tsk...

"But having said that, Kanae is now my lover, and Kochō Shinobu is my sister-in-law, then wouldn't Tsuyuri Kanao also be... uh... how does this seniority feel a bit messy..."

Just as Zero was checking the data information, the yellow-haired boy and the old man turned their heads to look at Zero.

"So beautiful, just like an... elf!"

"Hello, may I ask who you are..."

Before the old man finished speaking, the yellow-haired boy rushed to Zero with the speed of thunder, hugged his thigh, and cried: "This beautiful sister, please marry me! I... I am going to die soon! I don't want to die before getting married! Please help me, fulfill me, please marry me! Woo woo woo..."

Hugging Zero's thigh, he told his story with snot and tears, and the snot and tears were rubbed on Zero's trouser legs.

Zero: (〝▼ヘ▼)!!!

Zero, who was about to get angry, was considering whether he should directly beat this little doll to death on the spot?!

It's one thing for you to hug my thigh and cry, but what do you mean by wiping snot on my trouser legs!?

That's fine, you little doll actually proposed to me?

Proposing is fine, I am a man, you proposed to a man?!

Just as he was about to pull out the 【Dark Alloy Paralysis Gun】 hanging on the other leg, the old man directly gave the yellow-haired boy a muffled stick on the head with his crutch and knocked him unconscious.

Duang!!!

He said to Zero with an apologetic face: "I'm very sorry, my disciple has caused you trouble."

Seeing this, Zero couldn't say anything, and answered: "Forget it, please let him pay more attention next time. Also, do you know Urokodaki Sakonji?"

Hearing the name of Urokodaki Sakonji, the old man guessed that this person was also from the Demon Slayer Corps, and thought he should be the successor of

"Sakonji Urokodaki is an old friend of mine. Are you also a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Zero replied, "I am the Zero Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. I encountered some unexpected circumstances last night, which is how I ended up here by accident."

"So you are the Zero Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps! The Zero Pillar who slew an Upper Rank demon and fought Muzan Kibutsuji! Hahaha, I never expected that an old man like me would have the honor of meeting you!"

"You know me?"

"No, I don't know you personally. It was just that our Master once had the Kasugai Crows relay this information to us trainers. I had intended to go see you when I had the time, but due to certain reasons, it was delayed."

"Oh, that's right, my name is Jigoro Kuwajima. I am a former Sound Pillar and am now a trainer of Thunder Breathing. It's just... sigh... this is my second disciple, Zenitsu Agatsuma. Please don't take what happened just now to heart."

Zero waved his hand, indicating that it was already fine.

"Lord Zero Pillar..."

"You can just call me Zero."

"Hahaha, since that is the case, then I shall respectfully comply. Zero, would you like to come inside and sit for a while?"

"Then I shall impose upon you."

"It is no imposition, hahaha..."

After saying this, Jigoro Kuwajima dragged Zenitsu Agatsuma, who had been knocked unconscious, by the back of his collar and led Zero back to the Peach House.

"Zero, you mentioned earlier that you encountered unexpected circumstances last night. Did something happen?"

"I met Upper Rank One and had a fight with him, and I accidentally fell into Muzan Kibutsuji's base."

"I see, so you fell into Muzan Kibutsuji's base... Muzan Kibutsuji's base?!!!"

Jigoro Kuwajima only then reacted to what Zero had said, stumbling so hard he nearly fell to the ground, but his hand dragging Zenitsu Agatsuma's collar accidentally let go.

Zenitsu Agatsuma's head suffered another impact, sending him into a second state of unconsciousness...

"You... you... you didn't do anything to Muzan Kibutsuji, did you? No, no... Muzan Kibutsuji didn't do anything to you, did he..." Jigoro Kuwajima was somewhat incoherent; the weight of this information was simply too great.

Even his breathing became somewhat rapid. After forcing himself to calm down, he reorganized his words and asked again, "Muzan Kibutsuji didn't do anything to you, did he? Are you injured? Do you need my help?"

Zero did not speak, only smiled slightly.

Jigoro Kuwajima then realized and said with some shame, "That's true, you are still standing here, how could anything be wrong?! It was my rudeness, please don't take offense, hahaha..."

"It is fine. I may need to rest here for a day to organize my equipment. I will return to the Demon Slayer Corps tomorrow to report this matter! So, sorry for the trouble, Mr. Kuwajima."

"That is fine, it is my absolute honor! Hahaha..."

(Zenitsu Agatsuma: Unconscious...)

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Zero's Residence.

A long time had passed since the news of Zero falling into Muzan Kibutsuji's base, and his life or death remained unknown.

Kanae Kocho was in Zero's room, sitting at the table. Recalling these past times, she stroked the string of beads on her hand, unable to suppress the pain in her heart any longer, and collapsed onto the table, weeping bitterly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yue was lying on the bed, her eyes tightly shut.

At first, she had also refused to believe the news, until she became overly agitated later on, causing her brain's program to automatically activate a protection mechanism, plunging her into a "slumber."

A day and a night had now passed, and the swordsmen who went to search had already returned.

At the scene, they only found the Nichirin sickle engraved with "Destroy Demons," a somewhat tattered black hooded cloak, and...

A large pool of blood at the scene.

Seeing this, Kanae Kocho had no choice but to accept the fact.

Everyone at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters was plunged into an extremely oppressive atmosphere at this moment...

In the end, it was decided to hold a funeral for Zero the day after tomorrow, not only for Zero but also to comfort everyone at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

"Zero, didn't you promise me that you would be with me forever? Why did you leave me first... sob... why... why on earth... sob, sob..."

Kanae Kocho was heartbroken, lying at the table. The Kamado family outside the room door felt the same way.

"Zero... why don't you think more of yourself, child..." Kie Kamado said softly, unable to hold back the tears falling from her eyes, covering her mouth and weeping softly.

Takeo, Shigeru, and Hanako, who was holding Rokuta, also stood silently to the side, shedding tears, their hearts heavy with grief.

To their family, Zero was both a benefactor and a family member.

With a family member gone, the pain in their hearts was naturally immense.

Mitsuri Kanroji arrived at Zero's residence and heard the sounds from the second floor while downstairs, but she did not dare to go up and disturb them.

Her heart was also very sad. She had intended to talk to Kanae first and then talk to Zero, but that very night, she received the announcement from Zero's Kasugai Crow, Yuki...

"Mr. Zero..."

Mount Taoshan.

"Zero... Big Brother Zero, you are a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, right?"

After waking up, Zenitsu Agatsuma became very angry upon learning that Zero was a man, shouting things like "Why aren't you a woman! Otherwise, I could have gotten married."

But he soon calmed down. Seeing that he was no longer making a scene, Jigoro Kuwajima silently removed the cane he had placed on Zenitsu Agatsuma's head and went to prepare lunch.

"Yes, what is it?" Zero was sitting at the table in the Peach House, checking his weapons and equipment with his 【Analysis Glasses】 while answering Zenitsu Agatsuma's question.

At the same time, he was using a pen and notebook to record the situation and information from the Infinity Castle last night.

"Big Brother Zero, since you are a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, please, can you tell my grandfather to stop training me! It's just too terrifying. Even if I join the Demon Slayer Corps and become a demon hunter, I'm sure I'll die very quickly..."

"Zenitsu!!"

Zero scolded him sharply. Zenitsu immediately shut his mouth, his body trembling slightly, looking down at his toes, not daring to speak.

"Zenitsu, are you very afraid of death?"

"I... yes... yes, I am..."

Seeing this, Zero sighed helplessly. He could tell that Zenitsu was also a very capable person, and his talent was not weak.

Through the 【Analysis Glasses】, he learned that Zenitsu could also be said to be very kind, willing to stand up for girls and friends!

But looking at his personality now, it didn't seem to be the case...

It seemed as if he lacked confidence in everything he did...

"Zenitsu, I can tell that you are also very capable, you just lack confidence. As long as you have confidence, you can also do many things that others cannot!"

"But I'm really useless. I only learned the First Form of Grandfather's Thunder Breathing! And my senior brother learned everything except the First Form, and even became a demon hunter..."

"Zenitsu, you always say you are useless, so I want to ask you, where exactly are you useless? So what if you only know the First Form of Thunder Breathing? Look at me, I don't know any Breathing Techniques either, but what about now? I still became a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps!"

Seeing Zenitsu still standing there with his head down, unmoved, Zero sighed slightly, indicating that he had no other way.

Just as he was about to continue with his work, a flash of inspiration suddenly crossed his mind.

He asked Zenitsu, "Zenitsu, let me ask you, what kind of person is your senior brother Kaigaku?"

"My senior brother is very talented and a very capable person. He knows everything except the First Form of Thunder Breathing! Although he sometimes looks down on me, I want to work hard, I want to prove it to him, and I want to fight side-by-side with him..."

Hearing these words from Zenitsu, Zero fell into deep thought...

In the dark, he always felt that this person named Kaigaku was not as simple as he seemed, but he couldn't put his finger on why.

Moreover, there was a subtle sense of familiarity in his heart, as if he had seen this person named Kaigaku somewhere before!

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't remember, so he simply stopped thinking about it.

"Zenitsu, I will not give you any help. No one has a smooth journey; there are some things you must experience yourself to grow. You just lack confidence. If you rely too much on others, then you are truly useless!"

"But..."

"There are no 'buts', Zenitsu! You just lack confidence, you will understand!"

Zenitsu's personality and behavior reminded Zero of Tanjiro. Although they were opposites in some ways, it could not be denied that these two little ones indeed had extraordinary qualities.

"Zenitsu, there are many beautiful and cute girls in the Demon Slayer Corps, you know~ If you become a Demon Slayer swordsman..."

"Eh? Re... really?... Are they as beautiful as you?" Before Zero could finish, Zenitsu asked excitedly, his face showing a lecherous smile.

"Uh..." Zero was speechless. As soon as girls were mentioned, Zenitsu returned to his original self...

Fine, take back what I just said, pretend I never said anything...

The next day.

After Zero had everything ready, he prepared to return to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. Before leaving, he waved goodbye to Jigoro Kuwajima and Zenitsu Agatsuma, who had a chestnut-sized bump on his head.

Zero didn't really want to return to this place. Last night, Zenitsu kept pestering him to tell him what the girls in the Demon Slayer Corps were like.

And topics like whether he could find someone willing to marry him.

It left him speechless for a while...

Helpless, he could only use his hand as a blade to strike Zenitsu on the back of the neck, knocking him unconscious, which finally gave his ears some peace.

As it turned out, the next morning, for some reason, Zenitsu was hugging him while sleeping.

He could tolerate that for a moment, but while sleeping, Zenitsu was mumbling things like "so fragrant and soft."

In a fit of anger, he gave him a chestnut-sized bump directly.

That was how the scene from earlier came to be...

Zero now suspected, had Zenitsu Agatsuma been single for so long that he wouldn't even spare a man?

Afterward, it took another day to return to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

But when he saw the Demon Slayer Corps decorated with white mourning cloth, he was momentarily stunned, not understanding what had happened.

Whose funeral was this for?

He stepped forward with curiosity, which left him somewhat speechless.

"So, this is my funeral?!"

A member of the Kakushi in the last row felt as if there was someone behind him. When he turned around and looked, he immediately screamed!

"A ghost!!!"